By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent
We thought he might be announcing a breakthrough on renewing the Transportation Trust Fund.
Instead, on this morning after the State of the State, Senate President Steve Sweeney said New Jersey needs a transportation master plan and that he’s asked former transportation commissioner Kris Kolluri and Rutgers expert Martin Robins to write one.
“This isn’t about funding here today. We are having plenty of discussions. The governor, the speaker and I are constantly talking about this. The most important thing is that you prioritize so that the public knows that we’re focusing on priorities to improve transportation,” Sweeney said.
Gov. Chris Christie never mentioned the Transportation Trust Fund in his speech yesterday, nor Atlantic City, nor Hurricane Sandy.
Sweeney yesterday called it a speech about nothing and elaborated today.
“State of the State addresses, you can reflect on the past. But you’re mapping out the plan for the year, you’re mapping out where we’re going, what’s the vision for this year. There wasn’t one of those yesterday,” said Sweeney.
“I think the governor did talk about some specific proposals for New Jersey’s future. That is expanding access to drug treatment, passing school choice legislation, working with mayors on the other side of the aisle, the Democratic party and renewing our urban areas,” said Jeanette Hoffman.
A common thread in most press reports this morning was that there was not much in the speech and that it was mainly an audition for an eventual bid for the White House.
“I’ve read that. I think you can say that he’s been auditioning for that bid for president for a long time,” said Somerset County Republican Chairman Al Gaburo.
Gaburo thought it was a good speech that reinforced what Christie is about.
“I think the message he was trying to send is not a different message than he’s had for a long time — that he’s worked very well with a Democrat controlled Legislature. He’s a guy that’s gotten things done,” Gaburo said.
New Jerseyans are increasingly pessimistic about the state.
A Fairleigh Dickinson poll out yesterday showed 36 percent believe New Jersey is on the right track, while 49 percent say wrong track.
Christie offered a different picture based on Business and Industry Association polling.
“Overall, the BIA said, our members believe the state is continuing to move in the right direction. Things are looking good for small business in 2015,” the governor said.
With Jeb Bush virtually in the GOP race already, and Mitt Romney sounding like he wants back in, Christie could be getting squeezed.
“A lot of people say that Jeb and Mitt and the governor are all going to pull from the same pot. To a certain extent that’s true. But at the end of the day, I think the governor will be very comfortable sharing a stage with anyone and advancing his ideas and his accomplishments in the state of New Jersey. And I think he’ll acquit himself very well,” said Gaburo.
The New York Times reported last night that Christie will announce formation of a leadership PAC later this month, in anticipation of announcing his candidacy this spring.