newjerseynewsroom.com

Busy first day includes the signing of eight executive orders

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

On his first full day in office Wednesday, Gov. Chris Christie signed eight executive orders, including applying pay-to-play restrictions to contributions made by labor unions or to legislative leadership committees.

The governor also revealed that he has been in office for two hours Tuesday when he learned the current 2009-10 state budget faces a deficit that is $1 billion more than he was told to expect. The deficit must be confronted as his new administration also attempts to create the 2010-11 budget that faces a $9 billion deficit. Christie must unveil his budget proposal on March 16.

He called the unexpected $1 billion deficit a "final parting gift'' from Gov. Jon Corzine. Christie declined to say how he will confront the deficit but stressed he would not raise taxes.

The governor also signed an order requiring quarterly spending reports from the state Department of Treasury, which will include for the first time all borrowing, as well as a monthly revenue report with a firm deadline.

The order also forbids the expansion or creation of a program without measurable outcome-based objectives, and requires a user-friendly web site where the public can get information on the state's budget, debt and pension liabilities.

A third order creates a bipartisan Red Tape Review Commission to advise the governor and treasurer on state regulations.

A fourth order designates state Casino Control Commission workers as essential employees. The order directs the commission to identify positions within its operation where attendance is essential and required in order for casinos to operate in the state.

When Corzine shutdown the state government for a week in 2006 because the budget was unsettled, Atlantic City's casinos also had to close.

While the texts of the other four orders were not immediately available, Christie told reporters as he signed them at the Statehouse they are part of his effort to halt unfunded mandates to cities and towns, freeze new regulations on business and widen pay-to-play regulations.

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris) described Christie‘s action as a something that will breathe "common sense" into a state regulatory system which the Assemblyman said has stymied economic growth, job development and tax relief.

"Governor Christie's approach to governing is a breath of fresh air that will help revive our economy and ease New Jersey's tax burden without endangering the health or safety of the people who live and work here," DeCroce said.

Assemblyman Joe Malone (R-Burlington), the ranking Republican on the lower house's Budget Committee, said the orders show Christie is attempting to make rational economic decisions and keep the public fully informed of the state's financial situation.

"It is refreshing to see a governor who recognizes that we will have no chance of cleaning up our state's horrific financial mess if it is further complicated with misleading information," Malone said. "This dose of honesty with the public is long overdue and is vital as we prepare for budget deliberations."

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin (R- Monmouth), who has been an advocate of tightening pay-to-play standards, said, "Finally, closing the gaping loopholes in our state's pay-to-play laws are getting more than lip service. Public officials serving the interests of their political contributors instead of the public good is a big reason why New Jersey's finances are in such a disastrous position.''