Plan to abolish Agriculture Dept. falters
Thursday, April 17, 2008
BY DUNSTAN McNICHOL
Star-Ledger Staff
Gov. Jon Corzine yesterday backed off his unpopular plans to abolish the Department of Agriculture and shutter nine state parks this summer, saying he is considering alternative budget reductions.
"We will have to figure out where we have financing to substitute for things people feel, maybe properly so, are priorities they would rather sustain," he told reporters after a public appearance in Paramus yesterday. "I may not be in total agreement, but I'm open to it."
Lawmakers yesterday made it clear Corzine would have tough going in his effort to save $500,000 by abolishing the Department of Agriculture.
"We have a lot more issues that are a lot more important for $500,000," said Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D- Gloucester). "I think this is a fight we don't need to fight." Read More
The ag producers of New Jersey made it very clear that they wanted to keep the Department of Agriculture open in their state. Congratulations to them for succeeding in their important task.
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