NJ Treasurer Defends Chris Christie’s Budget Plan

New Jersey's state treasurer is fielding questions on Gov. Chris Christie's proposed $32.1 billion budget.

Treasurer Andrew Eristoff says the Christie administration is cautiously optimistic about the fiscal year ahead. He says the state has proposed contributing more than $1 billion toward workers' pensions and modestly increasing aid to education after two years of spending cuts.

The administration expects revenue collections to be 7.3 percent higher in the year ahead.

But the research arm of the Legislature thinks that's too high. Office of Legislative Services budget officer David Rosen forecasts tax and fee collections at $537 million less than the administration for the 15 months ahead.

Eristoff and OLS officials spoke before the state Senate's Budget Committee on Tuesday.

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