Lawmakers add $359M in 'port' spending

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... In addition to advancing legislation to adopt New Jersey's 2027 budget. Trenton lawmakers in both the Assembly and the Senate cleared bills that include supplemental spending for the 2026 budget and an increase in the child tax credit.
..... The $60.7 billion budget for New Jersey's fiscal year 2027 was advanced by committees in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature late on Sunday, June 28. [2026] It appeared that legislators parked so-called port spending that might have been included in Governor Mikie Sherrill's first proposed budget - introduced by the new governor in March [2026] - in a supplement to the current state budget. The idea of a supplemental spending bill is not new to Trenton. Such legislation traditionally provides updated funding for various New Jersey state government programs by altering current sate budgets - even if he supplemental funding legislation is passed just days before budgets expire.
..... The 2026 state budget expires at 11:59 PM on June 30.
..... The supplemental spending bill - to add so-called Christmas tree items - amounts to $358,811,000.
..... State Senator Declan O'Scanlon, the Monmouth County Republican who serves as his party's budget officer in the state Senate, pointed out at dozens of line items were included in the supplemental bill as a "back door" to avoid putting them in the 2027 budget.
..... Included in that funding would be another $40 million to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority for International Events, Improvement and Attraction for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently being played in East Rutherford. That is in addition to the $77.5 million provided to the NJSEA in previous New Jersey budgets.
.... The supplemental bill also includes a loan of $105 million for Jersey City, explained state Santor Paul Sarlo, the Bergen County Democrat who chairs the committee. That funding is under the umbrella of transitional aid.
..... O'Scanion expressed his concern about whether the loan would ever be paid back. Sarlo stressed that he received personal assurances from Jersey City Mayor James Solomon that it would be repaid.
..... Here are some examples of what is funded by the bill.
..... The New Jersey Community Capital Foreclosure Mitigation Program would get $1.1 million, and $6 million would be split among 14 nonprofits, including $1.5 million for the Greater mount Zion Community Development Corporation and $1 million for the Maria Magda Hispanic Multi-Purpose Service Center.
..... More than $174 million will be dispatch to local governments, including a handful of projects in Bergen County, such as $1.75 million for the library and recreation center in Cliffside Park, $5 million for the Highland Avenue Recreation Center in Wood-Ridge, $1.25 million for the Lois Athletic Complex in East Rutherford and $1.25 million for Memo oral Park in Rutherford.
..... Those last two projectors have previously received state money in budget resolutions sponsored by Sarlo, whee is also mayor of Wood-Ridge.
..... In the 2026 budget, each received $500,000. those projects received $3 million and $2 million respectively, in fiscal year 2025 and $5 million and $3 million respectively in the fiscal year 2024 budget.
..... Linden, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Rahway would receive $2,175 million, $2.5 million, $4 million and $2,175 million respectively in operating aid.
..... O'Scanlon express his concern about whether the loan would ever be paid back. Sarlo stressed that he received personal assurances from Jersey City Mayor James Salomon that it would be repaid.
..... Here are some examples of what is funded by the bill.
..... The New Jersey Community Capital Foreclosure Mitigation Program would get $1.1 million, and $6 million would be split among 14 nonprofits, including $1.5 million for the Greater Mount Zion Community Development Corporation and $1 million for the Maria Magda Hispanic Multi-Purpose Service Center.
..... More than $174 million will be dispatched to local governments, including a handful of projects in Bergen County such as $175 million for the library and recreation center in Cliffside Park, $5 million for the Highland Avenue Recreation center in wood-Ridge, $1.25 million for the Lois Lane Athletic Complex in East Rutherford and $1.25 million for Memorial Park in Rutherford.
..... Those hast two projects have previously received state money in budget resolutions sponsored by Sarlo, who is also mayor of Wood-Ridge.
..... In the 2026 budget, each received $500,000. those projects received $3 million and $2 million respectively, in fiscal year 2025 and $5 million and $3 million respectively in the fiscal year 2024 budget.
..... Linden, Perth Amboy, Plainfield and Rahway would receive $2.175 million, $2.5 million, $4 million and $2.175 million respectively in operating aid.
..... Mercer County would get $1.25 million for Wharf Park, and Essex County would get $2.25 million for Urban Park.
..... There would be $18.8 million for salaries and wages at the Department of Corrections, $9.2 million to various school districts for capital improvement and operating aid, $5 million to South Jersey Cancer Program for Cooper University Health Care, and $17.6 million across five health organizations.

Child tax credit increased

..... New Jersey's child tax credit bill would be in effect fro taxable years 2026,2027 and 2028.
..... The law provides a credit for taxpayers with incomes of $80,00 or less for each child under the age of 6. The amount of the credit depends on their income.
..... The new legislation would put the credits at the following amounts
* $30,000 or under - $1,250 up from $1,000.
* Over $30,000 but not over 440,000 - $1,000 up from $800.
* Over $30,00 but not over $50,000 - $750 up from $600.
* Over $50,00 but not over $80,000 - $500 up from $400.
* Over $60,000 but not over $80,00 - $250 up from $200.

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