Politics & Government
VIDEO: Chris Christie Blasts N.J. Teachers Regarding Pensions At North Jersey Forum
Christie made the remarks at a town hall meeting in Fair Lawn Thursday. He was discussing his controversial Fairness Formula.
FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Governor Christie blasted the New Jersey Education Association and teachers unions across the state with remarks at a town hall meeting about his controversial Fairness Formula.
Christie says the plan is designed to give school districts the same amount — $6,599 — per pupil in tax dollars. The plan is designed to curb the state's ever-increasing property taxes and help improve the state's worst performing school districts.
"But let me tell you something, there is no way that in any profession other than that one in the world you get a job for life after three years, because you get tenure after three years, you get a job for life, and then after 20 years you get pension and health benefits for life," Christie said.
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The governor then asked if anybody in the room had the promise of a lifelong job, regardless of their performance, and a pension and healthcare after 20 years. Nobody raised their hands.
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Steven Baker, director of communications for the New Jersey Education Association, said the Fairness Formula is one of the governor's "worst" ideas.
"Only he could think that stripping critical educational resources from children in urban districts to give tax breaks to himself and his neighbors in Mendham is 'fair'," Baker said. "[The] NJEA is proud to fight everyday to protect the interests of students against cynical politicians like Chris Christie. We will not allow him to steal their educational future to bolster his political future.”
Christie also attacked state Senator Robert Gordon's (D-Fair Lawn) reported defense of the pension system.
"Bob Gordon wants to defend a system — that has 58 percent of the aid going to 5 percent of the school districts," Christie said. "And here is a clue, none of those 5 percent are in his legislative district. Why? Because he is an absolute slave to the teachers union."
Gordon could not immediately be reached for comment.
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