From the Office of The Governor:  PRESS RELEASE, June 22, 2010

Trenton, NJ - The Legislature today reached a bipartisan consensus in support of Governor Chris Christie's budget plan to close an unprecedented $11 billion deficit without raising taxes. The budget fulfills Governor Christie's commitment to make the necessary and tough choices to solve the state's fiscal crisis and begin the fundamental reform necessary to grow New Jersey's economy and create jobs. Furthermore, the Governor found additional cost savings that will restore critical funding aimed at protecting New Jersey's most vulnerable citizens.  

"This budget stays true to the principles I originally outlined, keeping spending within our means and restoring fiscal order without raising taxes. This budget lays the foundation for necessary long-term reforms that will help New Jersey recover from today's economic and fiscal crisis,"

Governor Christie said. "At the same time, as difficult as this process has been, we dedicated ourselves to identifying further budget savings in order to restore funding for programs that serve the most vulnerable New Jerseyans.

Governor Christie and the Legislature identified $74 million in additional cost-savings within the budget that will make it possible to restore funding for the following programs:

• Funding For General Assistance: $21,995,000
• Supplemental Security Income / Personal Needs Allowance For Community-Based Developmental Disabilities Clients: $10,282,000
• Personal Assistance Home Care: $9,669,000
  Sheltered Workshops for People with Disabilities: $3,000,000
  Respite Care: $800,000

From News from The Senate / Assembly Democrats:  PRESS RELEASE, June 22, 2010

SWEENEY & OLIVER ANNOUNCE BUDGET COMPROMISE

(TRENTON) -- Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver on Monday announced that they have reached a compromise with Gov. Chris Christie on a state budget that will restore cuts to some programs that impact the state's most vulnerable residents.

The Senate and Assembly budget committees will convene later this week to clear the measures, with final votes scheduled for Monday, June 28.