Christie confident Sweeney will compromise on cuts

ASBURY PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie says he thinks Senate President Steve Sweeney is open to working with him on new pension and benefits cuts.

Christie was asked Friday about Sweeney's dismissal of any new cuts as dead on arrival.

Christie said there are plenty of examples of both Sweeney and himself saying one thing publicly and then doing another.

He said he's confident Sweeney will be open to a compromise.

The governor has been making the case that promised pension and health benefits for public employees are unsustainable despite landmark cuts in 2011. He's set to unveil a plan this fall.

Sweeney has repeatedly said there's no chance he will discuss new cuts unless the governor restores payments to the state workers' pension that were delayed to fill a budget hole.

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