TRENTON — Tensions flared today as the Assembly Budget Committee began voting on bills attached to next year's budget, with Democrats pegging Republicans as hypocrites for sponsoring a bill that increases some filing fees for businesses. Nevertheless, the ancillary budget bills were advancing without the same kind of problems the Senate faced Wednesday, when the upper house's budget committee...
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union) looks in on the Assembly budget committee at the Statehouse this morning. TRENTON — Tensions flared today as the Assembly Budget Committee began voting on bills attached to next year's budget, with Democrats pegging Republicans as hypocrites for sponsoring a bill that increases some filing fees for businesses.
Nevertheless, the ancillary budget bills were advancing without the same kind of problems the Senate faced Wednesday, when the upper house's budget committee had to take frequent breaks to make sure enough votes were lined up to approve each bill.
"When I went to school, a fee was something you paid when you wanted to do something and you had the option to not do it," said Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Hudson). "If it is something you have to do and it will cost you, why is it not called a tax?"
Gov. Chris Christie has touted closing a $10.7 billion budget gap without raising any taxes, but Democrats have said he actually has by increasing certain tax caps and fees.
Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris), who is also the Republican State Chairman, accused the Democrats of grandstanding.
"I suspect we're going to hear much more of this today, members on the other side of the dais getting on their soapboxes," said Webber. "Yours is the party that destroyed the economy in this state, ruined the budget, and today you're going to enjoy focusing on the trees instead of the forest."
Assembly Budget Chairman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden) blamed the last Republican administration for leaving the state in a mess eight years ago
"You might at some point reflect and say it must have been as painful for them with the mess that they inherited," Greenwald said to Webber of the Legislature back then.
He also said Republicans are getting a taste of governing after being out of power for nearly a decade.
"You are being forced to not sit on the sidelines and throw bombs," Greenwald said. "You're finally being asked to step up and face some challenges."
Previous coverage:
• Republican Senate leaders push ahead with votes on $29.4B N.J. budget deal
• N.J. legislators scramble to ensure budget deal support
• Gov. Chris Christie's $29.4B budget proceeds to full Senate vote
• Frustrated N.J. lawmakers negotiate last-minute budget deals
• N.J. budget compromise is reached between Gov. Chris Christie, lawmakers