House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) speaks on the House floor in 2023. [Blue Room Stream] 

House Democrats have generally got on board with state budget bills in recent years, but it was notable when multiple Democrats opposed this year’s budget and nearly sank a plan to increase taxes on businesses to help pay for the spending.  

In an interview with The Daily Line last week, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) explained he knew the vote margins on the budget would be slim and said the differences of opinion within his caucus on fiscal policy are a sign of strength.