CAI-NJ Sept. 2019update

TRENTON By Kayvon J. Paul, MBI-Gluckshaw

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L eading up to the end of the budget session, politics in Trenton were dominated by state budget negotia- tions. State lawmakers met their constitutional obligation and passed a state budget by June 30th, when Governor Phil Murphy signed the budget sent to him by the State leg- islature. Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker

ations. Additionally, he issued Executive Order No. 73 which directed the Office of Management and Budget to place over $200 million in discretionary spending into reserve, and to only be released if, sufficient revenues and assumed savings are realized. After the state budget passes, the State Legislature typi- cally breaks for summer recess although they can be called back into session at any time. New Jersey is only one of two states with off-year state elections. The State Senate is up for re-election every 4 years while the State Assembly, every 2 years. The members of the State Assembly have transitioned into campaign mode with all 80 Assembly seats being up on the ballot this year. This year’s election cycle will see some competitive races and potentially the election of a few new faces to Trenton. Following the elec- tion, the State Legislature will enter into “lame duck” where some legislators will be finishing their terms and others will have one last chance to push through their bills that haven’t CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 16

Coughlin decided not to include some of Governor’s Murphy’s key priorities such as the Millionaire’s Tax and Corporate Responsibility Fee in the final budget. On budget-related bills, the Governor has the authority to reduce or remove bud- get lines using a line item

“This year’s election cycle will see some competitive races and potentially the election of a few new faces to Trenton.”

veto. Governor Murphy used his line-item veto authority this year to strike approximately $48 million in appropri-

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