Posted on 02/16/2010 7:35:42 PM PST by topfile
TRENTON -- Calling New Jersey on "the edge of bankruptcy," Gov. Chris Christie today declared a fiscal emergency, seizing broad powers to freeze aid to more than 500 school districts and cut from higher education, hospitals and the Public Advocate.
"New Jersey has been steaming toward financial disaster for years," the Republican governor said in a speech to both houses of the Legislature. "The people elected us to end the talk and to act decisively. Today is the day for the complaining to end and for statesmanship to begin."
Along with eliminating programs "that sounded good in theory but failed in practice" across state departments, Christie is cutting $475 million in aid to school districts, $62 million in aid to colleges and $12 million to hospital charity care. He is pulling all funding from the department of Public Advocate, a longtime Republican target, and folding its functions into other parts of government. He is cutting state subsidies for NJ Transit, a move Christie said could lead to higher fares or reduced services but would force the agency to become "more efficient and effective."
-snip-
Christie also urged the Legislature to strengthen a sweeping package of pension and benefit reforms proposed by the state Senate this week. He said he wants an "even stronger" version of the bipartisan bills on his desk before his March 16 speech on the next budget. The state faces an even bigger hole -- up to $11 billion -- for the coming fiscal year, Christie said.
By declaring a state of emergency - treating the state's financial problems akin to a natural disaster
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Woo Hoo.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
Give him time … I think this guy will be good for NJ.
If the libdem NJ Supreme Court slaps him down, he should slash funding for their purposes to the barest of survival levels.
Rush read excerpts of the speech today on his show...it was amazing! He said he was posting it on his website.
Cut taxes, slash spending...works every time.
I wish Pawlenty would hear that speech. He is running for president and he is to the left of Christie.
You know, this sounds very familiar.
I heard it a couple of years ago.
Can’t remember exactly what it was.
What was it?
Oh, yes. This sounds like “CHANGE.”
REAL CHANGE, not the propaganda type that crooked politicians spew to gain power.
So, the Left and the liberals should really like what Christie is doing. After all, the love “CHANGE.”
Sounds like a start
When you folks in NJ are done with him can you send him out here to Ohio? We could use some of that here.
When he finishes there in New Jersey, can we please come here to Washington state and clean up this mess?
Thank you for sharing. He is stating truth!
On another note, I hope he is taking care of himself. He seems to be a little overweight.
Yup, he’s making a real impression around here. Of course, the Dems, especially in the Assembly, are starting to panic.
Also, a couple of groups have either filed injunctions — or are thinking about it — to contest some of the changes Christie is making, so we’ll see.
Christie is awesome. The GOP should have a training course on DVD for GOP politicians and have Christie teaching it.
Contrast adult Christie to those two whining little RINO bi*ches Crist and Arnuld begging Obama for more federal money and a new railroad line.
Hey, we will share “hair” with you from Texas. Our very own Rick Perry!! lol
Send Kasich a letter and tell him - this is how Republicans should govern.
Fred Thompson was a bit like Christie. The serious father telling the children they cannot spend money they do not have. I wish Fred was our President.
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