Posted on 03/24/2010 12:11:09 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- There's not a lot that's small about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. He is a big man with a big personality and a big problem - namely, closing a nearly $11 billion deficit in a state whose residents carry the biggest property-tax burden in the country.
He got elected in November on a promise to make government smaller. And the straightforward - some would say in-your-face - way he is doing it is getting noticed.
Dubbed "Gov. Wrecking Ball" by one columnist, the Republican has wasted no time trying to break lawmakers' "addiction to spending" and tearing down the political establishment that has pushed New Jersey's property taxes to an average of $7,300 per household.
Some say he has governed by fiat; he has signed 20 executive orders since taking office in January - eight on his first day alone. Among other things, they freeze regulations and subject unions to the same campaign restrictions as corporations. He has vetoed spending by various boards and barred state agencies from hiring lobbyists to influence state lawmakers.
He has also taken on the widespread abuses that have contributed to soaring pension costs. On Monday he signed his first bills into law, making major pension changes that result in less generous benefits for all government workers.
Most volatile are his attacks on teachers and other public employee unions, which are getting a 7 percent pay raise over two years but contribute little or nothing toward health care at a time when one in 10 New Jerseyans are out of work. This week he called on all public school employees to agree to salary freezes for the coming year and to contribute to their health insurance.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
I only wish he were President.
vaudine
Good For Him and NJ!
Of course the Teachers will claim he’s hurting “the children” with his actions...
Woo Hoo!!! Good Job!!!
I am reminded of an incident that happened after Frank Lautenberg was elected in Torricelli's spot a few years ago. Lautenberg went down to the Hoboken train station the day after the election to thank the voters.
The first person he greeted was a woman. He said, "Good morning, I'm Frank Lautenberg, and I want to thank--"
The woman interrupted him and said, "Get the f**k out of my way! Can't you see I'm trying to get to work?!"
That's New Jersey.
....the problem the rats are having with Christie is he knows where the rats nests are........being a former prosecutor.
Everytime I read a story about Chris Christie, I have more respect for him.
From what I have been reading, I sense a glut of unemployed teachers is coming. Supply and demand might just be what finally breaks the teacher unions.
Aw, the whiney babies are all aflutter because of the mean ole gov
I just love this Governor. We really need someone like him in CA.
To the NJEA, he's the anti-Christ.
We love Christie. He has called out the NJ Education Association to freeze any salary increase this year and to contribute 1.5% toward their healthcare. The teachers union is ballistic over the idea. Christie points out that the union got a 5% raise last year while most state workers had to take unpaid leave. Christie reminds the teachers union that they are always talking about helping the children so this small sacrifice will avoid teacher layoffs.
In addition Christie has cut state aid to every school district. NJ spends more on education than any other state. It is war between Christie, the first fiscal conservative, and the NJ Education Association because this union has had their way with every administration. Game over!
Love the weasel-like phrase: “Some say...”
Like Schwarzegger but with a spine?
Strange the AP hasn’t attacked Hussein for “governing by fiat”, ain’t it??!!!
God he’s fat.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.