NJ Budget Deal In Jeopardy As Some Dems Threaten Holdout

Sources tell Townsquare Media that a group of nine Assembly Democrats led by Assemblyman Joe Cryan are threatening to withhold their votes on the Democrat-sponsored State Budget unless they are assured that a vote on the controversial Rutgers-Rowan University merger is delayed.

One of the Assembly members involved in the hold out group confirms the situation, but has requested anonymity.

PREVIOUS: State Budget Coverage

Those involved have been vocal about the fact that nobody can tell them how much the merger will actually cost. Governor Chris Christie’s Administration claims it will actually save money.

It takes 41 votes to pass the budget bill. There are 48 Democrats in the Assembly. If the ‘Cryan 9’ holds out, the spending plan cannot pass without Republican support. The budget deadline is just nine days away.