NJ Budget Override Showdown Set for Monday

Senate will attempt to override Gov.'s budget cuts

The New Jersey Senate will attempt to override some of Gov. Chris Christie's budget cuts beginning Monday.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Thursday that Democrats hope to override the Republican governor's vetoes of funding for programs for the blind, AIDS patients, cities, child sex victims and more.

They'll need three Republican votes if all 24 Democrats go along, to achieve the 27 votes needed to overturn a veto.

Senate GOP Leader Tom Kean, Jr. says Republicans are unlikely to provide any votes.

He says Democrats should have given Christie a balanced budget and been willing to negotiate rather than engage in political theater.

Christie shaved $1.3 billion in spending from the $30.6 billion budget passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature before signing the document into law last week.

Sweeney says he'll place the Senate under call, so members will have to cast votes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us