Governor Continues to Put Small Businesses and Valued Programs at Risk
(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) released the following statement on Monday after Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation (A-3614) he sponsored to require legislative approval to privatize state lottery services:
“This veto that puts Gov. Christie squarely against public transparency and oversight was, sadly, not surprising. After all, the administration has already said it plans to push forward and award a 15-year lottery privatization contract to the one and only bid it received without public debate.
“Still, it’s disappointing to see Gov. Christie stand so firmly against public discourse and the checks-and-balances that are the hallmark of our democracy.
“Gov. Christie is moving headlong into a plan to forfeit substantial long-term revenue for a one-shot payment while hurting small business owners and risking vital programs served by the lottery. And we don’t even know if New Jersey is getting the best deal, since only one bid was submitted.
“This was Gov. Christie’s chance to do the right thing and bring some common sense to this privatization scheme. He woefully missed that chance.”