CURRIE SLAMS GUADAGNO'S SILENCE ON ASSEMBLYMAN'S EMBRACE OF CONFEDERATE FLAG

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(picture via Facebook)

Trenton] -- New Jersey State Democratic Chairman John Currie reacted to Republican gubernatorial candidate Kim Guadagno's refusal to condemn Assemblyman Parker Space's recent embrace of the confederate flag:

"Mrs. Guadagno has a long record of enabling bad behavior with her silence and inaction. Our economy, our environment, our schools, our transportation infrastructure, our pension system, and our voting rights have all suffered on her watch. So, it's sad but not surprising that she again sits idly by, refusing to condemn a legislator's embrace of a symbol of southern segregation. One should not need to see the photo to know it's inappropriate. And it begs the question: If she won't stand up and condemn racism, will she stand for anything?"

SHAME ON THE NEW JERSEY'S HOUSE REPUBLICANS THAT PUT PARTY LOYALTY BEFORE CONSTITUENTS' NEEDS

Trenton – Today, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chair John Currie released the following statement after congressional Republicans forced a vote to take away health insurance from millions of Americans and raise premiums on the elderly:

"Trump's Republicans decided to raise premiums on older Americans and undermine coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, while exempting themselves. To say that this is disappointing would be an understatement. The legislative process is not a political game. The bill that passed the House will have a painful effect on hard-working New Jersey families if it becomes law. The consequences could, literally, be deadly. And, although Congressmen MacArthur and Frelinghuysen are particularly deserving of condemnation for putting the wishes of Donald Trump and Paul Ryan before their constituents' needs, it is not like New Jersey’s House Republicans were courageous. Voters will remember their broken promises next November.”

Background

• The new bill is, effectively, the old bill made worse, as it appears to allow states to opt-out of protecting Americans who have pre-existing conditions like diabetes, asthma, and others. Non-partisan groups like the American Medical Association and AARP announced their opposition to it.
• Today's vote violated one of the key components of Republicans’ “Pledge to America:” the Three-Day Rule -- a rule that promised that the text of legislation would be published "online for at least three days before coming up for a vote."
• The first time Republicans in Congress tried to push this bill through, the bill had a dismal approval 17 percent rating, comparable to that of New Jersey's disgraced governor, Chris Christie.

“MACARTHURCARE” HAS NEW JERSEY HOUSE GOP RUNNING FOR COVER -- LITERALLY

[Trenton] — Efforts to revive the Trump administration’s attempt to cut off health care insurance coverage for 24 million Americans have New Jersey’s House Republicans running for cover -- literally.

Although the revised bill has allowed Rep. Tom MacArthur to attract the national spotlight, it has also sent him running from reporters. In fact, there were numerous accounts (here, here) of the third-term Congressman's cowardice.

MacArthur’s proposed legislation, which is designed to curry favor with the radical, conservative House Freedom Caucus, has largely been panned by policy experts for being worse than the previous bill. It would once again allow insurers to cover fewer benefits and charge older and sicker patients exorbitantly high premiums. And in a classic display of hypocrisy, the Republican's amendment carved out an exception for the Congress and its staff.

While MacArthur dodges accountability, Rep. Frelinghuysen is also scrambling to find ways to appease his leaders. News reports indicate that he was forced to apologize for his opposition to the flawed bill, and his perceived insubordination even prompted the Republican leadership to consider removing him from his committee chairmanship in retaliation.

“Put aside for a moment the widespread unpopularity of these hastily-crafted bills and the questionable political motives at work. New Jersey’s House Republicans are not only considering how to harm their constituents’ health while enriching corporations, but their biggest priority appears to be how to get away with it,” said John Currie, the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. “At best, these guys have forgotten that they serve their constituents, not special interests. At worst, they are being compelled to do what is wrong for their communities for political reasons. Either way, it is disturbing, and it is reason enough to remove them from their elected offices.

NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS TO CHRISTIE: WELCOME BACK TO THE MESSES YOU LEFT

(Trenton) -- Today, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie complimented Republican primary voters for rejecting Governor Chris Christie’s candidacy, and for sending him back to the state he has neglected for 261 partial or full days last year and most of this year -- roughly 300 days in total.

“New Jersey appreciates Iowa and New Hampshire primary voters rejecting Chris Christie’s policy failures, scandals, and misleading rhetoric. He has no business being promoted to the presidency after what he’s done to New Jersey,” said Chairman Currie. “It’s time for him to grab a mop and attend to the countless messes he created and then avoided for so long. Better yet, he should do what a majority of New Jersey wants him to do: resign.”

Despite media efforts to prop him up and his penchant for misleading others about both his prospects and his record, Christie’s presidential campaign finally appears to be over. However, Christie’s legacy of scandal and mismanagement remain, along with countless lingering policy failures.

New Jersey’s credit rating has been downgraded a record nine times, property taxes have risen, job growth is among the weakest in the nation, survivors of Superstorm Sandy are still reeling from the Christie administration’s botched recovery effort, the governor’s promise to fund public employee pensions remains unfulfilled, the state's transportation trust fund is empty, and our infrastructure is dangerously dilapidated.

“So, welcome home, Governor Christie,” added Currie, sarcastically.

GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S COMMENTS REFLECT TENDENCY FOR VIOLENCE, MISOGYNY

February 3, 2016

On the Ropes, He Says He’d "Beat [Secretary Clinton’s] Rear End"

(Trenton) — Leading New Jersey Democrats are expressing disgust at the sexist remarks of New Jersey’s absentee Governor, Chris Christie, who said of Secretary Clinton "I'll beat her rear end.” The remark was captured on video by ABC News.

“This is childish and inappropriate, even for Governor Christie. His poor performance in Iowa and the chaos of the Republican field, do not give him license to ignore basic rules of decorum or to throw all civility out the window,” said John Currie, the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.

Christie’s latest remarks echo a comment he made about another strong, progressive female official, who would not let him have his way. Speaking of Loretta Weinberg, the Majority Leader of the New Jersey State Senate, the Governor encouraged the media to " take a bat to her.”

“I am sure Chris Christie will argue that this is just who he is, but I hardly think that his violent tendencies are a selling point. This kind of demeaning language is unacceptable, and it begs the question: Would he speak of Senator Sanders or Martin O’Malley in these immature, and sexist terms?” asked Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Lizette Delgado-Polanco.

Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle also responded, saying, “This is typical. When times get tough, Gov. Christie resorts to name calling, bullying, and one of his all time favorites behaviors -- misogyny. After finishing next to last in Iowa, the only rear end he should worry about is his own!”

Governor Christie’s remarks also lack foundation. While his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination is on the ropes after his pathetic, 10th place finish in Iowa’s Republican caucus, Secretary Clinton finished in first place, after energizing and mobilizing tens of thousands of the state's Democrats in support of her candidacy.

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, roughly two-thirds of the people who know him best believe he would make a bad president. A solid majority want him to resign from office, and save our state any more embarrassment.

NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS' LGBT CAUCUS REPRIMANDS CHRISTIE

For Immediate Release

August 14, 2015

Governor's Mocking of Transgender Community's Challenges Goes Too Far

[Trenton] -- Today, the leaders of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee’s LGBT Caucus blasted Governor Chris Christie for mocking an issue of vital importance to the transgender community, and for vetoing legislation that would ease the process for changing gender markers in official documents.

“You have no compassion for the Caitlyn Jenners of this world?” the governor was asked about his recent veto on a nationally-syndicated conservative radio show. In response, Governor Christie vaguely attacked the bill as "beyond the pale," without providing substantive clarification, just saying it "doesn’t make any sense." According to news reports, he "could be heard chuckling."

The bill would have eased the process for transgender people, who obtain certification from a doctor that they have undergone clinically appropriate transition treatment, to correct their birth certificates accordingly. Current law is restrictive and makes the process onerous. Nine states and the District of Columbia have adopted policies similar to the one Christie vetoed, as has the Obama administration. Even radio host Michael Medved note that Christie’s position “sounds dangerously conservative.”

"If we are telling it like it is, then Governor Christie is a close-minded and callous individual with no concern for his constituents," said Christopher Hillmann, Co-Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's LGBT Caucus. "The fact is, most of what Governor Christie does -- his official actions as well as his brash, bullying attitude -- is offensive. But to diminish the concerns of the transgender community and then laugh about his veto is a step too far. And for what? To impress radical conservatives? He needs to grow up and grow a backbone, and decide who he works for -- the people of the Garden State or people in rural Iowa."

Babs Siperstein, who was also offended by Christie's words and deeds, has a first-hand perspective on the harmful impact of the Governor's decision. In addition to her other advocacy work, in 2009 Ms. Siperstein became the first openly transgender member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and was subsequently elected to serve on the DNC’s Executive Committee.

"This is not an abstract issue; it is one that creates many procedural problems -- problems with real-world consequences and that the governor has deliberately chosen to neglect. For Christie to require possibly unnecessary surgery for Transgender and Intersex children is beyond the pale. Clearly, his motives were at least partly political, because he is growing desperate for support from the hateful people that dominate the Republican presidential primary voter pool," Siperstein said. "It would be sad if it was not so disrespectful, not just to me, but to the people here in New Jersey that he was elected to serve. Just because his campaign regularly draws disparaging comments and scorn, that does not give him license to laugh at his constituents' challenges."

CHAIRMAN CURRIE APPLAUDS SECRETARY HILLARY CLINTON'S 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release:
4/12/15

(Trenton) -- Today, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie applauded the announcement of former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Senator from New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton, that she will seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

“I am excited that Hillary Clinton has declared her intent to seek the White House in 2016. She is the embodiment of America's pioneering spirit. Throughout her career she has been dedicated to expanding the middle class and creating a safer, more secure world,” said the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, John Currie.

"I know a challenging campaign lays ahead, but, as a general principle, it would be nice if our sisters, daughters and granddaughters could look to the highest office in the land without wondering whether a glass ceiling bars their entry,” Currie added. "No matter who ultimately becomes the Democratic nominee, I am confident that he or she will win the White House."

Hillary Clinton's life is an inspiring story of hard-work and determination. An attorney, public servant, former First Lady, U.S. Senator from New York, well-traveled U.S. Secretary of State, mother and, now, grandmother, she is especially qualified to lead the United States of America. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee does not endorse candidates in competitive Democratic primary campaigns, but anyone interested in learning more about Secretary Clinton may visit her website www.hillaryclinton.com.

NJ DEMS SLAM GOV. CHRISTIE FOR JOINING WITH GOP IN BLOCKING IMMIGRATION REFORM

For Immediate Release:
3/26/15

(Trenton) — Today, the Vice Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, Lizette Delgado-Polanco, issued the following statement slamming Governor Chris Christie's decision to join his Republican colleagues in an effort to block President Barack Obama's immigration reforms in court:

"Chris Christie's decision to join with other Republican governors in undermining President Obama’s much-needed immigration reforms is a deeply irresponsible, partisan act. New Jersey has a rich cultural heritage and relies on the work of immigrants to bolster our state and local economy. That Christie -- who has thus far refused to stake a coherent position on immigration -- would now seek to condemn hundreds of thousands of undocumented New Jersey residents to society's shadows is just the latest example of him trying to score political points with right-wing ideologues at the expense of New Jersey families and our common values. It's shameful to think that last year his second inaugural celebration was scheduled to be on Ellis Island."

According to Pew Research Center, New Jersey has the third highest percentage of immigrants relative to the state's population.

DEMOCRATS CONDEMN REP. SMITH FOR SUGGESTING THAT LGBT COMMUNITY DOES NOT DESERVE HUMAN RIGHTS

(Trenton) -- The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Caucus of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee excoriated New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith for saying he does “not construe homosexual rights as human rights" and for insinuating that U.S. opposition to anti-LGBT legislation negatively impacts our country’s engagement in Nigeria.

Smith’s comments are particularly offensive given that he serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations —a position from which human rights should be defended, not attacked.

“It’s simple: LGBT rights are human rights. It’s shocking that Smith — or anyone in his position — would make such close-minded comments to the contrary. For a person in his position to dehumanize such a large segment of our society and to suggest that members of the LGBT community are creating hurdles for U.S. diplomats is appalling on so many levels,” said Chris Hillmann, LGBT Caucus Co-Chair. “Representative Smith should apologize for trying to pit some people’s human rights against those of of others.”

"Once again our Congressman has disrespected his constituents and put people in danger half way across the globe. With all the tragedies occurring in Africa surrounding the LGBT community one would think that a Congressman would understand his words can be destructive. We must speak as one voice to protect all lives from atrocities no matter where they happen. All lives matter," said Ed Zipprich, an openly-gay City Councilman in Red Bank, New Jersey.

According to the national LGBT advocate group, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Smith’s comments came on a day when 12 men were reportedly arrested for simply attending an alleged LGBT wedding in Nigeria. Not surprisingly, Smith received a “0” on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard.

By contrast, President Obama made history by acknowledging LGBT people during his recent State of the Union Address, and he recognizes that gaining equal protection under the law for the LGBT community must be part of the larger discussion of human rights and national security.

DEM CHAIR SAYS GOV. CHRISTIE'S STATE OF STATE MISSES THE MARK

(Trenton) – New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie argues that Chris Christie's fifth State of the State proves he is neglecting his gubernatorial responsibilities and losing touch with New Jersey.

"The governor spent almost 40 percent of last year traveling outside of New Jersey—an almost unbelievable 137 days,” said New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie. “Regardless of whether Governor Christie is hopping on a luxury jet to Texas or flying commercial to Wisconsin, it seems pretty clear that the public interest in New Jersey is the last thing on his mind. New Jersey families deserve a governor committed to hard work and sacrifice, and not someone chasing his selfish political aspirations."

In today's speech, the governor missed the opportunity to demonstrate a genuine interest in compromise, cooperation or contrition, and he showed little compassion for the families struggling in the poor economic environment that his policies continue to foster. The governor also failed to express remorse for abusing power and resources to selfishly and shameless promote the interests of his political donors and himself -- behavior that is prompting new investigations.

Unfortunately, the Christie record is one of neglecting Sandy survivors, shorting pensioners $2.4 billion, irresponsibly borrowing from the Transportation Trust Fund, and boosting property tax burdens, to name just a few of the Christie administration's numerous policy failures. Currie says that even though the governor has ensnared himself in legal and ethical scandals, he needs to do his job.

CURRIE: THE STATE OF THE STATE IS... NEGLECTED

Christie’s Ethical Scandals, Policy Failures Linger In State He Abandoned

(Trenton) – In anticipation of Governor Chris Christie's State of the State address, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie is outlining some of issues that deserve the governor's attention -- many that Chris Christie said he would support; that is, before he changed his tune and left the state for all or part of 137 days last year.

When presidents and other executives deliver their annual assessments on the state of affairs, they often confidently proclaim that conditions are strong or getting stronger. If reality serves as a guide, that will not be the case in New Jersey. In fact, the governor's frequent absences and preoccupation with Republican politics -- not to mention the myriad scandals he created -- beg the question: how would Chris Christie know the true state of the state when he is so often elsewhere?

During last year's address, Christie sidestepped questions about his involvement in the apparent political payback scheme that shut down lanes on the George Washington Bridge, threatening public safety. And, since that time, he has fought efforts to obtain basic information about his administration's operations, continued to bully constituents and members of the media, and unrepentantly abused the powers and resources of his public office.

"Governor Christie has been an unmitigated disaster for our state. While he wastes taxpayer dollars in a shameless effort at self promotion, his policies trample the hopes and dreams of New Jersey families. In the wake of his hypocrisy, Sandy survivors have been left out in the cold and pensioners were robbed of funds they were promised. Meanwhile, his economic record is one of repeated credit downgrades, increased property tax burdens, and stunted job growth," said Chairman Currie. "The true state of the state is vulnerable and neglected and, for this reason, the governor should really strike an apologetic tone."

Currie outlined a few steps the governor should take during his state of the state address to restore the state's shattered sense of trust:

• Encourage Republican state legislators to vote their conscience on the upcoming override of his veto of meaningful reform of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which passed the Statehouse with unanimous support.
• Promise to revisit the Sandy Bill of Rights he vetoed, so that storm survivors may obtain information about the status of their claims, people have greater rights to appeal if they’re denied funding, and regulators can clearly see how funds were allocated.
• Offer a realistic plan for funding the $2.4 billion in pension payments that the governor promised but then withheld -- a plan that does not include more cuts, more finger-pointing at his predecessors, or other excuses that put the priorities of Republican presidential primary voters ahead of New Jersey's interests.
• Restore funding to the Transportation Trust Fund, which would allow desperately needed improvements to roads and bridges, as well as other new projects that would stimulate New Jersey's sputtering economy.
• Commit to responsibly lowering property tax burdens on New Jersey families, which actually increased nearly 19 percent under Christie.
• Pledge to stop the arrogant and potentially illegal abuses of power and resources that have embarrassed the state and tied up legal and legislative channels with ethical scandals, investigations and litigation.

Tired of Gov. Christie's Contempt For Middle Class New Jersey Families

CHAIRMAN CURRIE: "KNOW WHAT? I'M TIRED OF CHRIS CHRISTIE'S CONTEMPT FOR MIDDLE CLASS NEW JERSEY FAMILIES"

(Trenton) — Today, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chair responded to the latest out-of-touch statement to come out of the mouth of New Jersey's failed, absentee governor, Chris Christie.

Yesterday, the governor -- the fourth highest paid governor in the country -- told a group of lawyers in Washington, DC that he was "tired of hearing about the minimum wage."

"Know what? I'm tired having to explain to Chris Christie that New Jersey's middle class families matter more than the wealthy corporate interests that he caters to," said the Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee John Currie. "Parents aren't focused on their kids making a higher minimum wage; they are working two or three minimum wage jobs themselves, just to make ends meet. That's even harder to do in Governor Christie's economy, which has raised taxes on the most vulnerable, neglected the needs of Sandy survivors, and wasted taxpayer dollars. It's not just that he's out of touch, he's contemptuous toward most New Jersey families and his policies are vindictive."

Governor Christie, who spends much of his time neglecting his messes in New Jersey while campaigning out of state, pays his attorney's $350 in taxpayer funds per hour to cover his political tracks, and enjoys an annual family income of about $700,000.

Currie is not the only one tiring of Chris Christie's detachment from the economic reality he created. Recent polling confirms that New Jerseyans are growing tired of Chris Christie's callous indifference to their needs.

In 2013, Christie vetoed a minimum wage increase in New Jersey that would have directly benefited 241,000 of his constituents -- the same people who voted overwhelmingly to effectively override that veto at the ballot box.

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION'S MOVIE TRAILER BIZARRELY CELEBRATES HIS BROKEN PROMISES AND FAILURES

Video Mocks Pain of Middle Class Families Suffering in the Christie Economy

(Trenton) -- Today, the Christie administration created yet another reason to be publicly ridiculed, releasing an 80 second web video that mimics a blockbuster movie trailer and mocks the promise that the governor made to pensioners -- a promise that he promptly broke.

"Sandy victims continue to suffer from the Christie administration's neglect and the rest of the state's economy is in ruins, and yet the governor is mocking the pain and suffering he's causing middle class families -- it's completely offensive, especially since this was probably the work of staff that received 23 percent raises," said Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, John Currie. Sadly, the governor's bizarre Hollywood fantasy is not the action drama his team imagines, it's a horror film that never seems to end."

 

The Christie economy is the definition of failure. Superstorm Sandy survivors are still paying mortgages on their uninhabitable homes. Christie's economic stewardship has resulted in a record six state credit downgrades. His overly optimistic revenue projections blew a gigantic hole in New Jersey’s 2014 budget. And, New Jersey ranks 49th in the nation in private-sector job growth while unemployment has been consistently high compared to its neighbors.

CHRISTIE STILL BURDENING MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES WITH HIS FAILURES SAYS CURRIE

6/25/14

(Trenton) — Today, before a select crowd in Camden County, Chris Christie’s truth-defying narrative took center stage, as the governor denied responsibility for an array of policy concerns.

Notably, to plug a projected $2.75 billion budget shortfall created by Christie's overly optimistic revenue projections, the governor wants to cut planned pension contributions. His approach is to break the promises he made to hard working New Jerseyans, dismiss Democratic proposals, blame others for his mistakes, and then to personalize the state's challenges.

“It's shocking and disturbing that Governor Christie has no proposal to repair New Jersey’s troubled economy, and that he is incapable of accepting responsibility for his actions. In his carefully selected public appearances, he tells a few jokes, and then spins fictional tales that serve his political purposes but not our needs,” said John Currie, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. "Chris Christie needs to stop burdening middle class families with his failures, and start being truthful about the messes he created."

Governor Christie was willing to literally dance around his scandals on late night television earlier this month, but he refuses to acknowledge the severity of federal probes into his administration’s misuse of public funds, and prioritizes Republican campaign activities over New Jersey’s needs.

The fact is, Chris Christie’s policies have seriously undermined New Jersey’s economy, resulting in record six state credit downgrades, with further downgrades threatened, a massive hole in the New Jersey’s 2014 budget, the highest unemployment levels in the region, and a job creation rate that is ranked among the worst in the nation.

NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATS BOOST THREE WOMEN TO GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT

For Immediate Release:

Chairman Says Congress Needs to Focus on Gender Equity

(Trenton, NJ) — Today, John Currie, Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, celebrated the advancement of three women candidates to the general election, saying that Congress needs to focus on gender equity.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman emerged victorious in the state's competitive Twelfth Congressional District, while Aimee Belgard, a Burlington County Freeholder won the nomination in New Jersey's Third Congressional District, and Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach will be the Party's standard bearer in the state's Seventh Congressional District. As a result, this Fall, Democrats are likely to elect at least one woman to the New Jersey congressional delegation -- something that has not been done in over a decade.

"I’m glad that a greater number of New Jersey women are positioned to win congressional elections in our state than ever before. Our mothers, sisters, and daughters should have the same opportunities as men, and these women are as experienced, as capable, and as politically tough as male candidates. The fact is, when women succeed, New Jersey succeeds, and our three female congressional candidates are positioned for success,” said Chairman Currie.

Women comprise more than half of the population and a similar proportion of the electorate, but the Republican Congress has given gender equity short shrift. Inconceivably, Congressional Republicans support allowing health insurance companies to again deny health care coverage by considering womanhood a preexisting medical condition. They also delayed the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act, refused to improve paid family and medical leave, and denied a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Similarly, Governor Chris Christie has undermined women's health, eliminating nearly $7.5 million for family planning services that would have been matched 9-to-1 by federal funds, denying thousands of women access to mammograms and other basic health care services.

Meanwhile, Women in New Jersey are paid 78 cents for every dollar paid to men. That pay gap creates a yearly difference of $13,413 between what full time working men and working women earn. African American women were paid 64 cents and Latinas just 55 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.

Closing the pay gap would help families afford 103 more weeks of food, 6 more months of mortgage and utilities payments, 12 more months of rent, or 3,848 more gallons of gas — a real difference for poor and middle class families. It's also important to have female advocates in the fight to raise the federal minimum wage, as the majority of minimum wage workers are women.

CHRISTIE MAY BE GOING AWAY SOON, BUT NJ'S BUDGET SHORTFALL ISN'T

For Immediate Release:

(Trenton) -- John Currie, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, is highlighting the fact that Governor Christie is skipping town as an staggering $807 million budget shortfall looms.

As news stories highlight, New Jersey’s already-low credit rating was recently downgraded for the fifth time during Chris Christie’s tenure, in part due to the "scale and belatedness" of the $807million hole in the state budget. One might expect that under these circumstances, their governor would be rolling up his sleeves, meeting with legislators, and looking for ways to improve the state's “sputtering" economy. However, if one's governor is the scandal-plagued Chris Christie, that expectation would be wrong.

As the Associated Press reports, “trailing in fundraising, Maine Gov. Paul LePage hopes a visit by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie this week will raise campaign cash - and rally his conservative base.” Apparently, when the going gets tough, the toughs go to... Portland, Maine.

"With all due respect to my friends in New England, right now, New Jersey's governor should be focused on ledgers and liabilities, not lobsters and lighthouses. He needs to get his priorities straight. The budget situation in New Jersey is real and it is not going away," said Chairman Currie. "It is time for Governor Christie to drop the fundraising junkets, and start getting down to business -- the business of fixing our state's troubled economy."

CURRIE REACTS TO NEGOTIATION ON ARBITRATION CAP BILL

(Trenton) -- In light of news that Gov. Chris Christie has agreed to negotiate with State Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto on a law that limits property tax increases by limiting raises to some police and firefighters, New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Currie issued the following statement:

"I am glad to hear that Governor Christie is taking a break from his my-way-or-the-highway approach. It is good that he's willing to negotiate with Speaker Prieto."

"Everyone wants lower property taxes, but there is no shame in allowing municipalities leeway and budgetary discretion after savings on health care costs and pensions are locked-in -- which is something Christie’s conditional veto of the arbitration cap bill denied."

"Unfortunately, when he was not getting what he wanted, Governor Christie started taking cheap shots at Speaker Prieto at a public forum, proving that bullying tactics are the only strategy he knows for exacting concessions on policy matters."

"I am hopeful that policy differences can be resolved and I suggest that in the future the governor adopt a more conciliatory approach before impulsively attacking members of the legislature."

CHAIRMAN CURRIE WOULD "ASK THE GOVERNOR" TO REIMBURSE NEW JERSEY FOR HIS BRIDGEGATE SELF EXAM

(Trenton) -- Tonight, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman wants to know whether the governor will reimburse the state taxpayers for the rising costs of his attempted political rehabilitation, including the sexist "whitewash" compiled by Christie’s loyal, hand-picked lawyers and campaign contributors. Christie is scheduled to appear on New Jersey 101.5 FM at 7 p.m this evening.

Recently, news reports and editorials, like this one, have highlighted inappropriate political activities that public employees in the Christie administration have engaged in during the governmental work day, pointing out that, “the governor's office is not supposed to be used for political campaigning.” Not only has the governor failed to address this concern, he has not explained why the costs of the report his lawyers prepared should be borne by state taxpayers.

Clearly, Garden Staters are concerned about the governor’s abuse of the state treasury for political purposes. According to an NJ.com online poll, the vast majority of respondents (88 percent) believe that he (not we) should pay for the internal bridge scandal review.

“The media serves an important role in holding public officials accountable, but for months Chris Christie has been selective about what questions he will entertain, when and where those questions can be asked, and who is able to ask them. His evasiveness only generates further concern. I have many questions but tonight I would like to know the answer to this straightforward question: Governor, will you reimburse New Jersey taxpayers for the discredited political whitewash that you commissioned?” said Chairman Currie.

Currie Asks Christie To Reimburse State For Political Spending

(Trenton) -- Today, after Governor Christie's so-called town hall meeting in Fairfield, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman asked the governor to reimburse the state taxpayers for the rising costs of his political endeavors.

Specifically, Currie does not believe that any of the costs for the sexist "whitewash" compiled by loyal, hand-picked lawyers should be borne by state taxpayers.

Governor Christie's town halls are more political theater than substantive discussion, as the governor uses the platform to take cheap shots at the Democratic Party-controlled legislature. And, despite increased scrutiny concerning the scandals the Christie administration created, the governor's campaign-related activities for other Republicans have been more frequent and his willingness to speak to the media have become less frequent.

"The governor has turned the town hall meeting into a political farce: one part stump speech, one part comedy routine. Christie's remarks last one third of the allotted time, and he often dismisses the most reasonable critics. He also eagerly disparages Democratic lawmakers. What he will not do is address legitimate questions about how public resources were abused by government officials," said Chairman Currie.

Currie continued, "From the 24 million dollar special election last Fall to the recent taxpayer-funded Bridgegate whitewash, the governor needs to stop using the state treasury like an ATM to pay for his attempted political rehabilitation. At a minimum, the Christie campaign apparatus should reimburse taxpayers for his silly self-exam. Why should we pay for these activities? If the governor were serious about tackling public concerns, he would cooperate with the State Legislature's investigation, and stop blaming others for his mistakes."

Recent news reports and editorials have also highlighted the inappropriate political activities that public employees in the Christie administration have engaged in during the governmental work day.

CHAIRMAN CURRIE ON GOVERNOR'S OVERDUE AND INADEQUATE PRESS CONFERENCE

For Immediate Release:
3/28/14

(Trenton) -- Today, John Currie, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, issued the following statement in response to Governor Christie's long overdue, often combative, and grossly inadequate press conference, which again sought to distract attention from the numerous allegations of administrative wrongdoing.

"It’s been 78 days since Chris Christie had a press conference to profess his sadness. Now, after spending an estimated $1,000,000 of the taxpayer’s money he wants the media to accept an incomplete and one-sided report as evidence of his innocence. The shameless and self serving nature of this public relations ploy only invites more doubt about the governor’s claims of ignorance."

"The resignation of David Samson changes little about how this scandal unfolded. After we learned that New Jersey citizens were put in harm’s way — stuck for days of gridlock for no good reason by the Governor’s top aides — we expected Governor Christie to be truthful and contrite. We needed him to demonstrate a genuine desire to make amends, and to cooperate with a real independent investigation. Instead, he chose defiance, diversion and delusion."

"Perhaps we should not be surprised. This is the same governor who says he takes responsibility, but then, in the same breath, blames others. This is the governor who lets Sandy Survivors linger out in the cold and entangled in bureaucratic red tape, while he jets around the country raising money from Republican fat cats. His behavior is not befitting of New Jersey's highest office, and it certainly ought to preclude any sort of promotion. Let’s remember: Governor Christie is not the victim of the scandal that he created, the people of New Jersey are."