Christie Policy Agenda Puts Drug Crisis Before Fiscal Health
- Pushback by Democrats hobbles commitment to pensions, taxes
- Higher unemployment, budget hole among hurdles in final year
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Photographer: Tasos Katopodis/WireImageThis article is for subscribers only.
Chris Christie will spend his last year as New Jersey’s governor combating drug addiction, he said Tuesday in an annual policy-setting speech that also made an unspecified pledge to address the nation’s worst-funded public pension.
The compassionate appeal to fight a crime-driving health crisis was a contrast from the fiscal-focused Christie of seven years ago, who came to office vowing to “tear up the state’s credit card” and cut taxes to drive economic growth. Now, unsuccessful in his presidential bid, cast away by President-elect Donald Trump and reviled by New Jersey voters, the 54-year-old Republican will devote his remaining months to an agenda that he says touches him personally.