Nov 10, 2009 3:16 pm US/Eastern
Christie Mum On Fiscal Emergency Declaration
WEST CALDWELL, N.J. (CBS) ―
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New Jersey Governor-elect Chris Christie acknowledges election-night supporters November 3, 2009 in Parsippany New Jersey. The Republican Christie defeated incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine.
Stephen Chernin/Getty Images
A spokeswoman for Gov.-elect Chris Christie won't confirm or deny a published report that New Jersey's next governor may declare a financial state of emergency after he takes office in January.
A report by the Statehouse bureau of The Star-Ledger and The Record, attributed to unnamed advisers, says Christie is "examining the possibility of declaring a financial emergency."
The declaration would give the governor broad powers similar to those invoked when a natural disaster strikes.
The article, published Tuesday, says the declaration could help Christie void the no-layoff pledge Gov. Jon Corzine negotiated with labor unions through December 2010.
Christie spokeswoman Maria Comella says he is looking at several options to address New Jersey's fiscal problems.
On the day after being elected, the new Republican governor went to the Robert Treat Academy Charter School in Newark, founded by educator and Democrat Stephen Adubato. He was greeted by students and other Democrats, including Mayor Cory Booker.
"You can see a bright future for you and a bright future for the person next to you," Christie told the children.
Christie also promised to get to work right away.
"I have got enough on my plate given the mess in this state and how broken it is," he said.
The former federal prosecutor, who put dozens of corrupt politicians behind bars, said his top priorities as governor will be to lower property taxes.
"Our property taxes I have told everyone right from the beginning that this is not a silver bullet issue."
He also said he'll cut spending, and fix a failing urban education system.
"If anybody thinks I am kidding about this they're going to watch. I am not going to continue to allow urban children to be failed and cheated by failing public schools," he said.
Christie said the Treat Academy educates students at almost half the cost of the Newark Public Schools system. Booker said he'll work hand-in-hand with Christie.
"I am committing right now. He is my governor-elect and that we should all put politics and parties aside to start working toward that success," Booker said.
Part of Christie's plan involves auditing school boards with the help of his lieutenant governor, Kim Guadagno.
"One of Kim's assignments is gonna be unfunded mandates and bringing to me the first 90 days the most egregious unfunded mandates that contribute to continuing increase in property taxes," he said.
It's an issue that hasn't been resolved by other governors, but one that helped Christie win the election. New Jersey homeowners pay the highest property taxes in the nation.
"We own property. I have four children. It's high. We always have family in Pennsylvania always saying come move here, but we want to be close to the city we grew up in in New Jersey and we like it here," said Kathy Otterbein of West Caldwell.
"I am trying to send a message to the Democratic legislature that this administration is going to be about what works," Christie said.
Many are optimistic that Christie will follow through on his promise for significant change.
"I am real happy Chris Christie won because I am very interested in changing," said Jennifer Bottarini of West Caldwell.
Christie said he's also looking at cutting taxes through shared services.
"Moving ultimately toward consolidation where voters in localities approve of that," he said.
The governor-elect said he's already named someone to head his transition team and that Gov. Jon Corzine has promised him a smooth transition.
While a number of Democrats were at the school with Christie on Wednesday, Corzine was no where to be found. His aides said he had no public appearances scheduled.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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