Despite his 2005 campaign vow of transparency, the governor now thinks it's better if the public doesn't hear about the coming fiscal crisis for a few months. So much for campaign promises that he would insist on two-year budgets instead of one-year spending plans.

Special Summer Legislative Session Needed

Republican Senate Budget Officer Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) called on Governor Jon Corzine to call an emergency session of the Legislature this summer to address the largest budget deficit in history. Estimates of next year’s budget shortfall range from $6 billion to more than $10 billion.

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After eight years, New Jersey knows the routine. A Democrat governor signs an irresponsible budget that perpetuates a multi-billion dollar deficit and paves the way for a new round of tax increases and high-cost borrowing. Then the governor praises himself for making 'tough' choices.

Senator Challenges Corzine to Use Red Pen on Specific Line Items

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) challenged Governor Corzine to use the line item veto power over at least five specific line items before signing the budget this afternoon.

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The FY2010 budget does alot. It cuts spending by $4 billion but makes property tax relief and education a priority. Watch the video to get an idea of what exactly is in the FY2010 budget. Click on the Play button to watch the video.

CHRISTIE REPUBLICAN OBSTRUCTIONISTS FAIL NEW JERSEY FAMILIES

TRENTON –Democratic State Chairman and Assemblyman Joseph Cryan today issued the following statement on the passage of the FY2010 state budget:

“In the face of the global economic recession, Democrats produced an honest budget that preserves our core values while giving New Jersey families real opportunities to thrive when the national economy rebounds.

New Jersey residents are suffocating under the weight of state and local taxes. Tonight, the Legislature approved a budget that adds $1 billion to the already oppressive tax burden borne by Middle Class New Jersey.

CODEY STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF FY 2010 BUDGET

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the $29 billion FY 2010 Appropriations Act:

“What we have accomplished here in New Jersey is nothing short of a minor miracle when you consider the drastic actions other states have been forced to take.

Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley Turner (D-Lawrenceville)

TRENTON - Gov. Jon Corzine applauds the state Senate's 22-17 passage of his $29 billion budget, but can't escape sounding a note of disappointment over the GOP's to-a-man dissing of the 2010 document.

"It is unfortunate that not one Republican member of the Legislature saw fit to support a budget that reduces state spending by 12% - an unprecedented downsizing - at the same time it responsibly protects spending on education and provides billions of dollars in much needed property tax relief," the governor says in a release issued moments after the senate passes the budget.

"Even in the midst of this global economic recession, Democratic lawmakers joined me in facing up to the tough decisions and making the right choices," the governor adds.

That bigger than the boundaries of New Jersey theme echoes the Democratic arguments from the floor.

In the lead up to passing the budget, Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) gives an animated defense of the $29 billion state budget and Gov. Jon Corzine, blaming the economic downturn on decisions made in the nation's capital.

Sen. Marcia Karrow (R-Flemington)

TRENTON - Now the session is in gear, with the promise of no surprise ending - it's a given the budget will ultimately pass in the hands of the majority Democrats - undercutting longterm suspense and compressing drama into short-burst senatorial speeches. 

State Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Cedar Grove) just did an Essex County Marc Antony impression, building sections of oratorical drama on top of one another, the impact of which Democrats tried to blunt by murmuring throughout.

Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) finally intervened when O'Toole amplified outrage over New Jersey taxes to include the banks on Wall Street with the unmistakable line: "they're stealing our money."

O'Toole agreed to yield at last.

Both sides began trading.

Speaking after O'Toole, state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark) just announced that he plans to support the budget. He'd been an ornery holdout to the end.