COPYRIGHT 2006, GET NJ
With the exception of the communications from the Mayor's Office,
this material may not be copied or reproduced.

GLENN D. CUNNINGHAM MAYOR CITY HALL JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302 TEL:(201) 547-5200 FAX:(201) 547-4288

However all the work we have done to keep Jersey City's property tax rate down has come at a price. We need more Public Works employees to keep our city running. We still have dilapidated firehouses and police stations that are eyesores in our neighborhoods. We still have parks that need to be renovated so that our children have safe places to play. We also have pressing needs to upgrade the City's information technology so that our workers can provide better services to Jersey City's residents. We cannot allow these important projects to be put off any longer.

Jersey City's plight has been well publicized. In the fall of 2001 the State Department of Community Affairs found that prior administrations left Jersey City with a $54 million cash deficit. Last year the State Department of Community Affairs provided Jersey City with $10.5 million in Distressed Cities Aid. However this year, while the neighboring and much smaller towns of Harrison and Union City will get well over $4 million, Jersey City will only receive a total of S2 million. This year our "Distressed Cities Aid" was cut by $8.4 million.

And now it is time to talk about fairness.

As we all know, Jersey City is the second largest city in New Jersey. We are roughly the same size as Newark. But we have to essential services to our residents without the revenues of an international airport or international seaport like Newark has, Therefore we are roughly $130 million behind Newark in annual revenues. That dynamic has contributed to Jersey City being designated a "Distressed City" by the state, and we rely on "Distressed Cities Aid" to help provide essential city services. While we all know that the state legislature is facing difficult financial choices, we must object to the unfair treatment Jersey City has received.

To cut Jersey City's aid by $8.5 million while giving Harrison and Union City more money than we will receive should be unacceptable to the people of Jersey City. The fact that our state legislators have been silent should be unacceptable to the people of Jersey City. The fact that people outside Jersey City are lobbying in Trenton to hurt the people of Jersey City should be unacceptable to the people of Jersey City. Jersey City has grown into the financial capital of New Jersey, and contributes millions of dollars to the state budget through the income taxes that are earned here. The fact that we have been shortchanged is unacceptable to the people of Jersey City.

It has become very clear to me that the needs of the people of Jersey City have not been heard in Trenton! How can smaller cities like Harrison and Union City get more aid than Jersey City. It's because the people who represent us in Trenton have been asleep at the wheel. All the other town whose mayors go to Trenton have not had their aid cut.

NYMetroWorkout.com – Exercising for fun and fitness in the NY - NJ area

New Jersey's First City

Jersey City / Hoboken Real Estate Ads

Jersey City Guide