NJ Gov. Hints at State Budget Revisions

Christie says he’s open to changes; technology investments a priority

Gov. Chris Christie said Monday he would consider restoring $35 million to the budget for technology upgrades after two computer crashes hampered operations at the Motor Vehicle Commission last month.

Christie blamed Democrats for cutting funds for technology upgrades in the current budget but said he'd be open to restoring the money if the Democratic-controlled Legislature sent a supplemental appropriations bill to his desk.

The Senate Budget Committee will look into the computer crashes at a hearing in Lodi on Thursday. The glitches kept MVC workers from accessing license, title or registration information, leading to long lines and frustrated patrons at agency offices across the state.

“Maybe they should -- instead of holding hearings about it -- maybe they should put a supplemental appropriation forward, admit they were wrong, put the $35 million up and I'll consider it,” Christie said after an event Monday in Bergen County. Christie was asked about the computer crashes during a news conference after announcing $100 credits to help financially strapped senior citizens pay their summer utility bills.

Christie, who is active on Twitter, said investing in the state's aging technology infrastructure is important.

The governor also reiterated his willingness to sign a supplemental appropriations bill that would restore $139 million in aid to struggling cities across the state, provided that oversight funding remain in place.

Christie and the Democrats are still feuding over the $29.7 billion budget the governor signed on June 30. Christie proposed a budget in February that Democrats later rejected. They sent the governor their budget days before the deadline, and Christie struck $1.3 billion in spending before signing the document. Democrats have been trying since to get some of the funding restored.

Christie indicated he was open to considering other restorations.

“I am an open book. If they send it, I'll consider it, but I've got to consider in the context of keeping a responsible surplus,” Christie said. “I'm willing to consider any number of things they send to me. Not saying I'll do them. It depends on what they send, what it looks like, what else we're talking about in the context of talking to the treasurer as to where we are with surplus.”

On Monday, NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) announced a new website is available to help state taxpayers track the money being spent on education. The website, www.schoolfundingnj.com, will show how much state aid their school district will receive under the governor’s current budget compared to what it should be receiving under law – as well as what it had been receiving before Chris Christie came into office.

“While money is not always the answer to the issues we face, the challenges facing our schools and property taxpayers are made much tougher without the proper resources,” said Sweeney. “There is simply no mistaking it -- an adequate education can’t be provided if our schools do not receive adequate funding.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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