NEW YORK, NY February 22, 2008 —New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine now concedes he does not have the votes to get his controversial toll plan enacted but elements of it are being picked up by the state legislature.

Thirteen town meetings later, Governor Corzine remains well shy of the votes to make his plan law. But now an alternative floated by Assembly Transportation Chair John Wisniewski appears to be getting attention.

It calls for funding state transportation projects and cutting existing debt using a mix of gas tax increases and a much smaller toll hike than under Corzine's proposal. Also in Wisniewski's plan, a sale or lease of the lottery and a water consumption tax.

Both Corzine's plan and the Assemblyman's alternative, count on keeping state spending flat which means at least two and a half billion dollars in budget cuts for next year.

Some layoffs of state workers remains a distinct possibility.

In New Jersey for WNYC I am Bob Hennelly.