Catherwood LibraryILR School

Governor Chris Christie started touring the State of New Jersey to promote his agenda for his remaining years in office, a major portion of which is cutting the state?s labor costs. Governor Christie will not be able to run again for the governorship in New Jersey and is touting that fact as a reason for his constituents to buy into his plan to tackle the divisive, but enormous issue of growing public pension and healthcare costs. The Governor previously made a deal to begin paying down the deficit the state?s pensions faced, but that is consuming about 90% of all new spending for 2015, or about $2.25 billion. The Governor is dismissing ?distractions? such as the controversy surrounding the traffic audits on the George Washington Bridge late last year and the potential that he may run for higher office in the near future. While State Democrats are expected to oppose some of Christie?s proposals, the Governor has used touring town hall meetings in the past to build enough grassroots support to get his agenda pushed into law.