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In reply to the discussion: Christie Crime Digest-Vol. I [View all]Laxman
(2,419 posts)275. Christie Was Dealt A Defeat.....
when the legislature held his two nominations to the Pinelands Commission who were being sent to do his bidding on the Koch Brothers pipeline. More than just the defeat, it highlights his woeful record on the environment and his means of governing-which is basically by intimidation and bullying. Here's a good summary of his approach to this episode. I especially like the "worships at the church of Koch" line.
Gov. Christie earned the Pinelands pipeline defeat: Editorial
So while you expect Christie to push his dubious energy agenda the one he shares with too many South Jersey Democrats the Senate Judiciary Committee was justified to freeze his two nominees to the Pinelands Commission last week for not offering their opinion about building a 22-mile pipeline through the Pinelands to the B.L. England plant. This project would benefit South Jersey Gas and its export ambitions more than it would the rate-payers of Atlantic and Cape May counties
Lets be clear: The governor has a right to nominate like-minded people. But the legislature also has the right to reject them.
The governors strategy in the Pinelands echoes his strategy in the Highlands. He knows he lacks the leverage to repeal the protections outright, so he is undermining enforcement by packing the agencies that govern them with people who dont support the mission.
Christies pro-development agenda is reckless on both fronts. The pipeline project he is pushing in the Pinelands was condemned by four former governors, two from each party: Brendan Byrne, Tom Kean, Christine Whitman, and Jim Florio. They said it would compromise the integrity of the Pinelands Plan and serve to encourage future development.
Still, after the Commission rejected the pipeline in January with a 7-7 vote (it would take eight ayes to pass), Christie decided it was time to stack the deck.
Some nay-votes came from Christies own appointees including DArcy Rohan Green, a Republican fundraiser who was always an ardent environmentalist, even before Sandy reduced her Bay Head home to matchsticks.
Predictably miffed, the governor downshifted to Bully Ball: He vetoed the minutes from the January meeting, nullifying a five-percent raise the commissioners had proposed for 33 Pinelands employees, who have had nothing but salary reductions the last four years. He even called the raises a gross abuse of authority -- a knee-slapper for the guy who gave 27 staffers a $338,000 reward for his successful reelection campaign.
Then he went to work on retrofitting the commission by not reappointing the likes of Green. To use Gov. Florios delicate interpretation, You never want to assume theres bad faith, but its important to avoid even the perception that youre trying to manipulate votes.
Help yourself to that one. Christie has pulled the plug on RGGI, pinched more than $1 billion from the clean energy fund, has shown no interest in keeping his state from sinking, and routinely demonizes all regulations as job-killers.
In short, as he worships at the Church of Koch, he has relinquished all good faith pertaining to environmental discourse. The Pinelands Commission defeat is just the kind of constraint this governor has earned.
So while you expect Christie to push his dubious energy agenda the one he shares with too many South Jersey Democrats the Senate Judiciary Committee was justified to freeze his two nominees to the Pinelands Commission last week for not offering their opinion about building a 22-mile pipeline through the Pinelands to the B.L. England plant. This project would benefit South Jersey Gas and its export ambitions more than it would the rate-payers of Atlantic and Cape May counties
Lets be clear: The governor has a right to nominate like-minded people. But the legislature also has the right to reject them.
The governors strategy in the Pinelands echoes his strategy in the Highlands. He knows he lacks the leverage to repeal the protections outright, so he is undermining enforcement by packing the agencies that govern them with people who dont support the mission.
Christies pro-development agenda is reckless on both fronts. The pipeline project he is pushing in the Pinelands was condemned by four former governors, two from each party: Brendan Byrne, Tom Kean, Christine Whitman, and Jim Florio. They said it would compromise the integrity of the Pinelands Plan and serve to encourage future development.
Still, after the Commission rejected the pipeline in January with a 7-7 vote (it would take eight ayes to pass), Christie decided it was time to stack the deck.
Some nay-votes came from Christies own appointees including DArcy Rohan Green, a Republican fundraiser who was always an ardent environmentalist, even before Sandy reduced her Bay Head home to matchsticks.
Predictably miffed, the governor downshifted to Bully Ball: He vetoed the minutes from the January meeting, nullifying a five-percent raise the commissioners had proposed for 33 Pinelands employees, who have had nothing but salary reductions the last four years. He even called the raises a gross abuse of authority -- a knee-slapper for the guy who gave 27 staffers a $338,000 reward for his successful reelection campaign.
Then he went to work on retrofitting the commission by not reappointing the likes of Green. To use Gov. Florios delicate interpretation, You never want to assume theres bad faith, but its important to avoid even the perception that youre trying to manipulate votes.
Help yourself to that one. Christie has pulled the plug on RGGI, pinched more than $1 billion from the clean energy fund, has shown no interest in keeping his state from sinking, and routinely demonizes all regulations as job-killers.
In short, as he worships at the Church of Koch, he has relinquished all good faith pertaining to environmental discourse. The Pinelands Commission defeat is just the kind of constraint this governor has earned.
you can read the full editorial here: http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/10/gov_christie_earned_the_pinelands_pipeline_defeat_editorial.html
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Let us not forget the DMV in Elizabeth. I'm still "sauced" over that one..LOL...n/t
monmouth3
Jan 2014
#7
Is it your prediction that Christie will be charged with a crime or crimes?
Exciting Trip
Jan 2014
#48
Since I believe that it's DOING something criminal that makes you a criminal
rocktivity
Jan 2014
#50
For the record, I think he should be charged and am cautiously optimistic that he will be
rocktivity
Jan 2014
#54
The New Brunswick apartment tower that got $4.8 million in Sandy relief funds
LiberalEsto
Jan 2014
#65
Next time you write a post like this, put it in its own OP, please , so more people can see it.
pnwmom
Feb 2014
#89
Christie begins an "internal investigation" though he's his own prime suspect
rocktivity
Feb 2014
#94
Christie's problem being, of course, is that Samson reports to him directly
rocktivity
Mar 2014
#130
Christie administration broke law in ignoring greenhouse gas rules, court says
rocktivity
Mar 2014
#162
New York Prosecutors Open Another Front of Scrutiny for Port Authority!
yortsed snacilbuper
Apr 2014
#203
"kicked $10,000 of it right back to the Republican Governor's Association?"
yortsed snacilbuper
Apr 2014
#213
GWB inquiry expands scope, subpoenas files from Christie political strategist!
yortsed snacilbuper
May 2014
#223
Christie and Wrestler "The Rock" Star in Online Pension Reform Video (For Seven Hours)
rocktivity
Jul 2014
#235
U.S. Attorney Fishman: Reports about Bridgegate investigation 'Almost entirely incorrect'
rocktivity
Jul 2014
#238
Gov. Christie Shifted Pension Cash to Wall Street, Costing New Jersey Taxpayers $3.8 Billion
rocktivity
Aug 2014
#241
...After Illinois declared the first privately run U.S. state lottery a failure
rocktivity
Dec 2014
#298