Trenton, NJ: In anticipation of Governor Phil Murphy's budget speech next week, a broad collection of faith, labor, progressive, community, and environmental organizations today urged the governor to continue fairly increasing revenue and achieving budget savings to dig NJ out of a financial hole left by his predecessors and to increase funding for critical environmental programs.
Over the past two decades, environmental programs have been disproportionately cut, or have been slowest to recover, compared with other state programs. Lack of investments in NJ Transit, clean energy, water infrastructure, and core staff and programs at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have put public health in jeopardy and hurt our economy.
In a letter to the governor today, the groups expressed support for more investment in DEP 's climate and water programs, Board of Public Utility's Clean Energy Fund, and NJ Transit. The letter also includes potential responsible revenue solutions including reforming wealth, corporate, income, and sales taxes and negotiating savings.
“We're in the middle of climate, water and public health crises. The science dictates we can't afford to wait decades, we can't get lead out of our water fast enough, and we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, 45% by 2030. These funds and paying for them responsibly are critically needed to compete and defeat the crises we face," said Eric Benson, Clean Water Action Campaign Director.
A copy of the letter submitted to the administration, along of a list of the co-signers can be found online:
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Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. We will protect clean water in the face of attacks from a polluter friendly Administration and Congress. Clean Water Action has nearly 1 million members nationwide. www.cleanwater.org/nj