Gov. Chris Christie speaks to the media during a press conference on Sept. 2. The Republican governor today pushed for support of his reform agenda. The Republican governor said the Democratic-led Legislature should tackle these big issues before Christmas.
"We can’t wait any longer for these reforms to be done," Christie told about 250 people at the Packanack Lake Country Club in Wayne. "We are in a crisis and we can no longer afford to keep digging this hole deeper and deeper or we’ll never get out of it."
The first of five planned town hall meetings on what his office dubbed the "Christie Reform Agenda" was supplemented by three cable news appearances, a website launch and a YouTube video.
The governor, however, only gave broad outlines, saving specifics for town hall events that begin today in Raritan Township, where he will focus on ethics. Christie said he wants to completely ban dual office holding, limit officials to one public salary, and toughen financial disclosure requirements for lawmakers.
New Jersey banned dual office holding in 2007, but elected officials who held more than one office at the time were allowed to keep them. Nine state lawmakers hold another elected position, including Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who makes $18,000 as a Gloucester County freeholder but donates that to charity. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Esssex) makes $83,000 working for Essex County. Both earn $65,333 for being leaders in the Legislature.
Democrats Tuesday accused Christie of orchestrating the event to distract from the "Race to the Top" controversy that has dogged his administration for the last two weeks.
"The governor would prefer to divert attention from his $400 million Race to the Top gaffe, though New Jerseyans won’t be fooled," said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union).
Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said the timing of the kickoff had nothing to do with the Assembly hearing on the education aid. With Labor Day marking the unofficial end of summer, the governor wanted to come out of the gate running, Roberts said.
"These are reforms and plans that have been in the works for months now," he said.
Christie said his plans for pension and health benefits include changes for those currently enrolled in the system, increases in health insurance contributions, and a crackdown on disability pension fraud. On education, he said he wants to change the tenure system and reiterated his support for teacher pay based on student performance. Christie said he and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno had reached out to CEOs every week for input on how to make New Jersey more attractive place to private businesses.
When asked about Christie’s call for reforms by Christmas, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said, "The Legislature creates its own deadlines."
In Wayne, the crowd was warm to Christie, twice giving him standing ovations. But he did face some tough questions. Passaic County Education Association President Joseph Cheff suggested Chrisite "simmer down the rhetoric" and talk with the New Jersey Education Association. Christie noted the union refused to fire an official who joked about his demise in an email. "I’m not going to consider that to be a partner in good will sitting across the table," he said.
Lisa Fleisher contributed to this report.
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