Assembly Republican Whip Jon Bramnick, who represents the 21st district, voted against the state's Fiscal Year 2009 budget.
"The 2009 Fiscal Budget offered by Gov. Corzine and the Democrat-controlled Legislature does little to address fiscal problems facing New Jersey, and in fact, hurts many suburban towns by reducing municipal aid. These reductions will result in either higher property taxes or a cutback in services. At a time when costs in fuel and food are spiraling out of control, I cannot in good conscience vote for a spending plan takes more out of the pocket ouf the towns I represent. Each of the 16 municipalities in my district will receive less aid in this budget which is intolerable."
Bramnick's district covers parts of Union, Morris, Essex, and Somerset counties.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Smoke Free Pennsylvania Act, which the House passed thisweek by a vote of 163-38, prohibit smoking in many enclosed or substantially enclosed public places throughout the Commonwealth. Rep. Scott Petri, R-Bucks) approves of the bill.
"Senate Bill 246, which has been the subject of a House-Senate conference committee, is a comprehensive plan that moves toward addressing the public's concern about secondhand smoke," Petri said.
He noted, "This legislation, while not a perfect solution, is a giant step in the right direction."
The compromise package contains a number of exceptions to the ban, including bars, casinos, hotels and tobacco shops. The legislation also exempts Philadelphia from the rules, enabling it to retain themore restrictive anti-smoking ordinance that already exists there.
"My constituents tell me they want smoking banned in restaurants," Petri said. "That will not happen under this bill; however, we are movingl in the right direction."