Lance Endorses Increased Federal Appropriations for New Jersey

U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County) endorsed increasing the amount of money New Jersey receives back from the federal government annually.

In response to questions during a walking tour of downtown Westfield last week, Lance said he would like to see more tax dollars return to the state from what is sent to Washington annually. He cited figures from the Tax Foundation, which show the state ranking 50th among the states in return of federal dollars.

"I don't like number 50," Lance said.

Lance said New Jersey will likely not reach the top of the list due to the lack of military bases and other programs in the state which traditionally propel a state to the top of the list in receiving federal funds.

Lance's comments came after Downtown Westfield Corporation Executive Director Sherry Cronin used part of the downtown tour, which followed a Lance press conference on small business policy, to lobby the congressman for federal funds for the district. Cronin said her agency is in need of federal infrastructure funds to help finance ongoing streetscape projects in the downtown business district.

Cronin cited several projects which could wipe out her agency's $390,000 budget for a year. She said the total owed by the DWC  for the South Avenue streetscape - $315,000 - is one area she would like to see increased grants from either the federal, state or county governments. The DWC had to reach an agreement to space out payments on the project to keep other programs, including the jazz concerts and the America in Bloom contest continuing.

The DWC has received funds from other government entities, including Union County, for other projects including the Central Avenue streetscape.

Lance said that while he understands Cronin's concern and will look into the issue, he is not sure how much he can obtain for downtown Westfield. He said the federal appropriations process has ended for the year and he is not sure how much money will be available from Congress next year.

Lance's comments on looking to increase the state's funding from the federal government comes after a Republican primary, where one of his former opponents, David Larsen, criticized Lance for his support of federal appropriations. Larsen cited Lance's designation as "porker of the month" in April 2009 by Citizens Against Government Waste for obtaining federal appropriations. Lance was one of three freshman Republican members of Congress to receive the designation. The report cited Lance's work in obtaining $869,400 for energy efficient lighting in Cranford, $350,000 for a hike and bike path in Bedminster and $225,000 for the Hunterdon Family Dental Center.

Cronin explained to Lance that one issue the town has run into issues from at the state level is the state gearing more of the infrastructure funds towards urban communities and not suburban communities. Lance, a former state senate minority leader who has represented suburban and rural communities for his entire career, said in response to a question from Patch that he has believed the state should equalize the funding more.

"I always thought at the state level that there should be appropriate levels of funds for suburban towns," Lance said.