Governor Chris Christie: "This will be a budget unlike any in 20 years."

There’s been a lot of talk about Governor Christie’s cuts to services and New Jersey’s state of emergency regarding its budget. But what does that really mean? How does a budget get passed in New Jersey anyway?

Every New Jersey State Budget covers one fiscal year beginning on July 1st, and ending June 30th the following year. On or before the third Tuesday following the first meeting of the Legislature (although it may be delivered later in a gubernatorial inauguration year), the Governor gives his annual budget address to the Legislature. Then, the Senate Legislative Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee reviews the proposed budget and hears testimony from the public and other government officials.

After these two committees complete their hearings, the final result is called an "annual appropriations bill." The spring season is usually the time when budget negotiations heat up between the Governor and legislative leaders. This bill must be then approved by the Senate and the Assembly, and then signed into law by the Governor by July 1st.