Christie Rips Democratic Lawmakers at Chamber Dinner

Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday ripped Democrats in the Legislature as misguided for trying to legalize gay marriage and for their criticism of his income tax plan during a speech at the state's annual Chamber of Commerce congressional dinner.

Christie suggested that people care more about creating jobs than social issues.

He also called their criticism of his proposed 10 percent across-the-board income tax cut, which will cost an estimated $1 billion over three years, hypocritical given his budget cuts over the last two years.

While the dinner was intended as a way for state business leaders to network with their congressional delegation, only three GOP congressmen attended and none spoke.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, a Democrat, attended a cocktail hour before the dinner but didn't stay for the speech.
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