TRENTON – Backers of Speaker Vincent Prieto on the budget convened in Committee Room 11 this afternoon against the backdrop of talks between Governor Chris Christie and Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) and the growing threat of a government shutdown.

“This budget is being held hostage by Gov. Christie, who wants revenge against Horizon and Senate President Sweeney who acts like there is only one house in the legislature,” said Hetty Rosenstein, head of the Communications Workers of America.

Numerous union reps joined lawmakers who want the budget passed before midnight tonight.

The NJEA was at the presser.

The CWA was at the presser.

AFSCME was present.

New Jersey Citizen Action was present, so was Working Families, and Environment New Jersey and the Sierra Club, among others.

They took turns slapping at the 15%-mired governor.