An odd thing happened on an otherwise routine day of lawmaking Monday: a Republican proposal to reform a program that mostly helps big Democratic cities gained some momentum.

Normally, Republican gripes about the budget become, at best, fodder for political ads, while Democrats, who control all aspects of New Jersey government, make policy. That's why even Republicans were surprised when a bill sponsored by Burlington County Republican Phil Haines sailed through a committee Monday, with amendments that would make it even tougher than first proposed.

The plan targets a program that sends $145 million in extra state support - Special Municipal Aid - to eight "distressed" cities, including Camden. While supporters of the program say it helps struggling cities provide vital services, Republicans have taken aim at the aid, noting that there is no formal application process and that some cities seem to remain "distressed" for years, despite the state's help.

The bill would place tighter restrictions on the program. It advanced out of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. It was also backed by the panel's chairman, Sen. Ronald Rice, a Democrat from Newark, one of the Democrat-heavy cities that benefits from the program. Others include Jersey City, Paterson and Union City, all Democratic strongholds, along with Asbury Park, which lies in a strong Republican district.

The bill would limit cities to five years of Special Municipal Aid, with the amount of support decreasing each budget and, for the first time, require that every town get an application for entry into the program.

The plan still has a long way to go before it becomes law, though. It still must go through another Senate committee, the full Senate, Assembly committees and the Assembly floor. It will be interesting to see if Haines' luck holds out.

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