N.J. Gov. Chris Christie issues order curbing political donations by unions

[cali]

By Statehouse Bureau Staff
January 20, 2010, 8:00PM

TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie began his term today by testing the limits of his power, issuing an executive order curbing political donations by labor unions that Democrats and union leaders insisted would not withstand legal challenges.

The executive order was one of eight signed by the Republican governor as he used his first full day to live up to campaign promises, settle scores and lay down markers of authority. Christie also tore into former Gov. Jon Corzine for leaving a "final parting gift" of an undisclosed $1 billion shortfall in the current state budget -- a claim disputed by Corzine.



Christie said the executive orders will spur economic growth by halting unfunded mandates on towns and freezing "non-essential" rules and regulations that hamper businesses. Others would make state spending more transparent online and ensure casino regulators can continue to work in the event of a state government shutdown -- unlike in 2006, when Atlantic City gambling halls were shuttered during a week-long budget dispute.

Christie said he was not laying the groundwork for such gridlock this June, when he will have to agree on a budget with a Democrat-controlled Legislature.

But his Executive Order No. 7 -- broadening campaign finance rules to limit donations by labor unions that have state contracts -- drew immediate objections from Democrats. Organized labor, a traditional Democratic constituency, worked feverishly against Christie during the campaign.


"This will cut the legs out of Democratic fundraising. It will not go unchallenged and it will not stand," said Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), a prolific fundraiser. "It’s clearly an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights of working men and women of New Jersey."

Bob Master, a spokesman for the largest state workers union, the Communications Workers of America, also called the order "unconstitutional."

"I don’t know what his motivation is. It seems to me to be way, way over the top," Master said. "I just don’t see how it withstands legal muster."

<snip>

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/01/nj_gov_chris_christie_issues_o.html

[ccharles000]

1. k/r

[cali]

2. I'm going to kick this. It's some dangerous shit, folks and

watch other puke governors follow suit.

[Bitwit1234]

8. Oh lord another bush.

You could just look at this guy and tell he thought he was the ONE>

[malaise]

3. WTF?????????????????

The Supreme Court allows corporations to pile on the money for ReTHUGS while some two-bit governor attempts to ban contributions from the unions?

Is it fascism yet?

[TreasonousBastard]

4. This will be interesting. The CWA took Whitman over the top by...

20,000 votes one year when she cut a deal with them. There were 30,000 CWA members that year.

If Christie keeps this up, he may not only be one-term, but one very infamous term.

[davidpdx]

5. Someone needs to challange this very quickly

And get it going through the courts...unless they are going to limit donations by corporations as well.

[Fuzz]

19. +1

[jpak]

6. Stay at home and vote GOP/teabagger and this is what you get

progress we can believe in!

:woohoo:

[pdxmom]

7. K & R - Important to keep an eye on what the Republicans are doing to remind

ourselves what happens when they are elected. This one obviously believes in the imperial governorship.

[Soylent Brice]

9. unreal.

[Patsy Stone]

10. Who are the people that recommended this thread?

:eyes:

[cali]

11. I'm assumint that the recommends are for bringing this to the attention

of the community. It's absurd to conclude, as you appear to have done, that they're reccing it because they approve of what Christie is doing.

Common sense. It should be what's for breakfast.

[Patsy Stone]

16. Perhaps your assumption is correct

but that doesn't give you the right to insult me for asking the question. For you to pretend that people don't recommend threads for nefarious reasons is naive, and you know it.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

13. I'm recommending it. It is noteworthy and should be seen by everyone and attention drawn to it.

You don't unrec because you don't like factual content, do you? I think rec and unrec are more like voting - this deserves more eyes vs. less eyes. At least that's how I use it.

[Patsy Stone]

15. I've never unrecommended a thread

that had facts in it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. This one has facts. Why are you concerned about people recommending it?

:shrug:

[Patsy Stone]

21. Don't you worry your pretty little head about me.

I'm fine.

[ellie]

14. I recommended it

because this shit needs to see the light of day. The repukes can't operate in the shadows.

[PVnRT]

12. How can he do that by executive fiat?

[Brewman_Jax]

17. This won't stand up to a court challenge

but the fact that he signed the executive order shows that repubs are all for law and order--as long as it's convenient and for big business. :eyes:

[blondeatlast]

18. Get this one to SCOTUS, asap. Sadly, it might take years. nt