Bill has not yet been through committee process, but Dems hope to bypass step by putting legislation on floor as an emergency measure
TRENTON — Assembly Democrats today hope to pass a measure to restore $139 million in aid to struggling New Jersey cities.
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) and Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) said although the bill has not yet been through the committee process, Democrats hope to bypass it by putting it on the floor as an emergency measure.
Christie line-item-vetoed the $139 million from the budget Democrats sent him in June – leaving $10 million — because Democrats removed a clause that set aside 1 percent of the money for oversight.
The bill, introduced last week, would give $139 million to the cities and add an extra $1.5 million on top of that for oversight.
Oliver said Democrats will need Republicans to grant them an emergency in order to pass the bill today. It will then need to be passed by the state Senate and signed by Christie.
Related coverage:
• Democrats press to restore aid to N.J.'s poorest cities
• Christie, Democrats to discuss restoring up to $139M in aid to N.J. cities