Video of Gov Christie’s budget address 2/25/14
Gov. Chris Christie faces sharply higher retiree costs, mounting debt and disappointing revenue collections as he proposes a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The speech is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Christie’s fifth budget also comes as his administration faces scandals that have marred the start of his second term and threaten to upend any of the 51-year-old Republican’s future political plans.
Christie hinted at the budget difficulties last month, when he said ballooning pension and debt service payments are crowding out spending for other worthwhile programs and services.
Democrats say the governor is obligated to make a roughly $2.4 billion pension payment in the next budget.
They also await Christie’s plans for funding transportation infrastructure, higher education and the longer school day he proposed last month.
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