NJ Gov. Chris Christie shows what leadership looks like
If you are sick of the fecklessness and fiscal responsibility fakers in Washington, here is something to lift your spirits.
Read Mish’s review of NJ Gov. Chris Christie’s austerity speech and action plan outlined at a meeting of the Garden State’s League of Municipalities here. I’ve been longing for a public official with the courage and audacity to say “suck it up”, take responsibility, stand up to the unions and the permanent Nanny State, and make the tough choices that other politicians keep pretending they don’t have to make or keep kicking down the road.
Chris Christie is the real deal. Partial transcript thanks to Mish. Read the whole thing:
In the time we got here, of the approximately $29 billion budget there was only $14 billion left. Of the $14 billion, $8 billion could not be touched because of contracts with public worker unions, because of bond covenants, because of commitments we made accepting stimulus money. So we had to find a way to save $2.3 billion in a $6 billion pool of money.
When I went into the treasurer’s off in the first two weeks of my term, there was no happy meetings. They presented me with 378 possible freezes and lapses to be able to balance the budget. I accepted 375 of them.
There is a great deal of discussion about me doing that by executive action. Every day that went by was a day where money was going out the door such that the $6 billion pool was getting less and less. So something needed to be done.
People did not send me here to talk, the people sent me here to do. So we took the executive action we did to stop the bleeding.
As we move forward, and we evaluate what we need to do three weeks from now in our fiscal year 2011 budget address, you all need to understand the context from which we operate.
Our citizens are already the most overtaxed in America. US mayors hear it all the time. You know that the public appetite for ever increasing taxes has reached an end.
So when we freeze $475 million in school aid, I am hearing the reverberations from school boards saying now you are just going to force us to raise taxes.
Well there is a 4% cap in place as you all know, yet school boards continue to give out raises which exceed that cap, just on salary. Not to mention the fact that most of them get no contribution towards the spiraling increase in health care benefits.
Now, we are going to reduce spending at the state level. And we are going to continue to reduce it because we have no choice but to do so. Our obligation to you is twofold. One, is to let you know that. So I’m’ letting you know that.
Second to work with the legislature to give you the tools helping you to reduce spending at the municipal level. Now the pension and benefit reform package that was passed unanimously in the senate this week begins to give you some of those tools.
But it is only a beginning.
Do we need to change some of the rules of arbitration to level the playing field to allow municipalities and school boards to have a more level sense of collective bargaining?
I think the evidence of ever increasing raises being given to public sector workers as a result of the arbitration system tells us that we do. [Applause From Mayors]
But you have to stand up and give the support to the legislators in this building to get them to do that. I can guarantee you this, that more pension and benefit reforms which I will consider arbitration reform to be one of them, are things that when they come to my desk, they will be signed. [Applause From Mayors]
Because we can no longer continue on a path where we say we are going to reduce spending at the state level but we are not going to give you any tools to do that at the municipal level and the school board level.
By the same token I am tired of hearing school superintendents and school board members complain that there are no other options than raising property taxes. There are other options.
You know, Marlboro, after a two year negotiation, they give a five year contract giving 4.5% annual salary increases to the teachers, with no contribution, zero contribution to health care benefits.
But I am sure there are people in Marlboro who have lost their jobs, who have had their homes foreclosed on, and who cannot keep a roof over their family’s head there is something wrong.
You know, at some point there has to be parity. There has to be parity between what is happening in the real world, and what is happening in the public sector world. The money does not grow on trees outside this building or outside your municipal building. It comes from the hard working people of our communities who are suffering and are hurting right now.
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
 |
More CPAC speeches in 20 words
February 11, 2012 06:53 PM by Michelle Malkin
33 CommentsUS State Department Expands Travel Warning for Mexico
February 11, 2012 03:29 PM by Doug Powers
29 Comments
‘To Stop the Multiplication of the Unfit’
February 10, 2012 09:06 AM by Michelle Malkin
152 CommentsL.A. Board of Supervisors Impose $1,000 Fine for Having Fun on the Beach
February 9, 2012 04:42 PM by Doug Powers
77 Comments
CPAC vs. the Occupiers: Keep calm and carry silly string
February 9, 2012 10:15 AM by Michelle Malkin
109 Comments
Report: Solyndra Sold Assets Cheap to Entity with Close Ties to Investors
February 9, 2012 10:08 AM by Doug Powers
49 CommentsSteny Hoyer: The Fact is You Don’t Need a Budget
February 8, 2012 03:27 PM by Doug Powers
74 Comments
On Capitol Hill today: Union members testify against forced dues racket
February 8, 2012 09:44 AM by Michelle Malkin
36 Comments
JustOneMinute
» I Guess I'm Still Stuck On StupidRiehl World View
» Whitney Houston: If I should stay I would only be in your wayPatterico
» Rick Santorum and the two playbooksRiehl World View
» Romney's Blood Is Blue, Not ConservativePundit & Pundette
» King Barack vs. the Nonconformists
Wow. Reading that, I think I had a Chris Matthews moment.
This is exactly what I have been waiting to hear.
Leadership with a capital “L”.
Washington, take note.
I’ve been pretty happy with Chris so far.
Of course, he’s an establishment Republican in real life, so we don’t know when he will cave.
Hopefully it will be after a conservative takes office.
But so far, Chris does get credit for a job well done.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
I wish we had more elected budget managers (and governors and mayors are budget managers) took a tough stance.
Since the state and municipal employees still have jobs, then they can afford a co-pay.
Hopefully Christie’s speech will help municipalities stand firm in the union negotiations.
Bravo!!!
A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step. I think Gov. Christie may have made the first leap!
Encore!
We hope so.
Republicans in this state have a long history of caving to progressive Democrats. Probably has something to do with the influence of organized crime here.
We don’t expect Chris to get everything done, but if he can get things moving in the right direction, a conservative can take over when he’s done and finish the job.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Gov. Christie has identified one of the main problems keeping us in the recession, the utter disconnect between a recession-proof public sector and the real world around it. If we are to pull out of hard times, all must share the burden.
Wow!
I hope the new governor has enough sense to increase the budget for his security detail.
Gov Christie, you are my hero.
First New Jersey, next America!
Now if the other R’s who disgraced themselves by not backing Sen. Bunning had the guts to fight, there would be no talk of third parties as viable alternatives to the GOP, now would there be?
Wow. It is about time we had elected officials stand up and take the bull by the horns. Stand up to the Unions, both public sector and private.
For too long they have shielded their sheeple members from the realities of the economy with free pensions and free health care, expecting the employer to eat the cost along with raises and in the process harming the companies.
It looks like the UFCW unions at Stop & Shop Supermarket my go on strike, despite a increase of $3,500 per employee by the company. Perfect example of a greedy Union. http://www.courant.com/business/hc-stop-and-shop-contract-updatemar03-0302,0,6695249.story
Thank you Governor for your leadership. Perhaps the next time you are in Washington D.C. you can inform Harry, Nancy, and Barak that the storm of the century killed the money trees there too.
Now that’s leadership. The governor needs our prayers because I fear the union thugs and crazy democrats are probably doing opposition research on him and his family now. And we all know that if the James Carvilles of the world do not find the dirt they are looking for, they will make it up.
Christie is just one reason I thank God for Obama! Let’s count our blessings – So far our Dear Leader has:
1) Ended the Kennedy “dynasty”
2) Ended the Clinton “dynasty” (Befoe it became one!)
3) Put the liberal “secret agenda” on a 1,000 ft. neon billboard.
Liberals tax, borrow and spend – check
Liberals will not protect America – check
Liberals want to take over the economy – check
Liberals think they know what is best for everyone – check
Liberals aren’t happy till they are running YOUR life – check
4) He has brought more Americans back to conservatism than anyone since Reagan
5) He has energized, empowered and mobilized conservatives more than anyone since…well, more than anyone!
6) He is destroying the Democratic Party
Dennis Moore had never lost a race – quit
Evan Bayh had never lost a race – quit
Byron Dorgan – had never lost a race – quit
Harry Reid – Spiralling in – Brace for impact!!
NJ, VA, MA – Keep ‘em coming champ
When we were little, my mom used to say, “God sometimes wraps his blessings in strange packages.” She was right. Thank you Lord!
Somehow we need to get guys like this in bulk. Where is the mother lode?
Yes, Christie has been a pleasant surprise for me. I voted for him but was really concerned about him turning into another Christie Whitman.
Time for us to wake up our neighbors in their clueless bubbles. I’ve been posting some of Christie’s speeches on my local forum and getting beat up for “picking on” the teachers. My school superintendent was proud of this year’s contract negotiations that resulted in a “very fair” 4% raise. HELLLLLOOOO!!!
Christie’s an awesome guy. He’s taking no prisoners and for once he’s actually got the Democrats and unions, especially the NJEA, on the run and on the defensive.
Hell, he’s making so much sense, the Star-Ledger, bastion of liberal reporting and provider of aid and comfort to enemies of freedom everywhere, can’t help but support him in his goals.
He’s laid down the law and God help him, I hope he breaks the back of the unions once and for all.
It’s morning again in New Jersey.
Blah blah blah. I don’t care how “conservative” he is or isn’t in your estimation, the fact remains that he has to work with the legislature and can’t just wave a magic wand. It’s up to the citizens of N.J. to pressure their legislators to follow Christie’s agenda, and for people like you to enthusiastically support him instead of playing the role of a wet dishrag . And the allusion you made later to “organized crime” was a cheap shot.
You posted that in the wrong place, Michelle.
You need to somehow post it on Obummers teleprompter.
jamesrileyjr, sure is!
I grew up in NJ and would love to live there again but could never afford it.
Sure hope the good people of NJ can see the benefits down the road – they are in for some belt tightening.
No kidding. From Washington DC to Washington State the public sector workers economy is booming.
How do I contribute to the Christie ’12 Presidential Campaign Fund?
How long has it been since you’ve heard someone in government stand up and say something like that and then back it up? Balls.
Now you have to wait for the pushback from the teachers union and their union friends and the non-stop cries of “what about the children?”.
God bless Chris Christie
Wow! He must have been talking to my wife about budgeting….
Good for the Governor standing up to the school superintendents, school boards and public sector unions and the biggie-binding arbitration. We have doubled and doubled again school budgets with little or no return; binding arbitration and public sector pensions having taken the budget process out of the legislatures and given it to faceless functionaries.
All these problems CAN be solved by people with courage and it looks as if Governor Christie man may be such a person. Well done.
I can’t believe I’m saying this about a Yank, but Christie for President!
and my property taxes have gone from 11K to 18K in 4 years.
I thought 11K was high by the way.
It’s about time. Government needs to stop spending or they will increasingly be a burden to the people they are supposed to help.
That sounds to me like he wants to give the unions a dose of their own medicine. Let municipalities get together to agree to contracts with unions. Strength in numbers works both ways. When the government runs out of money, we’ll look like Greece.
it is. Isn’t it interesting that during the time the value of the property has been going down, the government’s take from it has gone up? That’s something that might make any nice mild mannered person look at a pitchfork in a different light.
I certainly hope our governor, here in Virginia, takes a cue from Christie.
Keep sticking those pigs, Christie. I love hearing them squeal. Bravo!
gray, from what I hear about your Gov. wanting to drill for oil off your coast – he’s off to a good start.
I don’t know how the NJ elderly (who have long since paid off their mortgages) but w/fixed incomes, can afford to stay in their own homes.
Hey AH-nold – here is what a governor should be doing.
That’s not necessarily true.
He stopped the spending during this fiscal year by executive order.
And I would bet money that he’s willing to allow the government of NJ to shut down if the state legislature doesn’t agree to spending reductions. I doubt they’d have enough votes to override his veto.
Daggnabbit….If this keeps up, I might have to change my name!!!
Go. Chris. Go.
oh and my buddy Bret.
Good. Thanks. I’m just getting irritated with these purists who feel compelled to disparage Republicans even when they’re doing great things. This constant drone of negativity is not helpful.
whooh hoooh!!!
Ignore the naysayers Mr. Christie, when you are taking flak, you are over the target.
Is he wiling to start firing public employees? That is the signal I am looking for.
Wow. We left North Carolina because the property tax soared to 3k
Absolutely – supporting our legislators is as vital as protesting, in having our voices heard and favorably affecting legislation.
Welcome to the world of the “evil rich”, and you thought they meant people in limos and mansions.
They can’t. My parents are moving in next month.
The property values are definitely higher up here. But not so much higher as to justify the higher annual taxes.
And the president of the school board is fretting over the cuts and saying to people in that circle that “property taxes are going to have to be hiked again.”
Here’s a clue for that twit and others like him. Cut stuff.
And Thacker…… that pitchfork is starting to look more like a tool of coercion than a farming implement these days……
Hey Chris! Got an idea here for you – privatize NJ Transit’s bus system and open the rail system up to competition from other vendors!
FYI: all bus service in NJ is subsidized by NJ Transit – all buses, with the exception of interstate buses like Academy and Greyhound, are owned by the state and operated by outside companies. You know what would solve NJ Transit’s money pit problem overnight? Ditching the buses completely and focusing on improving the rail system.
I have a feeling, though, that with the defunding for the remaining portion of the fiscal year (they aren’t getting any more funding through July) he may be looking to offload the WHOLE thing onto the free market. Which would take cajones the size of one of those double-decker NJ Transit trains, but something tells me he’s got what it takes.
Actually, I argued that in a comment war over at the liberal Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s Mobilizing The Region blog. Have a look, have a lookers:
http://blog.tstc.org/2010/02/12/christie-an-anti-transit-governor/
New Jersey is simply proof that you cannot tax your way to prosperity.
It appears that some take offense to comments about organized crime and organized labor being influential in NJ. I don’t live there, I don’t know…but I have always heard that is the case. Is it not? The problem, as said so succinctly, is that organized labor is going to bankrupt NJ, to keep all their workers employed, and getting at least 4% wage increases per year, while the rest of the state goes under.
Chris Christie: Kicking a**, taking names. What a refreshing thing. A real leader, not a demogoguing Democrat “ruler” who rapes working Americans in the name of “social justice” and lines his own pockets with impugnity.
Get ‘em on the run and keep ‘em on the run. Andy Stern should steer clear of NJ. He might find his collectivist fanny in jail on that RICO charge.
Really. ‘Nuf said. Patterson and the new NY gov too.
James, I went and read that. I almost spit out my drink when someone said something about you were arguing for “keeping taxes low”…like the taxes are low in NJ. I have a good friend (in pharmaceuticals) who moved from NJ to NC, and was able to buy a house for about 1/3 of what she paid for her house in NJ. Her taxes were probably 1/10th (or less) what she was paying in NJ (was well over $10k per year down to under $1k).
Things simply have to change in NJ, as people leave the state due to oppressive taxes, and leave the rest to deal with even more taxes to cover even more public sector raises.
I’m employed by the county where I live and not only do I have to co-pay for my health insurance, my salary is frozen, I can’t promote, and we’ve had a hiring freeze since fall of ’08. I’m lucky I’m still employed. And these pampered pooches are still demanding more from taxpayers? Go git ‘em, Gov. Christie.
Holy Cow! Not only did he campaign on fiscal responsibility, but he is governing on it! Is that allowed?
Years ago, government employees accepted the fact that wages and benefits would be lower than the private sector because government employees realized their jobs were pretty much eternally secure.
Now, government employees are demanding wage and benefit packages that surpass the private sector and “eternal job security.”
It looks like “we the people” have woken up and are saying “NO” to this scan. It is a bit late but it may not be too late (except for California)…
As I’ve often said, Barack Obama may be the best thing to happen to this country in a very long time.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Ditto.
Let’s not be too hasty, though. There’s still a lot of term left for Chris to screw things up. He’s saying the right things now, but what he ultimately does will speak volumes later. It’s up to US to keep his feet to the fire, so don’t get complacent. We could have had the more reliable conservative Steve Lonegan, but Chris is what we got. So far so good, but the minute we let our guard down is the time we’ll have to pay.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
In case you hadn’t noticed, I am both a citizen of New Jersey AND a Christie supporter.
Chris has to know, however, that our support is conditional upon his doing the things we put him there to do, including fighting the influence of organized crime, which is well-documented in New Jersey, so I don’t get your assertion that my allusion was a “cheap shot”. Corzine was the poster boy for this influence.
The only “wet dishrags” are the ones who just sit and let things happen without taking a stand. You seem to want everyone to just line up behind Chris without conditions. That’s what Democrats and Republicans do. just toe the line.
When Christie is wrong, he’s going to experience my wrath, whether you like it or not. for now, he’s doing just fine, as I’ve said before.
Now go crawl back under your rock. Come back out when you have a clue.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
I’d love to see THAT.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Go Chris – GO! Take on all comers.
Sorry, RWR, but I think that was uncalled for. It was beneath you to make a comment like that. I happen to agree that you have been quite negative about Christy and have not given him a chance yet before making some very judgemental comments about him. Lighten up and please stop insulting other posters who just don’t happen to agree with you.
Exactly what did I say that was negative or judgmental about Chris Christie?
I have been a supporter of Chris’s for quite some time, and nothing I have said has been judgmental in any way. Some things you may not have liked have included:
1. He’s an establishment Republican – fact (and as such deserves the appropriate scrutiny).
2. Republicans in this state have a long history of caving to progressive Democrats. Probably has something to do with the influence of organized crime here – all absolutely true (and not a word of it lacking in support of Chris).
3. We don’t expect Chris to get everything done, but if he can get things moving in the right direction, a conservative can take over when he’s done and finish the job – again, all true (and just because it calls to attention the level of expectation, there’s no lack of support for him here either).
4. There’s still a lot of term left for Chris to screw things up. He’s saying the right things now, but what he ultimately does will speak volumes later – once again, right on the mark (and given the Scott Brown experience, people should know better than think this is a lack of support).
Lighten up?
I have insulted no one. I have merely defended myself when being called a “wet dishrag” by someone who wants me to line up behind Chris Christie and march in lockstep with his version of the “progressive agenda”.
You jumped on me for calling attention to Scott Brown’s situation a month ago, and look how long it took for him to blow it. How long was that, a couple of weeks?
Chris Christie is the governor of MY STATE, and I have as much right as anyone to call him on the carpet when he’s wrong.
I’ve said nothing here that lacks in support of Chris, and you already know I’m not going to just line up behind some Republican just because he’s not a Democrat. When another poster throws a cheap shot at me, I’m going to defend myself – you already know that too, so if anyone needs to lighten up, it’s you.
I’m glad Chris is doing a good job so far. It makes the vote I cast for him this past November worthwhile. But don’t forget the promises he made regarding cleaning up corruption in Trenton, something he had plenty of opportunity to do as attorney-general, and did not. No one should be holding their breath with regard to any promise he made. As a New Jerseyan, it is MY responsibility, even more than it is yours, to keep Chris’s feet to the fire, and to keep people informed of who he really is.
Make no mistake about it. I have supported Chris Christie, and still do. Just because I alert people to potential problems so they know what to look out for doesn’t diminish that support. Don’t make the same mistake you made with Scott Brown and try to treat him like he’s the next Ronald Reagan. He has a lot of changing to do before he can earn that title.
Also don’t forget the other big lesson Scott Brown offers: A Republican is NOT a conservative per se. People forgot to learn that in 2008, and lo and behold, the biggest loser to get the Republican nomination in my lifetime. If you want a conservative, you have to make sure the Republicans and Democrats know you won’t be voting for their candidate unless he fits the bill. John McCain? Please.
Chris Christie? Possibly. I do believe he has what it takes to put New Jersey’s economy back on track, and that is the main reason I voted for him. The stuff he’s doing now is great, but watch out for that unemployment tax hike he’ll likely try to hit us with (most likely this summer). Your opinion of him will change overnight if he does, just like your opinion of Scott Brown did.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Calling it a “cheap shot” when I point out that NJ politics is influenced by organized crime was uncalled for – and naive. That person needs to crawl back under their rock and stay there until they know what the heck they’re talking about.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Wow…RWR!! That was quite a rant! I guess I pushed your zzzzzzzzzzzzz button. Sorry about that. I felt you were rude to that poster and I expressed my opinion. Isn’t this blog about opinions? We should be allowed to express those opinions without being told to “crawl back under our rock”. If someone continues to say stupid things, or insulting things, then I will give it back in kind. But I don’t think that poster’s comments warranted your response. I didn’t mean to set you off like that. As I have said before, I generally agree with your posts. I just didn’t agree with that particular nasty comment. That is all…just an opinion.
I have been of the opinion for sometime now that the GOP presidential candidate for 2012 is not someone currently well known nationally. I think Christie of New Jersey and McDonnell of Virginia can both be presidential candidates and both will do well against the obama socialists. The end of runaway entitlements is approaching, but it will be a real donnybrook because the socialists who currently run the Democrat party will not go quietly.
And no offense taken, happy. You know my style by now, though’ and you know I don’t take well to the uninformed looking down their noses in condescension. I didn’t see your post chastising that poster for being rude to me, did I? A cheap shot for simply mentioning that NJ government has a history of being heavily influenced by organized crime? I don’t think you have to live here to be aware of that. It’s just a microcosm of the way Chicago crime bosses are running Washington, DC right now. Is that also a cheap shot??
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
Far too much work to be done in NJ before Christie can afford to make a move onto the big national stage. There’s at least a year or two of big changes that have to be made before Christie will be able to claim any kind of success at all, and passing the buck in the middle of the job won’t look good for him nationally or here in NJ.
Chris has a lot of potential to do well. He also has a lot of potential to fail. He’s a lot like George W. Bush in that regard. It’s up to us here in NJ to make sure no one is under any illusions about that. Will he come out of the chute doing great things like he has only to squander the political capital he gains from it like W did, or will he press on to make New Jersey the envy of the nation that it once was? Only time will tell, but let’s not be delusional. Chris is an establishment Republican with a chance to make some big changes to what that term means.
Pray for him, and cheer him when he does right. Excoriate him when he does wrong.
In either case be on the lookout for the old guard Republican sellout. Bush and McCain aren’t that far from his philosophy, I can assure you of that.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
OMG! We’ve got a gubernatorial election in CA this year with Meg Whitman facing off against former Governor Moonbeam Brown. The well-intentioned but naive against a mentally infirm leftist.
I’ll trade both of them plus Arnold for Chris Christie. Tell him that the weather out here is S-O-O-O much better!
Can someone be Governor of two states at once??
You do have a good point, RWR. And I understand your frustration with all the RINOs. I think MOST of the republicans have a bit of RINO in them and it is up to us to keep them “humble! Friends??
Happy, I’ve never considered you anything but.
I don’t take offense to anyone’s sensitivity or even hypersensitivity. I will always defend my positions, and will do so in the way I’ve been known for for the last five years (wow … it seems like just yesterday I launched the RWRepublic!). I invite you to my blog to get to know my style better. You may find my approach a bit more fun if you do (then again, you may not – but do come around anyway). At a minimum, you will get a better idea of where I’m coming from.
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com
I just visited your website. Don’t know why I hadn’t gone there before! It is awsome! I will be back often.
Thanks Happy.
Please come around often, and do leave plenty of comments.
One of the big reasons I don’t back off on my style is because people happen to like it. That being the case, there’s no reason to back off or play sensitive.
If a reader of mine were to come here and see me trying to grow a new spine in a petri dish, I’d lose a lot of readership fast – likewise for someone who comes to my site because they liked what I may have said here – and finds that I’m too much more pointed in my own space. The only real difference, you will find is that I’m much more accepting with regard to language (profanity, etc. – I generally don’t mind it as long as it’s not being used to belittle any readers. Michelle flags a lot of stuff that I don’t think she should, but I do respect her limits as best I can).
I know I do get a lot of traffic from here. Not too hard to tell with SiteMeter’s great statistics tracking. Sadly, I wish more MM linkovers would leave comments, but I do know I get them, and I’m thankful to everyone who does link over, including you, Happy.
Welcome to the RWRepublic!
RWR
http://www.rightwingrocker.com