Chris Christie Rips Democrats Over Taxes Showdown [VIDEO]

Gov. Chris Christie is berating Democratic state lawmakers in a bid to get them to guarantee New Jersey residents a tax cut starting in January.

Christie told a town hall audience in Brick on Tuesday that Democrats have reneged on a promise to cut taxes by 10 percent.

Democrats have set aside $183 million for the first phase of the tax cut in the upcoming budget. But they are withholding the money until at least January because of the lagging state economy.

Christie says Sen. Paul Sarlo, the budget committee chairman, is "one arrogant SOB" to tell residents that he'll decide when they get a tax break.

Sen. Loretta Weinberg, the Senate Democratic leader, says Christie should be responsible and sign the budget by the June 30 deadline.

A partisan showdown looms over the timing of the tax cut.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)