Christie stands firm on A.C. takeover

Gov. Christie, addressing South Jersey business leaders Wednesday, blasted opponents of a state takeover of Atlantic City, and warned against a Democratic-led Legislature that he asserted was in the pocket of unions.

The Republican governor, who declared he was "in a loud mood," told about 200 people at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill for a Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey luncheon that he wouldn't balk at letting Atlantic City run out of money if the Assembly speaker continues to block a takeover.

"Test me, and Atlantic City will go broke," he said.

He also unloaded on Democrats who control the Legislature, telling business leaders that they needed to oppose a ballot measure that would make it a constitutional requirement for the state to pay into its pension system and fight a push to raise the state's minimum wage to $15.

"I'm telling you, the animals are at the gate, and they're waiting to get your money," Christie said. "And I'm the only one left at the gate saying no."

Christie continued to pressure Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D., Hudson) to agree to the proposed takeover of Atlantic City, describing Prieto as "the only obstructionist left to this plan."

Prieto, who objects to giving the state power to break collective bargaining agreements, has introduced an alternate plan that he has not yet posted for a vote.

"The speaker has passed nothing," Christie said. "He just blows hot air."

Through a spokesman, Prieto said Wednesday that he would post and pass his bill "when I deem it time to do so" and that he continued "to wait for a serious effort to negotiate a compromise."

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), who backs a takeover, recently proposed giving Atlantic City a bridge loan and 130 days to produce its own financial plan.

Christie, meanwhile, said Wednesday that "I am not going to bail out Atlantic City. I am not going to do some kick-the-can-down-the-road routine." He also criticized Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian, saying the mayor had previously supported the takeover plan.

"He's like the John Kerry of New Jersey - he was for it before he was against it," Christie said. By mid-May, he said, "Atlantic City is out of money" until September.

Christie promoted private-sector job gains and efforts to curb taxes and attract businesses, including tax incentives.

Listing projects that have received state tax breaks - including the $82 million approved for the 76ers to build a practice facility in Camden - Christie commented: "The only thing the 76ers will do in Philadelphia anymore after they move into Camden is lose."

Christie, who didn't take questions from reporters, made no mention of his and his wife's presence at Donald Trump's primary night event Tuesday - or the stir over what some termed an eye roll by Mary Pat Christie as she stood behind the billionaire.

But he brought up another viral moment. "You all may have seen me on the Internet dancing at the Springsteen concert," Christie said during his speech, referring to his well-documented presence at the concert in Brooklyn, N.Y., this week.

Some people have asked whether he was self-conscious, Christie said, adding: "Do I look it?"

mhanna@phillynews.com

856-779-3232

@maddiehanna

www.philly.com/christiechronicles