Christie Rejects AC's Bid For Short Term Bailout
by KYW's David Madden
LONG BRANCH, NJ (CBS) -- A day after the mayor of Atlantic City vowed to shut down all but essential services without an immediate infusion of state funds, Governor Chris Christie suggested the mayor should, in effect, get with the program.
Christie spoke with reporters at an event in North Jersey and reacted to the announcement from Mayor Don Guardian that City Hall would close on April 8th without help from Trenton.
"I am no longer going to allow the taxpayers of the state of New Jersey to be responsible for the irresponsible decisions made by mayors before Mayor Guardian and councils and put a band aid on this issue," Christie said.
The Governor pointed to a bipartisan compromise that's been approved by the state senate, but has yet to get a hearing in the assembly. The two bill package allows for casinos to make lump sum payments in lieu of taxes to help stabilize Atlantic City's finances, while giving the state control over day to day city operations for a term of 5 years.
"If both bills do not come to my desk in exactly their current form, I will not sign them," Christie promised. " If the legislature were to just send me the PILOT bill, I will not sign it."
Christie pointed the finger of blame at Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto for playing politics. But he also says Guardian should get behind the compromise package or face the possibility of filing for bankruptcy.
Guardian's shutdown plan would cover all but emergency services. Police, fire and similar departments would operate, but no one would be paid. For its part, the city's police union is standing by the mayor.
"We're expecting now when the quarterly tax bills come in in May we're hoping to get reimbursed for whatever hours we've worked.," PBA President T.J. Moynihan told KYW Newsradio. Moynihan's union represents 285 uniformed officers.
Health care benefits would continue for all city workers.
Guardian hopes to lift the shutdown as early as May 2nd, when quarterly tax bills to the city come due.
