New Jersey shutdown nears end

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) will sign off on a compromise bill that would end the state government shutdown in time to open state parks and beaches for the Fourth of July, NJ.com reported Monday night.

Sources told NJ.com that Christie will approve a revised bill dealing with control of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield that sparked the shutdown.

State Senate and Assembly leaders were scheduled to give more details about the deal at 10 p.m. press conference Monday night.

{mosads}The chambers have been called back to Trenton for late-night votes.

Christie drew criticism over the weekend for staying at the state-owned Island Beach State Park and sitting on the beach with his family while state residents couldn’t access similar facilities.

The Republican governor defended his stay in the park amid the closures, saying his post gives him the perks of a residence at Island Beach.

“That’s because the governor has a residence at Island Beach. Others don’t,” Christie reportedly said at a news conference Saturday that came during the first day of the state’s park shutdown.

“It’s just the way it goes. Run for governor and then you can have the residence,” he added.