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TRENTON – What began as a central campaign promise of Governor Philip D. Murphy to raise taxes on New Jersey's wealthiest people has become the corner problem that has fractured democratic control in the United States. state, threatening a two-year government shutdown
Trenton was consumed at every last-minute round of budget negotiations, which included counterproposals to increase taxes on short-term rentals and businesses, but the Murphy's position on a so-called millionaire tax remains the central point of friction. The governor believes that it is the best source of sustainable income, while Stephen M. Sweeney, the Senate speaker, argued that he will drive the rich out of the state.
The deadline for the budget is midnight Saturday; Mr. Murphy and the legislative leaders huddled for over two hours at a closed-door meeting late Thursday night, but did not give the impression of being closer to D & C. An agreement. They said that they will continue the talks on Friday morning. The Senate should not be called for a vote before Saturday.
The tightrope policy is not unusual and is often started in government budget negotiations with closing threats serving as catalysts for last-minute deals. But the fiscal battle in New Jersey became the central node of what became a personal and political standoff between Mr. Murphy and the legislative leaders of the states.
Murphy, a relative political neophyte who has never held elective office, sought to enforce himself as a disruptive force in the midst of the entrenched politics of Trenton, and Mr. Sweeney, who was once seeking Mr. Murphy's office, has increasingly tried to resist "Time is running out," Murphy said Thursday, although it seemed at least for the moment that personal acrimony is still going on. Was attenuated
. Sweeney's attacks on Murphy as "Goldman Sachs leader" and Murphy's broad criticism of "Christie facilitators" in the Legislature. Instead, Mr. Murphy began his public schedule on Thursday with sustained remarks at a cabinet meeting, where the assembled officials were discussing the parameters of a potential shutdown.
"We go through this painful process of emergency plans, how Mr. Murphy added," I would cancel my responsibilities if we did not anticipate the full range of possible outcomes, if logic does not exist. does not prevail, including closure of the state .. all related issues: casinos, parks and everything else. "
According to a law promulgated after the closure of 2006, casinos and the state's racetracks would remain open for a week.After seven days, they close their doors because the State Casino's control board and other betting controllers, who are in charge of The state parks, including Island Beach State Park and Sandy Hook, would also be closed, as would the state courts and the offices of the Department of Transportation
. A press conference in a local high school, Mr Murphy said "It would be hard for him to accept any budget that did not include some form of tax on the rich."
"It's hard for me to make myself understood, since it's obvious," he said, referring to the millionaire's tax. He added, "I'm happy to look at the limits of the level and the rates, I think everyone knows."
He also echoed the comments he made on Wednesday, rejecting the last one. Mr. Sweeney's counterproposal to impose short-term rents, which would apply largely to summer residences along the Jersey Shore. "I am not, for example, ready to give the millionaires, on the one hand, a free pass so we can tax the long-awaited family vacation weeks at the Jersey Shore, "he said." I am ready to compromise and that's an important point. I want people to think that I am reasonable and resolute.
As the deadline approached, both sides were hired not only to sell their respective positions, but also to determine who would be responsible if an agreement was not reached
. . Murphy spent Tuesday making his way between the screaming horns of incoming trains at East Rutherford Station, saying that a rate increase might be in store for New Jersey Transit riders if his budget was not high enough. not adopted.
He also threatened to use his veto over articles reduced by more than $ 850 million the budget passed by the Legislature, arguing that he was not providing enough Revenue to cover Planned Spending
On the same day, Mr. Sweeney visited Abilities Solutions, an organization in the south of the state that provides jobs for people with developmental disabilities and whose funding would be cut under Mr. Murphy's veto.
"Which Democrat cuts funding for a program like this? Sweeney, whose daughter has Down syndrome
On Wednesday, the two men blamed each other
. Murphy's message was that the legislature was afraid to tax the rich. "The other party will either support on behalf of the $ 800 million reduction of desperately needed investments, or stand up to allow the state to close because they are protecting millionaires," he said. Mr. Murphy at an event in Newark. "I will take my side of this day any day of the week."
Sweeney rejects responsibility on a governor who is too eager to tax: "If we close it, it's because the governor has decided to close it because he wants to raise taxes on people and we do not want to do it. "[19659002] The budget debate has largely involved the Democrats, who control the governor's office and both houses of the legislature. But the Republican minority of the state has been trying to amplify the discord.
"Only among the New Jersey Democrats, a debate over two tax increases would turn into a three-way discussion," said Tom Kean Jr.] on Twitter
with the possibility that parks and state beaches are closing just as a heat wave is expected, the chance of a resolution rests largely with Mr. Murphy and Mr. Sweeney. There is at least one area in which Mr. Murphy has already conceded. After a journalist asked the governor to be in a "tug-of-war" with Mr. Sweeney, a former union leader, he showed her his biceps
"Who do you think you are?" He'll win that? " Said Mr Murphy. "Do not put me against an iron worker."
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