Tom Kean

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie says it's clear that Gov. Jon Corzine "has no control over the budget or our government."

"He promised four years ago to change the way Trenton budgeted, but this budget uses billions in one-shot gimmicks, including this latest tax amnesty windfall, that will have to be made up in future budgets," Christie said in a statement released today.  "This kind of haphazard governing by chance just doesn't cut it when we're facing 8.8% unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and real pain for all middle class New Jerseyans."

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), the Democratic State Chairman, criticized Christie's legislative allies from voting against the tax amnesty bill which he says "yielded hundreds of millions of dollars" in new revenues.

Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) with Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield), Devils owner Jeff Van Der Beek, and Hockey legend Martin Brodeur.

TRENTON - Despite news that maybe as many as four Democratic senators - state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), state Sen. Ronald Rice, state Sen. Joe Vitale (D-Woodbridge), and state Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair) - did not intend to support the $28.6 billion budget this afternoon, Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) said he is confident he will have the votes next week.

"At the end of the day, we will have the votes, but I don't speak for individual senators," said Codey, who insisted the $400 million tax amnesty windfall discovery announced by Gov. Jon Corzine, which delayed today's budget vote, was not simply an enticement to affect the senators' decision.

"We'll see when the board opens up next Thursday," Codey said of the newly scheduled budget session. "I was shocked (to learn of the windfall). It's Christmas in June."

Codey's remarks came at a press conference moments before the full senate honored New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur.

In Virginia, the most popular drama of 2009 may well be Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.  

No, I am not referring to the 1936 movie starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur for which director Frank Capra received an Oscar.  Instead, I am writing about Virginia State Senator Creigh Deeds, who last week won a come-from-behind Democratic gubernatorial primary election victory by a 2 to1 margin over former State Delegate Brian Moran and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe.  Deeds now emerges also as a rival to New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine for the political affections of President Barack Obama.

Republican Leaders Senator Tom Kean and Assemblyman Alex DeCroce stated today that the Senate and Assembly Republican caucuses were united in their opposition to Governor Corzine’s fiscal 2010 budget and members would not be supporting the spending plan.

State Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton)

TRENTON - Confronting a tableful of testifying labor backers who agree that the State Legislature should lean on Washington, D.C., to create universal healthcare, state Sen. Bill Baroni (R-Hamilton) stepped gingerly.

The longtime labor-friendly lawmaker noted his support of the Paid Family Leave Act, which passed in the state Senate despite every Republican except Baroni voting"no."

But today he raised a question aimed at the underpinnings of the opposition party when he said, "Barack Obama opposes single-payer healthcare. Is he wrong?"

Laughter filled the chamber as people waited for the answer.

The senator followed up with a "just wondering" question about whether Obama's rejection of single-payer healtchcare means he is too conservative on this issue.

GOP gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie, center at microphone, with, from left: Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce, Assemblyman Jay Webber, and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean.

TRENTON - Presenting him as an emblem of youth, GOP gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie today unveiled 37-year old freshman Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris Plains) as his recommendation to the Republican State Committee to be the party's next state chairman.

"It's time for the party to have a generational turn," said Christie, standing at a Statehouse podium with state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Westfield) and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Parsippany), hours before a private Christie fundraiser headlined by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who Webber backed for president in 2008. 

"Jay is one of the leading young leaders in our party," said Christie. "I like his instincts. Symbols are important in politics. ...I appreciate Jay's support since February, and he has played a key role in terms of being a surrogate for me. I have a great deal of faith and trust in him. He exemplifies the principles we believe in in the party."

The party committee is scheduled to formally embrace Webber next week.

A Ronald Reagan conservative who put the exclamation point on Christie's formal declaration of his gubernatorial candidacy - and broke some hearts in the camp of movement conservative Steve Lonegan - when he likened Christie's leadership mold to Reagan, Webber said he was humbled and honored by Christie's backing to succeed Chairman Tom Wilson.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christopher Christie, potentially auditioning running mates, will join Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan on a tour of downtown Rutherford on Thursday morning.  Donovan is widely considered to be one of the top candidates on Christie's short list for Lt. Governor.   Last week, Christie campaigned with another LG aspirant, State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park).  Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield), widely viewed as a top contender for the number two spot on the Republican ticket, said last Friday that he was not interested in running for Lt. Governor.

Christopher Christie, leading Gov. Jon Corzine 50%-40% in today's Quinnipiac University poll, is the first Republican in twelve years to lead in a statewide race in June, and is likely the first Republican since Thomas Kean, Sr. in 1985 to be at 50% just after the primary election.

Past Quinnipiac University polls:

The decision of Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-Westfield) to remove his name from consideration for Lt. Governor removes one of the top names from Chris Christie's list, and makes State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Edgewater Park) and Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan more serious contenders.  Kean was reportedly one of the leading contenders to become Christie's running mate.

Democratic sources say that Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) remains a strong candidate to run with Gov. Jon Corzine. Other names being mentioned by party leaders this week include two Republicans, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck and Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries, a former N.J. Secretary of State.  It's hard to imagine Soaries is a real contender: he was an early supporter of George W. Bush for President in 2000, and national Republicans helped him in his congressional campaign against Democrat Rush Holt in 2002.  His presence on the ticket might make it more difficult for Democrats to tie Christie to Bush, as they did at Corzine's campaign kickoff on Tuesday.

The governor says everyone must sacrifice to balance the budget, but he won't give up a photo-up with the vice president, even if it costs taxpayers $40 million or more.