I Went to Trenton to Govern, But All I Got Was This Lousy $38 Million

by: A New Jersey Farmer

Tue Dec 27, 2011 at 02:36:40 PM EST

The past six weeks, though, have been another story for the guv'nor.

Despite his general popularity, the Republicans actually lost seats in the November legislative elections. Now Christie will need to rely even more heavily on the Democratic majority in the legislature and the Democratic power brokers in Essex and Camden Counties. Add in the disdain that Senate President Steven Sweeney has for Christie and you have a recipe for gridlock sprinkled with a tablespoon of revenge.

Then, the general consensus was that the lame duck legislative session was going to be one of the most active in years, with bills flying around State Street on teacher tenure and evaluation, property taxes, jobs, budget cuts and patronage. What's happened? Nada. Almost every issue was pushed to the formal session that begins in early January, and won't probably get any steam until the Governor's State of the State message in the middle of the month.

And in the spirit of the holidays, Christie picked a fight with Senator, and former Governor, Richard Codey over the permanent appointment of Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf, accusing Codey of (gasp!) feeding information to reporters. Christie canceled Codey's security detail and fired Codey's cousin from the Port Authority board. That's politics through and through and shows that Christie will never be the warm, fuzzy leader he sometimes pretends to be.

But the true state of the Governor's clout was uncovered when New Jersey was actually awarded $38 million dollars in Race to the Top funds by the Obama Administration so it could implement a speculative teacher evaluation system based on student standardized test scores. Getting money should be a positive, but this award only dredged up the previous failure to even qualify for $400 million dollars in education funds because of the Governor's attitude towards the New Jersey Education Association. Not only did it cost the state money, it also cost Commissioner of Education Brett Schundler his job and showed that Christie would blame everyone but his leadership for the error. It's a pattern that he's repeated in every misstep since, and it's one reason why he would not make a good president.

He's ending the year by essentially becoming Mitt Romney's pit bull and possible vice-presidential running mate. Granted, he did only say that he would keep the door open, but that will only serve as a distraction in the coming year, as his flirtation with the presidency proved throughout the fall, because every time he doesn't get what he wants, the media will remind us all that he's got his eye on the national ticket. The Governor should just say no this time around and focus on the state.

It's still very possible that Christie will get some of his reforms through the legislature, but many in the state are tired of his outbursts and outlandish statements. Prosecutors like him are convinced that they are always right and that they have the ultimate truth on their side, so why compromise? We need to remember that the next time one runs for statewide office.

Phil Murphy for governor?

by: 12mileseastofTrenton

Mon Aug 22, 2011 at 12:29:48 PM EDT

Strength?  Lack of a legislative voting record and an outsider, not tarnished by the party's tribal wars.

Weakness?  Too much like Corzine.  Political inexperience.

Star-Ledger doubles statehouse bureau staff

by: Rosi Efthim

Thu Feb 10, 2011 at 12:00:08 PM EST

Three years ago, Star-Ledger laid off 40% of its newsroom staff, which the New York Times noted at the time was one of the largest reductions in a single move by a major American paper. The Times had just had its own round of editorial layoffs - a first for the Times - and was soon to lay off another 100 newsroom staff, and the national paper of record no longer covers New Jersey news as closely as it once did. Across the country newsrooms were and are hurting; advertising down, and costs up - from bedrock papers like the Times and Ledger to smaller, locally-essential weeklies. The Delaware Valley News, which covered the river towns along the New Jersey and Pennsylvania banks of the Delaware, closed three years ago too - the first paper I ever worked for. Around the same time, Politicker's national expansion took a dive, shutting down 12 state sites. (Juan Melli, who became Associate Editor at politicker.com 3 years after founding Blue Jersey, was out with that round of layoffs).

With massive shifts in editorial staffing have come changes, new ventures like newjerseynewsroom.com, formed out of the ruins of the Star-Ledger layoffs by journalists whose experience "adds up to over 1,000 years". And into the reporting void, hyperlocals are springing up to catch news a new way, in very focused geographical areas. Citizen's Campaign's new NJ Hyperlocal News Association is helping hyperlocals develop, an effort Blue Jersey is involved in, in our own small way.

The latest bad news for newspapers came in a one-two punch over the last few days. It was the last day at work for nearly half of Gannett's editorial staff with job losses at Courier News, Home News Tribune and Daily Record. One of those let go, Daily Record's political columnist Fred Snowflack, who outed himself as a Democrat on his way out the door. And - bad timing - that bill that would allow municipalities to post legal notices on their websites rather than requiring them to pay newspapers for the service. Newspapers, the Star-Ledger in the lead, are charging that this is less a cost-cutting option for government and less an effort by government to control their content and cripple them financially. Jury's still out on that one, for me.

So, I'm liking new reporting muscle at the state house. Good luck, Star-Ledger. Politicker too. Good luck.

The politics of a county prosecutor

by: Matthew Jordan

Thu Jan 27, 2011 at 08:03:40 AM EST

In New Jersey there is a lack of accountability for officials occupying high level positions in every layer of our government.  There is no popular vote for our Attorney General or State Auditor.  Our county prosecutors, State Treasurer, and Supreme Court justices are all appointed positions.  Their decisions and policies aren't influenced by the will of the popular electorate; they are shaped by the wills of one person: the Governor.  We are promoting a system where high level officials aren't shaping policy in the best interest of their constituents.  Instead, they are tailoring their actions to best assure re-appointment within the ideological spectrum of the administration.  

Instead of the public weighing in on the credentials, experience, and education of an official through a popular vote, deals are cut in the back room to pay back loyal members of your party or a generous donor.  Now this is not to say we are faced with prosecutors in New Jersey who don't deserve their office; I'm saying they need to be accountable first and foremost to the people of their counties, not the Governor's office.  

On the county level we elect a clerk, a surrogate, freeholders, executives (in some places), and sheriffs.  Like the Attorney General on the statewide level, we do not elect county prosecutors.  This never made any sense to me. How can we elect people to issue passports and deeds, but not a person to implement criminal policy?  In my opinion a clerk or surrogate are largely non-partisan positions, whereas a prosecutor from the two parties can espouse very different views on how to attack poverty, crime, and social justice.  The people should be given a voice to pick who that person is in their county.  New Jersey needs more accountability, not centralized power in the executive branch.    

Recall Chris Christie : The Group Does Exist

by: johnleesandiego

Mon Dec 06, 2010 at 09:45:00 PM EST

Having been through the Recall Gray Davis effort in California I know these things can work.

Recall Gov Christie can be found on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/recall... as well as on their own website at http://recallnjgov.com/

Now if we can only make it legal to buy clothes on Sunday and pump our own gas life would be perfect in the Garden State! :D

Calling All Old People To Make Chris Christie Seem Popular

by: johnleesandiego

Tue Nov 23, 2010 at 08:04:48 AM EST

But who is being polled? (Most likely old people)

The inherent problem with most of these polls is that most, if not all of the calls, go to people with those old fashioned land lines, who tend to be older, more set in their ways, and more conservative. Younger, and more active, people all have mobile phones. Ask most 20 and 30 somethings and the last time they had a mobile phone was when they lived with their parents.

When I first moved to the Garden State I was told that in order to register to vote, have a library card, and register for the Nutley School System a local (Nutley) number was required. Doesn't the title deed, driver's license, water bill, tax bill, utility bill etc prove residency? Apparently not. I was told by the Board of Education that if my mobile phone was a NJ number they might accomodate me, but why would I give up the phone numbers I have had for 12 years? My California numbers were MY NUMBERS. The library was accomodating to get a first card but I could not get it renewed after a year (so they lost me as a patron and donor).

My personal stories of frustration in the townships is not about the sillyness of Nutley, but rather about the generational misgivings about technology.  I was shut out of participating in the community simply because I did not want to submit to early 20th Century technology and instead chose to remain the very model of a modern major gentleman. With the exception of the library, I won.

But here is where I become a symbol of the problem with polling and the political process. Having only mobile phones, chances are I will not receive any poll calls, and most likely others who are younger and mobile, will not get them either. So the most of these polls have an inherent flaw - the sample is highly targeted toward one mindset.

There is a silver lining, at least for residents of New Jersey. Governor Christie is such a popularity whore that he believes that everyone adores him and to hell with everyone else. As his cuts to programs for veterans, the disabled, the mentally retarded, and schools take hold no amount of flawed polling will hide the fact that the emperor has no clothes.  

Breaking! Did Lt Gov. Guadagno step in it?

by: Jay Lassiter

Wed Oct 20, 2010 at 11:50:17 AM EDT

False statements by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno enabled a police official to improperly receive $170,000 from a state pension fund, according to a New Jersey Watchdog investigation."

How much is "enough"?

by: Adam L

Thu Sep 02, 2010 at 12:00:00 PM EDT

Chris Christie won the Governor election with less than 50% of the vote.  That means more than half of the voters wanted someone other than him to govern.

He has consistently abused his power.   He pulled rank as a US Attorney to get out of a ticket when he went the wrong way down a one way street, and also pulled rank when he got a speeding ticket in an unregistered car to avoid being towed.   He failed to disclose his close financial relationship with top assistant Michele Brown, a conflict of interest.  He gave huge no bid contracts to his boss (John Ashcroft) and the man who didn't prosecute his brother for securities fraud, while 19 others were prosecuted.  He governs with a personal vendetta to the detriment of New Jerseyans.

(more below the fold)

As long as you are going to lie and raise taxes...

by: Adam L

Tue Jun 29, 2010 at 02:30:00 PM EDT

It wasn't "raising taxes".  It was "raising CERTAIN taxes" that was the issue.  On others who were out of favor in Christie's class warfare, it didn't matter if you were paying more for less (like public transportation, for example) or if you were getting less in tax rebates - it was part of the not-quite-so-shared sacrifice.  And when the millionnaire's tax was introduced and promptly vetoed, Christie said the following:

"Now is not the time for more of the same. Ultimately, another tax increase will punish the state's struggling small businesses and set our economy further back from recovery."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, and there is the rub.  It isn't JUST another tax increase - it is a tax increase that Christie knows will hit him and his cronies, so therefore, it must be vetoed.  Now fast forward to this draconian budget and even his fellow Republicans have called this budget full of tax hikes.

So now we know that Christie was pushing his fellow Republicans to vote for his tax hikes.  It was just a matter of which tax hikes he wants - on everyone who isn't super duper rich.  And when he tries to say how "fees" aren't taxes and how he won't raise taxes, he is either lying or leaving out the words "on the super wealthy" after the words "I won't raise taxes".

Either way, Christie's true colors of a bully and a liar are showing through, yet again.

Christie: He's not just a bully but a chauvinistic liar

by: Adam L

Thu Jun 24, 2010 at 02:16:34 PM EDT

And once again, Christie has thrown women under the bus in order to keep his super rich friends happy:

A group of female legislators continues to push to have 7 and a half million dollars added to the state budget for family planning - but Governor Christie insists it won't happen.

During an appearance on Millennium Radio's Ask the Governor program, Christie said "I just don't believe it's an appropriate expenditure of money, in the context of all the other difficult decisions that we need to make...I believe that women have the opportunity to access healthcare all across New Jersey, through a number of different programs. This is merely one of them, and no woman is not going to get healthcare because of this."

When pressed on why he feels so strongly about the issue, the Governor replied " I don't believe that this is a priority in a budget where you have to cut 11 billion dollars...that's my opinion - and it's the opinion obviously of the majority of the people who deliberated on this, or it would have changed."

No woman is not going to get healthcare because of this?  Maybe not, but certainly it will be a lot more costly and difficult to get proper healthcare because of this.  I'd be willing to bet that he'd be just A-ok with coverage for "Viagra on demand", but I digress.

Fact is, not just is this arrogant and shows a lack of basic empathy for women (not to mention an understanding of what happens when a woman gets pregnant from a rape or from being molested by a family member), but he falsely moves the bar in his claim of this being a popular decision.  "The opinion obviously of the majority of the people who deliberated on this" is, quite frankly, irrelevant and a false choice.  For starters, this budget is far from something that will be passed - there is very little Democratic support for this budget, and Christie is strongarming Republicans to vote for his tax increases.  Additionally, this has been an issue for months now - even going back to the campaign, so this was on Christie's chopping block for a while now.

Adding in NJ being a pretty progressive state, a popular progressive issue like women's rights and a Governor elected with less than 50% of the vote, this is far from something that the majority agrees with Christie on.  Compounding the heaping pile of crap is this narrowing of the "population that matters" to those who were conferees on a budget compromise that will be unpopular to Democrats and conservatives alike.

But nobody would have thought that Christie would actually Govern like an arrogant asshole - after all, it isn't like he ever acted this way as US Attorney or during the campaign.  And now the Democratic majority in the Legislature has put most New Jerseyans, state Democrats and themselves in a horrible position - them politically and the rest of us in countless other ways.

My solution to Governor Christie's neglect? STEP UP! DO SOMETHING!

by: Jay Lassiter

Tue May 25, 2010 at 08:31:17 AM EDT

In light of Governor Chris Christie's drastic budget cuts to libraries, it's up to the community to "step up" and fill the gap caused by an administration whose values and priorities do not include things like local libraries or food banks. (Click the link.  I dare you.)

In this photo, members of the gay rights group Garden State Equality give their our weekends to community service projects that recognize Gov. Christie's neglectful ways.  

Christie's chance to bring real fundamental change

by: Adam L

Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 11:00:00 AM EDT

It's easy, and it's right, to criticize Christie for who he prioritizes in his cuts, and who he targets. But Christie still has the opportunity to really do something here to fundamentally alter the way NJ runs. He can still bring the real change the people crave. And he can do it by seriously addressing the gorilla on every New Jerseyan's shoulder: property taxes.

As Jason noted yesterday, even Christie admits now that property taxes will increase from his proposals.  And there are 2 things that need to be accepted as true because, well, they are true:

• The tax numbers that Christie loves to cite are from a conservative think tank and are misleading, at best; and
• One of the biggest reasons for the fiscal crisis is, as pointed out by rachael'sdad is "home rule".

I'm a tax guy professionally.  Here are some real facts:

NJ's sales tax falls in the middle among the states.  Ditto the state unemployment tax (the wage limit is high but the maximum and average rates employers pay are fairly low as compared to other states).  State personal income tax is also in the middle among the states for most families.  Gas tax? One of the lowest in the US.  The fact that NJ's dead last in the country in the amount of money it receives from the federal government as compared to what its residents send is also a big issue.  We'll leave that for another day.

Does a village like mine (Ridgewood) need local, county and state police, where there's very little crime?  Same question for most towns surrounding mine.  What about the extra cost reflected in property tax just to have our garbage collected from the sides of houses, instead of asking us to walk our pails to the curb?  Do we need school districts with no schools?  Or 600 municipalities with their own governments and duplication of spending all across the state?  Or duplicate school administrations?  How about the costly fire department equipment rarely used?  Shouldn't we get better negotiated contracts binding together more purchasing power?  Can we lower costs for many services spread over a larger population?

It's time for us and our elected officials to take a long hard look at the fundamental underlying problems and begin to address them in a responsible manner.  Chris Daggett had an interesting proposal but it merely shifted the tax burden from property tax to sales tax - that doesn't go far enough to address the underlying issues.  If Christie is really serious about bringing fundamental change to the way that NJ runs, then he has a tremendous opportunity before him. This is something he'd get support for from both Democrats and Republicans.  And it would be right.

But if he chooses to continue to indulge in class warfare and employ misleading numbers from conservative think tanks, then he fails miserably at the one thing he has the opportunity to do well. Christie can leave his mark on New Jersey. He can change everything.

Christie doesn't know the difference between "Myth" and "Fact"

by: Adam L

Fri Apr 09, 2010 at 02:00:00 PM EDT

The problem, of course, is that the "myths" weren't really myths and the "facts" were cherrypicked pieces of data that, in some instances, even confirmed the so-called "myths".

You can read the whole thing at the link above, but I'll go quickly through the four "Myth/Facts" below:

"Fact" 1 - Christie will not accept a budget that increases taxes.  Of course this cites the Tax Foundation rankings, which award winning economist Paul Krugman recently cited as "not a reliable source", and mentions that there will not be a tax increase on hospitals.  However, as we recently pointed out, there are tax increases all over the state as a result of Christie's actions and proposals.

"Myth" 2 - There isn't real shared sacrifice in the budget when the rich are getting a tax break.  Citing Forbes and the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council to point out how (SHOCKING...) raising taxes on small businesses will kill the economy.  However, the very fact that the rich ARE getting a tax break while everyone else is getting tax hikes and service cuts is, by definition, a lack of shared sacrifice.  It doesn't matter whether Christie is answering a different question - he is declaring that the super rich are more deserving of a tax break while everyone else is more deserving of a tax hike.

"Myth" 3 - This budget means the largest property tax increase in history.  This is hardly a myth, despite any tinkering around the edges or proposed Constitutional amendment.  If Christie didn't combat the claim that Corzine raised the sales tax by 16% with a one-cent increase, then Christie has to own up to the fact that eliminating the property tax rebates is precisely the largest property tax increase in history.  There is no denying it - at least not with any basis in reality.

"Myth" 4 - This budget is an assault on the middle class and seniors.  This is an undeniable fact, regardless of a few bullet points that Christie can point to.  I have written about this on more than one occasion, repeatedly citing just how many ways this budget is a flat out assault on the middle class and seniors (of course, I am far from alone there).

I guess when Christie said during the campaign that he went to law school because he wasn't very good at math, he didn't realize that he also didn't know the difference between a fact and a "fact".

Christie the Governor analyzes Christie the Candidate

by: Jason Springer

Sat Mar 20, 2010 at 06:25:22 PM EDT

Coddle the rich, screw everyone else, ruin our roads and increase pollution

by: Adam L

Mon Mar 08, 2010 at 02:00:00 PM EST

On the losing side, well, just about everything else.

When it comes to the service cuts and fare increases for NJ Transit however, this is a world of hurt for New Jerseyans on so many levels.   NJ Transit recently released a "proposal" with public hearings to be held later this month, that deal with a 25% fare increase in many instances to deal with the funding cuts Christie proposed last month.  On top of the fare increase - which largely hits those who commute into Manhattan for work as well as those who rely on public transportation (read: more lower and middle income people) to get to work or to get around.  So while the super rich get a tax cut that can help them with their vacation home or 4th car, everyone else gets a transportation tax increase.

But wait, it gets better.  

A 2007 report released by the American Society of Civil Engineers rated New Jersey's infrastructure in 9 areas (rails and schools was still ongoing at the time the report was released).  The cumulative score was a C-, broken down as follows:

• Wastewater: D
• Drinking Water: C
• Parks and Recreation: C-
• Dams: C-
• Energy: C+
• Avaiation: D
• Ports and Waterways: C
• Roads: D
• Bridges: D

One thing to highlight from this report:

Further modernization of these systems in New Jersey is fundamental to providing a safe and operational infrastructure while improving the quality of life for the state's residents.

So not only does Christie screw over those who can afford it least, he does it by cutting mass transit and public transportation services, which could very well lead to more use of cars, more pollution and more stress on our already overstrained roads and bridges.

But at least Wal-Mart and the super rich will be happy.

Is this a "cut to municipal aid?"

by: Thurman Hart

Sun Feb 07, 2010 at 01:51:22 PM EST

The Governor declares a State of Emergency when he/she believes a disaster has occurred or may be imminent that is severe enough to require State aid to supplement local resources in preventing or alleviating damages, loss, hardship or suffering. This declaration authorizes the Governor to speed State agency assistance to communities in need. It enables him to make resources immediately available to rescue, evacuate, shelter, provide essential commodities (i.e., heating fuel, food, etc.) and quell disturbances in affected localities. It may also position the State to seek federal assistance when the scope of the event exceeds the State's resources.

So...since the Governor said he'd be wary of throwing financial assistance to municipalities, and since this is the only Governor who hasn't noticed that an emergency exists...we might well ask if it is a financial consideration that keeps him from doing so.  After all, it would virtually force him to spend state money, and if having thousands of people without power when temperatures are life-threateningly low isn't an emergency, then what possibly could be?

If so, it is likely a case of "penny-wise, pound foolish."  If Christie doesn't declare a state of emergency; then we won't be able to qualify for the federal funds that will surely be approved for dealing with this snowstorm.  

Or perhaps there is method to his madness.  If he waits until the municipalities and counties struggle through this on their own, and then declares an emergency; then he prevents state expenditures but still qualifies for federal aid.  Of course, the people of Southern Jersey still suffer, and perhaps die, but that's a small price to pay for political points.  Right?

Jeff Tittel makes his own bed, whines that it is uncomfortable

by: Adam L

Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 10:30:00 AM EST

Whether it was naiveté or a personal grudge or an honest belief that Chris Daggett could win - we won't know.  What we do know is that his outspoken and shortsighted (not to mention oftentimes flat wrong) criticism was going to come back and hurt the very organization that he is supposed to be looking out for was as obvious as Christie not being able to keep many of his campaign promises.

So predictably, when Christie signed Executive Orders that give authority for governmental official to roll back regulations regarding the air we breathe and water we drink, Tittel complained that this was unfair and that the Orders were an attack against our environmental protections.

While Tittle may very well be precisely on point, this should come as no surprise.  Whether Tittel likes it or not, much of this blame falls squarely on his shoulders.  He was the one who was reckless in his "strategy" during the campaign - trying to settle some political score instead of looking out for the longer term and the bigger picture.  Unfortunately for the rest of New Jerseyans, our air and water very well may be more toxic and less safe due to Tittel's shortsighted and petty behavior a few months ago.

A daughter's perspective - Jon Corzine's four years as Governor

by: jrcpisani

Mon Jan 18, 2010 at 04:04:07 PM EST

At the end of my dad's term, I would like to pay tribute to his work as Governor of New Jersey.

Last week, watching my father walk through the beautiful statehouse in Trenton to deliver his final State of the State address to the NJ Legislature, I was moved by the historic nature of the occasion and by my father's words.    My dad called it "his highest honor" to serve the people of New Jersey as Governor.

When I think about Jon Corzine as a father, and as a Governor, compassion is the first word that comes to mind.  Listening to his speech, I saw the father I've always known.  He even made the same kind of jokes, remarking that it was difficult to write his last State of the State while movers were taking his desk out of the office.  He spoke honestly of things he wished he could have finished and admitted to not executing the job "flawlessly".    He spoke of the things he cares most deeply about:  education, healthcare, child welfare.  And he talked of the progress, as he saw it, that had been made during his term as Governor of New Jersey .  He spoke just as I've always known him - with a soft-spoken voice, humbly and with a thoughtful passion for making the world better for the future of our children.  

I admit I am not in the political field, but I do believe that his nine years in public life speak to the ways in which government can make a real difference in people's lives.   My father cut state spending every year and reduced the size of state government for the first time in over six decades.   Yet, he maintained funding and greatly improved many government services:   reforming the child welfare and foster care systems (which with the help of the legislature has gone from being one of the worst to one of the best in the country),  expanding early childhood education,  providing for new school construction,  reforming  school funding,  expanding children's health care, building infrastructure and improving highway safety ( the best highway safety record since 1940) as well as increasing funding  for homeless shelters and soup kitchens which have been hit by the recession.    

Lowest turnout on record, but most voters since 1997

by: Jason Springer

Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 10:00:00 AM EST

Turnout was 46.9% - the lowest on record for a gubernatorial election, down from 48.5% in 2005 and 49.3% in 2001, the only other times less than half of registered voters turned out at the polls.

Looked at another way, though, the turnout of 2,451,704 voters was the most for a governor's race since 1997 and marked a 105,000 voter increase over the election four years ago.

The percentage turnout is affected by the presidential election registration surge typically seen every four years, which was particularly large in 2008. There were 390,000 more registered voters in 2009 than four years - and it's likely that a goodly number were interested in the race for the White House but less jazzed about the run for Drumthwacket.

Quote of the Day: "Reality sometimes gets up and smacks you in the face"

by: Jason Springer

Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 04:15:00 PM EST

"He's sending a message that he's willing to take on some of the sacred cows. And he needs to," former Republican Gov. Christie Whitman said. "But we'll see. Reality sometimes gets up and smacks you in the face."