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NJ Spotlight--In Open Challenge to Murphy, Dem Lawmakers Move Their Own Spending Bill
Senate and Assembly budget panels vote out 2019 budget bill, risking governor’s veto and state shutdown at end of month
State lawmakers defiantly moved their own spending bill out of legislative committees yesterday despite Gov. Phil Murphy’s promise that he will veto their budget over concerns about an increased corporate tax and other revenue measures that he considers unacceptable.
The early-evening, party-line votes in the Democratic-controlled Assembly and Senate budget panels set the stage for final passage of the Legislature’s fiscal year 2019 spending bill in both full houses tomorrow.
John Reitmeyer | June 20, 2018
NJ Spotlight--School-Funding Bill Clears Committee, Breaking One Logjam With Murphy
Proponents claim $9 billion measure puts state on road to full funding within seven years
While the revenue side of New Jersey’s next state budget remains shrouded in uncertainty, there finally appears to be agreement — or near agreement — on the biggest and arguably most contentious section on the spending side: state aid to public schools.
John Mooney | June 20, 2018
NJ Spotlight--After Paramus Tragedy, Making School Buses Safer, Drivers More Accountable
Lawmakers offer legislation to upgrade seat belts, strengthen training and regulation of drivers, and add to safety of special-needs students
Carly Sitrin | June 20, 2018
Star Leger--New N.J. tolls roads? Public worker benefit cuts? Forcing towns to merge? It's all being discussed.
New Jersey public workers could see cuts to their health care and pensions, motorists could travel on more toll roads and towns could be forced to consolidate if lawmakers embrace recommendations being considered by a high-powered group formed by the state's most powerful legislator.
Those are just a handful of the nearly 60 suggestions in a draft document obtained by NJ Advance Media that could be released in the coming months by a panel of tax experts and lawmakers state Senate President Stephen Sweeney convened earlier this year to examine New Jersey's state and local tax structure.
Matt Arco| Updated 7:05 AM, June 20, 2018; Posted 7:00 AM
Asbury Park Press--NJ budget battle could cost Jersey Shore schools millions
Millions of dollars in state aid to Ocean and Monmouth county schools hang in the balance as Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Stephen Sweeney lock horns over the state budget.
Murphy's proposed state budget has schools in both counties on schedule to gain $16 million in new school funding for the 2018-19 school year.
Amanda Oglesby, Asbury Park Press Published 5:00 a.m. ET June 20, 2018