Editor’s Note: “Hey, NJ” is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project, made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Read more here. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking about the state budget.

Want to know what NJ taxes are going up? Or where your tax money is going? Good luck.

Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin, joined by budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer, discuss how, once again, New Jersey lawmakers have raced up against a budget deadline and conducted nearly all the negotiations for big deals behind closed doors and in meetings where it isn’t always easy for the public to stay involved.