Governor Christie has several options on what to do with the budget plan that was passed by the state Legislature.

The governor is not expected to sign the budget bill as is.

Analysts say it’s also not likely he’ll veto the entire $31.7 billion spending plan, sending it back to lawmakers.

Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison expects Christie will line-item veto some of the items Democrats put in the budget in an effort to get them to guarantee a tax cut.

 “If he is to negotiate he may force the Democrats’ hand by really kind of eviscerating some of their pet projects, probably those that will hit Democrat constituencies, that will hit those Democratic lawmakers close to home.”

Rider University political science professor Ben Dworkin isn’t sure just how it will be worked out, but he anticipates residents will be getting a tax reduction.

“The guarantee of the tax cut is going to come despite the concerns with the funding. Democrats don’t want to say no to it. Republicans don’t want to say no to it, and 18 months from now when we could potentially be $2 billion in the hole then we’ll have to deal with it.”

The governor’s office is not commenting on what Christie will do with the budget plan or just when he will announce his decision.