New Jersey measures may give Christie jolt of déjà vu

A significant number of the bills being considered early in this session of the New Jersey legislature are measures that Gov. Chris Christie previously vetoed.

Lawmakers have different views on why that’s happening.

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said he believes Democrats have political motives in bringing back those bills.

“The Democrats were able to pick up four seats in the Assembly,” said Bramnick. “Some of the overrides were razor-thin margins, and obviously they’re going to play some politics with the governor.”

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg said the Democrats have other reasons.

“I don’t consider it political posturing,” she said. “I consider it that we pass bills that we, the majority of the people that vote for them, believe in.”

And some of the bills will be helpful in setting up a platform for the Democratic gubernatorial candidates in next year’s election, Weinberg said.

The bills are being reintroduced because Democrats believe the legislation is important and he hopes they won’t be vetoed again, said Assembly Speaker Vinnie Prieto.

“You know what happens, sometimes people evolve, and I would hope that of the governor, that he sees the reason why things need to change,” Prieto said.