The Future of State Support for Science and Technology in New Jersey

Funded by

The New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology is a major sponsor of the research and activities conducted by NJITES and NJCSE, as well as other research activities that benefit the State. Governor McGreevy in his 2003 budget has proposed to abolish all State funding of research in Science and Technology in New Jersey.  Needless to say, if enacted, the governor's proposal will be devastating for science and technology in the State of New Jersey, already battered by the downsizing of several prestigious industrial research laboratories.  This web page collects information on how you can help to have this budgetary decision changed.

People to Contact to Protest the Proposed Budget Cuts

A Letter from the Research and Development Council of New Jersey

A letter in support of NJCS&T sent to Assemblyman Willis Edwards III.

Legislative Hearings

The following Legislative Alert was sent to all members of the New Jersey Technology Council (NJTC):

TRENTON -- The two chairmen of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today announced that the panel would hold three public hearings prior to voting on Governor McGreevey's $23.7 billion proposed State budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

"The state budget is a fiscal blueprint that determines how our residents' hard-earned dollars will be spent and it is important that the public getinvolved in helping the Legislature craft a fiscally sound budget," said Senator Robert Littell, the Republican Chairman of the committee. "I am also pleased that this year we will hold one public hearing after the various department officials submit their proposals so that the public can offer additional comments on how these state agencies will be spending taxpayer dollars."

Senator Wayne R. Bryant, the Democratic Chairman of the panel, said the proposed spending plan is a "work in progress" that will be reviewed in its totality and improved where possible by members of the Legislature and the general public. "I've always believed that our responsibility as legislators is to listen to the concerns of our constituents and to do our best to reflect those concerns when we vote on the final budget document," said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester.

The three hearing dates and their locations are:

1. March 18th, at the County College of Morris in Randolph.
2. March 26th, at the Tweeter Center on the Waterfront in Camden.
3. May 14th, in the State House Annex in Trenton.

All of the hearings will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until those registered to testify have had the opportunity to address the panel.  New Jersey's Constitution requires the enactment of a balanced State budget in time for the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st. The budget panels of both houses of the Legislature consider the proposed spending plan unveiled by the Governor and then make whatever changes they believe are most appropriate before giving the measure final legislative approval. The Governor then can issue line-item vetoes of spending, but he cannot insert additional spending in the final budget document.  Senator Littell, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon, and Senator Bryant noted that two of the public hearings will be held prior to testimony to be scheduled with the various department heads. The third public hearing in May will be conducted after the department reviews, the dates of which will be announced shortly.

The Office of Legislative Services, the non-partisan administrative section of the Legislature, indicated that advance registration will be required for persons or groups wishing to testify at the hearings by calling the Legislative Budget and Finance Office of OLS at 609-292-8030.