Republicans could be forced to bear the brunt of the cuts
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie slashed the Assembly and Senate budgets by nearly $4 million, which some fear may lead to layoffs of legislative staffers.
In February, the governor proposed a combined $29.7 million budget for the two houses. Democratic adopted the same level of funding when they sent their spending plan to the governor this week.
Christie, however, cut roughly $1 billion out of the Democratic proposal, including $3.9 million from the account used to pay legislative staffers.
The governor's office is refusing to provide specific explanations for the cuts, instead relying on the broad defense that there was not enough money to prevent them.
When asked to defend the cuts at a news conference yesterday, Christie responded, "Now let’s not start going down that road, I’m not going to be answering every one of these. Because we can’t afford it. The reason, by the way, that I cut every one of these is we can’t afford it. I’d love to do it. I’d love to do most of the things they put in there."
The accounts are controlled by the Democratic majority, who could force Republicans to bear the brunt of the cuts.
“I am certainly not going to shoot myself in the foot,” said Assembly Speaker Shelia Oliver (D-Essex), when asked about how she would proceed.
Oliver stressed that the cuts to the Assembly pale in comparison to the other cuts Christie made, such as gutting transitional aid to the state’s poorest cities.
Legislative expert and Rutgers professor Alan Rosenthal said the governor’s actions are unusual.
“What's significant here is that — in my recollection — governors generally, and governors in New Jersey, don't mess with the legislative budget, “ he said. “Legislatures by the same separation of powers convention don’t mess with the governor's front office budget.”
Related coverage:
• Gov. Christie signs state budget after series of deep cuts
• Gov. Christie to use line-item veto on Democrat-supported N.J. budget