Senate Budget Committee Advances Legislative Version of the 2019 Budget

TRENTON - The members of the Senate Budget Committee passed the legislative version of the [bubbleAutoLink text="2019 budget" id="31616"] this evening by an 8-3-2 vote. Their budget scraps Governor Phil Murphy's millionaire's tax in favor of an increase from nine to 12 percent on the state corporate. The bill also significantly shrinks the Governor's community college proposal.
Three committee members were absent and other leaders stepped in and covered for them.
Here was the breakout:
O'Scanlon No
Addiego Abstain
Thompson Abstain
Oroho No
Bucco No
Sarlo Yes
Sweeney (subbing for Ruiz, who is out of state) Yes
Greenstein Yes
Cunningham Yes
Weinberg (subbing for Diegnan) Yes
Cruz-Perez Yes
Beach (subbing for Singleton, who is out of state) Yes
Stack Yes
"I think we're all hopeful there will be continued dialogue between the Governor and the Legislature," said Budget Chairman Sarlo.
The Assembly Budget Committee was set to consider the budget later this evening. In what veteran budget committee member Assemblyman John Burzichelli said was a first by a sitting Speaker, Craig Coughlin dropped by the hearing room to congratulate the committee prior to the budget vote.
The Senate Majority Office subsequently issued a press release: