ROI-NJ: Poll: N.J. voters want state to close deficit through benefits reform, not taxes

By Emily Bader

The effects of COVID-19 have resulted in a financial deficit for New Jersey.

To close it, residents are urging Gov. Phil Murphy and the legislature to focus on benefits reform and government savings over tax increases and borrowing, according to a new poll by Garden State Initiative.

Last week, the Murphy administration announced that New Jersey will face a revenue shortfall of $10 billion. The shortfall will place the state’s pension system at a funding level of 58.6% of what’s needed to pay 800,000 active and retired public employees. Those figures do not include any of the financial impact from COVID-19, GSI said.

“By significant margins, New Jersey voters recognize that tax increases are not the right prescription to get New Jersey’s fiscal house in order,” Regina M. Egea, president, GSI, said. “Common sense reforms, that put public employee benefits on par with the private sector, coupled with measures to reduce the cost of government, enjoy broad popular support among voters.”

Read the full report here.