Senate Panel Considers Stalled Aid to Cities Bill

A partisan squabble that has held up $139 million in aid to impoverished cities in June may soon be resolved. The Senate Budget Committee will consider legislation appropriating the money -- plus $1.5 million for oversight -- on Thursday.

The Assembly approved the bill on Monday.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed the spending, saying the aid needed to include $1.5 million for his administration to monitor the expenditure.

Democrats said the administration should bear oversight costs, not the receiving cities.

The new bill spends an additional $1.5 million instead of including the monitoring funds in the $139 million. Eleven cities would get the money. Camden would receive the biggest amount: $61 million. Other recipients include Asbury Park and Trenton.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)