NJ government shutdown coming to an end tonight?

Three players in the shutdown drama: Prieto, Christie and Sweeney


Matt Arco reports for NJ.com:

Gov. Chris Christie will approve a compromise that would put an end to the three-day state government shutdown and could reopen state parks and beaches in time for the Fourth of July, sources inside the governor’s office said.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, sources confirmed Christie will approve the revised bill over control of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield that sparked a government shutdown.
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) have scheduled a 10 p.m. news conference to announce the deal. The two houses have been called back to Trenton for late night votes. 
Christie has scheduled his own news conference for 11 p.m.
Ending the shutdown would reopen state parks and beaches that were closed Saturday under Christie’s orders when lawmakers did not make the deadline for a new state budget.
It would also allow tens of thousands of furloughed state workers to return to work as everything from motor vehicles offices to the courts were shuttered. 

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NJ residents frustrated by closed MVCs, court houses

Kaitlyn Kanzler and Katie Sobko report for The Record:

It’s one thing to arrive at a New Jersey motor vehicle offices and get frustrated by the long lines and sometimes outrageous wait times.

It’s another to show up and find the doors locked, with a picture of the state assemblyman Gov. Chris Christie blames for a government shutdown posted on the door.

But that is exactly what happened Monday at motor vehicles offices and what could continue for the rest of this week or longer if the politicians in Trenton can’t strike a deal on a state budget. Some courthouse services were also affected, including small claims cases.

Anger and disappointment at MVC offices

As Christie, Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, Senate President Steve Sweeney and other politicians tried to work out a deal until the late hours on Monday, folks who wanted to get their license renewed, take a driver exam or get their car inspected found it impossible to complete those tasks.

It was especially frustrating for those who were a couple of days late — Friday was June 30 — in getting their documents renewed or updated.

Flyers blaming Assembly speaker Vincent Prieto were taped to the doors of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission in Lodi notifying that the facility was closed due to the government shutdown on Monday, July 3, 2017. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com)

“Does this mean I get a pass on a ticket since my inspection sticker is a 6?” said Steve, a resident of Pequannock who declined to give his last name.

Steve’s inspection was due in June, but he said his check engine light came on and he needed car repairs, so he was unable to bring the car for inspection last week.

Other drivers peered into the darkened buildings in frustration and some took photos of the signs posted on the doors. A few even attempted to drive into the inspection station.

Thwarting plans: Budget impasse ruins holiday weekend for families

Celebration canceled: State shutdown cancels Ringwood State Park Independence Day event

One 17-year-old girl showed up at the Lodi motor vehicle station to take the test for her license. She’s had the appointment since January and left the closed facility in tears.


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Guadagno kicks sand at Christie for lolling on closed beach

The governor’s family at the otherwise empty Island Beach State Park

Patricia A. Miller reports for the Brick Patch: 

Lt. Kim Guadagno, the second-in-command to Gov. Chris Christie and the Republican nominee to succeed the governor, blasted Christie on Monday over the controversial photo of him taking in the sun at the closed Island Beach State Park.

“It’s beyond words. If I were governor, I sure wouldn’t be sitting on the beach if taxpayers didn’t have access to state beaches,” Guadagno said in a statement issued by her campaign.
“We need to end the shutdown now. It’s hurting small businesses and ordinary New Jerseyans,” she said. “Instead of political games, Governor Christie, Speaker (Vincent) Prieto and Senate President (Stephen) Sweeney should pass a budget that delivers property tax relief and puts taxpayers first.”
Christie defends himself after beach photo
Christie defends himself after beach photo
Gov. Chris Christie addressed the issue of a photo of him on a closed beach during a television interview Monday, the third day of the state government shutdown in New Jersey.

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Gov. Christie’s beach exposure: Jersey shutdown, day 3

When asked whether he got sun at the beach yesterday, Gov. Chris Christie said no. Photos say otherwise 

Christie, family soak up sun on beach he closed to public

Andrew Mills and Claude Brodesser-Akner report for NJ.com:



BERKELEY TOWNSHIP — People hoping to visit Island Beach State Park this holiday weekend were not allowed in because of the state government shutdown Gov. Chris Christie ordered amid the state budget standoff in Trenton.
But there was one family there: Christie’s. They are using the summer beach house provided by the state for a weekend down the Shore.
And here are exclusive aerial photos by NJ Advance Media showing Christie surrounded by wife, Mary Pat Christie, and others.
It was taken early Sunday afternoon before the governor headed to Trenton to hold another news conference about the shutdown.
Why N.J.'s state beaches are closed to everyone -- except Christie's family
Why N.J.’s state beaches are closed to everyone — except Christie’s family
Gov. Chris Christie and his family plans to spend the weekend at the governor’s beach house at Island Beach State Park, which closed today because of the state shutdown



At that news conference, Christie was asked if he got any sun Sunday.
“I didn’t,” he said. “I didn’t get any sun today.”
When later told of the photo, Brian Murray, the governor’s spokesman, said: “Yes, the governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading into the office.”
“He did not get any sun,” Murray added. “He had a baseball hat on.”
Christie, who first disclosed his weekend plans on Monday, said Sunday he was taking the state helicopter to go back and forth between Island Beach State Park and Trenton.
“I traveled there and I traveled back and I’ll travel back again,” Christie said. “That’s where my family is sleeping, so that’s where I’ll sleep tonight. When I have a choice between sleeping with my family, and sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.”
Christie told reporters Saturday that the the beach house is separate from the park and that his family will not ask for any state services.
Asked if this is fair, Christie said Saturday: “Run for governor, and you can have a residence there.”
But critics have taken Christie to task for the situation on social media. 

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Christie and His Family Get Beach to Themselves




Daniel Politi reports for Slate:

Families across the East Coast had their Fourth of July weekend plans ruined by a New Jersey government shutdown that closed state parks, beaches, and historical sites just as residents from the region were planning to head out on vacations. The state government shut down at midnight on Friday meaning many would-be vacationers headed to the state beaches only to be turned away (municipal parks and beaches remain open). One family whose plans were not affected? Governor Chris Christie’s, who were able to have a whole beach to themselves thanks to the shutdown.
Less than a day after Christie ordered all state parks and beaches closed, he headed to the Island Beach State Park on Saturday night. Christie took a State Police helicopter to the park on Saturday and did the same thing on Sunday. “That’s where my family is sleeping, so that’s where I’ll sleep tonight,” Christie told reporters on Sunday afternoon. “When I have a choice between sleeping with my family and sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.” 
But it wasn’t just about sleeping. Christie also got a chance to soak up some rays. NJ Advance Media managed to take aerial photos of Christie and his family enjoying the beach at the 10-mile barrier island. The photos were taken Sunday afternoon before Christie headed back to Trenton for a news conference. 
At the news conference a reporter asked Christie if he got sun today. “I didn’t,” he replied. “I didn’t get any sun today.” His spokesman later tried to valiantly explain that lie when he was told about the aerial photographs: “Yes, the governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading into the office. He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on.”
________________________________________

Christie’s role in shutdown parallels #Bridgegate?

Assemblyman John Wisniewski says: The governor clearly has his own persona agenda at heart not unlike the George Washington Bridge scandal. This is a governor using the state as a bargaining chip to get what he wants.”

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FBI digs deep in probe of Philly labor leader Dougherty

Philadelphia electricians union leader John Dougherty is the subject of an FBI investigation

Almost a year after FBI agents raided the offices of Philadelphia labor leader John Dougherty and his electricians’ union, the sweeping scope of its investigation is becoming evident.

Search warrants and the recent disclosure of long-running wiretaps make clear that the federal inquiry extends to virtually every aspect of the union’s operations, as well as Dougherty’s personal finances.

Along the way, it has touched a broad swath of Philadelphia’s political class and even reached into the office of Mayor Kenney, whose voice, like scores of others, was picked up on wiretaps placed on the union leader’s phone.

Federal prosecutors are examining everything from the campaign donations that have made the union a political powerhouse and Dougherty a kingmaker, to the union’s turbulent and sometimes violent relationship with nonunion contractors. They also are exploring the union’s dealings with the Kenney administration.


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New Jersey enters second day of government shutdown

Beachgoer on the boarder of Island Beach Sate Park in New Jersey. Tom Brenner photo for the NYTimes

CNN reports:

New Jersey legislators went home Saturday afternoon without passing a budget, leaving the state government shut down, the spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie told CNN.
Christie has called for the legislature to reconvene at 2 p.m. Sunday in an attempt to break the deadlock, press secretary Brian Murray said.
The governor shut down the state government Friday night after the legislature failed to pass a budget.
Full story here


Going to a New Jersey State Park or Beach? Not This Holiday Weekend
Nick Corasaniti writes for the NY Times:

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, N.J. — This spot is usually a choke point for shore traffic, not a U-turn. Yet roughly every 10 minutes on Saturday morning, a new vehicle approached the entrance to the beach here — some packed with beach chairs, beach balls, fishing rods and anticipation — only to be met by two police cars and a barricade.

A single yellow sign stapled to a makeshift but unyielding blockade read: “These facilities are closed until further notice.”

That sunny anticipation quickly turned to frustration.

“It’s ridiculous,” said Eric Cowling, 28, who had come from Philadelphia with his girlfriend to fish, lounge and possibly camp in their truck on the beach. He said he understood the wrangling over the state budget, but said that closing the beaches and waterways on a holiday weekend was infuriating “for the fisherman and everyone else who wants to get out there and do what they like to do.”


NJ Gov. Chris Christie has closed down services and facilities that aren’t essential.


Christie adds government shutdown to his legacy

Matt Friedman reports for Politico:

Chris Christie is heading into his final six months as governor presiding over New Jersey’s biggest government crisis in more than a decade: A shutdown that will literally turn the lights out in Trenton.

New Jersey lawmakers failed to pass a budget by the annual deadline at midnight last night, and Christie promptly issued an order sparking the closure of government offices and services deemed non-essential. State parks and beaches will likely be closed this morning, just in time for the holiday, as will motor vehicle offices. Courts could be closed come Monday. Tens of thousands of state government employees will be furloughed.

And while the origins of the shutdown are complex, only one person is likely to bear the blame in the public eye: Christie.


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