Assembly Democrats say they will not be returning to the capital Saturday
Despite a gubernatorial order to convene a joint special session, Democrats in the Senate called only a fraction of their members to Trenton, saying they had a written legal opinion they did not need to comply by bringing in the full upper house. The governor's office said it could call on the Attorney General's office to file a lawsuit - but no such action occured by the end of today.
Assembly Democrats came to the capital, though they said they would not be returning Saturday, despite a standing order from the governor.
Republicans in both houses said they planned to return to Trenton on Saturday.
During a speech to the joint Legislature on Thursday, the governor insisted property tax reform must be enacted immediately and called on lawmakers to work through the holiday to get it done. He offered a compromise by backing away from his original proposal that such reform had to be done through a constitutional amendment, saying he would accept a law instead.
Democrats have said they’re willing to consider the governor’s 2.5 percent cap on annual property tax increases. The sticking points remained which expenses local governments could exclude from the cap. The governor insists only debt payments, construction and already-approved raises for public workers should be allowed to push taxes up over the cap without voter approval.
By Lisa Fleisher and Josh Margolin/Statehouse Bureau Staff
More coverage:
• N.J. lawmakers end day of negotiations on property tax cap with no resolution
• N.J. Assembly panel requests more time, testimony to consider Gov. Christie's tax cap
• N.J. Assembly budget committee convenes to discuss property tax reform
• Legislature begins second day of special session with angry debate
• Special N.J. legislative session kicks off property tax cap showdown
• Gov. Chris Christie's prepared speech to the Legislature
• Gov. Christie to tell N.J. lawmakers job is 'only half done' at special joint session of Legislature