Assemblyman Alex Sauickie said he plans to tally how often Gov. Mikie Sherrill blames Washington during Tuesday’s budget message, arguing New Jersey’s affordability crisis stems from state spending and policy decisions. 

“If blaming Washington is the theme of the speech, I’ll be keeping a tally,” Sauickie (R-Ocean) said. “The real causes are years of spending and poor policy decisions made in Trenton.” 

He said he was encouraged the administration acknowledged a projected structural deficit of about $3 billion, meaning the state is on track to spend more than it collects in recurring revenue, but noted Republicans have warned the shortfall could be closer to $4 billion. 

Over the past eight years, New Jersey’s budget has grown from $35 billion to $60 billion, the largest spending increase during a single governor’s tenure in more than a century. Meanwhile, property taxes average more than $10,500 annually, while utility bills, tolls, transit fares and insurance costs continue to rise. 

“That unchecked spending has fueled New Jersey’s affordability crisis,” Sauickie said. “Families are paying more in taxes, and fees and bills while too many services continue to decline.” 

He said the state’s affordability challenges stem from policy decisions in Trenton, including overspending, political patronage, energy policies that reduced reliable in-state generation, and sanctuary-state policies that strain public services. 

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s address, Sauickie said the administration must refocus spending on core priorities. 

“It’s about priorities,” Sauickie said. “Education, law enforcement, health care, seniors, veterans and infrastructure should come before billions of dollars in pet projects.” 

Sauickie said New Jersey’s problem is not revenue but spending.