Christie Starts Round Of Tax Cut Forums

Gov. Chris Christie is asking residents to email Democrats to demand a tax break.

Christie wants residents to tell state Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to "pass my tax cut now."

Christie was at a beach pavilion in Manasquan on Monday afternoon, stumping for tax relief. The Republican has promised to spend the summer holding public forums to bash Democratic lawmakers, who he says are blocking tax breaks.

Democrats say they want to be sure the state can afford the cut.

They set aside $183 million in this year's budget to fund the first phase of the cut. And they say they will pass a law releasing the funds in January — but only if the state can afford it.

Christie wants the Democrats to commit to the cut now.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)