As leaders in the Christian Church, we believe God calls us to live in community with respect for the dignity of each person. This means that we must engage in society as citizens striv ing for justice. How the state raises and allocates resources has an im pact on all the people living here, affecting their well-being and future security.
Last month, Gov. Jon Corzine presented his budget proposal. With admirable political courage, he spoke directly and truthfully about the state's serious financial problems. New Jersey's current bonded indebtedness is $32 billion, costing the state about $2.6 billion each year in debt service. No payments were made into state pension funds for over 10 years, leaving $25 billion in pension liabilities with no funding to support them. Also, the state has not kept up with payments for contracted health benefits to retirees, creating an additional $58 billion liability.
Given these realities, the governor is rightly calling for serious measures to manage state spend ing, debt and income projections. This is indeed necessary so that New Jersey can maintain a budget that supports essential state services.
We are heartened that the governor has prioritized education, public safety and the protection of children in his budget proposals. We believe that serious public discourse is needed now.
It is tempting to assign blame to politicians for today's problems, but the general public has been less than vigilant in keeping cur rent on New Jersey's finances. All of us share some responsibility for the present situation, and all of us must engage in thoughtful processes toward restoring New Jersey's fiscal health.
We invite the citizens to reflect with us on what is at stake in the unfolding budget debate, hoping that this will contribute to respectful civic engagement. We understand the budget to be a moral document. It therefore needs to be grounded in justice and concern for the common good. A moral budget is supported by sound, transparent fiscal policies and also includes real commitments to protect and serve people in need.
Our shared religious teachings show that God has particular concern for the most vulnerable among us: the impoverished, the sick, and those who suffer abuse or neglect. Recent studies indicate a growing struggle with poverty in New Jersey. When households face hopeless cycles of need, society and individuals pay a devastating price in lost potential and damaged self- esteem. In this time of particular economic hardship, there is a moral responsibility to keep a "safety net" intact and to expand or develop new initiatives for those struggling to maintain the essen tials of daily life.
The governor's budget proposal for the coming fiscal year includes significant cuts in spending. However, Corzine has shown remarkable sensitivity in maintaining initiatives that protect vulnerable people. Programs are being preserved that help people with disabilities, families needing emergency assistance, and food banks serving the poor. Funding for the state's rental assistance program has been increased.
There is a misperception that programs helping the poor are a huge financial drain on New Jersey's taxpayers. In reality, these initiatives account for a very small portion of the budget, and often leverage matching federal funds. History shows that underfunding human services can lead to costly crises in housing, health care and the protection of children. We thank the governor for understanding that New Jersey will not gain fiscal stability by eliminating or drastically reducing assistance to the poor.
The Legislature has begun holding hearings on the budget. We be lieve that legislators will avoid re turning to the failed policies of irresponsible borrowing and the raid ing of dedicated funds. We strongly affirm efforts to reduce debt and to honor promises made to pensioners.
Persistent calls for continued cuts seem to have great political appeal, but cost-cutting alone is far too simplistic an answer to the realities facing New Jersey today. Proposed cuts in government spending must be intelligently weighed against the impact they will have on the social fabric and quality of life in this state.
Some cuts and cost-sharing initiatives included in the governor's proposed budget could negatively impact low-income senior citizens, renters, and people on Medicaid. These and any other new proposals that place additional burdens on people in need must be examined with great care.
Finally, the current budgetary crisis in New Jersey challenges all of us to consider and engage in di mensions of shared sacrifice. New Jersey will be best served if we can find ways to grow in our capacity to provide the best possible educational opportunities, assist those in need, and address housing and mortgage foreclosure crises.
We strongly encourage legislators to consider new sources of in come and debt reduction, which might allow for expansion of these kinds of initiatives.
Citizens have a responsibility to learn about the "household fi nances" that support the general welfare of New Jersey. Wise budgetary decisions promoting the common good are needed.
We encourage private citizens to carefully explore the issues and to share their views with elected officials. The exercise of thoughtful, active citizenship is a moral and civic responsibility, as is strong and just political leadership. As religious leaders in New Jersey, we be lieve God is calling all of us to be good stewards of the rights and privileges implied in our democratic form of government.
