Legislative leaders in New Jersey are hoping to strike a deal on Gov. Chris Christie's $32.9 billion budget as early as Monday.Democrats and Republicans on the budget committee say negotiations between the Legislature and Christie's office are going well.

While no deal has been cut yet, both sides are optimistic about a new budget being in place well before the June 30 deadline. Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Vincent Prieto, a Democrat, says the budget could make it through both houses of the Legislature by June 24.

Declan O'Scanlon, the Republican budget officer on the committee, says it's possible the budget could be sent to the governor as early as Thursday.

He says there are still sticking points, but both sides are working toward bipartisan agreement.

 

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