NEW JERSEY FREEZES $10 MILLION IN ARTS GRANTS AWARDED EARLIER
Submitted by Tommer on December 9, 2009
Treasury spokesman Tom Vincz confirmed the state has released only a small portion of the $12.2 million in first installments.
The rest “has been put on hold, along with other areas generally considered ‘discretionary,’ in light of the current year shortfall and the interaction we’ve had with the incoming team,” said Vincz.
The freeze on arts funding is part of a series of moves the Corzine administration is taking to close a projected $1 billion shortfall in this year’s $29 billion budget. Last week, the state’s municipalities learned $20.6 million in payments would not be made this month. Funding to tourism, education and after-school programs are also being held back.