TRENTON — An Assembly hearing on the state's law and public safety budget took a sharp turn into constitutional questions when legislators pressed Attorney General Paula Dow on Gov. Chris Christie's threat that he may defy the state Supreme Court on a school-funding case. When asked whether the Supreme Court has defined enforcement powers, Dow responded, "Last I heard...
Gov. Chris Christie during a press conference in this 2011 file photo. TRENTON — An Assembly hearing on the state's law and public safety budget took a sharp turn into constitutional questions when legislators pressed Attorney General Paula Dow on Gov. Chris Christie's threat that he may defy the state Supreme Court on a school-funding case.
When asked whether the Supreme Court has defined enforcement powers, Dow responded, "Last I heard they don't have a police force, I have one."
The case in question could have serious budget ramifications. The state Supreme Court is weighing whether to compel Christie to restore $1.7 billion in funding to public education.
Christie first floated the possibility of flouting the state Supreme Court in an April 21 appearance on New Jersey 101.5 FM, calling it an "option." Since then, Christie has become silent on how seriously he is weighing that option.
Christie has said that if he is forced to cut $1.7 billion from other parts of the budget it could lead to closed hospitals and the laying off of scores of municipal police and firefighters because of reductions in state aid. Christie says he will not sign off on tax increases.
The possibility of Christie ignoring the court was raised earlier in the budget hearing today.
Dow was questioned by Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) on whether a court order can be ignored.
"I believe in upholding the law," Dow said. "I believe in scrubbing it and understanding it in the context of where we sit and stand today. Sometimes bold challenges are before us, as they are before you."
Greenwald asked again, saying the Legislature shared budget responsibility and needed legal advice.
"There may be 120 of us, but we are equal to the one," he said. "It's an important time to know what the advice would be."
Greenwald then asked if Christie could be disbarred.
"I'm not the disbarring agency. That's not what I do," Dow responded. She added, "I would do my best to give the best advice when issues like this arise."
By Sal Rizzo and Ginger Gibson/The Star-Ledger
Previous coverage:
• Christie refuses to talk about flouting N.J. Supreme Court if it orders more school funding
• Braun: A strange argument, a stranger reluctance to question in school funding argument
• Gov. Christie's legal team tells N.J. Supreme Court to keep hands off education dollars
• Advocate tells N.J. Supreme Court state aid cuts deprived children of adequate education
• Supreme Court hears Abbott arguments - live coverage
• N.J. school funding battle returns to state Supreme Court
• Guest column: The 'new normal' is inadequate for N.J. schools