Your Daily Dose Of Chris Christie Awesomness: Over Half Of The State's School Budgets Were Defeated

Last week Governor Christie urged voters to reject school budgets in districts where teachers refused to freeze their pay to help keep spending in check.

Yesterday, voters in over half of the state's districts did just that.

New Jersey voters took a stand on school spending and property taxes Tuesday, rejecting 260 of 479 school budgets across 19 counties, according to unofficial results in statewide school elections.

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In many districts Tuesday, the governor made himself heard as 54 percent of the spending plans were rejected, according to unofficial returns. If the trend continues, it would mark the most budget defeats in New Jersey since 1976, when 56 percent failed. Typically, voters approve more than 70 percent of the school budgets.

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Voter turnout was also high in elections that typically draw little interest. In Sparta, where turnout rivaled some presidential elections, the budget was defeated by roughly a 3-to-1 margin. Sparta teachers agreed to a one-year wage freeze late last week, but the budget still called for a nearly 10 percent tax increase for residents in the Sussex County community.

Governor Awesome 1- Democrats/Unions 0.

Christie took his case to the people, he made absolutely no excuses or apologies for what he is doing to get NJ's fiscal house in order. Democrats whined and cried, they even prayed for his death but he made his case, called for action and the voters responded.

These votes are going to do more than shake up school boards and teacher unions. The state legislators who are now fighting Christie are going to have to reevaluate their stances. It's clear Christie's victory wasn't a fluke, people didn't accidentally vote for him out of anger at Corzine. They are on board with his plans. This will strengthen Christie's hand immensely in the coming months.

National Republicans? Are you listening? This is called LEADERSHIP. It's working in one of the bluest of the blue states, you might want to try it sometime.

There are too many assumptions in politics, given the dire mess we are in, it might be a good time to test some of them. Personally, I've always thought Americans interest in cutting spending was more theoretical than real, despite what people tell pollsters. You know what? Let's give it a shot and see if people are willing to back up what they say with there votes.

If it can work in NJ...it can work anywhere.

posted by DrewM. at 10:09 AM

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