New Jersey Budget Under Review
New York, NY —
Lawmakers in New Jersey this week begin reviewing Governor Corzine's proposed $33-billion spending plan that calls for no tax increases, but leaves key needs unmet.
The Assembly budget panel meets with the state treasurer today then hears from the public at the Statehouse tomorrow in the first of 4 planned public hearings. Meanwhile, the Senate budget committee will hold a public hearing Wednesday at Kean University in Union.
The budget review comes after the US Attorney's Office in recent weeks subpoenaed budget-related documents going back to 2004 from the governor's office, legislative leaders and legislative staff offices. It's reviewing whether lawmakers personally benefited from so-called "Christmas tree'' items. Those are grants included in the budget at the last minute, with neither public review nor discussion.
