State Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) was back at work today following the budget session, which concluded last night when Governor Phil Murphy affirmed the document.

The $58.8 billion whopper of a budget met with stiff opposition from not only Republicans and the business community, but from public sector labor groups.

Speaking to InsiderNJ this morning, Sarlo, long-serving chair of the budget committee, defended the budget. Specifically, he addressed how New Jersey puts itself in a strong position to handle the cuts imminent from the budget backed by President Donald J. Trump.

"When you talk about a $6 billion surplus and handing that to a next governor, that is a strong position," Sarlo argued. "Whatever comes down from [Trump's "big beautiful bill"], we will have $6 billion to cushion us."

In addition, Sarlo made the case for a budget with a $1.47 billion structural deficit as an improvement over budget in the era of then-Republican Governor Chris Christie.

"Under Christie, that deficit was $8 billion," said Sarlo.

Finally, the senator said, this budget, while unpopular, "fully paid our pension and school funding" formula."

Republicans like Assemblyman Brian Rumpf (R-9) took exception to that, while also objecting to the $700 million in 11th hour spending contained in the budget.

In addition, the budget contains 12 new taxes, and increases existing taxes, including taxes on healthcare, which will impact working people.

Calling it a bad budget, Rumpf said it will force local school districts to hike property taxes. Little Egg Harbor, for example, will have to impose a 33% tax increase. "That is, respectfully, beyond outrageous," said the Republican assemblyman from Ocean County. "More than 50% of the children [in LEH] get free or reduced lunch. It's not a town with a lot of wealth. Hard working people will be driven to their knees."

Other GOP critics specifically cited the sunsetting of the two percent cap, secured by Christie, which will inevitably result in local property tax increases.