We expected better
Come on Chris, we expected better from you. The Atlantic City Press said it best today.
The Associated Press reported Monday that the $8.9 million payroll in the Governor’s Office under Gov. Chris Christie is nearly $2 million more than the payroll under former Gov. Jon S. Corzine and includes 34 people making more than $100,000 while Corzine had 18 people making six figures.
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak responded immediately, saying the AP had undercounted Corzine’s payroll.
The former governor had at least a dozen staffers who were “on loan” to the Governor’s Office and whose salaries were assigned to other departments, said Drewniak, who demanded that AP retract the story. Add in those staffers, and Corzine’s $7 million payroll last year comes to $8.3 million, Drewniak added.
I waited to comment on the AP story until Christie’s staff had a chance to respond. The AP cut Corzine slack for fudging numbers, but Chris is completely out of line. His salaries are still $600,000 MORE than Corzine. As stated in the Press editorial, Chris is not independently wealthy and so that would add $125,000.
But when you expect everyone else to endure massive cuts, then the Governor’s office should lead by example. Chris, we devoted republicans implore you to correct this egregious oversight immediately. Your aides ALL need to take major pay cuts. Your wife does NOT need taxpayer funded employees on her staff. You said you would change the way things are done in NJ government, please start with your own office.
