Most state senators have given Gov. Christie considerable leeway so far in naming his cabinet, approving by a unanimous vote four of the first five nominees to go before the full Senate.

The only two no votes so far came from Senators Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen) and Raymond Lesniak (D., Union), who both voted against Treasurer nominee Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff.

Lesniak has said that he thought Eristoff was not supportive enough of targeted tax cuts, which Lesniak said are needed to create jobs.

Weinberg, Gov. Jon Corzine's choice for lieutenant governor, said Monday she voted against Eristoff because he thought his answers to questions about "what happens when you cut $450 million from school fundings.... were at best disingenuous and at worst irrational."

Christie will withhold $475 million in state aid to school districts this year as a way to close the budget gap. The money will come from school districts that have more than the 2 percent surplus permitted by state law, but school districts argue the money would have helped provide a cushion for next year, when state aid is likely to be cut.

Weinberg was one of several Democratic lawmakers who questioned Eristoff during the Senate Judiciary hearing on why a $475 million cut to schools did not amount to a raid on funds intended for property-tax relief.

Weinberg said Eristoff was "very respectful" and called her immediately after the Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing to try to set up a time to talk, but that snow storms had forced them to reschedule.

"Christie has the prerogative and every right to do as he sees fit in his role as governor, but to deny what the outcome of some of these acts are is a little bit Alice in Wonderland and I expected the Treasurer to be a lot more factual and appropriate," Weinberg said.

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