Budget cuts vex black legislators

TRENTON - A group of legislators with enough sway to hold up the state budget expressed worry yesterday that proposed cuts could make it harder for poor minorities to get health care and attend college.

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus said it agrees budget cuts are needed to help resolve state budget woes, but questioned some of Gov. Corzine's $2.7 billion in proposed trims, most notably those in state aid to hospitals and for higher education.

"Where do we cut spending without destroying the lives of families or people who have nothing left but faith to carry them through the day or those who have very little income to provide for their children?" asked Sen. Ronald L. Rice, the caucus chairman.

The caucus includes five Senate and 10 Assembly members, all Democrats.

Democrats control the Senate 23-17 and the Assembly 48-32.

A new state budget must be adopted by July 1.

"We have more than enough to hold up things," said Rice (D., Essex). "It wouldn't be the first time, but we're not looking to do that. We're looking to make sure the message we're sending is part of the process."

Assemblyman Sheila Oliver (D., Essex) decried the higher-education cuts.

"Many of the young people that we represent in our districts are going to be negatively impacted," Oliver said.

Rice said the caucus will work to restore the cuts.

He said other concerns include school construction, affirmative action, prison-release programs, economic development, housing and transportation.

"If the budget came up today, there's no doubt in my mind we would vote against the budget - at least a majority if not all of us - and that's why we're sending the signal that these are our concerns," Rice said.