Gov. Christie's "Shame-on-You" Budget Speech
NBCPhiladelphia.com
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slams lawmakers for making the state an undisputed number one in a very category for hard-working people in the state.
Gov. Chris Christie took a "shame on you" tone toward lawmakers and union bosses in his first budget address, blaming them for shouldering hardworking citizens with the burden of paying for years of self-serving demands and greedy spending.
"Add it all up and the sad fact is, we're number one with the largest state and local taxes, taken as percentage of income than anywhere else in the United States. That is one percentage I'm prepared to give up," Christie said.
The tax-and-spend mentality has tripled New Jersey's debt since 2002 and Christie said that "is now equal to a bill of $41,000 for every man, woman and child in this state."
The state has a 10 billion dollar deficit. Here are Christie's major proposals to balance the budget:
- 2.5-percent cap on property tax increases and state spending.
- Reductions in every single department of state government.
- Reform gov't. pension system so only fulltime employees can participate and state and local workers contribute more.
- Reform property tax relief. No more rebate check, but once the system is overhauled, you would get relief right on your property tax bill, starting in 2011.
- Cut state aid to school districts and give schools the legislative power they need to stop "self-serving," "intimidating," and "arrogant" behavior and practices by union bosses.
"School district employees should pay a reasonable portion of their healthcare costs just like every other New Jerseyan," Christie said.
Christie also suggested that the state stop funding for New Jersey Network, the public television station that carried his address live.
"It's time to "end our addiction to spending," Christie said.
"We changed doctors in November, now it's time to change the medicine."
In the eight weeks that he's been in office, Christie said he's saved taxpayers $13 million dollars in spending.
"Nine million dollars an hour for every hour since I took the oath of office."
Both the Assembly and the House now have to pass a balanced budget.
Posted Tuesday, Mar 16, 2010 - 4:06 PM EST
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