Free Republic

Negotiations in progress as shutdown nearsBy JOHN P. McALPIN AP Political Writer June 28, 2003, 4:54 PM EDT TRENTON, N.J.(AP) _ Legislators came to work Saturday, ordered by Gov. James E. McGreevey to agree on a budget and a series of tax and fee increases or else deal with a shuttered state government. The Senate Budget Committee, where Republicans have blocked the budget by refusing to vote on any measure that raises taxes, must act by midnight Saturday so the full house can vote Monday. Monday is the constitutional deadline for a balanced budget. Without one, McGreevey says all operations,...