Camden Mayor Relieved Gov. Christie Will Allow 'Transitional' State Aid To Flow
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - Camden's mayor is expressing relief over a reversal by New Jersey governor Chris Christie after he initially canceled the state's transitional aid program to distressed communities (see previous story).
Mayor Dana Redd took up the issue on Wednesday after presiding over the rededication of a community park in the city's Parkside section.
Redd (at lectern in photo) says Christie's about-face on the transitional aid program, which puts millions of dollars into the hands of communities like Camden, is a welcome relief.
"What the governor has proposed is a sensible solution that, as these state dollars are being distributed to urban centers, there is a level of, one, partnership, but also accountability and transparency," she said.
Last year, Camden got $69 million in transitional aid, making up nearly 40 percent of its total budget and the highest amount distributed to any community in the state.
Redd says when she presents her fiscal budget to Camden City Council in August, she'll include the transitional aid request -- and she indicated it could be less.
The reason, she says, is the adoption of those controversial health care and pension reforms by state lawmakers and signed by the governor. Redd says that move will ease financial pressures on the city and its budget.
Reported by Mark Abrams, KYW Newsradio 1060
