Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
There will be no quick solution to the fiscal problems racking New Jersey government, both Gov.-elect Chris Christie and Gov. Jon Corzine told public officials Thursday.
Addressing nearly 1,000 people at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Convention in Atlantic City, Christie said, "If you came here today expecting me to announce some kind of miracle or great news, now is the time to hit the exits.''
When he takes office Jan. 19, Christie will be confronted with an $8 billion 2010-11 budget deficit. He must sign a balanced budget by June 30 and he has pledged to cut government spending and not to raise taxes
In his address, Christie said he will not raise taxes in his first year in office and will permit an income tax surcharge on New Jerseyans who earn more than $400,000 a-year.It was the first time since the Nov. 3 election that Christie and Corzine addressed the same audience and it may have been the governor's last major public speech. Corzine told Christie he will be "cheering from the sidelines.''
Corzine said the only way to confront government fiscal problems is to reduce spending or raise taxes.
"Bold and unpopular actions are the only way to deal with these issues,'' he said.
With his eyes tearing, Corzine said, "I say this from the bottom of my heart, serving the people of this great state as governor is the highest honor of my life.''
After the speeches, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), who is expected to be named Assembly majority leader on Monday, said of Christie's address, "Gov.-elect Christie may be saying not to expect miracles, but New Jerseyans do expect him to stick to his few specific promises, such as cutting income taxes for all taxpayers and reinstating property tax rebates."
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
