NJ Gov. Christie mocks O'Malley's pension plan
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican darling, had harsh words for Gov. Martin O'Malley's pension plan and approach toward public employees in an interview set to air this evening on FOX Business Network.
The New Jersey governor, who has built a national reputation for standing up to public sector employee unions, distinguished his New Jersey approach from "that pabulum Governor O’Malley was spewing down in Maryland," according to a transcript of the interview.
The comments appear to be retribution for a swing O'Malley took at Christie last week on WTOP radio. O'Malley accused the New Jersey governor of "being abusive towards public employees."
Christie, in the FOX interview challenges O'Malley to "come to New Jersey and listen to what I am saying rather than listening to his democratic consultants."
Christie says he is "shining a bright light" on the costs of public pensions. "Governor O’Malley calls that picking on public sector workers," Christie says. "I call that telling the people who are paying the bills the truth and not kissing up to every special interest you want to have on your side to get electoral success.".
Despite the heated rhetoric the two men don't appear to be taking radically different approaches to pension reform.
Both are keeping a defined benefit system rather than moving to a 401(k) type plan. Both increase the retirement age for state workers (in O'Malley's case, for workers who are new to the system); both are fiddling with cost of living increases (Christie is eliminating them while O'Malley is tying them to investment performance); and both are making changes to retirement health care.
The New Jersey governor, who has built a national reputation for standing up to public sector employee unions, distinguished his New Jersey approach from "that pabulum Governor O’Malley was spewing down in Maryland," according to a transcript of the interview.
The comments appear to be retribution for a swing O'Malley took at Christie last week on WTOP radio. O'Malley accused the New Jersey governor of "being abusive towards public employees."
Christie, in the FOX interview challenges O'Malley to "come to New Jersey and listen to what I am saying rather than listening to his democratic consultants."
Christie says he is "shining a bright light" on the costs of public pensions. "Governor O’Malley calls that picking on public sector workers," Christie says. "I call that telling the people who are paying the bills the truth and not kissing up to every special interest you want to have on your side to get electoral success.".
Despite the heated rhetoric the two men don't appear to be taking radically different approaches to pension reform.
Both are keeping a defined benefit system rather than moving to a 401(k) type plan. Both increase the retirement age for state workers (in O'Malley's case, for workers who are new to the system); both are fiddling with cost of living increases (Christie is eliminating them while O'Malley is tying them to investment performance); and both are making changes to retirement health care.
Comments
Cost of living increases? Damn – must be nice. Retired state of Texas employees do not get cost of living increases at all.
Posted by: David | February 3, 2011 7:17 PM
Neither one are doing enough, but at Christie's lips don't look near that planet.... you know, Uyou'reANUS.
Posted by: tough love | February 4, 2011 12:40 AM
Neither one are doing enough, but at least Christie's lips don't look like they've been near that planet.... you know, Uyou'reANUS.
Posted by: tough love | February 4, 2011 12:42 AM
Well,for all you Christie backer better not become unemployed in NJ because there won't be any competent State Workers left by the time he's done. Alot have already left to the private sector to better paying jobs,sure a little less stable but more money is more money. Christie took all the incentive for intelligent people to stay with the state.So New Jersey hope your happy with your taxes doing nothing for you and everything for the very rich.
Posted by: Shawn | February 4, 2011 11:29 AM
Jersey Snore. Did Christie do his mocking from Florida? He totally bungled New Jersey application for Race To The Top. Then again, Christie's supporters have never gotten any benefit from those programs.
Posted by: Paul_D | February 4, 2011 1:58 PM
Don't forget the $300 Mil or so he cost taxpayers by pulling out of the ARC. And that doesn't include the 3-6 Bil in federal aid he is foregoing. All on top of the $2 Bil+ cost of raising the Bayonne Bridge.
Glass houses, Mr. Christie.
By the way, my kid's teacher was teacher of the year in the NJ District she taught in last year. She came to Maryland because of NJ's cuts and because of Maryland's documented committment to education.
Posted by: IPFrehley | February 4, 2011 3:13 PM
MOM is such a good friend to Maryland State employees he is stealing some of their pay to give to the unions.
Posted by: Fran McCAll | February 4, 2011 9:51 PM
Fun stuff.
In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act.
George Orwell
My money is on Christie.
Posted by: Carole | February 5, 2011 10:17 AM
And no pay increases, furloughs, higher benefit costs, reduced pensions and union-driven idiocy are reason enough for intelligent people to stay with Maryland, Shawn?
Posted by: cchris | February 5, 2011 10:39 PM
The arrogance, rudeness and stupidity of NJ Gov. Christie is surpassed only by those who voted for him.
Posted by: Angel Mangual | May 16, 2011 4:14 PM