(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) issued the following statement Monday regarding the Assembly Budget Committee’s approval of the Fiscal Year 2020 State Budget proposal put forth by Legislative Democrats:

“Our budget funds Legislative Democrats’ priorities and the Governor’s priorities. The spending plan includes significant and much-needed increases in funding for property tax relief, seniors, veterans, higher education, community colleges, NJ Transit and more.

“Our budget is fiscally responsible and calls for a record surplus of well over $1.3 billion. We have also preserved the Governor’s proposal to put $3.8 billion into the pension system which represents the largest contribution in the history of New Jersey.

“We were able to meet the needs of our residents without any broad-based tax increases. I am proud of our plan. It is without question a ‘good news’ budget.”