The Christie Bipartisan Record On Doing The Big Things
Governor Christie’s Bold Action On Sweeping Bipartisan Reforms Has Laid the Groundwork for the NewJersey Comeback
GOVERNOR CHRISTIE’S RECORD OF DOING THE BIG THINGS IN A BIPARTISAN WAY IS MOVINGTHE GARDEN STATE FORWARD
Pension And Health Benefits Reform:
Governor Christie Signed Landmark Bipartisan Pension and Health Benefit Reform Legislation:
Governor ChrisChristie signed into law landmark pension and health benefit reform in June 2011, marking months of hard work,negotiation, compromise and ultimately bipartisan support. The fundamental reforms shake up New Jersey’s out-of-date,antiquated and increasingly expensive pension and health benefit systems and bring to an end years of broken promisesand fiscal mismanagement by securing the long-term solvency of the pension and benefit systems. At the same time, criticalsavings for state and local governments are achieved – pension reform alone will provide savings to New Jersey taxpayersof over $120 billion over the next 30 years, and an additional $3.1 billion over the next 10 years from health benefits reform.
Governor Chris Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, SenateMinority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce:
“After months of serious discussions, we are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement on legislationto reform our public pension and health benefits systems in New Jersey. …We all fully support this legislation andwill work together to assure its passage by both houses of the Legislature and enactment into law….”
( “Statement fromGovernor Chris Christie and the Legislative Leadership,” Press Release, 6/15/11)
New Jersey State League of Municipalities:
“The League applauds the bipartisan efforts of those who can craft such legislation which would accomplish thiswhile protecting our current retirees and grandfathering those eligible for retirement by not breaking our commitment to them. The League commends Speaker Sheila Oliver, Senate President Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie for their leadership championing these bipartisan reforms while achieving an important balance for allthe major stakeholders.”
(New Jersey State League of Municipalities, “League Supports Progress on Pension and Health Reform,” Press Release, 6/20/11)
New York Post:
“New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pulled off something of a miracle this week -- pushing through a package of pension and benefits cuts for government employees that will save the state $130 billion over the next 30 years.And he did it as the Republican governor of a blue state where Democrats run the House and Senate -- and whereunions have long run the Dems. The changes are remarkable.”
(Editorial, “Christie wins again,”
New York Post
, 6/25/11)
The Newark Star-Ledger:
“Compromise. Tackling A Critical Issue…The Deal Saves Money. Billions. And We Applaud It”
(Editorial, “Benefits deal putsstate on the right track,”
Star-Ledge
r , 6/17/11)
The Economy:
Enacted Job Creating Policies That Have Spurred Economic Growth Across New Jersey:
Since Governor Christietook office, through the Partnership for Action, the Administration has continued to advance policies that will improve NewJersey’s business climate, which has led to the creation of over 60,000 private sector jobs. Governor Christie sunset thecorporate business tax surcharge, signed new, robust business attraction legislation, and enacted $2.35 billion in pro-growth, job creating tax cuts. These policies have positioned New Jersey for business expansion, economic growth and jobcreation as our economy recovers.
In January 2012, Governor Christie signed legislation creating the GrowNJ Assistanceprogram to provide at least $200 million in incentives to create and retain Jersey Jobs. The GrowNJ program will encouragebusiness investment and expansion in New Jersey by providing tax credits to companies moving to or growing in the statebased on capital investment and job creation or retention.
Senator Ray Lesniak (D):
“The Grow New Jersey tax credit represents an innovative approach to spur economic activity and recovery, andwill encourage businesses to expand in the Garden State. This is the latest tool to help reshape our State’seconomic climate and expand our job market, and I look forward to seeing the Grow New Jersey tax credit programin action.”
Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company:
“Coca-Cola believes in New Jersey.”
James R. Craigie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Church & Dwight:
“I commend the pro-business efforts of Governor Christie’s Administration and the incredible customer service thatwe received throughout our decision-making process. That coupled with the incentives is what our companyneeded to maintain our headquarters in New Jersey and keep our employees in the state. We look forward tocontinue to grow Church & Dwight in the state of New Jersey.”
John Holub, President of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association:
“We’re hopeful that we continue on the course that we have been for the past years. Business issues have been apriority for not only the administration, but the Legislature.”
(Andrew Kitchenman, “Seeking ‘more of the same' from Christie,”NJBIZ, 1/9/12)
Education:
Proposed Bold And Comprehensive Education Reforms:
Since taking office, Governor Christie has made education atop priority by proposing bold, meaningful reforms that will bring quality education to every New Jersey child, includingbipartisan education efforts to fix failing schools, broaden school choice for students in underperforming districts, andidentify and reward effective teachers. In June 2011, Governor Christie, alongside Camden Mayor Dana Redd, announcedthe an innovative education project aimed at turning around chronically failing schools. The public-private partnership isdesigned to expand the education options available for children and parents who are trapped in some of New Jersey’sschool districts with the largest achievement gaps to ensure that destiny is not determined by zip code.
Elizabeth School Superintendent Pablo Munoz:
“Chris Christie is a courageous Governor and an excellent leader as he has been able to move the discussionforward on how to reform public education.”
(Brian Thompson, “Teachers React Cautiously to Christie's Tenure Reform Plan,”NBC New York,4/8/2011)
George Norcross, Chairman of Cooper Health System:
“I think the Urban Hope Act will be the most important thing to happen to Camden in the last 20 years”
(John Mooney,“George Norcross Discusses Urban Hope Act, Other Education Reforms,”NJ Spotlight, 1/9/12)
Newark Mayor Cory Booker:
“I am in full support of the Urban Hope Act, which will provide for additional learning space and new, high qualitypublic school options for Newark’s young people. The Act offers much needed relief in parts of our district that have
experienced chronic overcrowding, and will inject new energy, resources, ideas and learning models into our schoolsystem.”
(“Statement Of Support On Urban Hope Act - Mayor Cory A. Booker,” Press Release, 1/9/12)
Cap 2.0:
Ensured Lasting Property Tax Relief with 2% Cap:
In July 2010, Governor Christie signed into law a 2% hard cap onproperty taxes, marking the first significant step toward bringing lasting property tax reform to New Jersey.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker:
“Whether you're leaders in the Senate like Sweeney or the Governor, everybody knows that. It's about how to figureout a path to get there and where Chris Christie is standing up and saying the right things, I'm going to stand withhim.”
(MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,”
6/28/10)
The Gloucester County Times:
“Certainly, the governor and the Senate president deserve credit for showing that all is not lost in terms of their ability to play well together.”
(Editorial, “Big cheeses in accord on cap,”
Gloucester County Times
, 7/7/10)
Arbitration Reform:
Signed Critical Tool Kit Measure for Local Governments with Interest Arbitration Reform:
Working together with Senate and Assembly Leadership, Governor Christie signed into law transformational, long-overdue interestarbitration reform that provides municipalities with the help they need to keep property taxes down for NewJerseyans.
Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney (D):
“This is truly historic reform for New Jersey. …And I thank the Governor for not only listening, but realizing thatthrough compromise we could produce better legislation and stronger reform than any of us could have come upwith on our own. Each of us shared the same goal: to revolutionize the system of binding arbitration, and for the firsttime, to ensure taxpayers stand on a level playing field with the police and fire unions. By putting aside partisanship,we did it.”
(“Sweeney: Landmark Arbitration Deal Good for Taxpayers, Towns And Public Employees,” Press Release, 12/9/10)
Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D):
“This is a reasonable and commonsense plan that takes a big step toward long-term property tax reform. …I’d liketo thank everyone involved, including Senate President Sweeney and Gov. Christie, for their hard work andcooperation in getting this done.”
(“Speaker Oliver on Arbitration Agreement,” Press Release, 12/9/10)
Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D):
“This legislation is exactly what New Jersey has needed…”
(“Greenwald & Quigley Bill Revising Arbitration System to Bring Long-Term PropertyTax Reform Advanced By Assembly Panel,” Press Release, 12/9/10)
Budget And Spending:
Enacted Constitutionally Balanced Budgets That Reduced Spending, Didn’t Raise Taxes And Protected CriticalPriorities Like Education And Health Care:
Since taking office, Governor Christie has signed into law fiscally responsiblebudgets that restore fiscal sanity to an out of control system that provides savings to tax payers of over $120 billion over thenext 30 years, and an additional $3.1 billion over the next 10 years from health benefits reform in the FY 2012 Budget alone.
Courier-Post
:
“Our governor has it right in putting the entire focus for closing the budget deficit on reduced government spendingrather than increased government revenue through higher taxes….”
(Editorial, “Cuts are preferable to more tax hikes,”
Courier-Post
,1/13/11)
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