The spending plan was adopted Monday afternoon by a 24-16 vote. The Assembly was expected to vote on the spending plan later Monday.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie doesn't like the lawmakers' call to hold off on phasing in a 10 percent tax cut until officials are sure the state has enough money to support the loss in revenues.
Christie wants the tax cut guaranteed to start in January. He has threatened to use his veto pen on the budget to cut programs and services Democrats want to fund. The governor has until the end of the week to act.
Democratic lawmakers say the provision is needed because Christie's budget projections are overly optimistic.
