NJ Higher Education Merger Bill Signed by Chris Christie

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie traveled through the state Wednesday as he signed a hard-won higher education restructuring bill.

The bill signing happened on Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus, but the governor also had stops in Newark and Camden -- the three cities most affected by the measure.

The bill gives Rutgers University a coveted medical school and gives Rowan University research status.

The legislation paves the way for shifting the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey to Rutgers and Rowan. It also links Rowan and Rutgers-Camden for joint science collaborations, but does not merge the two, which was a deal-breaker for some.

Christie promoted the changes for months before the Democrat-led Legislature agreed.

South Jersey Democratic Party leader George Norcross III added his muscle to the bill.