(03/22/06) JERSEY CITY ? Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) met with residents in Jersey City Wednesday morning one day after his grim budget presentation to state leaders.

During his budget address, Corzine said New Jersey?s day of financial reckoning had finally come. He introduced what are likely to be unpopular methods to deal with a $4.5 billion budget shortfall. The $30.9 billion spending plan includes a 1 percent sales tax increase and deep spending cuts.

Corzine met residents, some of whom were invited by the governor, at a diner to gauge their reaction to the budget. The governor told some individuals New Jersey has been essentially borrowing money on credit and sticking the bills in a drawer for some time. Some residents feel Corzine should target government officials with two or more jobs instead of slashing spending and hiking taxes.

Related story: Corzine introduces budget, says day of reckoning has arrived