New Jersey Union VP Rails Against 'Adolf Christie'

Bill's passage marks big win for Christie, defeat for unions

(NEWSER) - Amid Wisconsin-style drama, New Jersey's Democrat-controlled legislature passed a plan to force public workers to pay more for benefits. The measure, bitterly opposed by the state's powerful unions, has already passed the state senate and Chris Christie is expected to sign it into law as soon as Friday, reports the Star-Ledger. Under the plan, some benefits will be cut and unions will lose their ability to collectively bargain for medical benefits. More»

State officials say it's officially in place, despite court warning

(NEWSER) - Wisconsin's battle over collective bargaining rights has gone from being the nation's most contentious labor fight to its most confusing. State officials said tonight they will continue implementing the new law-that-might-not-be-a-law, even though a judge made it "crystal clear" they should hold off until legal questions were resolved, reports the Wisconsin State Journal . The decision raises the prospect of state officials being held in contempt of court. More»

'New York Times' examines popular governor's statements

(NEWSER) - Chris Christie is a pretty popular guy these days, in part because he has a reputation as a straight shooter. But the New York Times took a look at some of his recent statements, and concluded that “some do not stand up to scrutiny.” For example:

• Christie said that unions “go around collective bargaining when they don’t get what they want … and they go to the Legislature.” But until recently, pension changes could only be made through the legislature in New Jersey, not through collective bargaining, so they had no choice.

John Burri not happy with half-staff Whitney Houston tribute

(NEWSER) - When John Burri heard that New Jersey ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor Whitney Houston , he drove to his local Flags Unlimited store, bought a New Jersey state flag, brought it to his Michigan home, and burned it on his outdoor grill. "It was $12.95 and it was the best money I ever spent," says the father of Army Spc. Eric Burri, who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Michigan's governor ordered that state's flags flown at half-staff for one day to honor Burri's son, and it's an honor that should be reserved for those who died in the line of service, Burri says. More»

Governor kills legislation that passed yesterday

(NEWSER) - Proponents of gay marriage in New Jersey will have to try again. Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation legalizing same-sex marriages today, just as he promised he would, reports the Star-Ledger . Christie, acting just one day after the Assembly sent the measure to his desk, reiterated his call for the issue to be decided in a voter referendum instead of in the legislature. He also called for some sort of ombudsman to protect the rights of same-sex couple, notes AP . More»