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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Comments On Vetoed $15/Hour Minimum Wage Bill


Recently, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have raised the minimum wage rate in the state to $15/hour.  Recall that next door in New York, many portions of the state are soon to see $15/hour.  

The Governor's veto, in and of itself, was not overly surprising given his prior comments on the issue.  But after his veto, the Governor recently made comments on the reasons for his disagreement with the minimum wage bill.  In essence, Christie argued that a $15/hour minimum wage rate would be a job killer and result in a mass exodus of work to other states.  (That is a relatively 'normal' response to the Fight for $15 movement.  And as recent studies have shown, might actually be true).   

However, Christie went one step further and criticized the Legislatire for taking the minimum wage issue up with a planned ballot measure.  Not one to shy away from conflict, the Governor argued the Legislature in New Jersey was acting counter to its intended purpose and instead attempting to usurp the Governor's veto by allowing the heavily Union backed Fight for $15 movement to try and raise minimum wage rates by allowing voters to now decide on the matter.  Candidly speaking, the Governor is probably right.  But I do not think that will change many minds or make this any less of a hard fought battle now that the $15/hour minimum wage measure appears destined for the voting booth.  Stay tuned. 


For additional information:   http://observer.com/2016/09/christie-says-nj-democrats-only-want-15-minimum-wage-to-keep-up-with-ny-and-ca/

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