By Briana Vannozzi
Correspondent
Anticipation is usually running high in the days leading up to the annual state budget address. But this year has particularly high stakes. A pension and benefits crisis, a bleeding Transportation Trust Fund and a governor fresh off a presidential campaign trail. But if you’re expecting any of that to throw Gov. Chris Christie off course, Republican insiders say, don’t hold your breath.
“You’re going to see the same Chris Christie which is, hey I’m going to call people out. He’s going to say these are the reforms we need, he’s going to address the serious issues whether it’s popular or not,” said Assemblyman Jon Bramnick.
Conservative estimates show the state is $40 billion short of the funds needed to fulfill future pension obligations. Democrats have proposed a constitutional amendment requiring quarterly payments to the system. Christie blasted the idea in his State of the State and it’s likely he’ll echo those sentiments again.
“The last two times he’s come back he’s settled major problems and what’s going to happen is he’s going to start knocking heads together. We’re not going to see it publicly but he’s going to get people in that big conference room at the State House, knock heads together and you will see things get done,” said Nick Acocella of Politifax.
Acocella says that’s the upside to a failed presidential run. And it’s also why we shouldn’t expect Christie to come out with guns blazing.
“Remember he loves to surprise, he loves to do the unexpected. And my guess is he’s going to be all business in this speech,” Acocella said.
Along with easing tensions among sour Democrats and union leaders, Christie will have to address the Transportation Trust Fund slated to run out of cash this summer. And he’s got to do that by balancing a possible gas tax with eliminating the state’s inheritance and estate taxes.
“What we found out is that the first time it’s difficult for Chris Christie to live up to his end of the deal he just walked away from it. So you can’t negotiate with him in good faith,” said Seth Hahn.
“I think this has been an easy out for the leaders in the Democratic Legislature. Well the governor’s not here, we blame the governor. Well you’ve been in charge for 14 years, the Democrats in the legislature. You could have passed a Transportation Trust Fund reform package. You didn’t do it,” Bramnick said.
There’s not much money to play with here. The majority of it is tied up in mandatory school funding and the pension. That’s going to make things tough for settling the Atlantic City takeover and addressing the record high number of New Jersey residents fleeing the state because of high living costs. But as those who observe the governor point out, when it comes to the bully pulpit, we should expect the unexpected.