TRENTON — New Jersey lawmakers Thursday night approved a $29 billion spending plan that Democrats praised for restoring some property-tax rebates, but Republicans criticized as unsound for the long term.

The Assembly voted to approve the budget 45-34 after a four-hour debate. The Senate passed the bill 22-17 just before 11 p.m. after debating it for nearly two hours.

The spending plan advances to Gov. Jon Corzine, who is expected to sign it.

“I am gratified by the timely and decisive actions taken today by our Democratic partners in the Legislature to produce a balanced budget, and I will work just as hard in the next few days to thoroughly review the budget bills sent to my desk,” Corzine said in a statement released after the vote.

(Source: NJ Star Ledger)