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Star Ledger/SOUTH RIVER — "Gov. Chris Christie signed his first state budget into law this afternoon, saying the "pain" it imposes through sweeping cuts will pay off in the long run for New Jersey's finances...He said he did not line-item veto any spending in the budget that passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature early this morning. Under a compromise, the majority party provided just enough votes for the Republican-sponsored budget to squeak by. At a news conference after signing the bill, Christie immediately pivoted from the $29.4 billion budget to a special legislative session he has called for Thursday morning. He wants lawmakers to consider his property tax reform agenda, though he cannot order them to take up specific bills..."
Gov. Chris Christie signs $29.4B N.J. budget into law
Published: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 2:34 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 3:34 PM
SOUTH RIVER — Gov. Chris Christie signed his first state budget into law this afternoon, saying the "pain" it imposes through sweeping cuts will pay off in the long run for New Jersey's finances.
"It is not by any means a moment where we feel self-satified," the Republican governor said during a signing ceremony at a firehouse here. "This kind of success gives us the momentum to go even further, harder, faster and stronger."
He said he did not line-item veto any spending in the budget that passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature early this morning. Under a compromise, the majority party provided just enough votes for the Republican-sponsored budget to squeak by.
At a news conference after signing the bill, Christie immediately pivoted from the $29.4 billion budget to a special legislative session he has called for Thursday morning. He wants lawmakers to consider his property tax reform agenda, though he cannot order them to take up specific bills.
Christie said he will take the session one day at a time, but will continue to call lawmakers back if there is inaction after his Thursday morning speech. He said he wants the Assembly to also consider plans to overhaul New Jersey's affordable housing policies. The controversial measure has passed the Senate but the lower house wanted to take it up in the fall after further study.
About a dozen protesters lined up across the street from the firehouse, with signs listing the cuts and effects of a budget that slashed spending at the tail-end of the country's recession.
The governor has to give the Legislature 48 hours' notice, day by day, to call lawmakers into a special session. That means he will have to notify them again Wednesday morning for a Friday session, and Thursday morning if he wants them to come in over the fourth of July weekend.
Christie's budget rejected major tax increases and cut 2.2 percent of state spending — or 8.6 percent including federal funds — from former Gov. Jon Corzine’s final budget. It marked a big milestone for the rookie governor, who campaigned on a platform of cutting spending and shrinking state government after a decade of Democratic control.
Christie sliced $848 million from property tax rebates — which he said he’d cut as a last resort — and eliminated rebates for renters, while shirking a $3.1 billion pension-fund payment, ensuring next year’s required payment will be even bigger.
By Claire Heininger and Lisa Fleisher/Statehouse Bureau Staff