Gov. Christie's proposed budget planned to spend about $1 billion less, in part because of a less generous revenue estimate Watch video
TRENTON — The Senate and Assembly Budget Committees have both approved a $30.6 billion budget.
The Senate committee voted 8-5 in favor of approving the budget, which Democrats have lauded for restoring services to low-income New Jerseyans, while Republicans have accused them of profligate spending. The Assembly committee voted 8-4 in favor of it.
"This budget says New Jersey's priorities are its working families, its seniors, its kids and those who are working hard to not be pushed off the margins of society," said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen).
It now moves on for a vote Wednesday in both houses, and then on to Gov. Chris Christie's desk. Christie's proposed budget planned to spend about $1 billion less than the Democrats — in part because it used a less generous revenue estimate.
A vote to restore the governor’s proposed cuts to NJ FamilyCare – a popular offshoot of Medicaid that provides affordable insurance to working families – offered a preview today of the Democrat’s strategy to force Republicans to cast difficult votes and how it will play in upcoming elections.
Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) is shown in this 2010 Star-Ledger file photo. "This budget says New Jersey's priorities are its working families, its seniors, its kids and those who are working hard to not be pushed off the margins of society," Sarlo said. The vote, predictably, went along party lines. Before banging the gavel and announcing the final tally, Sarlo paused to remind his Republicans colleagues that they were denying health care to 94,000 families in New Jersey.
"That's a lot of families," he said.
By Matt Friedman & Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Democratic budget proposal restores funding to Medicaid, provides $50M to public safety fund