Governor Christie Delivers State of the State Address

Governor Christie took a break from the campaign trail to deliver his State of the State address today.

 

In his speech, the governor touted the state's private sector job growth and highlighted his work with the Democratic-controlled Legislature as proof that he's capable of reaching across the aisle to get things done.  

 

"Instead of hiding from our problems or pretending they don't exist, we've confronted them openly," Christie said.  "More often than not, we've done it together, as Republicans and Democrats.  We don't agree on everything, newsflash, but we don't have to as long as we keep talking to each other and trying to do the right thing."

 

But Christie did chide the Democrat-controlled legislature for its vote to hold a referendum on quarterly payments to the state's public workers pension fund, saying the only way to pay for it would be to impose 3 billion dollars in tax increases.  The governor also announced the state will spend an additional 100 million dollars to pay for programs dedicated to those suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.