Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) today savaged Gov. Chris Christie for not doing more to alleviate unemployment.

The state’s unemployment rate edged lower in December, down by 0.1 percentage point, to 9.6 percent from a revised estimate for November of 9.7 percent, the state Labor Department said today.

It wasn't enough, Sweeney said, not by a long stretch.

“We are no doubt going to hear glowing reviews from the administration on these latest figures of failure," the Senate president said. "The truth remains: three years later and New Jersey’s unemployed are no better off under this governor.

“Enough is enough already.  When is the governor going to come up with any kind of plan to put people in this state back to work?  While he is busy erasing blackboards and acting like none of this is happening, people in this state are suffering under the decade’s high unemployment.  They can’t keep their homes.  They can’t find access to affordable healthcare.

“The Legislature has and will continue to move forward on measures to create jobs in New Jersey.  It would be nice to have a partner in the governor’s office willing to do the same."

The governor reacted. 

“His comments are asinine,” Christie said at his press conference this afternoon. “Ask the 30,000 people who have gone back to work if they think that’s failed policy.”