Story highlights The bill would close the governor's beach house during shutdowns
Christie's office would not say if he would sign the legislation
Washington (CNN) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie may soon be confronted with the thorny political decision of whether to sign into law a bill that appears to be designed, at least in part, to reprimand him personally for relaxing on a state beach in early July while state parks and beaches were shut down over a budget impasse.
The state's General Assembly approved a bill Monday by a vote of 63-2-2 to prohibit use of state-owned property that is "exclusively or primarily for the use of the governor" during budget-related government shutdowns.
Christie's office would not say if he would sign the legislation, which now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
"As always, we have a long-standing policy of not discussing pending or proposed legislation until a final bill reaches our offices and we have had ample time to review it," Brian Murray, a spokesman for Christie, told CNN in an email.
The bill was sponsored by assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, who was the third place contender in the Democratic Party's 2017 gubernatorial primary.
SolusLoqui on August 1st, 2017 at 14:52 UTC »
What is the bill number? Where is the full text of the bill?
Edit: Found it. Assembly bill 5132.
ASSEMBLY, No. 5132 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED JULY 13, 2017
Sponsored by: Assemblyman JOHN S. WISNIEWSKI District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS Prohibits use of certain State residential property by Governor during state of emergency due to failure to enact annual appropriations law.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced.
An Act concerning certain residential property provided by the State for the use of the Governor and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
All residential property owned by the State and provided exclusively or primarily for the use of the Governor, including the Governor’s ocean house at Island Beach State Park, shall be closed and not available for use by the Governor, the Governor’s family, or any other person or entity during a state of emergency that is declared due to the failure to enact a general appropriation law as prescribed by Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 2 of the New Jersey Constitution. This prohibition shall not apply to the Governor’s official residence located in Princeton, Mercer County.
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the use of any residential property owned by the State and provided exclusively or primarily for the use of the Governor, including the Governor’s ocean house at Island Beach State Park, during a state of emergency that is declared due to the failure to enact a general appropriation law as prescribed by Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 2 of the New Jersey Constitution. This prohibition applies to the Governor, the Governor’s family, or any other person or entity, but shall not apply to the Governor’s official residence in Princeton, New Jersey.
GetOffMyLawn_ on August 1st, 2017 at 14:29 UTC »
The horse has left the barn already. It's merely a symbolic action.
I kind of doubt any other governor could be this stupid again.
brown_trout on August 1st, 2017 at 12:36 UTC »
He has successfully pissed off all future governors for ruining a good perk when the state inevitably shuts down again.