NorthJersey.com: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie calls on Dems in special session to put tax cap on November ballot

NorthJersey.com: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie calls on Dems in special session to put tax cap on November ballot

N.J. Gov. Chris Christie calls on Dems in special session to put tax cap on November ballot

Thursday, July 1, 2010
LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY JULY 1, 2010, 5:18 PM

BY JOSH MARGOLIN

STATE HOUSE BUREAU

State House Bureau

Live updates from property tax reform special session

FILE PHOTO

Governor Christie

TRENTON — Governor Christie opened a special legislative session this afternoon with a brief speech calling on Democrats to bring skyrocketing property taxes under control either through a constitutional amendment limiting tax hikes or a statutory cap that would do roughly the same thing.

Christie, a Republican, said he was offering a compromise to the Democrat-controlled Legislature in order to make the state more affordable.

"Before we leave for the summer, let us finish the job," Christie said after thanking the Democrats for joining with him in passing an austere state budget on Tuesday. "We must act and we must act now...We must help the citizens take back their state."

The governor spoke for just over 13 minutes. The speech marked the culmination of a chaotic 20 hours during which it was unclear whether the Legislature would convene or let Christie make an address. At one point, it was thought the governor