Christie vetoes New Jersey gender-equality legislation

Republican Gov. Chris Christie rejected legislation tightening requirements that New Jersey employers pay workers doing the same job equally, regardless of gender.

Christie, who conditionally vetoed the measure Monday, said the state’s Law Against Discrimination already bans gender-based pay discrimination.

The veto comes after he earlier vetoed two bills that contained similar provisions.

Instead of providing for unlimited back pay in discrimination cases, Christie recommended that there be a two-year limit on when damages could be applied.

He also asked the Democrat-led Legislature to remove the award of treble damages for pay discrimination, saying that back pay is already available for those who prove pay discrimination.

And he called a requirement that state contractors report to New Jersey about wages and other data “outrageous.”