N.J. Gov. Christie holds lawmakers’ feet to the fire

    Governor blasts Legislature for not acting on his “tool kit” of legislative reforms to help local governments control costs.

    Gov. Chris Christie has blasted New Jersey lawmakers for not acting on his so-called tool kit of proposals to help local governments control costs.

    The Governor’s proposed arbitration, civil service and state mandate reforms are aimed at helping local leaders live within a two-percent cap on property tax increases. That cap takes effect in January.

    Christie says the Legislature needs to move quickly to approve those measures.

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    “Or everything that happens after January 1st, every cop and fireman that’s laid off, every teacher that’s laid off, every public works employee that’s laid off is at the doorstep of the majority in the state Legislature,” said Christie.

    Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, who said lawmakers are working on meaningful reforms, said the governor’s combative language does nothing to advance that effort.

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