TRENTON, NJ – March 20, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — New Jersey Democratic Chair Joe Cryan today called on Republican Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie to produce a budget in the wake of comments he made on WNYC’s The Brian Lehrer Show and his statement regarding the restoration of the property tax deduction.
During an interview last week on The Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC radio, Christie repeatedly refused to provide specifics about how he would close the state’s $7 billion deficit. In fact, he proposed adding $4.6 billion back into the budget. At one point, Lehrer asked, “A number of people want me to follow up again on the back and forth we had about what you would actually cut, because they said you never gave a specific answer on what you would cut.”
Christie replied by saying, “Well listen, I think again that, you know, I know people love to continue to press on that, but the fact of the matter is that Governor Corzine has a responsibility for putting together this budget, and my responsibility is to critique what he’s done.”
“In these difficult times, while Democrats are busy governing and fighting for middle-class taxpayers, Chris Christie is showing he has no solutions to offer, only the same empty rhetoric and opposition criticism we heard time and again from his good friend George W. Bush,” said Cryan. “Democrats have been making tough choices; it’s irresponsible for Christie to present himself as a candidate for public office without offering a real budget with real alternatives. Editorialists criticize; leaders govern. New Jersey families deserve better.”
Along with Democratic leaders, Governor Corzine yesterday adjusted his budget proposal to restore the property tax deduction for all New Jersey families earning up to $150,000—nearly 1.5 million families. Under the proposal, a one-year only increase of the “millionaire’s tax” will be implemented. The tax was enacted in 2004 and applies to the wealthiest one percent of New Jerseyans, those who make more than $500,000 a year.
On Tuesday, Christie issued a statement alleging that the Governor took his advice in restoring the property tax deduction.
“As we face the effects of the national recession, we’re working to make sure hard-working New Jersey families get the tax relief they need,” added Cryan. “It’s not just hypocritical; it’s laughable that Christie would take credit for the policy when he said himself that it’s not his job to offer solutions.”
