Private Signing Ceremony Set For New Jersey's 2013-14 Budget
By David Madden
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Governor Chris Christie was expected to quietly sign the new budget for New Jersey by the end of the day today.
Why no drama? The Democratic-controlled legislature passed the $32.9-billion spending blueprint after negotiating with Christie's staff.
And while the governor concedes it's not exactly what he proposed in late February, "For the most part, I think, I got most of what I wanted. But you're never going to get everything you want if you want a compromise."
This compromise allows Christie the chance to avoid major use of his line-item veto authority, which he utilized in the last two budgets when there were no talks with the state Senate or Assembly.
There's no school voucher program in the next budget -- something the governor wanted -- nor a return of a tax credit program for the working poor.
But $9 billion is allocated to education in the state, and another $1.6 billion will go to the state pension fund.
And property tax rebates for the elderly, disabled, and low-income residents, which are usually paid in July, will be delayed until August this year.
