Christie: Parts of schools' plan 'unfair,' but 'encouraging'

Christie commented on Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and Senate President Steve Sweeney's agreement after an unrelated announcement about transportation funding.

The Democratic leaders unveiled the plan recently and Sweeney has said he plans to incorporate the agreement into the must-pass budget, which the state constitution requires be balanced by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1.

Specifically, the senators said they want to see more funding for special education and for any potential cuts to take effect in fiscal year 2019, instead of 2018.

State aid for schools is part of one of the biggest issues in New Jersey — property taxes, which are the highest in the country and are fueled by school districts' levies on property owners.