NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey lawmakers voted Monday to approve a nearly $59 billion state budget, with more than $700 million added to the governor’s initial proposal late Friday night.
Senate and Assembly budget committees delayed votes on the budget bill until almost midnight on Friday. Trenton Republicans and some progressive groups called it a joke of a process. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco says New Jersey deserves better than this.
“There’s no accountability, no long-term planning, and absolutely no transparency,” Bucco said.
This budget raises taxes on home sales over $2 million. The previous proposal was homes over $1 million. It also raises taxes on online gambling and cigarettes by 30 cents a pack.
Democrats say this fully funds schools, pensions, property tax rebates and maintains a $6.7 billion surplus. There is a structural deficit with the state spending $1.5 billion more than it collects in taxes.
Budget Chair Paul Sarlo says people had plenty of time to look over it, so he doesn’t want to hear about transparency concerns.
“Yes, it was over a weekend, but it’s been in the public domain for two and a half days,” he said.
Some of the money added at the last minute will go towards community colleges.
It’s the final budget of term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration. Next year, either Mikie Sherrill or Jack Ciattarelli will sign the bill.