The governor made cuts to health care, higher education and programs for the state's poorest residents, while doubling the state's surplus Watch video
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie stunned virtually everyone with a whirlwind of vetoes issued Thursday that cut $1 billion from the budget that landed on his desk.
Advocates, state college officials, legislative experts and especially his Democratic opponents in the Legislature were aghast today at the governor's across-the-board cuts to health care, higher education and programs for the state's poorest residents.
Star-Ledger reporters have been keeping track of the mass outcry coming from all quarters of the state:
Some of the largest cuts target cities like Camden, Trenton and Asbury Park, which will see a punishing reduction in state funding at a time when they have few means of raising revenue and are struggling with rising crime after public safety worker layoffs.
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The governor's veto pen cut $55 million in higher education scholarships, mostly for low-income students.
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He eliminated some funding for nursing homes.
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Just about the only thing he agreed to add funds to was a popular program reimbursing property taxes for senior citizens.
• Program providing property tax relief to seniors survives budget cuts with $61M increase in funding
In an aggressive move, Christie cut funding for state lawmakers' staff and for a nonpartisan office who has clashed with the Christie administration over budget figures.
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Even some museums may face collateral damage after the vetoes.
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There were a number of other cuts, which pulled the plug on a child-care center in Newark and an after-school care program.
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"The reason, by the way, that I cut every one of these is we can’t afford it," Christie said at a news conference Thursday. "I’d love to do it. I’d love to do most of the things they put in there."
Christie doubled the state's surplus, from $300 million to $640 million — the highest it's been in the last decade.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie signs state budget after series of deep cuts