TRENTON - The Senate Budget Committee this evening passed along party lines the $60.75 Billion FY 2027 State Budget Bill out of committee.

"There are a lot of moving parts, including some language changes and changes to restorations," said state Senate Committee Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo, who cited the budget's unreserved balance of $6 billion.

"That's a surplus which will help us as we go through next year," the chairman said, noting national "geopolitical forces and the impact of HR-1."

"We have a very healthy surplus heading into next year, we have [a] reformatted Stay[NJ] program that really drives money to those seniors making $200K or less."

Republicans, naturally, disagreed.

"There's a lot I'm supportive of," said state Senator Steinhardt. "There's also a bunch of stuff I can't support. The failure to fully fund a bunch of our school districts. Many in my home [school] districts... are struggling."

Senator Mike Testa:

"Rural health improvements [not to exceed $12 million] are being funneled to a science center in Jersey City," he griped.

His vote - a "no."

Senator Declan O'Scanlon panned the process.

"The last-minute nature of this process," he complained. "It would not be difficult to have a little professionalism so we could all know what we're voting for."