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With Eye On Boosting Economy, New Jersey Senators Planning Proposals On Major Issues

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The president of the New Jersey state Senate says he and his Democratic colleagues plan to introduce legislation with the goal of investing in several areas to spur the state's economy.

Democrat Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, announced the plans Monday, saying the proposals would cover transportation improvements, early childhood education and college affordability.

He and senators he has appointed to lead studies of each area say there could be calls for tax hikes to pay for some items, including improving roads and other transportation facilities. But he said the state would also look at expanding public-private partnerships and reallocating existing revenue.

"A lot of the problems of this state's economy is the fact that we didn't grow it," Sweeney told WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron.

"You can't grow an economy without investing in it, and when you have limited resources, you have to take those resources and invest them where you get your biggest bang for the buck."

The lawmakers will tackle one particular public policy each week for the next six weeks.

The ideas are familar ones. So what's different this time?

"We're actually going to get them done," Sweeney said. "We're laser focused on developing policies, advancing legislation and getting it done."

During the announcement, Sweeney criticized Republican Gov. Chris Christie for spending so much time out of state running for president.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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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