N.J. governor vetoes bill to repeal cosmetic surgery tax

Trenton, N.J. - New Jersey Gov. John Corzine has vetoed a bill to repeal a tax on cosmetic surgery. The bill had been passed nearly unanimously by the state legislature.

The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press reports that in his veto statement, Corzine said he could not justify the loss of a reliable source of funding that goes toward charity care provided by hospitals to the uninsured - especially in the face of a $2 billion budget gap.

In December, the Assembly approved the measure 79-0 with one abstention, while the Senate approved it 39-0.

The law applies to procedures such as cosmetic surgery and dentistry, hair transplants and laser hair removal but exempts reconstructive.