Gov. Chris Christie, left, worked out a budget compromise with legislative leaders including Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, center, and Senate President Stephen Sweeney, right
The New Jersey Legislature is expected to vote today on the state's $29.4 billion budget that remained largely intact after Gov. Chris Christie, left, proposed the spending plan in March. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), center, and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) reached a deal with Christie to pass the budget with the minimum number of Democrats in support. TRENTON — The state Legislature today will take final votes on a $29.4 billion state budget that, even after months of debate, contains most of what Republican Gov. Chris Christie proposed back in March.
The spending plan — which marks Christie's first chance to put his stamp on state finances as the state coffers groan under the weight of the recession — slices state aid to towns and schools. The cuts could have a ripple effect on local property taxes. It also nearly eliminates property tax rebates and cuts programs across state government.
Though Democrats who run the Legislature don't like the tough-as-nails budget plan, they struck a deal with Christie designed to avert a state shutdown that would be forced if no budget is signed by Thursday, the constitutional deadline. State government, including courts, shut down for a week four years ago during a budget impasse.
The budget deal between Christie and Democrats calls for Republican lawmakers to sponsor the bill and for every GOP member of the Legislature to vote yes. Democrats would then provide just enough votes to allow the budget to pass.
But with some recalcitrant Republicans opposing the spending plan, some of today's drama will center on whether they will vote yes, or if Christie will have to deal with Democrats to get an extra vote or two.
In addition to the budget, both houses have a busy agenda and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver predicts the session could last past midnight.
Bills include a Democrat alternative plan to Christie's proposal to cap property tax collections by 2.5 percent a year, a measure to restore funding to women's clinics, and delay implementation of New Jersey's medical marijuana laws until early 2011.
Follow the latest coverage on The Star-Ledger's Statehouse page throughout the day for breaking news from the busy day in Trenton and a breakdown of how the spending plan will affect you and other New Jersey residents.