A Christie Editorial Analysis: A factual review of the Christie term

By Brian Froelich
Monmouth County Freeholder Candidate


The Asbury Park Press editorial opinion endorsing Christie was disappointing as well as inaccurate. The Press then went on to endorse practically all of the Republican Legislative candidates based on the candidates support of the Christie agenda. So the Press editorial deserves a full response.

The Press’s basic (but factually unsupported) opinion is that Christie’s programs to turn the state around, to contain government spending (at all levels of government), to bringing public employee salaries and benefits under control, and to make New Jersey attractive to businesses again have been largely successful. Yet this assessment seems later contradicted when, in discussing Buono, the Press defines New Jersey’s pressing current problems as property taxes, jobs and a lethargic economy.

Even the Star Ledger, which endorsed Christie while (at least figuratively) holding its nose, admitted that his achievements are “only modest” at best and miserable when compared to his “measurable failures”. They called some of his agenda a “catastrophe” and his budget claims “fraudulent”. They found his ego entertaining but damaging. In sum they considered him “overrated”. In the end they perversely, but not without reason, blamed limited Democratic Party support for Buono for their Christie vote.

Bob Braun, one of the most respected reporters and opinion writers in New Jersey, wrote a scathing analysis of his former employer’s opinion supporting Christie.

So let’s look at the facts.

First, nobody in their right mind would think that this state is turning around! Our unemployment remains regionally high and our employment growth anemic. High paying jobs in key industries (like pharmaceuticals, high tech, etc) are leaving and being replaced by low wage service jobs. Foreclosures in New Jersey are some of the highest in the nation. The office vacancy rate in Monmouth County, for example, is over 30%. One large high tech building, that alone represents 2 million square feet, has stood vacant for years. And Christie’s billion dollar subsidies to attract business have been largely fruitless. Whatever “clear signal to the business community that it is welcome in New Jersey” that the Press believes Christie has sent has clearly not been received.

From a finance point of view the results are similarly poor. Our bonds, already lowly rated, have been downgraded again. One study called Christie’s budgets “structurally unsound”. And a recent New York Times article detailed and criticized his budget “gimmicks”. Even the Wall Street Journal is not impressed with his financial antics. In 2012 they wrote; “The proposed use of dedicated revenues—a form of revenue often called a one-shot—has increased threefold since Mr. Christie's first budget in 2010, and is nearly seven times as much as he put in last year's spending plan”.

In short there is not a scintilla of evidence that anything that Christie has done is having a positive economic effect. And he has bet the ranch, so to speak, that online gaming will bail him and us out of this hole in the future.

Regarding specific projects, his gamble to support the gaming industry in Atlantic City (e.g. Revel) and the failed Meadowlands Shopping Mall crapped out. And Christie passed on the one project that would dramatically improve the regional economy in both the long and short term. The Hudson Tunnel would have created an economic asset with a hundred year lifespan and doubled river crossing rush hour capacity. It would have created thousands of short and long term jobs, raised home values and tax revenues, and brought a regional economic boom. But he wouldn’t bring his Press praised negotiating skills to get it done. His mishandling of the faulty $400 million federal education application was clearly inept.

The Press listed the merger of UNDMJ and Rutgers as a specific accomplishment. It is an incredibly bad idea that only a politician, but no reasonable business person, would endorse. UMDNJ is a financial and managerial disaster. Combining it with an already large complicated (and even challenged) institution before it is running smoothly is a clear error. I am a strong supporter of Rutgers President Barchi. But a merger at this point is expensive and puts both institutions at unnecessary risk.

And Christie has really done nothing to contain spending at any level of government. His state budget is back to Corzine levels largely as a result of raising pension fund payments back to the more responsible Corzine level. His 2% local spending cap scam has more holes than Swiss cheese. His cuts to education, town aid, and property tax rebates just made it more difficult for towns and middle income home owners. The best evidence of his present failure is that NJ debt, tolls, transit fares, electricity bills, tuitions, and property taxes (by 20%!) have all gone up while home values and ratables have gone down. His overly aggressive revenue projections have forced him to defer payments to future years increasing future budget pressures.

Public employee salaries and benefits are clearly an issue that needs more attention. But most towns and Boards of Education have been tackling this problem on their own out of sheer necessity and local pressure. And both Democrats and Republicans (and even unions!) at the state and local levels have been successfully making progress on this problem.

Even with some issues during and after, by most reasonable judgments Christie did his job during the Sandy Storm. The Press credits his popularity to this effort. But only since Katrina has simply doing your job during natural disasters been considered a high standard.

Finally, and even after labeling it disrespectful, the Press was especially supportive of Christie’s “style that has resonated… with a majority of New Jersey residents”. While that may be true it will still be considered unfortunate by many that the Press confused talking tough with talking straight and bullying with statesmanship.


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This post is from Brian Froelich's blog located on Howell Patch

In Case You Missed It, Monday Was A Very Good Day To Be Barbara Bouno

Yes indeed, Monday was a very good day to be Barbara Buono, on Monday, NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney and U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell both announced that they would not be running for governor this year. Their announcements not to run has assured that state Senator Buono will be the Democratic standard bearer who will face Governor Christie in the fall.

Monday was also significant for Buono due to the fact that her campaign picked up several key endorsements from Democrats around the state and country.

Those endorsing the Buono's campaign for Governor on Monday included:

• The entire delegation of South Jersey Democrats - lead by South Jersey power broker George Norcross, Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald endorsed Buono for Governor.
• Former Governor Dick Codey, who was also contemplating his own campaign for the governorship but decided against it.
• The Passaic County Dems
• Jersey City Mayor, Jerry Healey announced that he was backing Bouno.
• U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell and the northern Democratic party chairs 
• U.S. Representative Frank Pallone

Yesterday was also a good day for Barbara Bouno, she picked up the endorsement of Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association(DGA) stating, "Barbara Buono understands the challenges facing New Jersey's middle class because she's lived through them. She's spent her entire career fighting to create jobs, improve education, expand access to quality health care and balance budgets,"

What Are They Thinking? Monmouth Candidate Slate Endorses LaRocca

I received the below press release from the Frank LaRocca camp announcing that Monmouth Democratic Candidates for Freeholder Bill Shea and Kevin Lavan along with County Clerk Candidate Michael Steinhorn, have gone public and announced their support of Marlboro's Frank LaRocca to succeed Victor Scudiery as the next Monmouth County Democratic Chairman. LaRocca is vying to be the next County Chairman against Long Branche's Vin Gopal, who narrowly lost last years District 11 race for State Assembly.

This is a head scratcher to me, I can't image what these guys are thinking and I wonder why they would want to publicly choose side between the two men looking to succeed Vic Scudiery as Chairman.

Don't get me wrong, they have every right to support who they wish to succeed Scudiery, but by publicly choosing sides they are spliting the party, which could lead to bad blood and cause County Committee members not to support their candidacies for office later. To me they have nothing to gain at this time, but everything to lose.

All three of Monmouth County’s Democratic county-wide candidates today endorsed Frank LaRocca for County Chairman saying he has a demonstrated record of winning elections.

“Frank knows how to win,” said Freeholder candidate Kevin M. Lavan, a former Hazlet Mayor. “It’s not enough to just want to win; a party chairman has to know how to win. Frank does.”


As the Marlboro Democratic Party Chairman, LaRocca has won 8 out of 9 elections, making Marlboro a model for how to build a Democratic Party organization from the ground floor. When he took over, there was an all Republican Council and a Republican Mayor. Now Mayor Jon Hornik and a Democratic Council are providing innovative, effective leadership in Marlboro.


“Frank is the proven winner among the candidates for chairman,” said Freeholder candidate Bill Shea. “He is proving this right now as a candidate by supporting local municipalities and the County campaigns.” LaRocca rolled out his municipal plan last week providing all Democratic candidates with a free photo shoot. In addition, LaRocca has stepped in to support the County candidates, providing them with walk cards and hosting a fundraiser for the ticket on May 16.


“As Democratic County Chairman, it is important to help the municipal candidates get out the message,” said LaRocca, who is announcing Phase II of his municipal effort this week. “Providing the local candidates with a photo shoot is just the beginning. This week, we will roll out providing websites and campaign signs for our municipal candidates and in the coming weeks, we will offer candidate training on engaging communities in grass roots campaigns, and energizing the youth vote.” In his municipality, LaRocca has attracted over 1,200 teens to become part of the local government in the Teen Advisory Committee, started prior to his election in 2007.


County Clerk candidate Michael Steinhorn said LaRocca is the only candidate with the experience and maturity to lead the party.


“We believe our best chance of protecting Democratic Party values and our best chance of winning is with Frank LaRocca at the helm,” said County Clerk candidate Michael Steinhorn. “We’re supporting Frank for County Chairman because he has the knowledge, experience, and maturity to lead us to victory.”


The Monmouth County Democrats will elect a new chairman for the first time in 23 years in June. Chairman Victory Scudiery has announced he will not seek a new term.


“I want to thank, Michael, Bill and Kevin for their confidence,” LaRocca said. “I’ve been out campaigning with our team already. Re-electing President Obama, Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone and giving our Party a voice in County government is my top priority.”


“Rank and file Democrats from across the county have shown their support for my candidacy for Chairman and know how critical the fall elections are to our future.”