Christie vetoes expected on New Jersey budget

Gov. Chris Christie is expected to sign a state budget, but not before doing major surgery to it with line-item vetoes.

Under the state constitution, New Jersey must have a balanced budget in place before the new fiscal year begins on Tuesday.

The Democrat-controlled Legislature did its part last week by passing a $34.1 billion spending plan.

It is certain Christie will not keep it as is. He has already said he would veto provisions that increase taxes on high-earners and corporations.

His strong executive power also allows him to remove spending items he opposes.

Christie’s version of the budget called for reducing the planned contribution to public workers’ pension funds after revenue projections were downgraded last month.