BY STEPHEN M. SWEENEY and SHEILA Y. OLIVER
COMMENTARY
New Jerseyans have heard a lot of talk in recent weeks about "shared sacrifice" as we confront our state budget problems, and it's a nice sounding theme that paints a picture of everybody chipping in equally to carry the burden.
It's undeniable that state spending cuts are needed, and that every area of state government will be affected. But one thing quickly became clear as that phrase became Gov. Chris Christie's mantra — not every cut is equal, and not everyone shares the same definition of "shared sacrifice."
We know that many cuts in Gov. Christie's budget plan are painful and that spending cuts are clearly needed. Working our way through the worst economic crisis since The Great Depression will not be easy. Without question, the pain needs to be spread across the spectrum.
