N.J. budget headed for approval

By: Phil Gregory

Opponents of proposed budget cuts in New Jersey are holding rallies by the day in Trenton. But Garden State lawmakers are saying they expect to approve a budget more than a week ahead of the start of the new fiscal year on July first.

By: Phil Gregory
pgregory@wbgo.org

Opponents of proposed budget cuts in New Jersey are holding rallies by the day in Trenton. But Garden State lawmakers are saying they expect to approve a budget more than a week ahead of the start of the new fiscal year on July first.

Listen:
[audio: 090609pgbuget.mp3]

The leaders of the Democrat controlled state Senate and Assembly say the budget plan will go before the budget committees of both houses on Monday and hope to get it passed by the full Legislature on June 18th.

Even Assemblyman Joe Malone, the ranking Republican on the Assembly budget committee says that is likely to happen.

Malone: I would expect some wrangling at the last moment but I’m foreseeing it being done by the 18th of June.

Malone says Republicans would have preferred to make more cuts in spending.

Because of a drop in state revenue, the new budget will suspend property tax rebates for all but the elderly and disabled. Unionized state workers will see a wage freeze and more furloughs in the year ahead.