TRENTON – The full Senate today unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would extend the date by which the governor must deliver the 2011 Fiscal Year budget message. Senate bill S3060 is designed to give Governor-elect Chris Christie’s administration sufficient time to transition.
“This is a common courtesy given to many previous governors,” said Sen. Codey. “In light of the serious fiscal challenges we face this year, I’m sure this extension is particularly welcome by the incoming administration.”
The message, traditionally delivered on the fourth Tuesday in February, must now be transmitted by March 16, 2010. The move is in line with similar extensions that have been granted in the past for the first budgets prepared by other governors.
The bill now awaits action in the General Assembly.
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