The Legislature will not vote on either marijuana legalization or $15 minimum wage bills Monday, a legislative aide confirmed to ROI-NJ on Thursday.
Many were hopeful there would be a compromise between Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge) during a two-hour meeting — which would have led to the bills being posted for a vote during the last session for each house Monday.
While there was no compromise, all sides came “closer together” on some issues, the aide said.
The aide requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.
“Significant progress was made on the minimum wage bill, just not there yet,” they said. “They hope to be there in January.”
On marijuana legalization, taxes may not be as large an obstacle. While Murphy originally called for a 25 percent tax and Sweeney wants 12 percent, the two sides appear to be willing to work together on the number.
Where there is less certainty is the structure of the oversight commission that will be created, the aide said.
Without a vote Monday, neither legalization nor the minimum wage can go into effect in time for the new year.
