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Lobbyists Push For Restoration Of N.J. Budget Without Gov. Christie's Cuts

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A lobbying group representing New Jersey mayors says Gov. Chris Christie's budget cuts will hurt local efforts to stabilize property taxes.

The League of Municipalities says cuts totaling $240 million will adversely impact the ability of municipalities to provide much-needed property tax relief in their towns.

New Jersey's property taxes are the highest in the country, averaging $7,576 per household last year. So Bill Dressel, the league's executive director, has urged the Legislature to try to reverse some cuts.

Christie slashed all but $10 million from a $149 million aid program for cities and towns facing extraordinary circumstances. He also eliminated a $50 million public safety program for municipalities experiencing crime spikes that Democrats had put into their alternate budget.

In all, Christie cut $900 million from the Democrats' plan.

Was Gov. Christie right in his use of the line-item veto? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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