She said it was "truly surprising" that the legislators had acted while major portions were still being formulated.

It is difficult for the general public to know on a day-to-day basis just how our legislators are acting on behalf of environmental priorities.

Governor McGreevey said in a statement that a work stoppage was not the way to encourage legislators to act.

The State Constitution says legislators must act on the governor's proposed budget bills before drawing up their own spending bills.

Afterwards - after the statutes have been passed - the courts determine whether legislators acted within their constitutional authority.

The legislators acted after a six-week budget-review process that represented less political maneuvering and debate than in the recent past, according to legislative leaders.

Individual court decisions are always looked to for general guidance, they say, particularly in areas where legislators have not specifically acted.

The legislators acted even though reports of brutality there have never been seriously disputed.

It is therefore necessary and useful that legislators should now act.

The legislators have not yet acted on another contentious issue - a proposal to require disclosure of foreign investment in the United States.