New Jersey minimum wage raise is saddled down

Governor Chris Christie is opposed to amending the New Jersey Constitution to raise the minimum wage.

The governor says he’s concerned that Democratic leaders in the legislature can’t agree on a measure to boost the base wage.

Christie says the proposal by Senate President Steve Sweeney to let voters decide whether to increase the $7.25 an hour minimum by a dollar is a ridiculous idea.

“That is just a stupid way to do it. That’s not what the constitution is there for. They control the legislature. They want to raise the minimum wage; send me a bill and see what I’ll do with it,” he said.

Christie says he’d consider the idea, but it has to be in the context of other economic development and growth measures.

He had threatened to veto a previous minimum wage bill, but that measure never got through the New Jersey Senate.  A proposed amendment could go on the ballot without Christie’s approval.