New Jersey lawmakers to vote on $35B budget

    New Jersey’s nearly $35 billion budget is on a path to Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s desk.

    The Democrat-led Legislature is expected to vote on its own version of the spending plan Monday.

    Democrats unveiled a $34.8 billion budget last week. The plan is just $300 million more than Christie’s proposal.

    The two sides are closer on the 2017 budget than they have been in previous years. But there are still differences, including $7.5 million for family planning services, which Christie cut out of the budget during his first term. Democrats also added $45 million for a tax credit for seniors.

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    Christie can use the line-item veto to cut the Democrats’ spending increases, if he chooses.

    The constitution requires a balanced budget. The deadline is June 30.

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