And they are supposed to be the pro-labor party?
"NJ governor suggests Washington follow NJ's lead" by Beth DeFalco Associated Press / June 24, 2011
TRENTON, N.J.—Republican Gov. Chris Christie started taking victory laps Friday, suggesting that Washington could learn a thing or two from New Jersey when it comes to bipartisan cooperation and curbing spending by raising health and pension contributions by public employees.
In interviews with major media outlets and on talk shows, Christie also said New Jersey will become a national model "hailed across the country ... something the president and the Congress can only aspire to."
Christie was able to fast-track the employee benefits legislation after striking a deal with the Democrats who control the Legislature even as unions held rallies to pressure leaders to kill it.
Also see: Unions Surrender Rights in Massachusetts
Tired of the two-party political game?
"It's a monumental accomplishment, it really is. Very few states have done anything this sweeping in one piece of legislation," Christie told the AP, calling underfunded pension and health care obligations "the core problems of government spending in the country."
Yup, it's not debt service to banks or tax giveaways to well-connected corporate interests, or lavish political lifestyles, or any of that stuff. It's all the fault of the cop, teacher, and firefighter that live in your neighborhood.
Also see: Christie Pays For Chopper Ride
Only after he was caught.
Christie is scheduled to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday to talk about the deal, which requires 500,000 teachers, police, firefighters and other public workers to pay a larger portion of their health insurance premiums based on income. It also increases their pension contributions.
He must be running for president.
The state's retirement funds are underfunded by $110 billion.
Related: Sunday Globe Special: States Stole Unemployment Insurance
And now the workers have to pay?
Christie has estimated that the reform legislation will save the state about $130 billion over the next 30 years.
The legislation, which also restricts collective bargaining for four years, was fast-tracked after Christie and the Democratic leaders who control the Legislature reached a deal that Christie called his greatest accomplishment since taking office in 2010.
Christie was careful to credit Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver; they had far more political capital to lose with their Democratic base and traditional union backers.
But corporate cash and banks mean more.
The legislation caused a deep fissure among Democrats who felt betrayed by a likely new law that cut the legs from union negotiations....
I'm not even a Democrat or union member and I feel betrayed.
What the web added:
Local union leaders seemed mystified that Democrats would hand Christie such a victory, and nationally union leaders worried that other states may be inspired to end collective bargaining in much the same way.
I think a lot of people are wondering what Democrats stand for these days.
"What happened in New Jersey was really a dark day for workers' rights because it's a continuation of the race to the bottom we're seeing in many other states," said national Communication Workers of America spokeswoman Candice Johnson....
It's more like the middle of the night.
While Christie remains more popular than ever with national media and adored by Republicans, his poll numbers back home are less flattering. At a town hall event in North Jersey earlier in the week, he heard as much booing as applause and a handful of protesters who disrupted were escorted out by police.
A Quinnipiac University poll released this week showed more people disapprove than approve -- 44 percent to 47 percent -- of the job the governor is doing, with women being the most critical. That's down from a 47-46 rating in April and a 52-40 approval rating in February.
--more--"
