N.J. lawmakers reach deal to end budget standoff

UNITED STATES: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said yesterday he will sign a budget bill to end a partial government shutdown that became a black eye for him after he was seen lounging on a beach that had been closed to the public over the holiday weekend.

State lawmakers were finalising the bill and legislators and the governor said they would stay as long as it took overnight to craft and sign it.

Christie said all state parks and beaches would be open on Tuesday, local time, for the Fourth of July holiday and state offices would be open as usual on Wednesday.

He said he was happy a resolution had been reached on the budget impasse, but saddened it came three days late.

New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney told a news conference: ‘‘None of this was easy.’’

‘‘I think this is a good day because everything will be open,’’ Sweeney said.

Christie became the subject of widespread mockery and derision after a New Jersey newspaper captured photos of the Republican governor and his family sunbathing on a beach that had been closed to the public over the holiday weekend due to the budget standoff.

The saga, dubbed ‘‘beachgate’’ by some media outlets, threw a spotlight on stalled budget negotiations that caused partial government shutdowns in New Jersey and in Maine, and led to the suspension of many non-essential services.

- Reuters