It is day three of the government shutdown, and lawmakers are still trying to hash out a budget deal the governor will sign into law.

News 12 spoke with Gov. Chris Christie via phone this morning, and he continues to maintain he'll sign any budget that gets to his desk.

The holdup is with an unrelated measure regarding Horizon Blue Cross.  Gov. Christie says he wants to use some of the insurance company's reserve money to help deal with the opioid crisis.

However, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto says that will lead to higher premiums, something the governor disagrees with.

"The bill says if any of the reserves would be used to keep premiums lower, then the state won't take that money for opioid treatment," said Christie.  "It says it right in the bill and the speaker knows that." 

In response, Assemblyman Prieto told News 12 the shutdown is due to Gov. Christie. 

"We are now in day three of the Chris Christie hostage crisis because he has put the budget document and the budget that we need to get to under hostage with something outside of the budget," said Prieto.