Christie balances budget with cuts
TRENTON - Gov. Christie, in the first major budget decisions of his term, asserted broad executive powers yesterday to cut aid to public schools, health-care programs, public transportation, and a wide array of other areas, saying the steps were the beginning of his promised fiscal reform.
Christie acknowledged many cuts would hit valued programs, but said New Jersey "is in a state of fiscal crisis," with a $2.2 billion budget deficit, and its residents are "the most overtaxed citizens in America."
"Today, we come to terms with the fact that we cannot spend money on everything we want. Today, the days of Alice in Wonderland budgeting in Trenton end," Christie said in a speech to the Legislature.
BT comment: Cheers to NJ Governor Christie for doing what he said he would do when he was candidate Christie. For doing the hard things. For choosing to confront the reality that you cannot tax inordinately, spend endlessly, and lie arbitrarily. I pray that he stays the course and brings back the jobs and prosperity that Jersey desparately needs.
I love this guy! Finally a governor in this state who gets it. What a novel idea, you have a huge budget deficit...cut spending....DUH! To be honest, I did support the other Republican in the primary, Lonegan, who seemed somewhat more conservative than Christie. But in the general election in Nov., I voted for Christie easily over Taxman Corzine. I think that the people of NJ have finally waken up and have seen that the failed tax and spend liberal policies of the parade of Democrat governors (Taxman Corzine, Gay American McGreedy, Florio, et al) have put us deeply in debt and have forced the largest tax burden in the country on the citizens of NJ. Finally, some sanity in Trenton. Keep it up Chris!
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