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| Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a press conference on employment and the economy Thursday in North Brunswick. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen) |
Gov. Chris Chris Christie vetoed two bills that would have increased benefits for New Jerseyans on the state’s welfare program, saying they would have “substantial budgetary impacts.”
The bills, as I reported in NJ Spotlight last week would increase benefit levels for the state’s Work First recipients by 30 percent over three years and eliminate a cap on family sizes created during the 1990s.
Assembly Bill A-31 passed the Assembly 48-24 with two abstentions and the Senate 26-14 — short of a veto-proof majority. (It takes 54 votes in the Assembly and 27 in the Senate to override a gubernatorial veto). Benefit levels under the bill rise from the current $424 per month for a family of three to $466 a month in the first year, $509 the second year, and $551 in the third. Benefits would then increase annually at the same rate that Social Security benefits increase.
Assembly Bill A-33 passed 51-20, with three abstentions, and 22-14. It ends a 25-year practice of capping family sizes under Work First. Under current law, payments are tied to the size of a family when it enrolls in the program, meaning a family of three would not see an increase in benefits if the mother had another child.
Christie cited “Responsible governance” in his veto message, saying that “any increase to program benefits be determined on an annual basis and in consideration of the costs associated with all State programs.”
Such a contemplative approach facilitates the identification of the State’s fiscal priorities and ensures that the State will meet its constitutional mandate of a balanced budget.
He said Work First is just On of numerous programs that help the state’s poor, which also include housing and food aid.
New Jersey Policy Perspective issued a statement critical of the governor, calling his action “beyond cruel.”
“These bills would’ve help to lift families and kids out of poverty, mend New Jersey’s seriously tattered safety net, and ensure that New Jersey’s poor families aren’t being left behind,” said Jon Whiten, New Jersey Policy Perspective Vice President.
According to the Office of Legislative Services, the bill would have cost an additional $10.9 million during fiscal 2018, $20.7 million in fiscal 2019, and $29.4 million in fiscal 2020. The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. It has been 30 years since benefits were increased under Work First.
Hank Kalet 
Poor people are hated and despised in this country. How dare they get any \”handouts\” or \”freebies.\” They are just a bunch of moochers, layabouts, leeches, idlers and bums according to the given \”wisdom\” of hate wing radio, Fox News, etc. I hear this kind of crap all the time and see it in the comments sections of the news web sites. There's not only a war against unions but also against the poor in this country. Now that we have had a far right wing coup of our government we will see more crushing blows against the poor.
I don't \”despise\” poor people, but I do think that giving them \”welfare\” disables and trains them to be the government's dependents … … forever!
Are you enjoying Social Security, Medicare and any other benefits that my tax dollars are supporting or supported (past tense)? The difference is I don't begrudge my tax dollars (past or present) going to these essential programs. I am more than happy to support these programs and I benefit from them as well, as do millions of other Americans.