"This should end the Democrats' hopes of raising taxes on small businesses dead in their tracks," Chiusano, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon, said. "Our seniors need access to affordable drugs, but imposing another tax on small businesses would hinder our ability to grow jobs and cause more high-earners to give up on New Jersey. That would hurt any progress made toward rebuilding the state's economy, which would not help anyone."

      Governor Christie said today he was able to restore proposed cuts to the deductibles and copayments for the Senior Gold and the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) prescription assistance programs because of increased rebate collections from manufacturers, a higher use of generic drugs and changes to the federal Medicare program.

    "This is proof that it's possible to cut government spending and provide for our most vulnerable citizens without yet another tax increase on the small businesses New Jersey needs to rebuild our economy," Chiusano said. "Today's decision spares both senior citizens and the business community while allowing New Jersey to continue in the direction of lower taxes and less government spending."