‘Cement in the Sand’ Prieto Says He Expects the Support for Budget of 41 Members
TRENTON – Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) received a hero’s welcome among union leaders at the statehouse annex this afternoon as he reasserted his resistance to the Horizon bill and his support for the 2018 State Budget.
“Everybody thinks it’s bad policy, it’s a bill that was not heavily vetted,” said Prieto, who arrived from the governor’s office.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy doesn’t want the bill.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Kim Guadagno doesn’t want the bill.
The governor’s office is where he was, Prieto said, but as for the Horizon bill, “It’s not a line in the sand. It’s cement in the sand,” the speaker said.
“Concrete in the sand,” he added later.
“For me it’s always about doing the right thing,” said the speaker. “We have a budget that actually helps the state of New Jersey.”
“We’re with you, Vinny,” someone shouted.
Prieto said he looks forward to posting the budget again and to get the support, not only of the people with him at the press conference, but of new members to get to 41.
A reporter asked the speaker about legislation he supported in the past – 2006 to be precise – that would allow certain excess surplus of health service corporations to hospitals for charity care subsidies, precisely the kind of legislation he now opposes.
“Things change and things evolve,” said the speaker. “People evolve, that was almost a decade ago.”
Prieto said several times during the press conference that 24 of his caucus members already showed they want to vote for the budget yesterday, and he is hopeful today of summoning the votes required.
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