Christie, Unions Budget Battle

MYFOXNY.COM - NJ Governor Chris Christie called for major budget cuts and targeted state workers and health care benefits during his first fiscal address to the state legislature on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Star Ledger Political Writer Steve Adubato told Good Day NY that Christie and the unions are going 'to war.'

Benjamin Dworkin, Political Sciene Professor at Rider University, joined the discussion.

Adubato:  NJ has a $30 billion budget with a 1/3 unbalanced. Christie understands you can't balance  a state budget they way they do in Trenton... people voted for change.

Benjamin Dworkin, Political Science Professor, Rider Univ.: I think he will eventually get what he wants. We're broke ..this was a refreshing speech.

Rosanna Scotto: But the unions have money.

Adubato: The teachers union with full page ads.. PBA.. etc... they're saying we're not the problem.. the state government is the problem... but we're $46billion in the hole in the state pension... Christie is saying start contributing to your own pension.. that's his message to the unions.. theyre is going to be a war here and my money is on Christie.

Dworkin: You feel for the unions.  The state doesn't put the money in the pensions. New Jersey is going bankrupt.

Adubato: Why not have state workers pay 1.5 percent to their healthcare benefits.. is that bad? There are going to be layoffs.  The bill has come down. It is the day or reckoning. He might be a one-term governor but you're going to know him.