The lone Senate Budget Committee vote against the Horizon bill penned by state Senator Joe Vitale (D-19) intends to stand by her vote when the controversial bill goes to the senate floor.

“There is nothing changing my vote,” said Beck. “The small business people, teachers and firefighters who pay health insurance premiums deserve that money back. If there is an excess, this money must be returned to the subscriber of the health plan.

“I can’t understand a government taking of a company’s assets,” the senator added. “It is a very bad precedent and one of the most anti-small business policies that has ever come before me.”

Beck represents a swing district that Democrats have targeted this year with businessman Vin Gopal, the former Monmouth County Democratic chairman. Most insiders see the district as the most competitive of the general election season.

The senator’s decision to emphatically oppose the legislation comes as key members in her caucus who are in safe Republican districts appear ready and willing to vote yes on the much-criticized bill in exchange for school aid and other budget-related goodies, according to sources close to the negotiations.