By Brenda Flanagan
NJ Today
An enthusiastic crowd packed the sweltering high school gym in Sussex County where Gov. Chris Christie told them why he’s happy with the new, almost $33 billion state budget.
“We’re making a $1.7 billion payment into the pension fund this year in this budget — the largest ever made by any governor in the history of the state,” Christie said.
The budget also increases spending for education. But it doesn’t include the tax cuts Christie had hoped for.
“Is it everything I want? No. But it’s about 99 percent of what I want — and what I can get at the moment. And you know what? That ain’t bad for a conservative Republican in a state like this. So we gotta get our mindset in the right way,” Christie said.
Christie touted the spirit of cooperation that resulted in the bipartisan state budget. But then he wasted no time going after Democratic lawmakers on a host of other issues.
“They don’t want to cut taxes. They believe they can spend your money better than you can. That is a fundamental difference, a principle difference between the two parties and something that I want us to get resolved on Nov. 5 when you go in the polls to vote,” Christie said.
Christie also defended his opposition to same-sex marriage, but said he would obey the voters’ decision.
“To me, this is the changing of a 2,000-year-old institution. And if it’s gonna be done, it shouldn’t be done by nine men and women in black robes in Washington, D.C. It shouldn’t be done by legislators. It should be done by the people of this state. Let them vote. And whatever they vote on, I’ll support,” Christie said.
Ironically, in this reliably Republican county, the governor faced questions from four self-proclaimed Democrats.
“It’s unbelievable. I come to Sussex County, I figure I’m gonna get some Republican questions. Hell, no! And for the press sitting back, for those of you who think this is fixed, it ain’t. Look at this. I can’t get out of my own way,” Christie said.
But it is the beginning of a summer season that will feature some very stormy politics.