NJ Budget Negotiations Continue

New York, NY —

New Jersey's budget-making process picks up tempo today with reports to legislators on the state's most-recent revenues. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has more.

All the stakeholders in the state's budget process know things are going to be tight. But just how tight will depend on how well New Jersey income and sales tax revenues have come in since Governor Jon Corzine laid out his $33 billion budget in March.

Today, the Assembly Budget Committee will get 2 revenue reports, 1 from the treasurer and the other from the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services. They're both expected to offer mixed reviews. Corzine and legislative leaders have pledged to reach a budget deal weeks before the July 1st deadline to avoid last year's government shutdown.

The climate in Trenton is substantially different this year - the governor is on the mend from a major injury, the entire legislature is up for election this November, and there is an ongoing federal probe into the process of last-minute appropriations, the so-called Christmas tree items. For WNYC, I’m Bob Hennelly.