http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2F Reporter Matt Katz covers New Jersey’s 55th governor, Chris Christie. en-us Mon, 14 May 2012 18:24:51 GMT 2012-05-14T18:24:51Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=151413065&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Christie-opposes-union-perk-but-let-it-happen.html Christie's office last week found itself agreeing to paid leave even as it was lambasting paid leave. The moment illustrated the tricky balance and frustrating limitations for a governor in a labor-friendly state who's worked his way to the short list for the Republican vice presidential nomination in part by taking on public unions. Mon, 14 May 2012 18:24:51 GMT 3c68964de87b40fbc64cbeda6cabc8a6 Matt Katz 2012-05-14T18:24:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=150969915&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-vetoes-Obamacare-provision.html Gov. Christie became the first governor in the country today to veto a bill that would set up a state-run health care exchange. Such exchanges, which are intended to group consumers together to get deals on health insurance, was a key provision of the Obamacare health reform. Ten states have so far enacted health care exchanges, a handful of legislatures have rejected the exchanges and many states (including Pennsylvania) have legislation pending. Fri, 11 May 2012 15:24:00 GMT 5e350d78bbe9b708656a38f4001669f9 Matt Katz 2012-05-11T15:24:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=150784025&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FTaxpayers-spend-tens-of-millions-for-public-unions-.html A report released this morning shows that New Jersey taxpayers spend millions each year so public employees -- cops, firefighters, teachers -- can take leave from their public jobs and do union business. Once Gov. Christie reads the report, if he hasn't already, he is likely to add these tidbits into the rhetorical arsenal he aims at public employee unions. Thu, 10 May 2012 14:14:04 GMT deee3d1239afe24e0136b642a229f96a Matt Katz 2012-05-10T14:14:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=149833995&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-takes-side-in-Wisconsins-civil-war.html I've been to several states for Republican primaries in the past few months. Beyond partisans and political fanatics, the average, apolitical South Carolinian, Georgian or Tennessean rarely had much passion about the guys I was covering: Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum. And then I came to Wisconsin this week, which I had read is the "most polarized state in the country." Turns out that's an accurate assessment. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:13:29 GMT 9bc7863de4740ee6eb4f8c7bbbedddc5 Matt Katz 2012-05-02T17:13:29Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=149537265&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FRomney-could-convince-Christie-to-run-for-VP.html During a visit this morning to West Windsor-Plainsboro North High School's AP history class, a student asked Gov. Christie if he would consider being Mitt Romney's running mate. Christie began giving his standard answer -- that he would listen if he gets the call, but he loves his current job. Then, for the first time in public, he added this: "He might be able to convince me -- he's a convincing guy." Tue, 01 May 2012 02:09:51 GMT 27c8ce7adf82ce4c245dfeb7c9e3afad Matt Katz 2012-05-01T02:09:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=149445185&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FKimmel-makes-fat-jokes-.html Gov. Christie attended the annual White House Correspondents Dinner last night as a guest of the ABC network (he sat next to "Modern Family" bombshell Sofia Vergara), and he listened as host Jimmy Kimmel directed not one, not two, but three fat jokes at him. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:05:36 GMT 32773d66192697f4fcb70c63407b00c4 Matt Katz 2012-04-30T02:05:36Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=148706085&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FNets-leave-Jersey-Christie-lets-door-hit-them-on-way-out.html "My message to the Nets is goodbye...You don't want to stay, we don't want you." That was Gov. Christie's farewell address yesterday to the New Jersey Nets, who played the 76ers yesterday in their final home game in the state. After 35 years as one of the state's two professional sports teams, the Nets move to Brooklyn next season. Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:19:14 GMT d8ca36f6421ba0a11f20eb175e2febbc Matt Katz 2012-04-24T19:19:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=148125515&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-denies-falling-sleep-at-Springsteen-show.html Finally putting New Jerseyans' concerns to rest, Bruce Springsteen mega-fan Gov. Christie denied falling asleep during the Springsteen show at Madison Square Garden earlier this month, as the New York Post's Page Six had reported. (And as has been reiterated here, here and elsewhere.) "I have never fallen asleep at a Bruce Springsteen show, I will never fall asleep during a Bruce Springsteen show, my wife is probably afraid that I'm more likely to die during a Bruce Springsteen show than fall asleep," he said. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:58:09 GMT 52761c762a43c892c93bd80e6c774603 Matt Katz 2012-04-20T00:58:09Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=147792075&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-tells-Medford-to-vote-against-GOP-tax-plan.html Medford's all-Republican township council is asking voters in a local election today to go to the polls and approve a 25 percent tax increase in order to pay for trash pick-up and other needs. The council members, all newcomers, are facing a $6 million deficit after previous councils failed to cut spending and raise taxes, they said. Cops have already been laid off. But Christie has turned on his fellow Republicans. He says voters shouldn't give the town any more money. "This is the world we live in," Christie said. "If it's too tough for you don't run again. Let's elect some people who can actually fix the problem." Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:40:10 GMT 81e3f28a2d0038b7a6ccf72f10844558 Matt Katz 2012-04-18T10:40:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=147624155&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Jersey-likes-red-and-blue.html More than half of New Jerseyans approve of the job that Republican Gov. Christie is doing. More than half of New Jerseyans approve of the job that President Obama is doing. And that's entirely unusual. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:34:12 GMT 46bd39d54df02535144f765b1c249099 Matt Katz 2012-04-17T11:34:12Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=147355705&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FNewark-Mayor-Booker-catches-fire-.html My Storified look at today's trending Twitter topic: Mayor Booker saving a woman's life in a house fire. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:52:21 GMT dd04fd46f4e8f75c230238fbe9cd621a Matt Katz 2012-04-13T19:52:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=147028465&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FForget-VP-Romney-asks-Christie-to-be-czar-of-the-world.html Trying out new material in what is sure to be 4 1/2 months of questions about whether he's going to run for vice president, Gov. Christie said he emailed Mitt Romney yesterday after Rick Santorum dropped out of the GOP presidential race. And what did Romney write in response? "He asked me to be vice president and czar of the world," Christie said. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:32:06 GMT 2b145489a0ff609069b2adb9609656df Matt Katz 2012-04-12T10:32:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=146604715&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-returns-from-Israel-Now-what.html In other Christie news, a new poll says that New Jerseyans think he's arrogant (but also a "strong leader"), an anti-Christie Twitter meme had a three-day run and the Republican assemblyman who represents Christie's hometown now says he's open to the theory that President Obama wasn't born in America. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:53:02 GMT d24f8e8674db5e75f7391a5fb7747be5 Matt Katz 2012-04-09T10:53:02Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=145636755&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-South-Jerz--Supreme-Court.html So would a Supreme Court justice really rule differently if he or she lived in the cute Philadelphia suburb of Moorestown in Burlington County, or the cute New York suburb of Morristown in Morris County? Are people in Washington Township (Gloucester County) different from people in Washington Township (Bergen County)? Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:42:52 GMT 0a62bf48e466b95250b11fee9f6c590c Matt Katz 2012-04-01T21:42:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=144718305&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-goes-from-Jersey-to-Jerusalem.html In a trip officially dubbed "Jersey To Jerusalem: Economic Growth, Diplomacy, Observance," the governor, a contingent of New Jerseyans and the First Family head to the Holy Land this weekend. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:17:52 GMT 81b11423a59686e6711ad57998fcd1d8 Matt Katz 2012-03-28T22:17:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=144437735&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FThe-Gov-to-The-Boss-Play-AC.html The conservative Jersey governor made a "direct plea" today to the liberal Jersey rocker: Play the new Revel casino in Atlantic City on Labor Day weekend! Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:27:01 GMT 700ff734e2c207c5aa7995ec1d7b253d Matt Katz 2012-03-28T13:27:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=143885346&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-nominee-getting-full-day-grilling.html One of Gov. Christie's nominees to the Supreme Court has faced a full-day on the Democratic grill today, enduring a series of hot questions about his family's business practices and his past political affiliations. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:50:53 GMT 3b8711c793c791e41de7b851c996e330 Matt Katz 2012-03-26T15:50:53Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=143826806&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-welfare-change.html The number of general-assistance welfare recipients in New Jersey has plummeted, with thousands of applicants being denied enrollment, in part because of a controversial new policy of the Christie administration. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:10 GMT ac7ccf62a76237a1cb8d08b9c6f436dd Matt Katz 2012-03-22T16:00:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=142777445&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FBack-on-the-trail-.html Christie's October endorsement of Romney was seen as significant and possibly game-changing, but Christie has not stumped as often as some expected. Most of his campaigning for Romney has been done away from the campaign trail -- touting the former Massachusetts governor in national TV interviews, Statehouse press conferences and conference calls with supporters. There's likely some behind-the-scene fundraising, too. Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:55:57 GMT 079bfea428121146f1797d6fc315c9f0 Matt Katz 2012-03-15T14:55:57Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=142482015&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FConfident-gov-confident-Jersey.html A Farleigh Dickenson PublicMind poll out this morning shows that New Jerseyans' confidence is at the highest level in a decade, with 51 percent saying the state is "headed in the right direction." Gov. Christie also clocks in with a 54 percent approval rating, his highest since two months after he got into office in 2010, and along the lines of other plus-50-percent rankings he's pulled in other recent polls. Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:38:11 GMT d36ddae7271f07ef909d888803ebd048 Matt Katz 2012-03-13T18:38:11Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=142363955&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI.html Are you in the governor's crosshairs? Does he want to enact policies that you object to? Care to respond? No problem. It'll cost you just $10,875,011. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:53:06 GMT 7f7359978b201d4ee8af87455fa68e57 Matt Katz 2012-03-12T19:53:06Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=142335935&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FNo-regrets-at-all-for-idiot-remark-Christie-says.html "He acted like an idiot, he's an idiot," Christie said. "Just because he's a Navy SEAL doesn't give him any reason to be a jerk." Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:03:58 GMT 7be71112d335d62371c4cd4881a096b1 Matt Katz 2012-03-12T19:03:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=141980273&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDebating-Rutgers-merger-Christie-gets-into-shouting-match-with-an-idiot.html “And let me tell you something,” Christie said, his voice rising. “If after you graduate from law school you conduct yourself like that in a courtroom, your rear end’s going to be thrown in jail, idiot.” Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:05:18 GMT 7326fc80a794513d2f8e9c9ecc248936 Matt Katz 2012-03-09T16:05:18Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=141927183&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FCourt-throws-Christie-a-brush-back-pitch.html And it could prove to have ramifications if the Republican governor seeks to bypass the Democratic legislature and use executive powers to accomplish other goals during his tenure. Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:04:37 GMT b805803b28d04c8d67481fb255994846 Matt Katz 2012-03-09T16:04:37Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=141818643&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FJersey-bullying-law-to-be-amended.html A bipartisan agreement has been reached to fix the state’s anti-bullying law — considered the toughest in the nation — in the wake of complaints that is too onerous on school districts. Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:04:00 GMT cfafa09d083fdaad739770a90cd78534 Matt Katz 2012-03-08T00:04:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=141441383&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FHey-NYPD-Heads-up-next-time-okay.html Christie, a former U.S. Attorney who led the prosecution of terrorism cases, last week said the NYPD acted as if they are "masters of the universe" whose "jurisdiction is the world." Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:02:10 GMT cfa8ced016f234337a87b73158fe6db2 Matt Katz 2012-03-05T21:02:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=140482313&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FSeason-2-of-Christie-Runs-For-Prez-show-premieres.html Last season ended in the fall, when Gov. Christie told a packed news conference that he decided not to run. This season begins with a twist that, like any reality show, is borderline preposterous. Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:15:31 GMT 418a84b7e2586ec42ad46c61ff1b5d48 Matt Katz 2012-02-27T00:15:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=140375463&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristies-gay-marriage-veto-inadvertently-.html After the Republican governor of New Mexico, Susana Martinez, came out in support of Gov. Christie's veto of a gay marriage bill last week, Martinez's gay hairstylist called her up. "I said, 'You should be ashamed with yourself,'" openly gay hairstylist Antonio Darden told the Huffington Post. "I just couldn't believe she said it." Darden refused to cut her hair again. "I said 'no.'..If we are good enough to do a service for you, we should be good enough for equality," Darden said. Sat, 25 Feb 2012 04:46:40 GMT 1633e48067a4ef0ab2b47e98c519a2ac Matt Katz 2012-02-25T04:46:40Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=140143093&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-More-on-the-Whitney-flag-flap.html PALISADES PARK, N.J. - A month before his controversial order to honor the late Whitney Houston by flying flags at half-staff, Gov. Christie rejected a bill that would have required the deaths of active New Jersey service members to be reported to local and county leaders to ensure a similar show of respect. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:48:36 GMT a862bf682e8693bc4ba4bc6c544fc216 Matt Katz 2012-02-23T14:48:36Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139864513&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FProjecting-big-economic-recovery-Christie-offers-budget-with-little-pain.html Gov. Christie presented a $32.1 billion budget to the state Legislature this afternoon that increases school aid by $212.5 million, makes the largest payment toward public employee pensions in state history and uses rosy revenue projections to help pay for an income tax cut. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:05:47 GMT 5411b8de15ae5ca7952b10cca00c30dc Matt Katz 2012-02-23T00:05:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139926653&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FWarren-Buffett-should-shut-up.html Yet other than that comment, Christie found himself in the unusual position of not satisfying the interviewer with enough red meat. In their last go-round, Morgan had lobbed softballs the governor's way. This time, Morgan kept pressing Christie for answers on a range of national topics, and he didn't seem satisfied with the gov's answers -- or lack thereof. Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:22:03 GMT 1881d155af5e042b935daa1f9048da51 Matt Katz 2012-02-22T13:22:03Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139691673&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FJersey-flag-burned-over-Whitney-Houston-flap.html At Whitney Houston's funeral on Saturday, Gov. Christie reportedly got a brief standing ovation -- an expression of appreciation for his controversial decision to order flags in the state lowered to half-staff to mark the New Jerseyan's death. But in Michigan, the father of one American soldier killed in Iraq had a different response on Saturday: He went to the store, bought a New Jersey flag, drove by the veterans' park where his son is commemorated and then went home to burn the flag on an outdoor grill. "I didn't do this to offend the people of New Jersey," John Burri told The Detroit News. "If I did and you're offended, I'm sorry. But I did this because it was wrong and it was to show the governor (of New Jersey) how wrong this was." Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:49:11 GMT d79d3f44f89ad4527fc45b0a37e017ee Matt Katz 2012-02-20T14:49:11Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139690693&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Residency.html In case you missed it, on Sunday I looked at the myriad residency issues playing out in New Jersey political cycles -- and why that means you can't get a divorce right now in Essex County. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:11:12 GMT f4cc5cc16943913a53e95249ffd6c430 Matt Katz 2012-02-20T14:11:12Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139689203&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-In-school-funding-fight-one-mother-fee.html In case you missed it, in Sunday's paper we focused on one mother in the Swedesboro-Woolwich school district who will be watching Gov. Christie's big budget address on Tuesday with sharpened interest. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:56:35 GMT 00aab34fcfe1d43e298ceb2b94f4aad1 Matt Katz 2012-02-20T13:56:35Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139544553&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-vetoes-gay-marriage-sort-of.html His solution is to hire an ombudsman to monitor civil unions. Same-sex couples have been allowed to enter into civil unions since 2007, but it has been widely criticized as ineffective. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:46:11 GMT 228dc2b6e7cc95610a91222df3a89bda Matt Katz 2012-02-17T22:46:11Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139461778&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FIts-official-Flags-go-down-Friday.html Christie is standing by his decision despite the unexpected controversy that it has brought. A Philly.com poll shows tremendous opposition to the move, and the comments on my last blog post reflect similar anger. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:22:46 GMT 2e89f05f260a1f4d0faf1bd4d9b20c42 Matt Katz 2012-02-16T20:22:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139382303&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FShould-Christie-fly-flags-at-half-staff-for-Whitney.html That is the Christie Controversy Of The Week. Gov. Christie announced yesterday at a press conference yesterday that flags would be lowered for one day -- Saturday, the day of her funeral -- to honor a New Jerseyan who was "an important part of the cultural fabric of this state." Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:43:53 GMT 62fc3cbfcb1cfd940eed08c42a761c79 Matt Katz 2012-02-16T13:43:53Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139297153&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FStrengthen-bail-laws-gov-says.html First announced at his State of the State speech last month, the plan dovetails with another Christie proposal, yet to be detailed, that would divert nonviolent drug offenders to treatment instead of prison. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:20:59 GMT aeebae73fe8ba5f5c0473369dad13c52 Matt Katz 2012-02-15T13:20:59Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139223759&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FIsrael-speech-fuels-veep-buzz.html The Weekly Standard posted a story last week headlined with a quote it particularly liked from the speech: "I admire Israel for the enemies it has made." Writer Daniel Harper said that in the New York speech Christie "articulated a responsible view of America's role in the world." Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:00:57 GMT 44c763e46c84c83b943d7b4ec0e87f9f Matt Katz 2012-02-13T18:00:57Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=139093684&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-and-numb-nuts-meet-make-up.html In what PolitickerNJ.com described as the "Numbnuts Summit," Democratic Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who was called "numb nuts" by Gov. Christie last week, met with the governor yesterday for 45 minutes. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:29:31 GMT 4c6887e98736da2954567dc58ea762c0 Matt Katz 2012-02-10T17:29:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138966529&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-to-teachers-union-head-QUIT.html "Life's not always fair," said New Jersey Education Association executive director Vincent Giordano on a program that aired Monday on NJTV. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:28:58 GMT 16eefe8a46501f02c9c071f43b83e227 Matt Katz 2012-02-09T21:28:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138744174&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-This-weekend-at-least-the-governor-is-a-Giants-fan--.html In case you missed it, today I reported that yes, Gov. Christie will be at the SuperBowl today to watch the New "Jersey" Giants, but no, he is not a Giants fan... Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:49:36 GMT 7c999264fec731fe7679f393742ab6d6 Matt Katz 2012-02-05T19:49:36Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138342479&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FAs-civil-rights-leader-comes-to-Trenton-Christie-clarifies-remark.html Christie clarified his remarks on civil rights at a morning news conference today at the Statehouse, saying that civil rights leaders in the 1960s would have preferred if the political climate allowed them to pursue change through referendum. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:37:40 GMT 271ed437ee9b73875e72b74cd335793c Matt Katz 2012-02-01T20:37:40Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138428774&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FQuestions-loom-for-Christies-justice-nominees.html One nominee, Bruce Harris, is a gay black Republican who has told Christie that he will recuse himself if the issue of gay marriage comes before the court because he has advocated for it in the past, Christie said yesterday. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:38:34 GMT 3af14f27607476e8448659d42e09902c Matt Katz 2012-01-31T23:38:34Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138295324&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Wh.html The most crowded car was, as always, the bar car, where large men from the Licensed Beverage Association held court. Nearby, one of the state's major developers searched for a microphone so he could belt out "Fly Me to the Moon." Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:19:52 GMT ed15ec38ac7caaa3de924f30ef086624 Matt Katz 2012-01-29T22:19:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138169814&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDems-distracting-with-social-issues-Christie-says.html Christie said his political enemies are trying to embarrass him and hurt him politically with social issues, all the while doing nothing about the economy. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:09:37 GMT 26068f712deb019b81c6020cba05693a Matt Katz 2012-01-27T02:09:37Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=138097488&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGay-marriage-and-the-politics-of-civil-rights.html As we reported, Christie said: "The fact of the matter is, I think people would have been happy to have a referendum on civil rights rather than fighting and dying in the streets in the South." Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:33:53 GMT 9f4c935717bf8ee68874da0230052803 Matt Katz 2012-01-27T00:33:53Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137897498&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-nominates-a-gay-Republican-and-a-Korean-immigrant-to-Supreme-Court.html The nominees are Chatham Mayor Bruce Harris, believed to be the only gay African-American Republican mayor in the country, and Bruce Kwon, a Korean-American immigrant who is the state's First Assistant Attorney General and was involved in the prosecution of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:39:51 GMT 9e21dbc5efc6240b10f8bef5e2cf2622 Matt Katz 2012-01-25T15:39:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137976098&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FPut-gay-marriage-on-the-ballot-Christie-says.html "Let the people of New Jersey decide what's right for the state," he said. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:37:35 GMT ba577a7e7661940702855bb831e398ae Matt Katz 2012-01-25T15:37:35Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137925423&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FPalin-defending-Gingrich-goes-after-Christie.html She says Gov. Christie's statement on "Meet The Press" yesterday that Gingrich is an "embarrassment" to the Republican party was a "rookie mistake." (For the record, Palin was governor for a few more months longer than Christie when she resigned.) Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:50:34 GMT d9d9d31ad37eae7c24b22c244077db91 Matt Katz 2012-01-23T23:50:34Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137848068&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FOn-Meet-The-Press-Christie-goes-after-Gingrich.html COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Key Mitt Romney surrogate Chris Christie, stepping into the charred aftermath of Romney's 12-point loss in the South Carolina primary last night, lit into Newt Gingrich on NBC's "Meet The Press" before he was even asked a set-up question. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:30:02 GMT c15b4e558aace98534a9b636e0070790 Matt Katz 2012-01-22T15:30:02Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137511388&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-calls-for-.html "Understand what this means – every New Jerseyan will get a cut in taxes: The working poor, the struggling middle class, the new college graduates getting their first job. the senior citizens who have already retired, the single mom, the job creators, the parents trying to afford to send their son or daughter to college." Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:48:10 GMT 87cb48db26a721fc736a943b9af42726 Matt Katz 2012-01-18T12:48:10Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137493338&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-creates-trailer-for-his-State-of-the-State-speech.html Well, he broke ground again. Gov. Christie's always-innovative press office created a movie trailer to advance his annual State of the State speech this afternoon. Then, as you can see below, he tweeted some big names in the media (in addition to me) to help ensure this becomes another YouTube hit. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:56:15 GMT c5c42901cc1b98bbcc2b6a669fa60130 Matt Katz 2012-01-17T17:56:15Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137399253&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FCritiquing-Romney--praising-Obama-Christie-dishes-to-Oprah.html In other news, Christie is the strictest parent EVER -- his 15-year-old daughter isn't allowed to use Facebook. And back in college, Christie and First Lady Mary Pat broke into a cafeteria to swipe some doughnuts. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:24:56 GMT b4d9920bb9d06841cd21bf53bda5dfbe Matt Katz 2012-01-16T15:24:56Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137303968&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-schools.html Unlike other kinds of schools, renaissance schools are to be run by nonprofits empowered to use the per-pupil money to buy property and hire for-profit companies to construct buildings. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:33:31 GMT f0441714f7f030668a7347ac922de1c7 Matt Katz 2012-01-13T21:33:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137109988&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDid-Christie-make-a-.html Was Christie making some sort of sexual reference in confronting a New Hampshire protester, or was he just using the crowd-pleasing confrontational language that America has come to expect? Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:47:08 GMT 5423262f3b287fde75b5dfda9e6361ee Matt Katz 2012-01-11T20:47:08Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=137093158&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMIunusual.html Moments after the final bill passed, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (R., Morris) - the leader of the Republicans in the Assembly and a long-time mentor to Christie - died in the Statehouse. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:46:42 GMT d85e2a7d9df04f99e95869e9ad67946d Matt Katz 2012-01-11T15:46:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136961513&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDems-to-Christie-Approve-gay-marriage.html Trenton Democrats announced this afternoon that their top priority for 2012 is to send a bill legalizing gay marriage to Gov. Christie, setting up a showdown filled with political implications. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:09:13 GMT 893fb00d277f2fd2ed3830f4380da25a Matt Katz 2012-01-10T23:09:13Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136915808&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-dismantles-protesters-at-Romney-rally.html And that’s when he delivered a line destined for YouTube fame: “Something might go down tonight, but it ain’t going to be jobs, sweetheart.” Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:52:32 GMT 285572e885fd85ebd487c38eb2b64ea8 Matt Katz 2012-01-09T13:52:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136904068&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-A-new-Chris-Christie-for-2012.html Turns out Gov. Christie does have a filter to process his thoughts before he speaks into a microphone. He just doesn't always use it. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:10:51 GMT e5e6973873d806166cab20815ef28dea Matt Katz 2012-01-08T16:10:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136756933&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FNew-Jersey-meet-your-.html Jeffrey S. Chiesa, a longtime Gov. Christie colleague and confidante, eased through the Senate Judiciary Committee today on his way to being confirmed as the state's top law enforcement officer. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:14:31 GMT 1dd4ac22c10dc5ae660a6cded02ff82c Matt Katz 2012-01-05T23:14:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136509603&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FReaders-react-.html Several thought I should ignore this information -- but pursue records for Corzine, Obama, Rendell, etc. (For the record, I only cover Christie). Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:40:42 GMT cd815d4ea38512cff3716c2076e018ec Matt Katz 2012-01-02T10:40:42Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136479318&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-brings-Jersey-to-Iowa.html Surging former Pa. Gov. Rick Santorum hit at Christie on a conservative radio show, saying he liked Christie, but... Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:04:14 GMT a6a32f89d75d2fbf9dec6430dc5d5098 Matt Katz 2011-12-31T20:04:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136429908&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Demsays.html An Inquirer story Wednesday questioned the statistics the governor has used to push his cause - notably the $3.25 billion that he says taxpayers would owe if the Democrats' proposed $7,500 cap on sick time is enacted. In response, Sarlo said he called Christie's spokesman to express outrage. Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:34:01 GMT 3813555893dfdfed9637d84b44719a4f Matt Katz 2011-12-30T15:34:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136313463&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-readers-sick-of-sick-time-payouts.html The governor (or one of his aides) tweeted back: "That means 75 percent of towns and 72% of school bds pay 4 not being sick! We need to band this practice! Support my zero means zero plan" Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:37:50 GMT 7285ac2f8d7bfe6f247e018f8d394ed2 Matt Katz 2011-12-28T16:37:50Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136100233&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FBig-staff-shake-up-in-govs-office.html Christie stayed in his comfort zone in naming replacements, drawing heavily from the attorneys who worked for him when he was U.S. Attorney. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:53:14 GMT 566379320b25eeb48d8e6ed2bb899dae Matt Katz 2011-12-22T22:53:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136079918&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-Camden-County-cops-will-have-lower-salaries-pay-more-for-bennies.html "The mayor in Camden has been seeking changes in the police contracts for as long as I've been here, and the police unions have refused to do so. And so as a result if we need to move to another model that accomplishes at least equal or better policing at a lower cost, I think that's what they're taxpayers expect us to do." Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:22:18 GMT 82a59d07dd823f15c8cab6b8aae58e02 Matt Katz 2011-12-22T21:22:18Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=136029458&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FA-boy-makes-anti-Semetic-remark-at-Christie-town-hall.html After a town hall meeting earlier this month, in which a man accused the Christie camp of planting favorable questions, Wednesday’s 24th town hall of the year at a rundown Knights of Columbus headquarters in a sleepy borough in Middlesex County seemed to indicate otherwise. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:25:01 GMT 546ab354ed90325820da5cd00e7e6d12 Matt Katz 2011-12-22T14:25:01Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=135918078&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-pokes-incendiary-Gingrich-blasts-.html At every turn, whether in his attacks on Romney rival Newt Gingrich or in the way he teased the "Morning Joe" cast, he demonstrated just how remarkably different he is from Romney himself. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:41:51 GMT e5803509c4bfceeb34f0d5ab5c3ce147 Matt Katz 2011-12-20T16:41:51Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=135757228&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-vs-Codey-Game-on.html Having a former governor of the opposing party sitting in the Legislature is a unique situation. And now, it’s an antagonistic situation. Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:59:36 GMT fa3da5dc958061106838b3e7be2dec82 Matt Katz 2011-12-17T23:59:36Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=135737123&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDem-legislators-ignore-Christie-agenda.html Even though the Republican governor had called 2011 the “year of education reform,” the Legislature met yesterday for the last time in 2011 without so much as a vote on Christie’s major education initiatives. Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:31:55 GMT 8d69dd6dc691c32931aa88b12cbd2530 Matt Katz 2011-12-16T22:31:55Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=134082893&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FSee-ya-in-a-few-weeks.html New Jersey politics is cool, but babies are better. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:44:57 GMT 93db02a8a7bcfc42ca9363a570b2587b Matt Katz 2011-12-06T01:44:57Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=134244763&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-fb.html A Gov. Christie interview, simulcast online last week from Facebook headquarters in California, afforded the opportunity to take a glance at the Republican superstar's Facebook wall. Oh, my. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:19:52 GMT a97f98b5a504a59232109bf85f044ede Matt Katz 2011-11-21T16:19:52Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=134127823&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FGov-Christie-vs-Jon-Stewart.html I tweeted Stweart's joke out, and @GovChristie himself responded immediately, at 11:32 pm: "NJ guy Jon Stewart going all negative on NJ. Weak joke...." Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:35:29 GMT ca724a9a456c1a7e2848c9247d4d353f Matt Katz 2011-11-18T20:35:29Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133859243&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2Fsend-.html But as Christie hammers away on these issues, the Democrats might have plans of their own -- like bills for a millionaire's tax (again) and gay marriage. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:33:41 GMT 3d13d52f04c2b7ef0e52b492c74b7940 Matt Katz 2011-11-18T17:33:41Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=134051308&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FNo-payouts-for-not-being-sick-Christie-lectures.html "It seems to me to be a pretty simple proposition. If you are fortunate enough to go your entire career without getting sick, the first thing you should do is hit your knees and thank God for your good health. But after that, your next move should not be to put your hand out to the taxpayers on the way out the door to demand six-figure payouts from the taxpayers who have been paying you your entire career, and will continue to pay your pension and health benefits for the rest of your life." Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:32:22 GMT de74371c5bf0062c5fc3182a49e1a5c2 Matt Katz 2011-11-18T17:32:22Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133843943&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FOn-Facebook-Christie-fudges-.html On taxes, Christie got away with saying: "We've already lowered your taxes in New Jersey." That isn't completely true, at least not for income and property taxes, even if Christie has made considerable headway by capping property tax increases, forcing public employees to pay more for their benefits and cutting some business taxes. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:07:04 GMT 79e574d4067a0b8b543d86b344cfa490 Matt Katz 2011-11-15T00:07:04Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133817013&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-New-front-in-Christie-war-against-unions.html ATLANTIC CITY - When Gov. Christie's education emissary waded into New Jersey's annual teachers union convention here last week, he brought none of his boss' artillery to that enemy territory. Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:58:32 GMT bf6d3e5cceca39f4298b52408981254c Matt Katz 2011-11-14T17:58:32Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133618753&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Election-post-mortem.html To hear Democrats tell the story of Tuesday's election, voters went to the polls to make sure Democratic legislators continue to keep a Republican governor and his attack-style politics under control. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:57:47 GMT f0a8b7ddae325736f262e7cb4e1cb5f4 Matt Katz 2011-11-10T16:57:47Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133509143&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDems-Christie-loses.html "What this shows is Chris Christie is all coat and no tail," New Jersey Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski told me after the polls closed last night. "It shows the shine is coming off the Christie penny." Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:49:59 GMT e20204db476bf07c1ecf469caa8add78 Matt Katz 2011-11-09T14:49:59Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133470663&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FWill-Christie-make-history-today.html The Democrats are now reaching into the annals of New Jersey political history themselves. They say that Christie is remarkably ineffective as a leader of his party in getting Republican legislative candidates elected. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:02:05 GMT f38e5adaef9e6a3fa27e3a191627507b Matt Katz 2011-11-08T23:02:05Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133213863&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Christie-moves-toward-privating-parks.html New Jersey will partially privatize its state parks system to help close a deficit and improve services, with Wharton State Forest in the Pinelands acting as a pilot site for the new approach. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:30:00 GMT 80a9fd30d8c8db09da2274e03a29be1f Matt Katz 2011-11-04T03:30:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133113548&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-feels-sorry-for-Corzine.html At a press conference today Christie said Corzine is a "very intense, competitive guy," so this must be "extraordinarily distressing" for him, PolitickerNJ.com reports. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:23:57 GMT 03d18f67cb408ca8acb3425e34738da5 Matt Katz 2011-11-02T22:23:57Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=133032278&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-saves-after-school-program-but-s-remain.html The New Jersey After 3 after-school program has a second lease on life. But several questions are outstanding. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:58:14 GMT 0c0e1b8ca4d3f3934ea7a328ada25bc0 Matt Katz 2011-11-01T21:58:14Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132939353&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FDespite-govs-popularity-GOP-expectations-low.html The memo reads: "In fact, we will buck the odds if we simply maintain our current Republican roster of 16 Senators and 33 Assembly members. Seven of the last eight Governors have lost legislative seats in their first midterm election, and given the tough obstacles currently lined up against our Party, we do not expect this trend to change this year." Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:53:21 GMT 161f8a1a98826e0d064ae42f9d44f78e Matt Katz 2011-10-31T19:53:21Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132930018&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FJerseyans-including-the-gov-are-blacked-out.html Property outages hit as many as 750,000 New Jerseyans, Christie said at a press conference this morning, and crews are working around-the-clock to clear the downed trees that did much of the damage. He expects almost everyone will be back up by Thursday night. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:16:03 GMT 01fe0ebcc7e6c28efd475b9290bfd224 Matt Katz 2011-10-31T17:16:03Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132549773&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FPushing-judges-greed-as-a-campaign-issue.html No one I've spoken to expects the Republicans to win control of either the senate or the assembly. But Christie has been involved in Jersey politics far longer than I, and he said this: "We're going to make history two weeks from today." Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:22:24 GMT 2603767111a550dfd5c20cd032d16699 Matt Katz 2011-10-26T12:22:24Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132480913&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FShalom-Gov-Christie.html The political backdrop to this (there's always a political backdrop!) is that Christie's visit will be about six months before the presidential election, when the Jewish vote will be critical in swing states like Florida and when the Republican nominee, whomever (s)he may be, will rely on the staunchy pro-Israel evangelical Christian vote. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:04:22 GMT 468b666c057decea0057d3a664b1bc00 Matt Katz 2011-10-24T20:04:22Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132466098&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Christie--Cities.html Of candidate Christie's list of proposals, only one has been implemented. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:24:35 GMT 2d489ca129ec6fea377887ab85c5d899 Matt Katz 2011-10-24T18:24:35Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132202538&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FAnti-gay-teachers-remarks-disturbing-gov-says.html In a phone interview on 770 WABC radio in New York this morning, Christie was asked about the growing controversy. He called it "disturbing," and said he is "really concerned about those kinds of statements being made." Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:36:58 GMT cc9ce874939b2ceaedc1defa3da36d98 Matt Katz 2011-10-20T00:36:58Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132062763&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristies-got-weed-in-the-mail.html New Jersey's most noted marijuana legalization activist - Edward "NJ Weedman.com" Forchion - said today that he regularly sends reefer to the governor. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:54:03 GMT 9bdda5a1c64f975d9d1238888392e2eb Matt Katz 2011-10-18T20:54:03Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=132016143&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-signs-Dem-tax-cut-bill.html Workers in New Jersey will see a slight reduction in taxes taken out of their paychecks next year thanks to a Democratic bill signed — and now touted — by Republican Gov. Christie. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:29:05 GMT ee04d1fd45fa703184f087bdc108cd95 Matt Katz 2011-10-17T22:29:05Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131992268&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI2-.html Questions also remain about whether the shovel-ready site is still scheduled to become a 33-classroom public school - or a privately run, publicly funded experiment known as a "transformation school" advocated by the Christie administration and South Jersey Democrats. Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:14:46 GMT 66bf070511b75a4cb2c395908a5e0580 Matt Katz 2011-10-17T17:14:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131718708&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FJersey-Shore-v.html He just tweeted: ChrisChristie,how does it feel when people judge your ability to do a job by your weight the same way you judge us for partyin at the shore? Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:37:49 GMT bbc344bb90fb19ab20f31484a034a782 Matt Katz 2011-10-13T14:37:49Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131584983&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-gets-presidential-buzz-bump-in-NJ.html All that talk of Christie running for president -- the TV footage of Christie being wooed nationwide, the big speech at the Reagan Presidential Library -- made those at home like him a little bit more: Christie turned in the best approval ratings of his term among New Jersey voters this morning. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:40:46 GMT f4ca1925fff46ac1343d24b5589d84a9 Matt Katz 2011-10-12T14:40:46Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131531753&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-to-endorse-Romney.html GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney picked up perhaps the most coveted endorsement in the Republican world when Gov. Christie endorsed him in New Hampshire this afternoon. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:23:56 GMT 1a35ac157bde1b9599896753d0188d64 Matt Katz 2011-10-11T21:23:56Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131422243&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FICYMI-Candidate-or-not-Christie-a-good-show.html Had Chris Christie just made fun of a reporter? Had he just temporarily forbidden another from asking a question because the reporter had "screwed around"? Had he just talked for 50 minutes repeating the same reason - with varying degrees of humor - for not running for president? Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:26:12 GMT 7d3cd979f45fdc5d8b26253e2c44441e Matt Katz 2011-10-09T19:26:12Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131176788&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristie-announces-immediate-savings-from-reform-plan.html Christie announced today that his pension benefit reform plan, which the Democratic Legislature approved in June, will save local governments $267 million in fiscal year 2012. That includes $224 million from the police and firefighters' pension fund and $43 million from the fund for other public employees. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:43:31 GMT d1f1d2e6683a753abaa58e1d1653dbc7 Matt Katz 2011-10-05T21:43:31Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131102743&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FChristies-.html As you've undoubtedly heard by now, Christie's not running for president. For more on that, I posted this story from the 1 p.m. press conference. Check out tomorrow's paper and blog for the full piece. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:25:49 GMT d361ddef31047edf23e6e6bb6108c500 Matt Katz 2011-10-04T22:25:49Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=771599&44=131047913&32=3796&7=773394&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fblogs%2Fchristie_chronicles%2FCandidacy-announcement-coming-at-1-pm.html We assume that this last-minute addition to his public schedule means that Christie is either announcing his candidacy for president -- or saying he's not running at all. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:28:53 GMT 26c7b35e3faa4376cb7defef701b785e Matt Katz 2011-10-04T17:28:53Z