N.J. Legislature passes bill replenishing lead abatement fund

New Jersey lawmakers have passed legislation requiring the state to put $10 million into a dormant lead control fund.

The Democrat-controlled Assembly and Senate on Monday passed the measure to fund the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund.

The effort comes after Republican Gov. Chris Christie vetoed identical legislation earlier this year. He  has cited already existing lead-abatement programs that spend millions of dollars each year.

Saying that he is not opposed to funding the account, Christie added that the issue should be addressed in the budget process.

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Democrats want to replenish funding for a program that began in 2004 and was funded by a tax on paint cans.

Among other things, it provided financial assistance to property owners who wanted to safely remove lead paint.

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