Days before the end-of-the-month deadline, New Jersey lawmakers voted along party lines to pass a new state budget that was introduced by majority Democrats.

All of the Democrats in the Senate and Assembly voted for the $31.7 billion spending plan.

Assemblyman Gary Schaer says he believes residents are willing to wait to ensure a planned tax cut is affordable.

 “I believe the people of New Jersey first and foremost before they want a tax decrease want a fiscally prudent and fiscally responsible Legislature.”

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo says nothing will be lost by being patient to implement the tax cut.

“The plan isn’t scheduled to take effect until next January. So we should use the six months between now and then to gauge the economy and monitor state revenues.”

Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon says Republicans could not support the budget because it delays the tax cut.

 “The priorities clearly expressed in this budget are completely out of whack with the needs of the people of New Jersey, the highest taxed people in the nation.”

Republican Senator Joe Pennachio says this is not the end of the budget process.

 “I urge the governor to reprioritize this budget. Take our your red pen governor. Let’s put taxpayers first.”

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick expects Governor Christie will veto portions of the spending plan.

 “I would suspect that they’ll be significant line item vetoes, and I think that when they put in things in the budget that only increase spending and do not reduce taxes Chris Christie is not going to be a happy guy.”

Democrats say the budget is the best they could do in the current economic conditions.