Gloucester County: HAINES AND OROHO: DON’T ELIMINATE AG DEPARTMENT

Cut Money-Wasting Public Advocate Instead 

 

Senators Philip Haines (R-8) and Steven Oroho (R-24), members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, said this after listening to testimony at a public hearing on the budget at the Gloucester County Institute of Technology:

Governor Corzine must not shortchange farmers and taxpayers by eliminating the Department of Agriculture, and we urge him to consider cutting the money-wasting Public Advocate's office instead, the senators said jointly.

"The Department of Agriculture is an indispensible source of information and support for our agricultural industry, and the only department in state government that speaks up for farmers in this increasingly urban state," Senator Haines said.

"Estimated savings of $9.2 million from eliminating the Agriculture Department and transferring its duties to the Department of Environmental Protection are nothing compared to the risk of endangering $900 million in income generated by our farms every year," Haines said.

"The Department of Agriculture does not belong as part of the DEP," Senator Oroho said. "The DEP is a regulatory enforcement agency that has a mission far different from the advisory and advocacy role played by our Agriculture Department. The cultures will not mesh, and the unique needs of agriculture will not be served.

"Ultimately, the taxpayers will pay the biggest price if we eliminate this agency that does so much to enhance quality of life and preserve open space in the Garden State," Oroho said.

Both senators urged the governor to restore the appropriation for the Department of Agriculture and cut some of the $17 million budgeted for the Public Advocate's office instead.

"The Public Advocate files lawsuits against the government that ultimately are paid by the taxpayers themselves. The Department of Agriculture helps farmers generate $900 million in income that is taxed for the benefit of the entire state. It should be obvious to the governor which agency should be cut when times are tough," Senator Haines said.

 

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