New Jersey governor places spending limits on authorities, boards & commissions

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is taking action to crack down on spending by the state’s independent boards, authorities and commissions. The 15th executive order signed by the Governor puts limits on those authorities’ hiring of lobbyists, caps travel expenses, and seeks to prevent big payouts to employees who leave those positions.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is taking action to crack down on spending by the state’s independent boards, authorities and commissions. [audio:23PGORDER.mp3]

The 15th executive order signed by the Governor puts limits on those authorities’ hiring of lobbyists, caps travel expenses, and seeks to prevent big payouts to employees who leave those positions.
Christie says there are about 700 of those authorities, board and commissions that are what he calls a shadow government economy.

Christie: Those groups are not held accountable by anyone. They’re not held accountable by the legislature. They’re not held accountable by the executive branch. We need to have that accountability.

The executive order calls for a review by state government department heads to determine by May 15, which of those authorities can be eliminated and whether people who serve on them should be compensated.