Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     3-30-13 Education in the News - Dept of Education-State Budget, Autism Rates in NJ
     3-20-12 Education Issues in the News
     GSCS State Budget FY 2012-2013 Testimony
     3-11-12 Education Issues in the News
     2-29-12 NJTV on NJ School Funding...and, Reporters' Roundtable back on the aire
     2-26-12 State budget, School Elections, and Federal Grant funds for local reform initiatives
     2-24-12 Headlines from around NJ - from Google (hit on nj education-nj budget)
     2-23-12 Education in the News - Education reform noted in state budget message; Facebook grant to Newark teachers
     2-23-12 State Aid Figures Released late today: GSCS Statement
     STATE AID DISTRICT LIST - PROPOSED for FY 2012-2013
     Education Funding Report on School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) issued 2-23-12
     Text of Gov. Christie's State Budget Message, given Feb. 21, 2012
     2-22-12 School Aid in State Budget Message - Is There a Devil in the Details
     2-21-12 State Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2012-2013
     FY'12 State School Aid District-by-District Listing, per Appropriations Act, released 110711
     GSCS Take on Governor's Budget Message for FY'12
     GSCS 3-7-11Testimony on State Budget as Proposed by the Governor for FY'12 before the Senate Budget Committee
     Gov's Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Today, 2pm
     GSCS FYI
     2-7-11Grassroots at Work in the Suburbs
     1-13-11 Supreme Court Appoints Special Master for remand Hearing
     1-20-11 GSCS Testimony before Senator Buono's Education Aid Impact hearing in Edison
     NOTE: FOR CURRENT INFO ON STATE BUDGET FY'11, GO TO LINK ON LEFT SIDEBAR '2010-2011 STATE BUDGET'
     GSCS FYI - GSCS will be testifying onTuesday in Bergen County on the State Budget
     3-17-10 Budget News - Gov. Chris Christie proposes sacrifices
     3-15-10mid-day: 'Gov. Christie plans to cut NJ school aid by $800M'
     3-14-10 'Christie will propose constitutional amendment to cap tax hikes in N.J. budget'
     3-15-10 'N.J. taxpayers owe pension fund $45.8 billion' The Record
     3-3-10 'Public Education in N.J.: Acting NJ Comm of Educ Bret Schundler says 'Opportunity'
     2-24-10 'Tight funds raise class sizes that districts long sought to cut'
     2-22-10 Christie and unions poised to do batttle over budget cuts'
     2-22-10 Trenton Active Today
     2-19-10 'Acting NJ education commissioner hoping other savings can ward off cuts'
     2-16-10 'Christie Adopts Corzine Cuts, Then Some'
     2-14-10 'FAQ's on NJ's state of fiscal emergency declaration by Gov. Christie'
     2-12-10 Assembly Budget hearing posted for this Wednesday, Feb. 17
     2-12-10 News Coverage: Governor Christie's message on actions to address current fiscal year state budget deficits
     FY2010 Budget Solutions - PRESS PACKET
     School Aid Withheld Spreadsheet
     State Aid 2010 Reserve Calculation and Appeal Procedures
     State Aid Memo (2-11-10) 2 pgs
     2-11-10 Gov Christie address to Joint Session of the Legislature on state budget and current year aid reduction remains scheduled for today
     2-10-10 'Schools are likely targets for NJ budget cuts'
     2-9-10 News article posted this morning notes potential for large loss of current year school aid
     2-8-10 'School leaders around N.J. wait and worry over state aid figures'
     1-28-10 School Surplus plan to supplant State Aid in this year gaining probability
     1-21-10'N.J.'s Christie won't rule out layoffs, furloughs to close unexpected $1.2B deficit'
     2005 Archive
     1-18-10 Advance news on 'Christie as new Governor'
     GSCS to speak at Tri-District 'Open' meeting in Monmouth on January 27
     12-15-09 GSCS is working with the Christie Transition Team
     11-29-09 Ramifications - News of NJ's fiscal realities
     Codey bill allows Budget Message to be delayed until March 16, 2010
     6-26-09 Executive Director to GSCS Trustees; Wrap Up Report - State Budget and Assembly bills this week
     6-26-09 NJ State Budget Passed late Thursday night
     6-19-09 a.m. GSCS 'Quick' FYI - State Budget Vote delayed to Thursday, June 25
     6-18-09 Deocrats say they have the votes to pass the State Budget today
     6-16-09 News from Trenton on State Budget in Senate and Assembly Budget Committees yesterday
     APPROPRIATIONS ACT FY2009-1020 as introduced
     A4100-S2010 Appropriations Act 'Scoresheet' and Language Changes released
     5-14-09 GSCS Heads Up - State Aid payments to be delayed into next Fiscal Year
     5-19-09 Treasurer David Rousseau announces additional round of cuts to Gov's proposed State Budget FY2009-2010
     4-5-09 The Record, Sunday April 5, Front Page Opinion
     Latest Title 1 'preliminary' funding under the ARRA 3-09
     Latest website filing by the USDOE on Title 1 funding
     3-13-09 Information to Districts re: Federal Stimulus- Additional Title 1 and IDEA funding information still not ready for distribution
     3-11-09 CORZINE BUDGET ADDRESS: STATE FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS A LITTLE MORE NOT LESS - FEDERAL TITLE 1 & IDEA INCREASES YET TO BE COUNTED - STATE SCHOOL AID FIGURES ON DEPT OF ED WEBSITE 1:30 TODAY - RELATED ARTICLES, MORE...
     3-10-09 GOVERNOR TO DELIVER STATE BUDGET MESSAGE TODAY - SCHOOL AID FIGURES TO BE RELEASED BY THURSDAY LATEST
     2-24-09 State Budget & Stimulus News of Note
     2-23-09 S-15 (Buono) Pension Deferral bill up for a vote in the Sentate today
     2-19-09 Federal stimulus - information re: Education funding in 'State Fiscal Stabilization' part of the package
     2-18-09 Corzine announces more cuts, more deficit
     NJ District listing, Title One & IDEA under federal stimulus law
     2-3-09 Corzine to unveil new cuts when he offers 2010 budget
     1-23-09 Schools get an eduction in thrift
     1-17-09 GSCS EMAILNET & SCHOOL FUNDING OVERVIEW
     1-16-09 Today's news notes state budget waiting on Obama stimulus package
     1-15-09 HEADS UP - Budget Message date to be delayed now to March 12
     1-14-09 Meeting with Mayors, Corzine warns of cuts
     1-9-09 State Senator requests education committee hearing on potential school funding cuts
     12-28-08 NY Times 'Pension Fight Signals What Lies Ahead'
     11-25-08 Perspective piece criticizes recent Supreme Court Abbott decision
     6-24-08 State Budget passed yesterday, as did the School Construction, Pension Reform, and Affordable Housing bills
     6-23-08 A2873-S1457 School Construction bills up for vote today, along with State Budget FY09
     6-20-08 State Budget stalls, school construction is one obstacle
     A2800 - Proposed State Budget bill released 6-17-08
     6-17-08 Legislature and Governor agree on State Budget FY09
     GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET Fiscal Year 2009...INFO
     Office of Leg Services Analysis of Gov's Education budget FY09
     GSCS & NJ Spec. Educ.Funding Coalition on STATE FUNDING FOR EXTRAORDINARY COST FY09 issues & beyond
     6-9-08 GSCS Quick Facts: TRENTON FOCUS THIS WEEK
     3-19-08 GSCS Testimony on State Budget for Fiscal Year 2008-2009
     2-26-08 Governor Corzine's Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2008-2009
     6-29-07 Lots of news affecting NJ, its schools and communities this week - STATE BUDGET signed - LIST OF LINE ITEM VETOES - US SUPREME CT RULING impacts school desgregation - SPECIAL EDUCATION GROUPS file suit against state
     6-14-07 Revisions to State Budget filed today
     4-4-07 N Y Times, front page 'NJ Pension Fund Endangered by Diverted Billions'
     3-15-07 State eases at risk aid restrictions & 25% members of NJ Senate retiring (so far)
     3-13-07 GSCS Testimony on State Budget FY'08
     GRASSROOTS SPEAK UP re State Aid for FY07-08 & Recent Legislation that can negatively impact school communities
     Hearings Schedule for State Budget FY07-08
     3-1-07 Emerging Devil showing up in the details
     2-27-07 GSCS welcomes that state aid increases for regular operating districts helps lower & some middle income districts - will persevere to see that the state extends its share of support to education more fully to all districts
     2-23-07 News Articles re Gov's Budget Proposal
     2-22-07 GSCS EMAILNET re Gov's Budget Message
     2-22-07 Gov's Budget Message Link & Related News Articles
     2-22-07 GSCS Press Release: Governor Corzine's Budget Message today
     2-22-07 Governor Corzine's Budget Message today
     2-16 to 2-19 New Articles of Note
     2-14-07 GSCS letter to Gov Corzine & Commr of Education Davy - Request for State Aid FY0708
     NJ Assembly Session FY06 Budget Debate Majority Leader Joe Roberts standing
     7-12-06 Column on State Budget legislator items
     7-11-06 Appropriations Act bill
     7-9&10-06 State Budget news articles -wrap up & news analyses
     7-9-06 Sunday New York Times
     7-8-06 FY07 Budget approved - 19.5 in spec ed grants stays in
     7-7-06 Afternoon Friday - budget document awaiting
     7-7-06 EMAILNET - AGREEMENT ON STATE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-7-06 AGREEMENT ON STAE BUDGET REACHED, impt 'details' still being finalized
     7-3-06 Roberts, Codey & Corzine still not on same page
     6-30-06 State Budget news - as the dissonance must be resolved
     6-29-06 GSCS 'QUICKNET FYI' Update on State Budget for FY 2007
     6-29-06 Mirroring the elements, State Budget looking like a 'natural disaster'
     6-25-06 State Budget issues:legislative branches conflict - news articles
     6-14-06 Assembly Minority Budget Leader Joe Malone's Op Ed
     Editorial on benefit of using UEZ surplus for spec educ aid for this year
     6-12-06 EMAILNET - Extraordinary Special Education student aid; FY07 Budget 'crunch' is on; news clips
     Weekend News Clips re Property Tax & School Funding issues
     GSCS 15th Annual Breakfast Meeting Program Info Update
     5-16-06 EMAILNET Action in Trenton
     5-10-06 EMAILNET
     5-10-06 A Lot is going on - Major News fromTrenton
     5-9-06 Supreme Ct freezes aid & Asm Budget Comm grills DOE Commissioner
     News articles
     TRENTON RALLY PROPOSED (late morning) Thurs JUNE 8
     3-28-06 GSCS testimony before Assembly Budget Comm today
     Legislative Calendar during State Budget FY07 process
     4-17-06 EMAILNET
     4-16-06 Star Ledger editorial & article re Gov v. Abbott from 4-15-06
     40-16-06 Gannett & Asbury Park Press on School Budget election issues
     4-16-06 Sunday NY Times Metro Section, front page
     Governor Corzine takes steps towards major policy initiatives.
     3-28 & 4-3-06 GSCS FY07 testimony before Senate & Assembly Budget Comm
     Grassroots at work - Ridgewood Board member testimony of FY07
     4-8-06 Corzine Administration files brief with Supreme Court re Abbott funding
     4-7-06 The Record
     3-31-06 AP 'Budget idea puts onus on income taxes, businesses'
     3-29-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07 Hearings Update
     3-24-06 EMAILNET FYI Update on Gov Corzine's Budget FY07
     3-24-06 Schools learn who wins, loses in Corzine budget
     3-23-06 Corzine says some Abbotts can raise taxes
     3-22-06 News Article sampling on Governor's Proposed FY07 Budget
     3-22-06 EMAILNET Governor Corzine's Budget Message
     Governor's 3-21-06 Budget message & hard copy links
     3-15-06 News articles on FY07
     3-10-06 Star Ledger 'Time is ripe for poorer districts to contribute.
     EMAILNET 3-9-06 to South Jersey districts
     3-7-06 More articles on the Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members fo to Trenton
     3-7-06 Articles on Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members off to Trenton
     3-4-06 Star Ledger Interest groups to address budget
     3- 4-06 Trenton Times Likey state aid cuts frustrating districts
     3-3-06 EMAILNET Budget Discussions begin in earnest
     7-14-05 EMAILNET Record article & today's editorial re politics & inequity in school aid and S1701: Update
     Check it out - The Press of Atlantic City 7-6-05 Education Funds lie in Budget Fine Print
     3-1-06 EMAILNET State Budget FY07, Health Benefits
     2-24-06 Trenton Times - Higher schools taxes needed
     School Budget Guidelines released 2-21-07
     2-11-06 Trenton Timesn'NJ State Budget has little wiggle room'
     2-1-06 EMAILNET GSCS Advocacy FY07 Budget; On the Homepage Today
     FUNDING HISTORY - May 27 1998 - Education Week article re Abbott V - funding above parity
     2003 GSCS letter to legislators
     Star Ledger 6-29-05 Bid to Save Tax Rebates Imperils NJ Budget
     Rebate Debate on Budget for FY06
     Public Information available at New Jersey website
     S2558 Bill to provide $19.9M in Abbott aid to additional districts
     GSCS Advocacy for State Budget FY06
     GSCS Testimony: State Budget Fiscal Year 2006
6-26-09 NJ State Budget Passed late Thursday night
Burlington County Times - Highlights of NJ budget approved Thursday - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Asbury Park Press - $1.2B tax hikes get OK - GANNETT STATE BUREAU

North Jersey - Hearld News Record/Star Ledger STATEHOUSE Bureau -UPDATE: Divided Legislature passes $29B budget

Press of Atlantic City - State lawmakers approve tax-laden budget

 

Burlington County Times - Highlights of NJ budget approved Thursday

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS  June 26, 2009

New Jersey lawmakers on Thursday approved a $29 billion budget proposed by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. Since he first introduced it in March, it's become more austere as revenue projections fell. The proposal was increased a bit last week, though, when a tax amnesty program brought in nearly $500 million _ enough to restore some property tax rebates and deductions that had been eliminated.

The budget is about $4 billion less than the one adopted a year ago, before spending was trimmed by about $2 billion. It's also less than the first budget Corzine proposed, in 2006.

If adopted, the budget will take effect on Wednesday, July 1.

Here are highlights:

INCOME TAXES

_Raises income taxes for one year by .75 percent on family income over $500,000, moving that top tax rate to 10.25 percent.

_Eliminates, for one year, property tax deduction on next year's state income tax for all taxpayers who earn more than $250,000, and caps deductions at $5,000 for those who earn $250,000 or less.

PROPERTY TAXES

_Eliminates property tax rebates for non-senior citizen, non-disabled homeowners with incomes over $75,000.

_Provides two-thirds of last year's rebate amount to homeowners who earn between $50,000 and $75,000. Those rebates are to average about $700.

_ Provides last year's rebate amount to all senior citizens, disabled people and to others who earn under $50,000. For senior citizens, the rebates would average about $1,200; for non-seniors with incomes under $50,000, they would average $900.

_Eliminates property tax rebates for renters.

_Maintains property tax freeze program for senior citizens _ worth an average of more than $1,000 per household.

SIN TAXES

_Raises tax rates on wine and liquor _ but not beer _ by 25 percent.

_Increases taxes on cigarettes to $2.70 per pack _ up 12.5 cents from the current tax.

_Taxes lottery winnings over $10,000.

STATE EMPLOYEES PAY AND JOB SECURITY

_Freezes salaries for state employees, delaying a 3.5 percent raise that was scheduled to go into effect this year until 2011.

_Requires 10 unpaid furlough days for workers, but gives them get seven paid days off they can use starting in 2011.

_Avoids layoffs for union-represented state workers through 2010.

EDUCATION

_Increases spending in public school classrooms by $374 million.

_Increases college tuition aid grants by $37 million.

_Decreases aid to schools by $94 million, largely by deferring $560 million in pension contributions for school employees.

_The federal economic stimulus contains $2.2 billion that goes directly into various items in the budget _ much of it for education.

HEALTH COSTS

_Decreases money to hospitals by $20 million.

_Increases aid to county psychiatric hospitals by $15 million.

_Expands Family Care program to provide health care for children by $149 million.

MUNICIPAL AID

_Decreases aid to cities and towns by $31 million.

 

Asbury Park Press - $1.2B tax hikes get OK

By MICHAEL SYMONS • GANNETT STATE BUREAU • June 25, 2009

 

lawmakers, divided along partisan lines, approved a $29 billion state budget Thursday that relies on $1.2 billion in tax increases and $2.2 billion in federal stimulus aid as it scales back grants, programs and property tax rebates.

The Assembly passed the budget 45-34, with all Democrats present except two in favor and every Republican against it. The tax increases passed by similar margins. The Senate passed the budget 22-17, then approved the tax increases — all but one with the minimum 21 votes needed for passage.

Democrats said the budget cuts spending to deal with the impact of the recession but hailed it for keeping property tax rebates for all seniors and any household with income of $75,000 or less, capping tuition hikes at state colleges and universities at 3 percent and avoiding cuts other states are making to core programs.

"Nobody here, Democrats or Republicans, really wants to do a budget like this," said Senate President Richard Codey, D-Essex. "Nobody in their wildest dreams ever thought that we would have to do a budget like this just a year ago. Nobody. But this state is like every other state throughout this country. Whether they're run by Republicans or Democrats, it does not matter. ... We're all in the same boat."

"We have done the very best under the very worst of all possible circumstances we could have faced," said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester.

Republicans — who took turns on the Assembly floor reading emails from residents with complaints about state government — said the budget defers costs to next year rather than solves problems and breaks promises about providing lasting property tax relief.

"This budget is a Band-Aid. It is a Band-Aid leading down a road to a disaster," said Sen. Kevin O'Toole, R-Essex.

"Our state is on the verge of financial collapse, not just because this year or even last year's budget, but rather the totality of taxing, spending, borrowing that has a stranglehold not only on their wallets, but on the spirits of the people who live in this state," said Assemblyman Joseph Malone III, R-Burlington.

Democrats at times responded directly to the residents' emails and at other times read from testimony from advocacy groups that were thankful the budget didn't gut the state's spending on safety-net programs.

In addition to the budgeted state spending, the government will spend nearly $14 billion in federal aid and $6.2 billion from federal and revolving funds that aren't counted in the state budget's bottom line.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine has until next Tuesday to sign the budget.

Voting began just after noon in the Assembly, which — in a nod to the state constitutional requirement that revenue-raising bills originate in the Legislature's lower house — started by quickly approving $167.6 million in tax increases on cigarettes, liquor and wine, businesses and certain insurance premiums.

Then the Assembly moved to a lengthier debate about raising income taxes on households with incomes of $400,000 or more, suspending property tax deductions for households with incomes over $250,000 and taxing New Jersey Lottery winnings over $10,000. In all, income taxes are being raised by $1.071 billion, though all those changes except the lottery-winnings tax are scheduled to expire after one year.

Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Morris, said the sales tax was intended to be a temporary levy when it was enacted 40 years ago. "Pardon my cynicism if I question whether a tax increase in New Jersey is ever temporary. ... The odds are, based on history, that we're going to have this forever," he said.

"We're actually taxing people who get lucky in this state," said Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-Union, mocking the tax on lottery winnings. "This is the ultimate in the Legislature's day, or year. ... I think we're off the charts now."

Republicans said there will remain a deficit next year of $5 billion — maybe even twice that, some senators estimate. Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-Mercer, said that will require more tough decisions and that the state will benefit from economic policies of President Barack Obama nationally and Corzine in New Jersey.

"I look forward to there being a more energized, energetic and healthy economy, predicated in part by new and more sane and reasonable policies coming out of the federal government with the capacity to provide more stimulus to our state," said Watson Coleman.

Democrats said Republicans have proposed budget cuts that amount to less than 10 percent of the state's deficit, many of which they said target cities for political purposes, and are advocating spending increases and tax cuts simultaneously.

"We are not in Disneyland," said Assemblyman Gary Schaer, D-Passaic.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, said state spending is down $3.9 billion from the budget adopted a year and is $2.2 billion less than Corzine's first budget in 2006. Watson Coleman several cuts were made to programs and alternatives considered.

"This represents, we believe, an opportunity to preserve the quality of life for those that can afford it and at the same time protect the absolute needs of the individuals who cannot do it for themselves," Watson Coleman said.

NEW TAX NUMBERS

Some details about the tax changes that support the budget:
• Income tax rates will rise from 6.37 percent to 8 percent on household income between $400,000 and $500,000; from 8.97 percent to 10.25 percent for income between $500,000 and $1 million; and from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on income over $1 million.
• Cigarette taxes are going up 12.5 cents per pack to $2.70, beginning July 1.
• Taxes are going up by 3.5 cents on a typical 0.75 liter bottle of wine and 22 cents on a 0.75 liter bottle of liquor, beginning Aug. 1.
• Businesses will continue to pay a 4 percent surcharge on their corporate taxes that has been charged for three years but was supposed to expire.
• Taxes on group accident and health insurance premiums will go up for one year. Taxes on high-risk insurance policies, such as those for catastrophe-prone beachfront homes, will jump permanently from 3 percent to 5 percent.

 

The Record, The Herald News

 

 

 

UPDATE: Divided Legislature passes $29B budget

Thursday, June 25, 2009
Last updated: Friday June 26, 2009, 12:40 AM

BY JOHN REITMEYER AND ELISE YOUNG

NorthJersey.com

STATE HOUSE BUREAU

Taxes will go up, rebates will go down and Democrats and Republicans will argue through this election year on whether a $29 billion state budget approved Thursday helps or handicaps New Jersey.

The state Assembly needed more than four hours to debate the budget — much of that time taken by Republicans who read aloud comments from frustrated residents. In the end, not a single Republican voted to approve the measure, which passed 45-34. The Senate’s debate lasted half as long with the same result — a 22-18 vote with no Republicans onboard.

Governor Corzine praised his fellow Democrats for signing off on the budget and called the GOP’s boycott “unfortunate.”

Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-West Orange, offered some of the most fiery words of the night, invoking 8 percent unemployment rates, declining 401(k)s and pension funds, and rising foreclosures.

“Who did that? Jon Corzine? The Legislature?” Codey asked. “No. It was Washington, D.C.”

“What they allowed was despicable and disgraceful. They brought on this recession — I would say depression. Not our governor. Not any of us here. We’re all victims. Whatever our names are, whatever our party is, we’re all victims of what happened down in Washington, D.C,” Codey said.

But Minority Leader Thomas H. Kean Jr., R-Union, said the state brought problems on itself.

“We are the only state in the union that will have fewer private-sector jobs at the end of the decade than at the beginning,” Kean said. “We’re the only state in the union that will spend less on higher education this year than we did eight years ago. Those were decisions made in this state capitol. Those were decisions made here.”

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Camden, praised a successful tax amnesty period during which nearly $700 million was collected. That money, totaled a week ago, helped legislators restore property-tax rebates for most residents, except renters and those who make more than $75,000 a year.

He also pointed out that the proposed budget is $4 billion less than that for fiscal 2009.

During more than four hours of debate, though, Republicans stuck to one theme: New Jersey is flat-out unaffordable.

Some read e-mails and letters from their constituents. One writer, who identified herself as a resident since 1947, said she was moving to Pennsylvania, leaving all her friends and doctors where she would prefer to live.

“Many of my constituents [are] upset that they’re being forced to move or even consider moving from this state,” said Assemblywoman Denise Coyle, R-Somerset. “The seniors in my district are so angry. All they want to do is be around their children and grandchildren, but they can’t.”

All 80 seats in the Assembly are up in this November’s election, as is Governor Corzine’s four-year term.

Thursday’s agenda in both the Senate and Assembly was heavy with financial matters — everything from a package of tax increases needed to support the budget to a stimulus bill that critics said was loaded with giveaways for developers.

Supporters say the stimulus bill would help jump-start the state economy. The measure offers tax breaks to businesses that create jobs near mass transit hubs. It also eliminates some fees for developers. It cleared the Assembly 49-27 and passed the Senate 21-18.

“Local officials and businesses need more tools and greater flexibility to work together in planning and building the infrastructure projects that will bring new jobs and economic opportunities to New Jersey,” said Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, D-Camden. “This multifaceted effort sends the clear message that New Jersey is open for business and looking to the future.”

The state budget features a number of tax increases, along with deep cuts in funding for state operations. Both were called for when tax revenues plummeted earlier this year much more than expected.

Taxes on cigarettes, hard alcohol and wine will be increased. So will the tax rate for personal incomes over $400,000.

The budget would reduce the size of the property tax rebate program, limiting it to households earning less than $75,000. Exceptions are in place for senior citizens and disabled residents.

Households earning up to $150,000 qualified for rebate checks last year and the ceiling was $250,000 the year before.

Funding for most rebate checks, however, had been removed altogether from an earlier version of the budget proposal, part of Corzine’s response to record state revenue losses.

Lawmakers, after a last-minute, $404 million infusion of cash from a tax amnesty program that ended last week, restored the rebate checks for those who will qualify under the new income limits.

 Press of Atlantic City - State lawmakers approve tax-laden budget

TRENTON - New Jersey legislators passed the state's $29.9 billion budget Thursday over the lengthy protests of Republicans who said it raised taxes while relying too much on one-time revenue.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine has said the budget is the product of the global recession forcing the state to make difficult decisions.

Corzine, who must sign the budget before Wednesday, when it is due to take effect because the state Constitution requires a balanced budget by the end of the fiscal year in June, praised fellow Democrats and chided Republicans after hearing about the party-line tallies in both houses of the Legislature.

"It is unfortunate that not one Republican member of the Legislature saw fit to support a budget that reduces state spending by 12 percent - an unprecedented downsizing - at the same time it responsibly protects spending on education and provides billions of dollars in much needed property tax relief," Corzine said.

The budget raises income taxes on people who earn more than $400,000, while eliminating property tax deductions for those earning more than $250,000.

At the same time, it suspends the popular Homestead Rebate program for 1.2 million people who received it last year, wiping out most tenant rebates and limiting full rebates to homeowners earning less than $50,000, and seniors and the disabled earning less than $100,000. Partial rebates are available for homeowners earning as much as $75,000, and seniors and the disabled earning as much as $150,000.

It also adds to current sin taxes on cigarettes, liquor and wine.

The budget cuts spending for hospitals by $20 million and municipalities by $31 million, while adding $149 million for FamilyCare and $374 million for schools.

In the Assembly, lawmakers passed the 284-page bill after more than four hours of debate.

Then, in the state Senate, where the sultry weather meant the rule requiring men to wear jackets was relaxed, legislators took about two hours and approved it at about 11 p.m.

Senate President Richard Codey, D-Essex, blamed former President George W. Bush's administration for causing the problems that led to the global economic downturn.

"Nobody here, Democrat or Republican, really wants to do a budget like this," Codey said in an uncommon floor speech. "Nobody in their wildest dreams ever thought that we would have to do a budget like this."

But Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union, Morris, Somerset, Essex, said the budget was based on choices made in New Jersey.

"We are the only state spending less on higher education than we did eight years ago," he said. "Those were decisions made in this state capital. Those were decisions made here."

Republicans in the Assembly also attacked the budget, frequently reading letters from constituents to undergird their points.

"The budget increases property taxes, increases sales taxes, increases business taxes. I'll give (Corzine) credit," said Assemblyman Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic. "For one thing, he didn't miss any major revenue streams."

At the same time, the budget cut more than $2.1 billion from dozens of programs and projects, said Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Salem,. Gloucester, Cumberland.

"That is not what we, as a legislative body, want to do. ... As the economy restores, we will look to restore what we can, when we can," he said. "I believe we have done the best in the worst of possible circumstances we could have faced."

The budget cleared both houses on largely partisan grounds. In both houses, members of the 1st Legislative District were the only Democrats to side with Republicans.

Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said that tapping special funds dedicated to beach replenishment, arts, tourism and other causes for the state coffers was the reason for his vote against the budget.

"These represent a trust between the people of New Jersey and their government," he said after the vote.

Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam, both D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, are involved in what observers say are the closest Assembly races in the state, and would face certain condemnation from opponents if they voted for it. Both said their elections did not factor into their votes.

Albano said he voted against it because it took money from beach replenishment, local aid and Jersey Fresh promotions, as well as raised taxes.

"We have to stop taxing the people of the state of New Jersey," said Albano, who added that he voted against three of the four state budgets while in office. "We can't keep adding taxes."

Milam said he had planned to vote against the budget since the governor's budget address in March.

"It took from beach replenishment, tourism, the environment - everything that is important down there," he said.

Lawmakers also approved associated bills that temporarily raised income taxes, with a top 10.75 percent rate second only to Hawaii, increased state taxes on liquor, wine and hard cider by 25 percent and raised the tax on insurance polices from 1 to 2.07 percent.

Van Drew, Albano and Milam also voted against each of them.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

E-mail Derek Harper:DHarper@pressofac.com  E-mail Emily Previti: EPreviti@pressofac.com