TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today issued the following statement regarding a lawsuit filed by Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee:

"As we close out a year of economic upheaval more severe than any since the Great Depression, with so many people in New Jersey losing their homes, jobs, and financial security, it is disappointing that Republican legislators have chosen the Bush-Rove path of divisive, partisan politics. Those tactics helped create the current meltdown, and while we are entering a new era in Washington with a new President and renewed hope, the Republicans here in New Jersey are still playing political games.

"Within hours we will be announcing deep and painful budget cuts that must be made to comply with our constitutional obligation of a balanced budget. What we need in this climate is statesmanship and cooperation by all who have been elected to serve the people of this state. The last thing we need is for Republican legislators to use taxpayer resources to gin up a partisan lawsuit. Partisanship should be off the table as we deal with this crisis.

"My door has always been open to anyone of any party who has a good idea. If the Republicans really have something to contribute to help deal with this economic crisis, they could have walked into my office instead of a courtroom."

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in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/