Christie cuts likely to N.J. Dems’ budget plan

The New Jersey Senate Wednesday voted along party lines to pass the $30.6 billion state budget sponsored by Democrats. The Assembly followed suit Wednesday evening.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo urged his fellow senators to approve the budget.

“This budget proposal is one that resets the priorities of New Jersey. It is a proposal that is fair and honest,” Sarlo said. “It is based on real achievable figures, and it will begin to close the wounds to our state that have been made by a thousand arbitrary cuts.”

Republican Sen. Kevin O’Toole questioned the revenue figures the Democrats used in the budget plan.

“You document $700 million to $900 million of revenues that do not exist. It’s a game. It’s Madoff financing. That’s what this budget is about. It’s Madoff financing,” O’Toole said. “You are projecting revenues that can never exist.”

The budget now heads to Gov. Chris Christie, who has said he won’t sign it. Republicans expect he will use his line-item veto to trim the budget.

“I think the governor (will cut) certain expenditures in the budget because he’s trying to reduce the size of government, and the Democrats are trying to expand government,” said Jon Bramnick, Assembly Republican conference leader.

Attempts in the past by the Democrats to overturn previous Christie vetoes have been unsuccessful.