July 02, 2017
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ordered Democratic lawmakers to resume negotiations Sunday on the state's budget impasse, which continues to put a damper on holiday plans amid a shutdown of nonessential government services.
The stalemate marks New Jersey's first government shutdown since 2006, this time revolving around bundled legislation to overhaul finances for the state's largest health insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. An attachment to the proposed $34.7 billion budget, already passed by the Senate, would require the non-for-profit health insurance corporation to establish a $300 million reserve fund for public health services including heroin and opioid addiction treatment.
Democratic members of the New Jersey Assembly, led by Speaker Vincent Prieto, have steadfastly opposed the Horizon bill on grounds that it extorts the company's 3.8 million rate payers. Christie, who has the support of Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, argues Horizon "has forgotten why we created them in the first place."
The ensuing political battle quickly turned ugly, with Christie and Prieto trading attacks on Twitter.
State’s closed but I’m at work trying to put an end to the Speakers shutdown. Where’s @VincentPrieto? No time for hiding! pic.twitter.com/LIPNCztTWx
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) July 1, 2017
Parking lot meetings are too Watergate for me. I'm in the Statehouse working to stop the #ChristieTax and end your government shutdown. pic.twitter.com/N0MgfyORV7
— Vincent Prieto (@VincentPrieto) July 1, 2017
For residents and visitors of New Jersey, the impact of the shutdown has already cut into recreational plans, at state parks and beaches, suspended temporary disability and family leave insurance claims, and disrupted service at public offices including DMV locations and inspection stations throughout the state.
People are less than thrilled with the situation. Tweets disparaging Christie, whose final year in office comes with a historically low job approval rating, have poured in since news of the approaching shutdown broke on Friday. For many, it didn't help matters that Christie's family is permitted to stay at the gubernatorial beach house at State Park, or that President Donald Trump was expected to spend the holiday weekend golfing in New Jersey.
Get it together New Jersey! Almost as embarrassing as Trump as president. #njshutdown #nj @GovChristie
— Janet Oleary (@Janet_Oleary) July 2, 2017
The first time I get 4th of July off in years & there a #njshutdown @GovChristie come on, don't be the grinch who stole the fireworks 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Jennie Williams (@201pointofview) July 2, 2017
Chris Christie Eats a Park Closed Sign #NJshutdown #ChrisChristie https://t.co/5RlQxnwnS5 pic.twitter.com/9lHSiKvnmT
— Chris Christie Eats (@christieeats) July 2, 2017
#njshutdown pic.twitter.com/trToe7AduM
— Equuslimits10 (@Equuslimits10) July 2, 2017
Irony: Golfing in a state where Trump BFF #ChrisChristie has #NJShutDown because he can't agree to a budget as he is kicked out as Governor. https://t.co/iBkb4ZvSdq
— (((CHRIS SUPRUN))) (@TheChrisSuprun) July 2, 2017
Irony: Golfing in a state where Trump BFF #ChrisChristie has #NJShutDown because he can't agree to a budget as he is kicked out as Governor. https://t.co/iBkb4ZvSdq
— (((CHRIS SUPRUN))) (@TheChrisSuprun) July 2, 2017
I hate you Chris Christie. I really really hate you. #chrischristie #njshutdown pic.twitter.com/CrOMrwwLZ7
— ThereWillBeButtons (@MeghanTraynor) July 1, 2017
Thanks @GovChristie 4 closing all state parks. Businesses will lose $$. What matters is YOU'LL be able to use park. Shameful. #njshutdown
— Cathy Chester (@CathyChes) July 2, 2017
Registering #absentee just to vote against #Christie aka #Guadagno in November #njshutdown #notmygovernor
— Lauren (@teachingintl) July 2, 2017
That moment when ppl realize the #StatueofLiberty and #EllisIsland are located in #NJ #njshutdown #4thofjulyweekend @StatueEllisNPS pic.twitter.com/NH2DUAUCN8
— Lauren (@teachingintl) July 2, 2017
I'm no #ChrisChristie fan, but, c'mon, the generationally-entrenched #Democrat legislation doesn't share some blame for #njshutdown?
— .@SerendipityDizl (@SerendipityDizl) July 2, 2017
The more I read about the NJ gov't shutdown/Horizon thing, the more I think @GovChristie has lost his mind #njshutdown
— Rob Zidar (@robzidar) July 2, 2017
#njshutdown pic.twitter.com/m14TCLUtNQ
— Willie Johnson (@ShaolinWutang74) July 2, 2017
Traffic starting to back up as holiday beachgoers are turned away from closed Island Beach State Park. #njshutdown #njbudget pic.twitter.com/WM7lVK8H8h
— Patrick Murray (@PollsterPatrick) July 1, 2017
THIS MAN closed Liberty State Park so no visits to Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty this Holiday weekend! #NJshutdown pic.twitter.com/GOILNeqGwl
— Linda (@knittinglinda) July 1, 2017
Me living in New Jersey right now #njshutdown pic.twitter.com/VzF3WyY2sb
— [soulcool] (@DashingSoulJay) July 1, 2017
#njshutdown I say we all flood the parks anyway. They belong to us the NJ tax payers. So screw you, you hateful, spiteful oversized POS.
— Gabby (@Gabbigirly) July 1, 2017
He shuts down bridges!
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) July 1, 2017
He shuts down states!
He shuts down teachers asking questions!
He's Chris Christie, about to be shutdown.#njshutdown pic.twitter.com/YVtSo47U5f
I live in NJ & I'm a republican but Chris Christie is nothing but a shady, corrupt slob who has done nothing but screw over NJ #njshutdown
— Dana Boos (@DanaBoos3) July 1, 2017
No. #NJshutdown not forced - Gov, you chose this. And furloughed workers view lost wages as more than "inconvenience"
— Ango (@f1rstango) July 1, 2017
Me living in New Jersey right now #njshutdown pic.twitter.com/VzF3WyY2sb
— [soulcool] (@DashingSoulJay) July 1, 2017
You can't be upset that the New Jersey people are inconvenienced when you're the reason @ChrisChristie #NJShutDown #HorizonBill
— Joe Govea (@joe_govea) July 1, 2017
