Column: Christie's Battle with Dems Quite a Show
After spending vetoes, governor calls for a special legislative session on tax cuts.
Gov. Chris Christie had the last word on state spending last Friday, vetoing most of the new expenditures the Democrats had sought within the budget and in separate bills.
And then he went further, calling the Legislature back for a command performance, a special summer session on Monday to try to bully them into the tax cut he has been seeking all year.
Rarely, when there is divided government, does the theater that is the process of enacting a state budget in New Jersey disappoint.
And that’s what all of this is, political theater.
Because the Democrats are not going to pass Christie’s 10 percent across-the-board tax cut proposal as it gives more money back to the wealthy than to the poor and middle class. And there’s no way Christie is going to approve the Democrats’ plan to revitalize the Homestead Rebate program as they want to pay for it with a higher income tax on millionaires.
So all that’s left is the posturing.
The November elections play a role in this. The Republicans hope Christie’s promised statewide summer tour telling people that the “Corzine Democrats” won’t give them tax relief will help boost state Sen. Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) in his effort to unseat U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Hudson).
Depending on what happens with the economy over the next few months, bashing the Democrats while also invoking the name of the party’s last governor, who no one seemed to like very much, could also hurt President Barack Obama and help Christie’s ally Mitt Romney.
And it’s in the Democrats’ best interests not to give Christie a tax cut he can use in campaigning for re-election next year.
Meanwhile, there were many casualties of the governor’s red pen.
Christie line-item vetoed from the $31.7 billion budget some or all of the money added by Democrats for nursing homes, medical day care, legal services, transitional aid to municipalities and Educational Opportunity Fund grants for disadvantaged students.
The governor’s budget vetoes were significantly less than the amount he cut last year. But this year, the Democrats gave him so many other spending bills to nix.
And nix them he did.
Christie vetoed Democrats’ attempt at restoring the $7.5 million for women’s health clinics that he had cut from the 2012 fiscal year budget. He also said no to $50 million to restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to its pre-Christie level. The tax credit piggybacks off the federal credit, benefiting those with low incomes who work.
The largest spending he vetoed was $330 million in aid to municipalities. The New Jersey State League of Municipalities had lobbied hard to get the state to restore energy taxes paid to the state that it says rightfully belong to communities. The Democrats’ bill would have restored the aid to 2008 levels, returning the money to municipalities over a five-year period. That aid would have to have been used for property tax relief.
Christie’s budget does, however, include nearly $350 million in business tax cuts.
There’s no doubt the Democrats had tried to advance a number of programs to help not only the needy, but all property taxpayers. But how do you pay for them, when the Legislature’s own nonpartisan office says the budget is short $1.4 billion even as the year is just beginning?
Municipalities argue the energy receipts are rightfully, legally, theirs and if that is true then the state should cut the budget elsewhere to make good.
The Democrats have offered to pay for their biggest tax cut—the Homestead Rebate restoration—through the higher income tax on the wealthiest residents. Christie has not yet dealt with those bills but has already vetoed a millionaire’s tax twice before.
Given the uncertainty about revenues in the budget, it would be irresponsible to enact a tax cut without a new, specified revenue source.
But it makes for good theater. And the spotlights will be blazing for Christie’s message to the special session. Pull up a chair, watch, and decide for yourself whether to applaud, boo or ask for your money back.
Colleen O'Dea is a writer, editor, researcher, data analyst, Web page designer and mapper with nearly three decades in the news business. Her column appears weekly.
Elephant utr
4:18 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Hey what about mentioning Gov.Chrisite's increase in spending for education? What about Christie increasing revenues for the Special needs and disabled? You failed to mention in this article those big items. This writer appears left leaning? Governor Christie does care for New Jersey more than you think!
And politically speaking if this all helps get Joe Kyrillos the first republican US Senator since 1972 from the great state of New Jersey so be it! What Governor has had numerous town hall meetings?
Yeah, the Corzine Democrats are missing it here. This Governor is trying to make a difference buddies!
Danielle
6:53 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
It is an opinion piece. I had to check after reading it also since it is basically 'bashing Christie.' Be nice to hear an opinion article written by the other side as well...
Lauren Burgoon
10:20 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
We always welcome letters to the editor and opinion pieces from readers. Never hesitate to reach out to your local Patch editor, whose name and email address are at the top of every page.
ymbdfa
7:43 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Elephant,
Not sure if you are on the same planet as the rest of New Jerseyans or if your just a Christie Cheerleader because you get paid to be one with a cushy DMV job but if you would have actually read the article you would know your comments are not only false they are downright idiotic.
"Christie line-item vetoed from the $31.7 billion budget some or all of the money added by Democrats for nursing homes, medical day care, legal services, transitional aid to municipalities and Educational Opportunity Fund grants for disadvantaged students." I guess taking from the neediest people is your idea of caring?
"The largest spending he vetoed was $330 million in aid to municipalities." Or is your idea of caring taking from municipalities that overpaid taxes to the state making all our property taxes higher and to do what with the money oh ya...."Christie’s budget does, however, include nearly $350 million in business tax cuts." Reverse Robin Hood AKA Governor Chris Christie he steels from the poor middle class and seniors to give to the richest 1% that will never ever spend the gift he gave them in exchange for campaign contributions...."Chris Christie the best Governor Big Money Could BUY"
Paul J. DiBartolo
10:06 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
You just don't give up, Yammby. Is this one of your standard criticisms of people your masters tell you to attack:
"...because you get paid to be one with a cushy DMV job"
Because I've read that before and it seems to be one of your standard comments when you have no other ground to stand on. I'm starting to think that you have a cushy, no work required, paying job with DMV, or maybe GT.
BTW, what planet are you on because the last I knew Christie was elected by a majority and has very high rating amongst NJ voters. Or maybe you're just a spoiled sport because your friend, Mr. Jon "I don't know what happened to the money" Corzine, was put out of the job.
Phil
8:23 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Paul, actually, he wasn't elected by a majority. He was elected with 48% of the vote, that means 52% of the state's voters didn't want him, they just couldn't agree on who they wanted instead.
Paul J. DiBartolo
11:11 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Actually, Phil, there was no "Not Christie" option on the ballot in 2009. The vote was divided: Christie got 48.5%, Corzine got 44.9%, Daggett got 5.8%, and write-ins got the remaining 0.8%. That apparently was enough to declare Christie the winner.
Maybe you know something the rest of us don't, for instance, why did 5.8% of the voters vote for Daggett? Where they voting against Christie, against Corzine, or for Daggett?
Now, as I've heard it from those who understand these things better than I do, whenever an incumbent is running the election is really all about whether the people want him/her again. So, if anything the real vote tally was really 55.1% against Corzine and 44.9% for Corzine. Read it however you like. but to say that the majority of the voters didn't want Christie is a bit of a stretch.
BTW, I wanted Lonegan but didn't have that option and I was, therefore, voting for anybody the Repubs put up against Corzine. ABC...Anybody But Corzine.
Phil
9:22 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
How Paul is it a strecth? Majority by definition is considered more than half of a set. If the set is voters, a majority is 50.0000000000000001% or more. Christie didn't get a majority, he just got the most votes which is why every time he talks about a mandate to do this or that, he's blowing smoke. I didn't vote for him because I generally don't vote for people who don't put forth a platform. It's why whenever anyone from our GOP calls about Romney support, I say give me his platform on the issues and they can't. I'm sorry but voting for someone because they aren't the other guy is way too simplistic and shows a lack of understanding of the issues of the day. I don't particularly care for Obama, but until I actually here/see the platform his opponent is running on, he will have my vote.
Cinnacide
2:26 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Since when did we elect Chris Farley as governor?
Ric
10:10 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Oh please, Farley is much thinner and smarter than our governor.
Crosswalk
10:46 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Thanks Christie for vetoing the $800 million dollar tax increase passed by the democrats.
Pass Christie's 10% tax cut for everyone !!
Big Daddy 1
10:53 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
We should all know by now that Christie cut income taxes for the rich and paid for it by reducing the homeowner property tax credits from what they were when they were rebates. We still have the highest property taxes in the nation. Second place is about half what we pay. Christie can call these gimmicks something else, but the money is clearly going from the poor and middle class to the rich. And now he wants to do it some more. Mitt, take him with you, please.
Ric
12:36 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
BD1, I am very hopeful that our Guv gets nominated for Veep, although New Jersey's gain would be the nation's loss. As Veep he would be so useless and considering how big he is, he would make the fat ugly American seem a reality to the world.
Paul J. DiBartolo
11:13 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Why can't you just make your point, Ric, without hurling personal insults? You are truly pathetic.
Ric
11:43 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Paul, there you go again nagging me like a wife. I guess you really did not mean you were going to ignore me when you said this:
"Please, by all means, ignore me in the future and I will do my best to reciprocate."
I guess you are lonely because nobody wants to debate with you. Pity.
Paul J. DiBartolo
8:57 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
You're right, Ric, I did forget and therefore apologize.
Mental note to self: ignore Ric.
Thanks again for the reminder.
M'town Truth
1:57 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
While I would prefer that Gov. Christie were a little more constitutionally conservative, he is the best governor that NJ has elected in many decades. If his policies remain, we might at last see the flight from NJ begin to slow down.
With the tax-and-spend Demorats calling the shots only the very rich and the very poor would be able to live in this state.
Crosswalk
2:46 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
.. obamacare is a gimmick of have that money is moved around. The low middle
Class- poor will have to pay more tax for
That obamacare coverage then most know.
We need public pension reform big time
Now cut them taxes!
Ric
4:22 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
It is myth that the far right opposes spending money.
They are opposed to spending money on Affordable Health Care because that would help the lower classes/blacks.
The far right does support spending trillions of dollars on useless wars that we ended up losing. Remember Dubya and Cheney got America into twin wars that cost thousands and thousands of American lives, mainly lower classes/blacks. And the far is too cowardly to admit we lost those stupid wars.
United States should focus on business and providing for our people. We should not be the world’s police force.
Mike Rogers
8:05 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
I'm quickly realizing that the "Patch" is nothing more than a digital liberal publication. Bye bye, "Patch". I'd rather read a non-slanted point-of-view.
Lisa Shields
8:18 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Ah...and once again the Borrow and Spend GOP tries to claim superiority.
My income tax went up, though my income did not.
There is no aid available for my daughter's college education.
And my property taxes also went up.
All that with reduced services...BEFORE Christie said, And let's add 2 Billion tot he existing debt...another GIFT from Christie Todd Wittless.
Yes, I can see how they THEIR way is so much better...
redneckwillie3
7:39 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
just think we had two democratic governors WHITMAN AND MCGREEVY and they both liked their men
agent itchy
10:46 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
reducing my NJ income tax is not my concern. property taxes are the issue. sadly, none of you pro-Christie disciples seem to get it. read the state budget and discover that 41% is direct aid to towns.
think about that for a second. all of your property tax stays local and 41% of your state income tax stays local. HELLO! do you not see that "home rule" [566 towns and 600 school districts] is the pig at the trough. we need real consolidation like they do in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
by the way, CC just delayed, AGAIN, payments into the pension system. he just kicked the can and promised you a "tax cut", and you all seem to fall for it like seals barking for more sardines.
Phil
12:32 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
While I agree with you the focus should be on property tax relief, don't look to those other states and their consolidations as a panacea. They all have issues as well, some a direct result of large county based services, some regional in nature.
agent itchy
10:51 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
btw, a little history: i know nobody supports Corzine, but he was the first Gov to eliminate holidays, force state workers to pay into their health insurance and established a hiring & promotions freeze which is still in effect. Corzine also shrunk the motor pool as well, which is why you don't see as many SG licence plates on Rt 295.
like i said, i dodn't like Corzine either, but he actually deserves credit for some fiscally conservative initiatives.
agent itchy
2:16 pm on Thursday, July 5, 2012
Phil,
NJ ranks #1 in government employees per capita. when i ride my bike from my house in Cinn to Palmyra i will travel two miles and pass through three separate police jurisdictions and three separate school districts.
that sir, is quintessential government waste.
to further make my point look to Virginia Beach Metro PD which serves nearly the same population and land mass as Burlington County with one police chief (instead of 30).
how much do you think 30 police departments cost? how much does the BurlCo sheriff's dept cost? you think maybe we can fold our local departments into the existing sheriff's dept and save maybe $4 million?
NYC has one superintendent with a student population far greater than the 40 or so districts in BurlCo. how much do you think 40 school districts cost? you think we can save maybe $5 million and consolidate them too?
Ask Gov Christie if he supports municipal consolidation and then ask your mayors, chiefs, superintendents and DPW directors what they think.
Phil
10:10 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Like I said, I support the principal behind it I just don't believe it's a panacea to the property tax ills. It's not like you are going to eliminate 29 chief jobs through consolidation. You'll probably have 1 chief, 5-6 deputy or assistant chiefs, and higher ranks that you see in state police force trickle down into the current forces and chiefs. Same with the superintendents and school administration. You'd have one but you'd have a lot of assistant superintendents. Again, you'd probably eliminate half the administrative jobs. I don't think you'd reduce the number of police. I know my town is 5 officers below the recommended staffing level for safety as defined by the feds and state so consolidating might bring us up to the proper level assuming the other towns are where they should be (or over).
MtownLifer
1:23 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Some of you lefties really baffle me. You forget that when Christie was elected he was left with two options cut spending, or fall off the fiscal cliff.You beat up on Christie for cuts to programs that many of you use, but never paid for in the first place. You beat up on the wealthy for not paying their fair share when 50% of the workforce pay little or no taxes anyway.
We are hundreds of billions in debt in pension funds, health care costs, and bond indebtedness, but you want to spend more money that we don't have so our kids can pick up the tab. We've had decades of Democrat giveaways to special interests in this state just so they could buy their reelections. Liberal government spending on social welfare will fail because our government's both state and federal have never ran one successful program yet.
And, to Ric, Who got us into the most costly war in money and lives, Vietnam, and who got us out?
Phil
10:18 am on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I'm so tired of the "50% of the workforce don't pay taxes" argument from my fellow righties. I'm central/right leaning and I know that argument is a joke. Simple fact of the matter is 50% of the workforce doesn't earn enough to pay taxes so stop using that argument. They don't earn enough so the top 5% can keep padding their bank accounts and the dividends returned to the other top 45%. That is the problem. Both sides give away stuff. Corbett gave a tax break to an energy company that was going to build the plant anyway because the natural resource was at that location. There was absolutely zero need to do that. We are just under a hundred billion of dollars in debt on pensions because administrations of both parties didn't pay their $3B payment for 18 of 20 years and this governor has only made 1/7 of that payment the last 2 years. Put that money in when it was supposed to have been in and we're not in this mess. To me, that's the state government's fault and they need to, by any means necessary, fill that hole. Townships did the same thing meanwhile the worker had money taken out every paycheck with no say in how much or where it went or how it was invested, just with the promise from the state that they would grow it enough so that they would have a steady paycheck coming once they retired.