TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- New Jersey will set aside $500 million a year for New Jersey Transit's operating budget under a plan a top lawmaker unveiled on Friday. Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney said he will seek a constitutional amendment to make sure the money is not diverted from transit by the Legislature and governor.

The figure Sweeney is seeking amounts to just over 20% of the transit agency's 2019 budget.

Sweeney said he's proposing that businesses pay the lion's share of the $500 million because they benefit by their workers being able to get to and from their jobs.

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