He made it clear he would not sign a temporary budget. Why would one be submitted. There's plenty of blame for both sides. This is simply a political move that didn't need to be this bad.
Why would one be submitted.
This whole thing is a positioning move for the next gubernatorial election. Why would Sweeney side with Prieto? He's likely going to be in the running. Let all the blame fall on Christie and Prieto. That would be the prudent move. Here we are in July talking politics like it's Halloween.Although the Governor certainly shares responsibility for the shutdown, in fairness this situation was caused by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D, Hudson). He refused to put the Horizon bill up for a vote, thereby denying the assembly of the opportunity to vote on it, one way or the other.
The Assembly is controlled by his party, yet he refused to allow a vote, which seems like an abuse of power even though it is legally permitted. He made a unilateral decision instead of allowing the democratic process to play out. It seems to me the only reason he would have done that is because he felt the vote would not have gone his way.
Steve Sweeney and the Senate, also under Democratic control, reached an agreement and It appears at this point that Sweeney is just as frustrated with Prieto as Christie is.
Of course it doesn't change the fact that it's inexcusable to have needlessly ruined holiday plans for so many NJ families.
Although the Governor certainly shares responsibility for the shutdown, in fairness this situation was caused by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D, Hudson). He refused to put the Horizon bill up for a vote, thereby denying the assembly of the opportunity to vote on it, one way or the other.
The Assembly is controlled by his party, yet he refused to allow a vote, which seems like an abuse of power even though it is legally permitted. He made a unilateral decision instead of allowing the democratic process to play out. It seems to me the only reason he would have done that is because he felt the vote would not have gone his way.
Steve Sweeney and the Senate, also under Democratic control, reached an agreement and It appears at this point that Sweeney is just as frustrated with Prieto as Christie is.
Of course it doesn't change the fact that it's inexcusable to have needlessly ruined holiday plans for so many NJ families.
If Prieto's Democrats feel that way, why not let them vote it down?First of all Sweeny's party is Republican Lite.
The Horizon bill has nothing to do with the budget EXCEPT for the fact that Christie is holding the process h0stage. No Horizon bill and he WILL sign the budget, after line item vetoes of over 70 items the democrats want. Pass the Horizon bill and he'll sign, leaving those items in.
It all comes from Horizon's refusal to hand over 300 million of THEIR MONEY!!!!
On the bright side the George Washington bridge is open.
Thank you Mr. Speaker for fighting the good fight.
If Prieto's Democrats feel that way, why not let them vote it down?
They could have voted down the budget also. He didn't allow the vote because his own party would have approved it. As it stands they had no say in the matter.Because if they do over 70 items they want in the budget will disappear.
They could have voted down the budget also. He didn't allow the vote because his own party would have approved it. As it stands they had no say in the matter.
Photo of a sign at Island Beach State Park showing someone has expressed their opinion of who is to blame for the shutdown:
http://www.northjersey.com/story/ne...-shutdown-heres-what-you-need-know/444962001/
(Scroll it down a bit.)
These people are not representing the citizens of NJ. It is a shameful, dramatic hissy fit for which the people now have to bear the burden. I am just disgusted with the lot of them.
These people are not representing the citizens of NJ. It is a shameful, dramatic hissy fit for which the people now have to bear the burden. I am just disgusted with the lot of them.
Would you be OK with them if they said you had too much money in the bank and you needed to hand it over to the state?