'OK,' He Says 'If THAT'S What You Want . . . '

New Jersey Senator Robert Singer (R-30) announced that legislation he sponsors to help counties implement recently enacted criminal justice reforms would be withdrawn in response to vocal opposition from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC).

Sen. Bob Singer announced that he will withdraw S-2933 in response to opposition from the New Jersey Association of Counties. (©iStock)

“I introduced this legislation to help counties account for the one-time implementation costs that were expected as a result of recently enacted bail reforms,” said Singer. “It seems that no good deed goes unpunished, however. Despite my effort to help our counties, the NJAC doesn’t want the legislative relief that I’ve offered, so I’ll withdraw the bill.”

The legislation that Singer will withdraw, S-2933, would have established a one-year property tax levy cap exclusion for costs incurred by local governments related to implementing bail reforms.

Singer noted that another relief measure, S-2850, was adopted by the Legislature in December and signed into law by the Governor last month to assist with the implementation of the new criminal justice reforms.

That legislation appropriated nearly $10 million to add 20 new judges around the state in support of the new law.

“The State is doing its part to assist counties to implement reforms to better protect the public and make our justice system more efficient,” added Singer. “If the NJAC is going to deny additional help that we’ve offered, the responsibility for any resulting layoffs or service reductions will fall squarely on their shoulders.”