TRENTON, N.J. — Faced with a widening political scandal that threatens to undermine his second term and a possible 2016 presidential run, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apologized again Tuesday, saying his administration “let down the people we are entrusted
TRENTON, N.J. — Faced with a widening political scandal that threatens to undermine his second term and a possible 2016 presidential run, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie apologized again Tuesday, saying his administration “let down the people we are entrusted to serve” but the issue doesn’t define his team or the state.
On the eve of his second term, the governor opened his annual State of the State address by touching only briefly on the apparent political payback plot.
“The last week has certainly tested this administration,” he said. “Mistakes were clearly made. And as a result, we let down the people we are entrusted to serve. I know our citizens deserve better.”
He received tempered applause after he went on, saying, “This administration and this Legislature will not allow the work that needs to be done to improve the people’s lives in Jersey to be delayed.”
His measured tone was a noticeable contrast from a year ago when a blustery Christie promised to lead New Jersey back from Superstorm Sandy.
The scandal broke wide open last week with the release of documents showing Christie aides and appointees orchestrated lane closings that caused massive gridlock on local roads, delayed emergency vehicles and school buses for hours and infuriated commuters. Democrats think the scheme was retaliation against a Democratic mayor who did not endorse Christie.
After addressing the scandal, Christie moved on in his speech to such familiar themes as avoiding tax increases and working with the Democrats who control both chambers of the state Legislature.
But he returned to the theme of bipartisanship throughout as he sought to repel doubts about an aggressive brand of politics that propelled him to the forefront of his party but might also be responsible for an apparent petty political vendetta carried out by members of his inner circle.
“We have succeeded in working together to be an example for the entire country dispirited by partisanship,” Christie said. “Let us not abandon that course.”
Turning to policy matters, Christie stuck mostly to universal goals such as making communities safer without offering much of a blueprint.
Christie kept plans vague for a key initiative, extending the school day and cutting short summer vacation, which was met with skepticism from Wendell Steinhauer, president of New Jersey’s largest and most powerful teachers union and a frequent adversary of Christie.
The union bitterly opposed an overhaul of public employee retirement benefits by Christie and the Legislature in 2011 and spent millions of dollars on anti-Christie ads during his gubernatorial campaigns.
The governor warned the state must reduce its pension and debt-service payments in the coming year. They’re scheduled to rise by a combined total of nearly $1 billion.
