Chris Christie in 2011 gubernatorial press release
On Environment:
Jersey shore for tourism instead of offshore drilling
Stressing the importance of shore protection to the vitality of the state's $35 billion tourism industry, its coastal communities and overall quality of life, Governor Chris Christie said, "New Jersey's beach resources and shore towns are what make the
Jersey shore the unique destination it is, and are the reason thousands of visitors return year after year. As stewards of the environment, it is incumbent that we take all necessary measures to protect these treasures and to sustain our coastal
communities and the diverse economies they support."Governor Christie has expressed his strong opposition to off-shore drilling in New Jersey, as well as drilling off the coast of other nearby states that could negatively impact the state's
130 miles of coastline and multi-billion dollar tourism industry. He has also opposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities off of the New Jersey coast and has also restored beach replenishment funding to its full level.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Shore Protection"
Aug 11, 2011
On Health Care:
$159M for community health centers for the most vulnerable
Underscoring the Administration's commitment to quality health services for New Jersey's most vulnerable, Gov. Christie today kicked off National Health Center Week. Said Gov. Christie. "These centers offer affordable, high-quality care to residents and
families in need. I am proud of the strong support my Administration has provided for community health centers in the budget--$113 million in Medicaid and $46.4 million for the uninsured. With this assistance, we are making sure the people and
communities who rely on these services lead healthy lives now and in the future."The Governor also signed a proclamation recognizing this week as National Health Center Week in honor of the comprehensive medical and dental care community health
centers have been providing for more than 40 years. The theme of this year's National Health Center Week is "Celebrating America's Health Centers: Serving Locally, Leading Nationally."
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Most Vulnerable"
Aug 8, 2011
On Technology:
Put more Motor Vehicle Commission functions online
Technology upgrades, enhanced security operations & expanded services are the foundation of the Christie Administration's plan to help customers avoid unnecessary trips to their local Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agencies. The modernizations are at the
forefront of the MVC's future technology investments to streamline operations & enhance customer service. Some of the MVC's accomplishments under the Christie Administration include:- The MVC plans to introduce license renewals by mail during 2012
and on-line before the end of 2012. This will make it so that drivers will only need to visit a MVC facility once every eight years to obtain a new photo, which is required by federal law, resulting in less crowding at MVC facilities by potentially more
than a million people a year.
- The MVC will begin the use of facial recognition technology in 2012.
- Service hours were expanded to 54 hours per week (the most ever offered), which includes evening service once per week, and Saturday service.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Skip the Trip"
Aug 4, 2011
On Environment:
$157 million for Green Acres open-space acquisition
Gov. Christie today signed a series of bills that protects Green Acres open-space acquisition and recreational development throughout the state. The legislation also makes available $157 million for projects in all of New Jersey's 21 counties including
preservation projects in the Highlands, the Barnegat Bay watershed, and urban waterfronts.Through the three bills, S-2857 provides $84.5 million for grants and loans to municipal and county governments for land acquisitions and park developments;
S-2858 makes available $14.8 million to assist nonprofit groups for acquisitions and park development; and S-2859 designates $57 million for state Green Acres acquisitions to expand and develop state parks, forests and wildlife management areas, as well
as purchase properties in flood-prone areas through Blue Acres acquisitions.
The DEP has earmarked money across the state to buy lands to add lands to the state's inventory of parks, forests, wildlife management areas, and other conservation areas.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Protect Open Space"
Aug 3, 2011
On Welfare & Poverty:
$100 supplement for seniors' home cooling assistance
Gov. Christie today announced that approximately 135,000 seniors and disabled households throughout New Jersey will receive help with home cooling expenses this summer in addition to winter home heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Those New Jerseyans who need it most will soon receive an emergency $100 supplemental benefit to help cope with the recent heat wave. An additional 47,000 households that received medically-required cooling assistance will
also receive a $100 supplemental benefit to address the hot summer temperatures and higher electric utility bills. The benefits will begin distribution in mid-August."With this summer's temperatures peaking around 100 degrees, many New Jerseyans are
struggling with higher utility bills to beat the heat," said Gov. Christie. Eligible households do not need to reapply for the program to receive supplemental benefits. These funds will be issued as credits to utility accounts or issued by check
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Summer Energy Bills"
Aug 1, 2011
On Energy & Oil:
The future for New Jersey is in green energy
Gov. Christie said in May: "The future for New Jersey is in green energy and already we've put in place policies to broaden our access to renewable sources of energy, cleaner natural gas generation and ending our reliance on coal generation." The
Christie Administration has a proven record of commitment to secure the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy in our state. The wind power movement is providing New Jersey with a unique opportunity to advance green energy as industry.
New Jersey Renewable Energy By the Numbers- New Jersey has 10,086 solar energy array projects installed across the state providing over 380 MW of installed capacity.
- In June 2011, 520 solar projects were installed totaling over
40 MW of installed capacity.
- For the first quarter of 2011, New Jersey installed 42 MW of solar, representing 49% growth over first quarter 2010.
- New Jersey has the 7th highest Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in the nation at 22.5%.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Renewable Energy"
Jul 26, 2011
On Jobs:
Supports Urban Hub program and Economic Redevelopment Grants
Continuing to act on his commitment to create jobs for New Jersey families, Governor Chris Christie today signed Senate Bill 2972 to expand job-creating tax incentives and provide an immediate economic boost to the state: the Economic Redevelopment and
Growth Grant (ERGG); the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Act.S-2972 expands the ERGG program to make growth areas in the Meadowlands eligible for ERGG grants, adding the Meadowlands to the other areas of the state where growth is encouraged and
eligibility for ERGG grants is already provided, including State Planning Areas, Pinelands growth areas, transit villages and closed federal military bases.
In addition, the legislation also makes several changes to the Urban
Hub program: increasing the credit for residential projects from 20% to 35% of eligible costs over 10 years; and allowing the tax credits to be carried forward for up to 20 years.
Source: 2011 gubernatorial press release, "Job Creation"
Jul 26, 2011
Page last updated: Feb 13, 2019