The creation of Christie’s Town Halls

Governor Christie explains the not-so-glamorous side of being New Jersey’s boss. It’s the reason he holds Town Hall gatherings across the state.

New Jersey is getting better

Governor Christie gives himself a pat on the back. He says “things are starting to get better” in New Jersey, thanks to his administration’s refusal of new spending and tax increases.

An opportunity for New Jersey

Defending his proposal for a 10% income tax across the board, Christie says New Jersey has an opportunity now that it hasn’t had in years.

Turning Trenton upside-down

Governor Christie claims “we have turned Trenton upside-down,” following the Democrats’ response to his plan for an income tax cut. He says instead of wanting to hike taxes, they are arguing with him over which tax to cut.

Muslim surveillance

Governor Christie comments on the recent news that Newark Muslims were monitored as part of the NYPD’s efforts to build databases.

Having fun as Governor

After receiving a “thank you” from the crowd, Christie says he is enjoying the job much more than Jon Corzine, his predecessor.

Minimum wage hike

On Thursday, legislation will be considered in the Assembly to increase NJ’s hourly minimum wage to $8.50, and then adjust it annually. Governor Christie offers his (scarce) thoughts on the issue.

Governor Christie says he received dozens of negative emails about his decision to lower state, and American flags in New Jersey after the death of pop star Whitney Houston, but “I have absolutely no second thoughts about it – I would do exactly the same thing again.”

Governor Christie attends Whitney Houston's funeral. (Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)

The Governor – speaking after a town hall meeting in Palisades Park – said the emails displayed “some ugly stuff in America…really ugly the references that were made to her – to a person that was suffering from a disease and I think it’s awful…I had people sending me emails calling her a crack ho- and how could I lower the flag of New Jersey and the United States for a crack ho? I mean I think that’s reprehensible.”

Christie also said making such a comment is “awfully disrespectful to her memory, awfully disrespectful to the things she contributed to our society – and awfully disrespectful to someone who suffered from a disease…drug addiction is a disease – and we need to start dealing with the underlying disease and stop calling people names – that’s not what’s going to make them better.”

The 48-year-old pop star – who was known to have substance abuse problems – was found dead in a Beverly Hills California hotel February 11^th. She was laid to rest last weekend in the Garden state.

Facebook

Freehold native Robert Gibbons and Toms River resident Anthony DeGraaf started the program called United Strong Against Bullying (USA Bullying) along with WWE/TNA superstar and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle which aims to educate and motivate students to stand up against bullying and stand strong in the face of adversity.

The program is in its infancy now, being started as a joint-venture between the two Garden State residents and pro wrestler, who formed an unlikely friendship after the pair worked with him on several other of Kurt Angle’s side ventures. Gibbons’ says that they plan to use the appeal and personality of Kurt Angle in order to convey the message to participants of all ages.

He says USA Bullying’s goal is to continue building onto the work done by other national and statewide organizations while working to improve wherever possible. Hopefully, setting the standard in some areas for others to follow.

He says what makes Angle’s speeches relatable is that while he is a larger-than-life sports entertainment personality; his struggles through life have been very relatable.

“A lot of times people, especially pro wrestlers like Kurt, they’ve been bullied when they were little, and that’s what actually motivated them to be great and be champions and succeed in all of things that they do. ”

The tri-fold message of unity, responsibility, and perseverance is something Gibbons and his partners want to take to schools throughout the area, making sure to reach out not only to the bullied, but the bullies also. He notes that sometimes the worst bullies could be the school’s best athletes.

“You protect the people. You’ve been given physical gifts, either god given or through incredible hard work, and by having those gifts you are responsible for the people that aren’t maybe as blessed as you are. ”

He says that it’s important to let the victims of bullying know, “it gets better” and that they should continue to persevere. Gibbons references the struggles Kurt Angle has faced, from bullying throughout his childhood, to the murder of his Olympic coach, to breaking his back six months before trials, to the unfortunate passing of his brother. He says that while the bullied feel very much like victims, it’s important to let them know they can rise above it.

“We are living and walking proof that if you just stay focused on the positive and find the positive, there’s a positive in every situation. You want to promote that good things can happen from bad situations; it’s what you make of the situation.”

Gibbons says that Kurt Angle has signed on his own personal time to work with the program however they are currently in talks with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to expand their roster of speakers to include other performers.

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

Thirty-two percent of voters have a bad view of the Garden State, making it the second-highest negative state, according to results of Public Policy Polling.

“One possible reason is that states like New Jersey and Illinois have a lot of corrupt politicans that make the news a lot and the nation sees that” said poll analyst  Jim Williams.

He said shows like “Jersey Shore” could also have influenced voters.

“That show might also lead some voters to have a negative opinion of New Jersey as well.”

There are some differences across party lines.

“Democrats are 24% favorable towards New Jersey, Republicans are a little better at 29% favorable and independent voters have a 35% unfavorable view of the state.”

California was the only state perceived worse by voters, at 44% unfavorable.

Hawaii topped the list as the most favorable state in the nation at 54%.  Other states viewed in positive territory include Colorado (44%), Tennessee (48%), Virginia (45%), and South Dakota (42%).

Governor's Office

Governor Christie delivered his budget address on Tuesday to the Legislature in Trenton, with Democrats quickly shooting down his plan.

WEDNESDAY’S HEADLINES

• Townsquare’s Kevin McArdle, Stacy Proebstle, and Dino Flammia were on-hand at the State House.   We have a special Budget Address page with recaps, reaction, pictures and video from Trenton.
• Joe Cutter reports on the continued stock market surge.
• Legislation is introduced to offer online businesses incentives to relocate to New Jersey.
• It’s heart health awareness month.  Kelly Waldron details the disease that is the number one killer of women.
• A measure will be considered by the Assembly Labor Committee about raising the minimum wage in New Jersey.

Be the first to know.  Get our breaking news and weather alerts by texting the word “NEWS” to 89000.

Senate President Steve Sweeney called in to Jim Gearhart’s show today with his reaction to the budget address: 

We got a lot of responses for our Wednesday poll, which asked if you thought the red light cameras in New Jersey were safety enhancers or money grabs for municipalities.  Not surprisingly, 87% feel that they are merely a money grab.

TODAY’S POLL

VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Video by Dino Flammia

It includes a modest increase in state aid to schools and the largest ever payment into the public workers’ pension system, but it’s two tax-related proposals that are garnering the most attention and Democrats are bashing both of them.

The $32.1 billion spending plan is more than $2 billion above the current budget. It provides $213 million more for schools over last year. The Christie Administration is projecting revenue growth of 7.3% in the coming year. It is with that revenue that the Administration hopes to fund the first phase of the 10% state income tax cut which is expected to cost $183.3 million in the first year. The legislature would need to approve the tax cut.

“The people have spoken, and they want lower taxes,” says Christie. “So in this budget, I have included the proposal I outlined for you a few weeks ago in the State of the State address. I propose to reduce personal income tax rates, across-the-board, for every New Jerseyan, by 10%, and I propose to begin the three-year phase-in of the cut with this budget. A 10% tax cut for every working New Jerseyan will help families to keep more of what they earn. It will make us more competitive with other states and attract more new jobs to New Jersey. Every New Jerseyan deserves a tax cut. Lower tax rates will relieve over- burdened middle class families. They will keep job creators here.

The Governor also proposes increasing the earned Income Tax Credit from 20% to 25% to provide help for New Jersey’s working poor. Christie explains, “Some hard working, low-income New Jerseyans pay no income tax at all. In this budget I am proposing relief for them, too. In 2010, our disastrous budget situation forced us to trim the Earned Income Tax Credit. With this budget, I propose to increase it, from 20% to 25% over the next two years. With my proposed increase, New Jersey will have one of the most generous state tax programs for the working poor in the nation – with an average annual benefit of 550 dollars.”

Christie’s tax cut and tax credit plans drew huge applause from those in attendance yesterday, but if he was planning a victory lap, he probably doesn’t need to go all the way around the track. The tax reduction proposal requires legislative approval, but Democrats who control both houses are essentially saying it is dead on arrival. They also say Christie is taking credit restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit after he was the one who slashed it in the first place.

Video by Dino Flammia

The Democratic Reaction

• More reaction to the NJ Budget Address

Asked his thought son the income tax cut plan, State Senate President Steve Sweeney said, “He’s wrong and we’re not going to stand back and support an income tax cut that’s only going to benefit the wealthy and give crumbs to the middle class.”

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says “No matter how the Governor dresses it up, a 10 percent across-the-board income tax cut is still a disproportionately generous gift for the wealthiest among us, one that will have little-to-no impact on the lives of working class New Jerseyans. Even more puzzling is the lack of details on how the Governor intends to pay for his millionaires’ gift. The most glaring omission in his speech, however, was the complete and utter absence of a plan to address property taxes.”

“The governor’s budget plan is just more of the same – tax cuts for the rich at the expense of the middle-class,” says Assembly Democratic Leader Lou Greenwald. “Governor Christie just doesn’t get it. His zeal for tax breaks for the rich while middle-class families struggle with the highest property taxes in the nation is wrong.”

Democrats agree with Christie that the people of New Jersey want lower taxes. They just think he picked the wrong tax to cut. They feel the focus should be squarely on property taxes. They say the average Jersey resident would be lucky to see $100 in savings from the income tax cut plan while millionaire’s would receive over $7,000.

As expected, Christie’s fellow Republicans are very supportive of his spending plan. Senate GOP Leader Tom Kean says, “Reducing the income tax is an investment in our state just like education, state colleges and universities, property tax relief, and support for the disadvantaged. It is a needed investment in job creation for the still far too many workers seeking employment. The Governor’s budget presents us with a choice: continuing to do what has been working for New Jersey’s economy and job market, or return to the days when unchecked taxes, spending, and borrowing turned our state into an economic disaster.”

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick says, “Governor Christie outlined a fiscally responsible budget that will advance the New Jersey recovery for taxpayers and businesses. The Governor’s budget increases state educational aid to its highest level in history, makes the required pension payment of $1.1 billion, and cuts income taxes by 10 percent. As a result of Governor Christie’s leadership, we have a budget that funds core priorities and provides tax relief for every New Jerseyan.”

Municipal aid is down slightly, but the Governor proposes increasing property tax relief aid by nearly $50 million. He plans to reduce transitional aid to the state’s distressed cities by over $56 million. There will be no changes to homestead rebate programs or eligibility for the Senior Freeze program.

Funding for higher education will increase $107 million over the current year. Funding for the state’s hospitals will remain flat at $986 million.

The budget plan includes a payment into the public employees’ pension system of $1.1 billion, the largest single payment in New Jersey history. In the current fiscal year the payment was $484 million.

The spending plan calls for $1 million to recruit and select two State Police training classes. There’s $89 million to support Christie’s $1.6 billion Transportation Capital Plan. $2.5 million would be allocated to establish a mandatory drug court for non-violent offenders all 21 counties. Almost $35 million would be set aside for new community placement for New Jerseyans with disabilities. The State Rental Assistance Program would get $21 million in funding.

The spending plan also includes the continuation of business tax cuts and job growth incentives.

The budget proposal anticipates a $300 million surplus, but State Treasurer Andrew Eristoff says Christie expects to be able to add to the surplus as the year goes on.

Stacy Proebstle, Townsquare Media

Christie’s proposal includes $212 million more for education. Most school districts would see modest increases in state aid. He will also increase financing for preschool by $14.6 million and school choice aid by $14.2 million.

• SPECIAL SECTION: Christie’s NJ Budget Address
• REACTION: Politicians react to Christie’s NJ Budget

The school funds would not fully restore the reductions that Christie implemented when he first assumed office, according to the state School Boards Association.

“We’re making progress towards that…but for the non-abbott school districts, which is approximately 550 school districts in the state…the funding does not bring them back to that level.”

NJEA spokesman Steve Wolmer said while he was relieved to hear about the increase in education funds, the amount isn’t enough.

“It’s a really miniscule amount…let’s be honest…in terms of the total amount of the budget…but it is an increase and that’s important.”

Wolmer said its important to note that Christie cut education funding for the past two years.

“In the past he has cut $1.4 billion to education…so this only restores about one-seventh of that.”

Department of Education officials said individual districts today are expected to receive state aid figures.

The budget also calls for a 6 percent, $107 million across the board increase in funds for higher education, which includes direct aid and tuition aid grants. It comes on the heels of two years of flat or decreased funding.

Municipal aid would remain flat under Christie’s proposal and transitional aid would be cut 56% for financially strapped towns.

“The governor has maintained the same funding levels as last year…and that’s good news…we have to look at the transitional aid figures and what that all means…but the formula aid that provides a dollar for dollar offset in property taxes has remained constant and that is good news” said Bill Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Dressel said the 2-percent property tax cap and other tool kit reform measures like the pension and health benefits bills have helped towns hold the line on spending, but more needs to be done.

“There are a lot more tool kit reforms that need to take place.”

Mayors, who were hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, will be pleased that there won’t be any cuts, said Dressel. “We are optimistic there won’t be any cuts when this is all said and done but that will all depend on the state budget committees and what they decide to do now that they have this blueprint proposal from the governor.”

Dressel said today begins several months of budget negotiations.

“It’s the start of the budget race and it ends the beginning of July…so we’re off and running.”

The Legislature must adopt a balanced budget by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Mario Tama, Getty Images

Supporters say the legislation is absolutely necessary, and it would pump more money into the local economy, but critics insist just the opposite would happen.

Stefanie Riehl, Assistant Vice President for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, says “historically the business community has had concerns about raising the minimum wage – especially in difficult economies like the one that we are in right now…the bill to be considered tomorrow would boost wages by 17 percent, and that would make New Jersey’s minimum wage the 3rd highest in the nation, behind only Washington and Oregon- and it would put our businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”

She says “our recent business outlook survey revealed that for the 3rd consecutive year in a row, more companies are reporting a decline in their actual sales – their profits – than reported an increase…sales are not rising fast enough to accommodate forced wage hikes like the one that’s being proposed.”

Riehl also points out if the measure is passed “that could be a problem when businesses are deciding where to locate, or where to stay or what jobs that they can sustain going forward…when there is a minimum wage increase, that there is sometimes a reduction in the hours (of full-time employees) because again, there is a set amount of money set aside for payroll…I would argue that we’re seeing an unprecedented economic time – so I don’t know that anyone truly understands where that tipping point lies.”

She also says the NJBIA emphasizes increasing wages as a result of people gaining in their skill sets – “so for instance there are state programs that are available that provide workers with basic skills that they need and those skills translate throughout their careers…and that’s what makes them more marketable and that’s what causes an increase in wages that’s not artificial and really will help the person in the end get a better quality of life.”

Governor Christie has indicated he has serious reservations about the legislation.

John Moore, Getty Images

The Dow made a brief stop at 13-thousand on Tuesday before falling back. It still closed up 16 points in a march upward that has now been sustained for the better part of nine months. Mercer County stock expert Ken Kamen says what is different about 2012, versus 2011 is the things that everyone has been worried about for the past year, Europe, The Presidential election, the debt crisis…those things, according to Kamen, people have already decided how they are going to look at from an investor point of view. And Kamen says now they are what he calls, “placing their bets.”

He says the earnings season is still generally positive for most companies. Some company’s returns have still not reached the levels of full recovery, but there are great expectations that they can and will. Fears over higher energy prices and any unknown geopolitical event that may still be out there are the only things in our way right now.

Getty Images

He proposed a new division within the Department of Children and Families, which would solely focus on children with developmental abilities and their families. The division would avoid the burden on current families who are “shuttled from agency to agency.”

“The concept is to treat the whole child and the whole family – in one place,” Christie said before a joint session of the legislature. “The division will develop an integrated set of services – and for these families, make government work smarter and better.”

Debra L. Wentz, CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, said having a single place for support and treatment services would be a tremendous benefit for children with developmental disabilities and their families.

She continued, “The challenges that are inherent in managing disabilities can be daunting for any family, and any step taken to simplify access to these vital services is a very important and valuable step to take.”

Over the years, families have often acted as case managers themselves, piecing together different types of services from several departments and buildings.

Christie also said the proposed division would provide a transition process for those being shifted from the child to adult systems. The mentally-disabled between the ages of 18 to 21 have fallen through the cracks between the systems.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37) said she wanted to review the details of Christie’s proposal, but if it’s a better way of delivering services, “I’ll be 100% for it.”