Assemblyman Joe Malone and Assemblyman Sean Kean

MALONE AND KEAN: NOT EVERY STATE WORKER
CAN AFFORD TO TAKE A PAY CUT
SAY FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE EXTRAVAGANT SALARIES

June 22, 2006

Assemblyman Joe Malone/609-298-6250
Assemblyman Sean Kean/732-974-0400
Assembly Republican Office/609-292-5339

Assemblymen Joe Malone and Sean Kean said today that State Senator Stephen Sweeney's proposed 15% cut in employee salaries and benefit costs is too drastic.

"Sadly, hard working state employees are being caught in the crossfire of a very charged budget battle," said Malone, R-Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean. "Senator Sweeney's conclusion that all state workers need to take a 15 percent pay cut seems to have been reached in a very unsystematic manner. This plan fails to take into account the vast majority of state employees who do not receive exorbitant salaries."

Malone and Kean said the pay cut would be devastating to state workers on the lower end of the pay scale.

"We need to consider that some middle-class workers and their families cannot get by with smaller paychecks," said Kean, R-Monmouth. "A family making $25,000 who is forced to take a 15 percent pay cut could very well end up on food stamps. During dire financial times everyone needs to be held accountable, but it is unfair to balance the state budget on the backs of struggling state workers."

The legislators said savings could be achieved by cutting employee benefits for individuals in higher salary brackets. They also said the budget could be balanced through other substantial spending cuts.

"There are definitely some employees who can afford a cut in their benefits package," added Kean. "Workers who make an excessive amount need to shoulder their share of the burden. It is time they ante up and join in efforts to make New Jersey more affordable."

"New Jersey is taking on water and about to sink," Malone said. "If immediate action isn't taken businesses and families will be forced to relocate to another state. New Jersey has a spending addiction that is spiraling out of control. To alleviate this problem we need to significantly reduce state spending."

#####