Department of the Taxpayer Advocate

The Governor’s budget is recommending $2 million be spent to re-establish the Department of the Public Advocate for New Jersey.

“The Public Advocate will provide a cabinet-level presence for children, the elderly, the poor, the mentally ill, and other “voiceless” citizens who often lack the influence to effectively press their case.”

“Though the Public Advocate will be empowered to legally compel other State agencies to bring about change, it will first seek to maximize cost effective techniques, such as alternative dispute resolution, which actually reduce or eliminate costly litigation.”

Eighty-eight percent of New Jersey’s budget is spent on these “voiceless” citizens. Do we really need to hire and pay people to advocate for more spending on their behalf? Note the Public Advocate is “empowered to legally compel” other State agencies to bring about change. The Advocate won’t be looking for pocket change; he’ll be looking for big bucks. That’s his job.

Taxpayers are expected to fund a department whose sole responsibility will be to sue the state (taxpayers) for more money on behalf of “voiceless citizens”. Codey does give us a break, because if we’re willing to cave in through dispute resolution we “can reduce or eliminate costly litigation.” Such a deal.

We think it’s time to establish a Department of the Taxpayer Advocate to provide a cabinet-level presence for the citizens of New Jersey that actually pay the tab for government. It’s clear, it is the taxpayer that lacks influence to effectively press their case. We’ll take the job without pay.