STATE NEWS ON MUNICIPAL AID:

SARLO SEEKS TO RESTORE STATE AID IN SOUTH BERGEN

South Bergen legislator wants to restore $168M in relief for homeowners, will address governing body this week!

TRENTON - State Senator Paul Sarlo, North Arlington's representative in Trenton announced he will fight any attempts by Governor Jon Corzine to slash state spending some $168 million dollars which is dedicated to direct assistance to the state's most needy municipalities.

While praising Corzine for what he described as an "austere budget," Sarlo called upon the governor to cut expenditures and specifically state personnel to save funding for aid back to municipalities.

Sarlo called any attempt to cut direct municipal aid "self-defeating" in light of Corzine's increases in direct aid to school districts.

"It's a shell game on taxpayers that I cannot support," noted the two-term senator and mayor of Wood Ridge.

Sarlo, who serves as Vice-Chairman of the state's Budget & Appropriations Committee will have the opportunity to put the legislature's stamp on the budget process.

Local officials were relieved to hear such news.

"It's a mixed message to cut municipal aid while increasing school aid. In the end, they cancel each other out. We're happy to hear that Senator Sarlo will fight to maintain current levels of state municipal assistance which we can use to stabilize the property tax rate," observed Mayor Pete Massa.

"Any efforts that bring state dollars back to North Arlington are to be applauded," noted Council President Steve Tanelli, who will be seeking another term of office come the fall campaign.

"Senator Sarlo has been invited to our March meeting to discuss the state's budget woes as well as discuss the future of the EnCap project.

Here in North Arlington we're seeking a financial exit strategy from landfill revenues. We're confident Senator Sarlo will have an open ear in developing a funding mechanism that addresses such a plan," said Tanelli.

Finance Chairman Al Granell praised Sarlo's efforts to keep state dollars flowing into North Arlington.

"At the local level we've worked extremely hard in a bipartisan fashion to frame a budget that homeowners will embrace. Cutting state aid to municipalities in a recession is hardly the course of action that makes sense. Senator Sarlo's attempt to prevent these cuts have our local support, " said the first-term Democrat.

Local Democrats were pleased to find an issue that shares common ground with Senator Sarlo.

"We've had some distinct disagreements as it pertains to redevelopment in the past. Senator Sarlo understands our position on those issues and realizes they are separate from the issue of municipal aid.  This is an issue of mutual interest and common ground. We will work together when the winner is North Arlington homeowners," noted Tanelli.

"Mutual cooperation and consensus is something we can accomplish. This is an issue that's a win-win for taxpayers," said Massa.

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