Dems’ $31.7 billion budget plan goes to full N.J. Legislature for vote

It’s now up to the full Legislature to decide whether to approve the New Jersey budget proposed by majority Democrats. A vote in the Senate and Assembly is scheduled Monday.

Just like their counterparts in the Senate, members of the Assembly budget committee voted along party lines to advance the $31.7 billion budget bill.

All of the Democrats on the panel supported it.

Assemblyman Troy Singleton says it’s a responsible budget that sets aside money for a tax cut when revenues improve.

“We’ve done our best to provide in the constraints of this budget some relief for our taxpayers,” said Singleton, D-Camden.

All of the Republicans, including Assemblyman Jay Webber, voted against the budget bill.

“That we can’t manage to find a way to provide immediate tax relief in this budget with this budget deal is a true disappointment,” said Webber, R-Morris. “I think it’s a failure.”

Republican leaders say they doubt any GOP lawmakers will support the measure. They also expect Gov. Chris Christie to make significant line-item vetoes when the bill reaches his desk.