STATE BUDGET MAY INCREASE THANKS TO HURRICANE

Hurricane Sandy may provide New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with an opportunity to ask for an increase in next year’s state budget.  The Star Ledger reports that economists believe the governor now has an “easy out” if he decides to ask the legislature and state residents for more money next year.  Christie estimates the damage in the Garden State from the hurricane to be a shade under $30 billion.  Tax collection numbers for October were about $89 million under projections.