Governor conditionally vetoed the measure, but suggested only 2 minor changes the bill's sponsors said are not deal-breakers Watch video
Gov. Chris Christie delivers his first State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature to highlight education, benefit reform and fiscal responsibility. In the background are (L-R) Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver and Senate President Stephan Sweeney, in this January 2011 file photo.TRENTON — An effort to require most newly hired public workers to live in New Jersey appears on its way to becoming law.
Gov. Chris Christie today indicated he largely supports the residency bill (S1730), which passed both houses of the Legislature in December. The governor conditionally vetoed the measure, but suggested only two minor changes the bill’s sponsors said are not deal-breakers.
"I commend the sponsors for their efforts to increase employment opportunities for New Jersey residents, by insuring that the citizens throughout the state enjoy access to public positions in their communities," Christie wrote in his veto message.
The bill would give newly hired workers one year from their first day of work to move into New Jersey. It would apply to all forms of public employment, including state, county and municipal governments, boards, agencies, commissions, public schools and universities.
Some employees of colleges and universities, such as visiting professors, could be exempt from the law. Other public employees could apply to a committee for an exemption because of a "critical need or hardship."
As of mid-January, 5,814 of the state’s 71,953 employees lived out of state, according to the Department of Treasury. No figures were available for all public workers.
Christie suggested changing the bill to expand the committee that decides if workers are entitled to hardship exemptions from three to five. Christie would appoint three of the members, while the Senate president and Assembly speaker would each appoint one. He also suggested changing the bill so that it takes effect four months after its enactment, rather than immediately.
The bill’s sponsors did not object to Christie’s suggestions.
"It doesn’t seem to be a substantial change," said Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), the main sponsor in the lower house. "It still gets to the end game, which is to have people who pull a paycheck from New Jersey live in the state and pay taxes here as well."
State Sen. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), the senate sponsor, said the changes "seem reasonable."
A spokesman for Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said he will review Christie’s conditional veto. A spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) said she has no problem with it.