Live updates of Gov. Chris Christie addressing Legislature on tax reform

Republican governor encourages N.J. lawmakers' support of 2.5 percent property tax cap

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerA March 2010 file photo of the Assembly Chamber. Gov. Christie today is scheduled to address N.J. lawmakers to ask them to support his property tax reform plan.

TRENTON — 3:36 p.m.: Christie pitches his 2.5 percent cap proposal, says the best way is to allow exceptions to higher spending only when local voters approve, says while state aid and school aid have been growing, spending is outstripping them.

3:34 p.m.: Christie says "the job is not complete" blaming local spending habits. Saying he called lawmakers back for a summer session when they normally escape for vacation "because for New Jersey taxpayers, there is no escape. ... We must help the citizens take back there state," he said to applause.

3:33 p.m.: As Christie walks in and most applaud, CWA Local 1033 President Rae Roeder looks on from the balcony, standing but with hands firmly clasped in front of her.

3:32 p.m.: Christie thanks Oliver and Sweeney personally for building "a bipartisan bridge I hope to walk across this week to end the nightmare of property taxes in New Jersey."

3:32 p.m.: Christie thanks lawmakers for "courage" in passing tough budget., says momentum must be "sustained."

3:30 p.m.: Oliver announces Christie, who enters chamber to standing ovation. He shakes hands with lawmakers before arriving at podium.

3:26 p.m.: Special session in Assembly chamber gaveled to order by Oliver.

3:25 p.m.: Dems say this is the only time they're extending Christie the courtesy, and he can't come back and speak day after day.

3:20 p.m.: Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver arrives at rostrum.

3:18 p.m.: Gauntlet of reporters and cameras lined up along hallway leading to Assembly chamber.

3:14 p.m.: Vitale on Senate Dems' change of heart: "These are important issues to discuss, and we have to hear what the governor has to say."

3:13 p.m.: Assembly members leaving caucus room.

3:10 p.m.: Procession from governor's office starts.

3:10 p.m.: Christie's cabinet leave's governor's office, heads upstairs. Christie stays behind.

3:09 p.m.: Christie aide Jim Gilroy sprints from Assembly chambers to governor's office.

3:08 p.m.: Christie walks into outer office; executive branch applauds. He's talking to his cabinet. March begins.

3:06 p.m.: Assembly Democrats still in caucus.

3:05 p.m.: Sweeney says he is willing to bet he will be in the Statehouse Friday. "I don't know if we will be, I will definitely be. Probably hanging out with the governor." What about over the weekend? "I like Trenton. I've got nowhere to go. I've got no life."

3:04 p.m.: Senate members file into Assembly floor.

3:04 p.m.: Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) is on the Assembly floor.

3:03 p.m.: Sweeney begins session and says it will be "quick." A prayer is said that when you talk "it's better to be wise than foolish." Pledge follows.

2:59 p.m.: Sweeney says the Senate will go to Assembly chambers because the governor said he would offer a compromise. "He's offering a compromise in his speech." When asked if he knew what it is, he said: "Not yet. But he said I'll be surprised."

2:45 p.m.: New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Rabner arrives at the governor's office saying he has a lot of reading with him in case it's a long afternoon.

2:53 p.m.: A Senate Concurrent Resolution sitting on the desks in the near-empty upper chamber calls for lawmakers at 3 p.m. to meet in joint session in the General Assembly "for the purpose of convening pursuant to the governor's call and receiving an address from the Honorable Chris Christie" on controlling property taxes.

2:40 p.m.: Christie’s chief of staff, Rich Bagger, walks into his office but won’t reveal what’s to come. "You’ll find out at 3."

2:39 p.m.: Sen. Dick Codey (D-Essex) gets let into his office after being locked out for 10 minutes. Asked about what he thinks of the rumor Assembly Democrats will block Senate Republicans from entering, he says, "That would be fool’s gold."

2:34 p.m.: Sweeney walks from his office to the Democratic caucus. Says he enjoyed his meeting with Christie: "The governor and I agree on where the best cheeseburgers are. We're going to go out to dinner one night soon." Asked whether his cheeseburgers had Swiss on them — referring to Christie's complaints about loopholes in Democrats' tax cap — Sweeney grinned and said, "I like cheddar."

2:29 p.m.: Attorney General Paula Dow and State Police colonel walk into governor's office. The executive board is assembling for its march into the Assembly chamber.

2:24 p.m.: Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) says she plans to listen to the governor, "And I’ll do what my kids do when I lecture them: Ignore it."

2:12 p.m.: Senate President Stephen Sweeney chief aide Andrew Hendry walks into governor's office.

2:10 p.m.: Two troopers are stationed outside the governor's office. One with a dog walks down the hallway sniffing away.

2:05 p.m.: Christie administration official Frank Luna is stationed in front of the Democratic caucus room. He won’t say why he’s there.

2 p.m.: Christie greet Democrats as they arrive at the Assembly chamber. They’re handing out forms in support of Cap 2.5 that have been signed by 224 New Jersey mayors.

2 p.m.: Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) leaves women’s health care presser to meet privately with Sweeney.

11:05 a.m.: Gov. Chris Christie arrives at the Statehouse.

11 a.m.: In Paterson, Sweeney and Assemblyman Joe Cryan (D-Union) shake hands after a funeral service for Assemblywoman Nellie Pou's father , and Cryan heads to Bayonne for the mayor’s swearing in ceremony.

10 a.m.: Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Cryan, Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex) and Girgenti attend funeral for Assemblywoman Nellie Pou’s father in Paterson. Cryan and Sweeney sit across the aisle from each other in the back row.

• Gov. Chris Christie to address N.J. Assembly Dems on property tax reform

• Gov. Christie to tell N.J. lawmakers job is 'only half done' at special joint session of Legislature

• Gov. Chris Christie calls special legislative session on N.J. property tax overhaul

• Gov. Chris Christie calls special legislative session on N.J. property tax overhaul

• N.J. Assembly panel passes 2.9 percent property tax cap

• Proposed 2.9 percent tax cap, budget bills are set for full N.J. Legislature vote

• Sweeney's 2.9 percent property tax cap plan is approved by N.J. senate committee

• Massachusetts shows implications of Gov. Christie's proposed 2.5 percent property tax cap