Post by onthejob on May 30, 2014 22:21:33 GMT -5
Christie defends pay increases to staffers that averaged 23 percent
MAY 30, 2014, 7:32 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014,
Governor Christie
Governor Christie gave a fiery defense of the raises he awarded to his staff, pay increases that averaged 23 percent.
Christie said the employees deserved the raises because they took on new responsibility and earned the increases. He said several high-level people left his office in recent months, freeing up money to give to those who stayed. The staff who remained also took on more responsibility, he said.
Related: Christie staffers get hefty pay increases as other areas face cuts
One of those who left was fired by Christie after she wrote an email that appeared to instruct a Port Authority executive to begin closing lanes at the George Washington Bridge. Bridget Anne Kelly, dismissed by Christie in January, had a salary of $140,000.
Christie, a second-term Republican, addressed the pay hikes during a brief media availability with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam at Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant in Nashville.
Christie also said that the total amount he pays his staff now is $250,000 less than it was at the end of his first term last year, before staff members left.
“People who take on more responsibility deserve more pay,” the governor said. “In fact, if my budget in the governor’s office is a quarter of a million dollars less than it was when I was sworn in, then I’ve done the right thing, and I’m showing that we’re sacrificing the same way that I’m asking other people to sacrifice in difficult budget times.”
The Record reported Thursday that Christie gave raises totaling more than $330,000 to 27 staffers. All but of four of them work in communications, scheduling or on the advance and briefing teams.
Representatives of the governor did not respond on Thursday or Friday to detailed questions about the rationale for the raises.
In Tennessee today, Christie played coy with the media when asked what he planned to speak about at the state GOP's annual fundraiser, where he will deliver the keynote address.
Christie declined to say whether he'll run for president in 2016 and said he's focused on helping get GOP governors reelected this year. He said the earliest he would make a decision was after this year's elections.
MAY 30, 2014, 7:32 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014,
Governor Christie
Governor Christie gave a fiery defense of the raises he awarded to his staff, pay increases that averaged 23 percent.
Christie said the employees deserved the raises because they took on new responsibility and earned the increases. He said several high-level people left his office in recent months, freeing up money to give to those who stayed. The staff who remained also took on more responsibility, he said.
Related: Christie staffers get hefty pay increases as other areas face cuts
One of those who left was fired by Christie after she wrote an email that appeared to instruct a Port Authority executive to begin closing lanes at the George Washington Bridge. Bridget Anne Kelly, dismissed by Christie in January, had a salary of $140,000.
Christie, a second-term Republican, addressed the pay hikes during a brief media availability with Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam at Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant in Nashville.
Christie also said that the total amount he pays his staff now is $250,000 less than it was at the end of his first term last year, before staff members left.
“People who take on more responsibility deserve more pay,” the governor said. “In fact, if my budget in the governor’s office is a quarter of a million dollars less than it was when I was sworn in, then I’ve done the right thing, and I’m showing that we’re sacrificing the same way that I’m asking other people to sacrifice in difficult budget times.”
The Record reported Thursday that Christie gave raises totaling more than $330,000 to 27 staffers. All but of four of them work in communications, scheduling or on the advance and briefing teams.
Representatives of the governor did not respond on Thursday or Friday to detailed questions about the rationale for the raises.
In Tennessee today, Christie played coy with the media when asked what he planned to speak about at the state GOP's annual fundraiser, where he will deliver the keynote address.
Christie declined to say whether he'll run for president in 2016 and said he's focused on helping get GOP governors reelected this year. He said the earliest he would make a decision was after this year's elections.