For too long, Hoboken taxpayers have been asked to pay more and get less.
Since 2017, the city budget has grown, debt has nearly doubled, and taxes keep climbing.
Meanwhile:
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Potholes multiply
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Parks aren’t maintained
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Parking remains a struggle
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Basic services fall short
We are not getting what we paid for.
Ruben Ramos has been fighting for accountability — proposing real cuts, smarter budgeting, and voting against unnecessary tax hikes. As mayor, he’ll reset City Hall’s approach and get Hoboken back to basics.
The Problem
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Taxes keep going up.
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Debt has soared past $421 million.
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Services aren’t improving.
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City Hall spends more, while residents get less.
Hoboken doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem.
The Solution
Fix what’s broken. Fund what works. Cut what doesn’t.
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No more automatic budget increases.
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Every dollar must be tied to real results.
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Waste and duplication will be eliminated.
Spend on services, not bureaucracy.
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Prioritize parks, potholes, sanitation, and safety.
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End inflated administrative bloat.
Invest without raising taxes.
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Use green bonds, state/federal grants, and city assets; not taxpayers’ wallets.
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Every bonded project will come with a full maintenance plan so residents know the true cost upfront.
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Encourage responsible growth that funds services without overdevelopment.
Deliver value from city-owned assets.
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Tap into rooftops, WiFi zones, park space, and licensing opportunities. Launch a Civic Sponsorship Office to turn these assets into non-tax revenue.
Protect Hoboken’s future, not just its present.
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Mandatory cost-benefit reviews for all new spending.
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Comprehensive audit of current debt and liabilities.
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Long-term savings through smarter service co-location and reduced consultant use.
How It Will Work
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Clear maintenance schedules for all new projects.
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Transparent cost projections before taxpayer money is spent.
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Smarter growth that expands the tax base responsibly.
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New revenue streams through sponsorships, licensing, and public-private partnerships.
Why it matters
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Lower tax pressure for residents.
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A government that delivers results, not excuses.
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Infrastructure that lasts, with costs fully planned.
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Services that actually match what you pay for.
The Final Word
This isn’t about left or right. It’s about right or wrong.
Ruben Ramos is a teacher, a councilman, and a Hoboken dad - not a career bureaucrat. He’s tired of watching families get squeezed while the budget balloons.
You deserve accountability. You deserve transparency. You deserve results.
We don’t need to raise taxes. We need to raise expectations.
Back to Basics:
A Smarter, Stronger Hoboken Budget
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