TRENTON — The movers and shakers of New Jersey's business and political worlds shared a chartered Amtrak train to the nation's capital today. The train pulled into D.C. this afternoon, sending some to take naps and others to the nearest bar. Gov. Christie is scheduled to give the keynote address at 7 p.m. The train ride, part of an...
TRENTON — The movers and shakers of New Jersey's business and political worlds shared a chartered Amtrak train to the nation's capital today. The train pulled into D.C. this afternoon, sending some to take naps and others to the nearest bar.
Gov. Christie is scheduled to give the keynote address at 7 p.m.
The train ride, part of an annual tradition hosted by the state Chamber of Commerce, is called the "Walk to Washington" because participants typically walk from car to car glad-handing with various politicians, lobbyists and business owners.
4:12 — Matthew Hale, a political science professor at Seton Hall, said Christie is making strides toward being business friendly, but making government more transparent would help.
Christie has been successful at getting his message across, Hale, on his first Chamber train trip, said. His attraction to business leaders comes in part, Hale said, because of his popularity.
But popularity and a strong message won't fix it all, he warned.
"There are a lot of problems that words aren't going to fix," Hale said.
2:27 p.m. — Jeffrey Scheininger, first vice chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, said the vibe on the train is more positive this year.
"You cannot discount the effect a pro-growth governor has on the state," he said.
He said balancing the budget without tax increases at the state level was the governor's biggest gift to the private sector.
"That sent the biggest message to the business community," he said. New Jersey may have only inched up from 50th to 48th in terms of business climate, but it's a start, he said.
He dismissed Democrats' bills to grow jobs as just "more spending."
"They have to understand, that works when we're flush," he said. "It's economics 101."
1:42 p.m. — In car 6, one of the many "bar cars" a sign on the wall asks, "Who the hell is Assemblyman DeAngelo?"
The sign, originally meant to reserve Assembylman Wayne DeAngelo's (D-Mercer) seat, was graffitied by some of his fellow construction-industry friends.
DeAngelo, instead of taking it down, set up shop next to the sign.
"You can't let it bother you," he joked.
DeAngelo said the train tradition is important to hear from businesses about what issues are facing their companies.
"Employment and jobs," DeAngelo said. "We have to make (New Jersey) more business friendly."
1:36 p.m. — In Car 4, one company sets up its mini picnic, complete with a makeshift bar car on the train with cheese, crackers, vodka and champagne.
1:22 p.m. — Train stops in Philadelphia.
12:55 — Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage said there's more excitement this year with the new chamber president.
"He always struck me as the kind of person who would listen and get consensus," he said. "If we're going to create jobs, we're going to need to work together."
Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo set up shop near this sign.Even though the governor is not on the train, Bollwage said it's still an opportunity to angle for better access to the state's most important government office.
"There are no decisions made unless the governor makes them," he said.
12:41 p.m. — The Amtrak train just arrived in Trenton. While delays have snarled commutes all over the northeast, the chartered Amtrak train is on schedule.
12:35 p.m. — Despite the heavy snowfall to New Jersey last night, the state's movers and shakers muscled through to get to the train on time.
George Christie, president of the Probation Association of New Jersey, woke up this morning at 5 a.m. to an unwelcome sight.
"I looked out the window and my car was buried," he said. It took him at least an hour and a half to dig out his car as he battled with snowplows that kept pushing more snow into his way.
Then it was another hour and a half drive from his home in Neptune to Trenton, up from the usual 45 minutes. From there he took a train to Newark, to catch the chamber train back south to Washington.
"I didn't think it would be right for me not to be here," Christie said, mentioning other members of his union who made similar treks.
David Fox, a lawyer who represents public employee unions, left his home in Belmar at 8 p.m. Wednesday to spend the night at his other home in Roseland, closer to Newark. The drive took 5 hours.
"And I'm a menace on the highway in good weather," he joked.
11:35 a.m. — Train pulls out of Newark on time.
By Ginger Gibson and Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau Staff
Check back in with nj.com/politics for updates from the train, and follow Star-Ledger reporter Ginger Gibson as she sends Twitter updates from the train.
Previous coverage:
• Today in Trenton: 'Walk to Washington' day arrives
• Poll: Is 'Walk to Washington' politics gone wild?
• N.J. Gov. Chris Christie will be featured speaker at Chamber of Commerce 'Walk to Washington'
• Editorial: Boycotting N.J. Chamber of Commerce's "Walk to Washington":Gov. Chris Christie plays the party pooper
• Christie sits out annual Chamber of Commerce train ride, snubs influential lobbying groups
• GOP hopefuls rail against Chamber of Commerce railroad trip