Agencies could feel impact of state cuts
Coalition attempts to focus attention on Corzine's budget
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD- Better Choices for New Jersey, a coalition of at least 30 organizations and groups, has been formed to address what the coalition calls the "dangerous and short-sighted budget" that has been proposed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

Corzine has proposed a $32.8 billion budget for New Jersey for 2008. The state Legislature is in the process of examining the governor's proposal. The state budget must be adopted by July 1, according to state law.

The governor has proposed a reduction in spending in many areas and Better Choices for New Jersey held a press conference on May 21 in Asbury Park to draw attention to some agencies which may be affected by a cut in state support.

Issues discussed at the press conference included the possibility of Monmouth County hospitals losing $12.9 million in charity care funding and Ocean County hospitals losing $6.7 million in charity care funding. Other potential reductions in aid would affect the PaulM.McGuire Family Health Care Center in Freehold Borough, possibly cutting the funds for the clinic's medical director.

Also on the chopping block are possible cuts in state aid to the Hispanic Affairs Resource Center, Asbury Park, and the state Division of Parks and Forestry, which would affect Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, and force the park to close its visitors center and restrooms.

Eva Bonime, executive director of the New Jersey Working Families Alliance and spokeswoman for Better Choices for New Jersey, said the coalition members are not yelling "stop the cuts," but rather, stating firmly that they believe there are better ways to make those cuts that will not have such a negative impact on the community at large.

"We need more sensible discussions and to look at the needs of New Jersey residents and find a better way to pay for them," Bonime said. "These budget cuts are in many areas that New Jersey residents depend on for their quality of life. We think New Jersey can and must make better choices and allow us to provide services that people rely on."

Fatima Potente, executive director of the Hispanic Affairs Resource Center, Asbury Park, said she is worried that possible cuts to her agency may force a reduction in staff and make it virtually impossible to continue reaching out to hundreds of people the center assists.

"Our agency is underfunded at this point," she said. "Between cost of living increases and the increase in the Latino population in Monmouth County, we continue to work at a loss. If the state makes these cuts on top of that it will be devastating," she said. "Two very important outreach programs in our agency, one held at the St. Rose of Lima Parish Center, Freehold, and one in Asbury Park, are funded through the state Department of Community Affairs and would be affected if the (governor's proposed) cuts go through. We are waiting with baited breath and are hoping for the best."

The Rev. Ricky Pierce, assistant pastor of New Beginnings Agape Christian Center, Freehold Borough, has serious concerns about how the cuts may affect the borough's Paul M. McGuire Family Health Center.

Pierce, who serves as the executive director of the I Beseech Thee Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that sponsors the center, said the center provides medical services for residents of Freehold and the surrounding area who do not have medical coverage. He said many families rely on the services provided by the clinic's staff.

"The families that rely on the health center will be forced to go to emergency rooms, increasing the burden on our hospitals which are also expected to receive cuts in funding to their charity cases. What we need is better choices for our families, not cuts to the most essential services," Pierce said. "Our fear is that these cuts could affect the grant that provides funds for our center's medical director, Dr. Lookman Odejobi. We pray that the cuts will not affect this grant. God is going to provide for us."

Peggy Sturmfels, the New Jersey Environmental Federation's program director, said the governor's proposed state budget "removes the underpinnings of environmental safety while threatening the Department of Environmental Protection by eliminating jobs which will affect environmental programs that protect drinking water, air quality and open space; close nine state parks and portions of three others, cut the Department of Environmental Protection's wildlife budget, reducing the state's ability to care for wildlife species, and it will also hurt the fishing industry.

"Instead of short-sighted budget cuts that threaten services and growth, you must pass long-term budget solutions that help build a stronger economy, while protecting the environment and our families," Sturmfels said.

Her suggestions are to "set pollution permit fees to better reflect the true cost of environmental economic and health damage ($100 billon over 50 years); establish an annual surcharge on the heaviest, least fuel efficient sport utility vehicles, cars and light trucks, raising $50 million per year.

"This is accomplished," she said, "by assessing $100 per year on the most wasteful 10 percent of the five million New Jersey vehicles on the road."