Live video stream of Governor Christie’s State of the State speech

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie began his State of the State address at 3:18 pm., which lays out his spending priorities for the next fiscal year. The Gov briefly addressed the bridge-scandal that led the resignation of two port authority appointees and one of his aides.

“The last week has certainly tested this Administration. Mistakes were clearly made. And as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better. Much better.

I am the governor and I am ultimately responsible for all that happens on my watch – both good and bad.

Without a doubt we will cooperate with all appropriate inquiries to ensure this breach of trust does not happen again.

But I also want to assure the people of New Jersey today that what has occurred does not define us or our state. This Administration and this Legislature will not allow the work that needs to be done to improve the people’s lives in New Jersey to be delayed. I am the leader of this state and its people and I stand here today proud to be both. And always determined to do better.”

 

A post-address Democratic response is also anticipated to be broadcast. 

****Read full transcription of Christie’s speech*****

Documents revealed last week show the Gov’s deputy chief of staff gave the go-ahead to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to intentionally cause traffic problems in Fort Lee.

New Jersey’s Democratic-led Legislature is preparing for a new session (that begins today) that will include investigations by both the Assembly and Senate into the administration’s role in the GWB lane closures.

The Assembly will get a new leader. Vincent Prieto will be sworn in as the new assembly speaker replacing Sheila Oliver.

Lou Greenwald will remain Assembly majority leader and Jon Bramnick stays as Assembly Republican leader.

Steve Sweeney from South Jersey will return as Senate president along with Tom Kean Jr. as Senate minority leader.

Democrats hold a 48 to 32 majority in the Assembly and 24 to 16 advantage in the Senate.