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Budget hearing: lawmaker questions cuts to small‑business and cultural programs as marketing for FIFA is increased
Summary
Committee members pressed the Secretary of State about FY26 budget choices that add 1,000,000 for business marketing tied to FIFA while cutting or zeroing funding for small business development centers, the manufacturing extension program and some cultural grants; officials said choices were difficult and promised follow‑up detail.
Lawmakers at the Assembly Budget Committee hearing pressed Department of State leadership on FY26 budget tradeoffs that add 1,000,000 to a business marketing and events initiative while reducing funds for small‑business assistance and certain cultural programs.
Assembly members noted an 800,000 appropriation cited for New Jersey Small Business Development Centers and questioned whether that program depends on federal match dollars; the Secretary said she would follow up with specifics. Committee members also highlighted the manufacturing extension program (MEP), which several witnesses said was "zeroed out" in the governor's proposal; Department staff said they were "very sorry to see that" the line item was removed and offered to get clarification from budget staff.
Members asked why a marketing line for international promotion was increased at the same time small business and women business centers saw reductions. The Secretary acknowledged the difficulty of choices required to balance the budget and said leadership aimed to spread programmatic impact where possible.
Lawmakers also raised cuts or uncertainties for Council on Humanities funding after federal cuts; the Secretary urged legislative partners to collaborate where state portfolios could support cultural programming tied to the semiquincentennial.
Next steps: department staff agreed to provide clarifying budget documentation on the MEP decision, the source and match status of small business center funding and details on how the new business marketing dollars will be administered.
