New Jersey's Budget Process: A Tale of Secrecy and Lack of Transparency

Strategic Insights -

New Jersey's legislative process is shrouded in secrecy, with critical decisions made without public input or scrutiny. Despite the chaos in Washington, DC, New Jersey's Democratic-controlled government is quietly perpetuating its own brand of fiscal irresponsibility. The state's budget, passed without adequate public debate, has been criticized for its rushed votes and "clean-up bills" to fix mistakes made before the deadline.

Key Takeaways:

  • The affordable housing trust fund is being raided to plug holes elsewhere in the budget, continuing a long line of one-off budget "fixes" at the expense of much-needed programs.
  • The passage of the mansion tax to create a more equitable tax system has been undermined, potentially leaving affordable housing in New Jersey worse off than it started.
  • $45 million from the state's share of the national opioid settlement is being diverted to four major hospital chains, including RWJBarnabas Health, which received $15 million.
  • Former Murphy chief of staff George Helmy's high-paying role at RWJBarnabas Health is suspicious, given his departure from the administration in 2023.
  • A 2020 bill to allow Horizon to convert to a for-profit entity was introduced in the last few days of the lame duck session, passed through committee with unseen amendments, and resulted in a 20% premium hike for state plan beneficiaries.
  • Horizon paid out $35 million in bonuses in the three years following the restructuring, with just under $13 million going to the new CEO.
  • The governor and legislators propose taking $100 million from public employees, which could be covered 10% by one Horizon executive's bonus.
  • The Horizon board has been a rotating clown car of former state legislators, failing to protect the state's or their former constituents' interests.

Statistics:

  • The affordable housing trust fund is raided to the tune of X dollars, which is of total budget.
  • $45 million from the opioid settlement is diverted to hospital chains, with RWJBarnabas Health receiving $15 million.
  • Horizon paid out $35 million in bonuses, with just under $13 million going to the new CEO, in the three years following the restructuring.
  • The governor and legislators propose taking $100 million from public employees.
  • Horizon's premium hike for state plan beneficiaries was 20%.

Sources:

  • "Democrats have attacked the GOP budget bill that President Trump signed on July 4" (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)
  • "New Jersey's budget is also unjust" (Matt Dragon)
  • https://newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/housing-advocates-push-for-more-money-for-nj-affordable-housing-fund/
  • https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/05/25/an-open-letter-to-attorney-general-matt-platkin-on-police-killings/
  • https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/06/30/critics-accuse-new-jersey-legislators-of-stealing-opioid-settlement-funds/
  • https://newjerseymonitor.com/2025/07/01/fight-brewing-over-new-jersey-budgets-quest-for-state-health-benefit-savings/
  • https://newjerseymonitor.com/2022/02/04/for-some-lawmakers-end-of-legislative-career-means-start-of-new-public-post/
  • A5119: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/A5119
  • Horizon 2023 annual statement: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/division_insurance/solvency/annualstatements/2023/horizon55059/sce.pdf