Democrats countered by pressing to raise income taxes on wealthy residents with a so-called millionaire's tax that, under one proposal, would raise rates on residents who make about $268,000 or more.

At first, only a handful of Obama supporters took advantage of the increased contribution limits, newly available under a so-called millionaire's amendment to federal campaign laws.

The so-called millionaire's tax, favored by Democrats, was a key demand of union negotiators.

One is a so-called millionaire's tax, endorsed by billionaire Obama supporter Warren Buffett.

The so-called millionaire's tax faced heavy opposition from many Republicans and was vetoed by Mr. Rowland.

He is having to explain his own conversion to two causes that he had dismissed repeatedly from the time he took office: the so-called millionaire's tax and the constitutional convention.

Since Governor Roland had shown some flexibility on the idea of the so-called millionaire's tax, Democrats raised the idea again in budget talks this week.

His plan to levy a so-called millionaire's tax had received a warm reception from most voters.

Instead, Democrats vowed to continue their push for a so-called millionaires' tax on the highest-earning residents, another move Mr. Christie has rejected.

Rather, Senate Democrats plan to revive the so-called millionaire's tax, devised last year but ultimately defeated.