Chris Christie May Sign 2 Bills Into Law That Could Kill Newspaper Jobs, Benefit Himself, Critics Say

Gov. Chris Christie could sign two bills that critics say may devastate newspapers - an industry he hasn't really had much affection for - while also benefitting himself.

And it looks like he's getting support from some Democrats - but some strong opposition from others.

• The first piece of legislation, S2855 and A4429, would allow governments, businesses and individuals to publish legal notices online rather than in printed newspapers.
• The second, S2851 and A4430, would be part of reported negotiations between Christie and top Democratic and Republican lawmakers that would change existing law and allow the governor to cash in on an undisclosed book deal. Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a Democrat in Union, has called on Christie to resign first, then cash in on the book deal.

New Jersey state law says a sitting governor is barred from receiving or agreeing to receive "any compensation, salary, honorarium, fee, or other form of income from any source, other than the compensation paid or reimbursed to him/her by the state for the performance of official duties."

Some, like the New Jersey Press Association, have said the first measure could kill one of the last remaining consistently profitable revenue streams for newspapers, lead to hundreds of job losses and perhaps put some publications out of business.

Tom Moran, a columnist for The Star-Ledger editorial board, wrote an editorial entitled "Christie's campaign to kill newspaper jobs based on a lie."

The column, which can be found here, says:

"At the core of Gov. Chris Christie's campaign to kill newspapers jobs is the claim that his bill will save money. He puts the number at $80 million. I've spent three days digging at that, and the conclusion will come as no shock: It's another lie."

New Jersey lawmakers told nj.com that they may consider the bills as early as Thursday, and a vote on at least one of them could be held by Monday. Both bills, according to the report, are being fast-tracked through the Legislature.

Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican in Somerset, a Christie critic, told nj.com that the book-deal bill "almost sounds like the equivalent of - and I hate to use this word - the equivalent of a bribe." The book deal law change would reportedly be done in exchange for increasing legislative staff salaries.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli, a Democrat in Gloucester, a co-sponsor of the legislation, told nj.com that legislative staffers haven't received raises in more than a decade and "this process is awkward at best ... but the increases are needed and warranted."

The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy also weighed in, saying Christie should quit:

"While Christie has been jetting around the country advancing his own presidential aspirations or legitimizing Trump, New Jerseyans have been left behind," said Derek Roseman, communications director for Murphy for Governor.

"In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report just the other day that shows average annual incomes for workers in New Jersey are now $3,700 -- or nearly 5 percent -- lower than before the Great Recession."

"Christie isn't doing his job. He sold out our values, he mismanaged us toward the bottom in economic growth but he thinks public office is a way to enrich himself instead of solving problems for New Jersey families. There's lots of important work to be done -- taking the time to write a book for personal profit shouldn't be part of it. "

Patch file photo