Senator Linda Greenstein and Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo and Dan Benson today called out Governor Christie as he traveled to their district using taxpayer funds to host a town hall meeting where he once again chose to distort reality and mislead the public.
“If the governor knocked on the same doors we have, he would hear something entirely different than what he hears from the adoring, hand-picked crowds his office gathers for these staged events,” said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). “He would hear the worried voices of New Jerseyans whose hopes for a better job, or any job at all, were dashed by his reckless vetoes. He would hear the voices of residents tired of his constant attempts to drive wedges between our communities. And, he would definitely hear an earful from seniors and working families alike who have shouldered more of his forced sacrifices than the millionaires he has gone out of his way to protect.”
“While the Governor was pounding his chest today, too many unemployed men and women were pounding the pavement looking for a job so they can afford to put food on their table. Instead of talking to the public about ways we can positively work together as a community to create jobs and tackle the issues facing working families, the Governor once again engaged in high-pitched rhetoric and name-calling. That’s not the way to get things done,” said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex), Deputy Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore. “My colleagues and I have proposed a comprehensive legislative package that would help working families and small businesses alike. It’s time that the Governor put down the microphone and started listening to middle-class families and seniors, like we have done, to provide them with the assistance they need and deserve.”
“With New Jersey’s unemployment rate remaining alarmingly high and job creation all but stagnant, I’m surprised this Governor would choose to spend his time going on a county-by-county tour vilifying anyone who disagrees with him, instead of focusing on the number one issue affecting our residents,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Since I joined the Legislature in January, I’ve been part of a concerted, democratically-led effort to help create jobs and stimulate the economy. Sadly, the Governor chose to veto many of the jobs bills we passed and focus his attention on crafting yet another budget that disproportionately burdens lower and middle income families. Given the state of our economy and the fiscal challenges we face, we need a Governor who is willing to build consensus rather than taking a divisive approach that pits neighbors against neighbors and seniors against public workers.”