Lawmakers greenlight bill to give Christie a book deal
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – The Democrat-led New Jersey Assembly and Senate advanced legislation to let Republican Gov. Chris Christie cash in on a book deal before he leaves office while also raising legislative staff, judges’ and other officials’ salaries.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday voted 8-0, with two abstentions, to advance the measure, hours after the Senate Budget Committee voted 9-3 for the bill.
Supporters say change is necessary and long in the works, but critics say it burdens taxpayers to help “political elites.”
It now goes to both chambers for a vote.
The bill ends a requirement that the governor draw only his $175,000 per year salary. It also raises by $30,000 to $140,000 appropriations for each of the state’s 120 lawmakers to spend on staff. It boosts judges’ and prosecutors’ salaries.