NJ Budget Talks Have Stalled

Legislative leaders canceled Thursday's Assembly voting session, and Gov. James E. McGreevey told staff to prepare plans for a government shutdown as negotiations on the $24.1 billion state budget stalled.

Assembly Speaker Albio Sires said he was sending a letter to his members on Wednesday to advise them about the canceled session and ask them to keep their schedules open through the weekend until June 30, the legal deadline for approving the spending plan.

"I am willing to have a session Saturday," said Sires, D-Hudson.

The Assembly has delayed voting until the Senate budget committee approves budget-related legislation. Leaders have said there is no point to voting on bills that may be amended by the Senate.

With no budget negotiation meetings scheduled, McGreevey chastised GOP leaders for taking a day off Wednesday, less than five days from the deadline. The governor said Republicans declined his offer to meet at the Statehouse to talk about the budget.

"The Republicans keep saying they don't want a government shutdown, but everything they do would suggest otherwise," McGreevey said.

Senate Republicans have refused to vote on the administration's budget because they object to increasing taxes for casinos, smokers and phone lines. Democrats counter that the GOP has no real alternatives and is just playing politics.

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Author: NBC10/AP