Big job growth in NJ, Christie says, so cut taxes now
The gov says new number support his claims of a "Jersey comeback" - and necessitate a phased-in cut.
Big job growth in NJ, Christie says, so cut taxes now
Matt Katz, Inquirer Staff Writer
Gov. Christie released remarkably positive job growth numbers at a morning press conference, and in doing so he got ahead of what promises to be a day of political squabbling over his proposed tax cut.
The state added more than 17,000 jobs in May, according to federal figures that Christie released today, accounting for a quarter of all job growth nationwide for the month. It is the single biggest month-to-month job gain in seven years.
The report also said that the unemployment in New Jersey ticked up from 9.1 percent to 9.2 percent, which the administration attributed to more people looking for work.
On its face, though, the figure about job growth buoys the governor's repeated claims of a "Jersey comeback" and his argument that now is the time for a phased-in income tax cut.
But some Democrats, particularly those in the Assembly, have balked over giving tax cuts right now because expected revenue is significantly lower than expectations. Christie would have to borrow for transportation projects in order to pay for the tax cut.
Christie dismissed the Democrats, who are now meeting behind closed-doors to discuss Christie's proposed cut and budget, due June 30.
"All of the poor-mouthing that's going on down the hall once again...is shown to be nothing but pure partisian politics," Christie said.
Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D., Middlesex), chairman of the state Democrats, responded to Christie's announcement by noting that the state continues to have a higher unemployment rate than the national average and other states in the region.
Referring to Christie's proposed tax cut, Wisniewski said: "His policies have one goal and one goal only: To put him in position to run for higher office."
Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D., Middlesex), chairman of the state Democrats, responded to Christie's announcement by noting that the state continues to have a higher unemployment rate than the national average and other states in the region.
Don't Democrats control the Assembly and Senate? Will we be seeing her ideas and solutions anytime soon or is complaining all Democrats can do? Maybe the Dems will seek to add more government jobs with hefty pensions and union dues.— UTR
Comment removed.- UTR, Democrats have made a bunch of proposals but couldn't get the votes to overcome the veto that Christie threatened. Christie hasn't done much either. He cut state spending and threw the financing problems over the fence to local communities to deal with. Most local communities simply raised local taxes to make up for cuts. That worked out great for wealthy communities and is a disaster for low income areas. One month of good job growth is irrelevant. Austerity has failed everywhere it's been tried including europe. Christie is overstating tax revenue to make the case to give the wealthy a big tax cut. He's already put in place regulations that limit future tax increases at the local level. His strategy is to permanently reduce the tax rate that would force the defunding or elimination of critical programs.— MikeP
- Isn't dismissing someone else's legitimate concern as "pure partisan politics" pure partisan politics?— absherlock
- Glad to have CC governor of NJ. Hope he runs and wins again.— Poppys
- There's really nothing left to say. Christie will ram through all his ill-conceived, unsupported plans to support his national political aspirations. His math makes no sense, and NJ will continue to deteriorate.— LK
- So if things are getting better in NJ after the United States and the world came within a whisker of full nuclear meltdown at the end of the Bush Administration, why is it necessary to lower taxes? I'm not saying to raise taxes for the middle class but there are public needs and projects that should be funded. We all know that the wealthy are doing fantastically well lately and, even if their taxes were raised slightly, they would still be doing fantastically well. Everyone would benefit, including the wealthy!— r white
- When one has no conscience he is not inconvenienced by little things like the truth. Governor Arrogant will put any spin on any topic if it will advance his personal and political ambitions.— richw38
- Isn't impressive job numbers in May for New Jersey the result of seasonal business hiring for the various shore outlets...to an extent?— bearsfriend
- Leftist disciples are begging for a tax increase - thanks gov for doing the right thing!— Louie DePalma
- Comment removed.
- for the love of god i hope the taxes get lowered so the jersey folks stop moving over here. the roads are becoming increasingly dangerous here with the influx of bad-driving migrants.— Zero
- I thought the entire message that GOPsters spew is that tax breaks are needed IN ORDER TO produce job growth.
Well, if there have been "remarkably positive job growth numbers" that Gov. Obesity is crowing about, why does he NOW need more tax breaks? It would seem that his wonderful plan is working without bankrupting the state further.
Ah - but that is the real goal. So that not one cent can be used to help people who really need it. Tax revenues should only be used to pay off rich businessmen to prevent them from closing down and moving to slave-wage nations overseas. At least, that is the rethug view.— JeffJenk - I've said it dozens of times already on these happy days are here again stories about the New Jermany Comeback and I'll say it again:
Come to Northwestern Burlington County where I live and I'll be more then happy to show this Governor and this Legislature the shuttered long time businesses and companies that employed hundreds directly and aided thousands indirectly. No income tax break for the rich until the middle class and below get true Property Tax Relief.— DelawareRiverRat - Sorry, this GOPer sees the Democrats right in this. Revenues are expected to be lower, meaning NJ has the potential of a deficit. NJ will have to borrow money to make up potential deficits for next year if a tax cut hits. I say wait until next year as we have no idea what is going to happen in November and how the economy will react and I don't want NJ running down the borrow and spend binge that the Feds have been doing the last 10 years.— sjnative94
Reach him at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @mattkatz00. Reach Matt at mkatz@phillynews.com or 609-217-8355.
