THE STATE SENATE REJECTS A PLAN THAT WOULD’VE CRACKED DOWN ON TAX EVADERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE MEASURE FAILED AFTER MINORITY LEADER ROBERT BROWN CHALLENGED THE MOTIVATIONS OF THE SPONSOR, SENATOR ERIC JOHNSON. BUT JOHNSON CALLS IT A PARTISAN VOTE

SENATOR BROWN SAYS HE HAD TO FILE FOR AN EXTENSION ON HIS TAXES BECAUSE OF ILLNESS. THE REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAYS 21 OTHER LAWMAKERS OWE BACK TAXES. THREE WERE IDENTIFIED ON THURSDAY — STATE REPRESENTATIVES AL WILLIAMS, WINFRED DUKES, AND ROBERTA ABDUL SALAAM.