The Democrat who controls New Jersey's state Senate says Gov. Chris Christie's politically overcharged budget hurts the state's vulnerable residents most.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney says Christie's last-minute vetoes were political payback to people who have challenged him. He says the cuts totaling $900 million punish the people the Legislature was elected to protect.
Sweeney had heated words for Christie after digesting the magnitude of the governor's line-item vetoes, calling him “a bully and a punk.”
The governor slashed $139 million in aid to struggling municipalities, leaving just $10 million. He cut an AIDS drug distribution program, child welfare services and tuition aid grants, among others.
Sweeney told the Star-Ledger that he waited all day for a meeting with Christie that never happened.
There were also cuts to the Senate and Assembly budgets, but none for the Governor’s staff.
A lobbying group says the cuts to programs benefiting cities and towns will cripple local efforts to stabilize property taxes.
The NJ League of Municipalities is urging the Legislature to try to reverse some cuts.
The Governor's office issued a statement on Tuesday regarding Sweeney’s recent comments.
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"The Governor believes the language used was inappropriate and disrespectful to the office, but he continues to stand ready to work with Senator Sweeney and the Legislature in a bipartisan manner to get things done for the people of New Jersey."
Christie's office reported earlier the Governor was leaving on Tuesday for a two week family vacation.
