Gov. Christie To Over-Taxed New Yorkers: Come To New Jersey
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Gov. Chris Christie has the welcome mat out.
New Jersey is a far cry from Switzerland, the Cayman Islands or Liechtenstein, but Christie thinks it's a perfect tax haven for New Yorkers.
The Republican governor is offering asylum to any New Yorker who is just plain fed up with living in a place where the taxman constantly has his hand in your pocket.
"A state like New York is moving in the wrong direction. You see taxes being increased there," Christie said during a speech to the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington, D.C. on Monday. "You have a new mayor in New York who is aggressively talking about increasing taxes in New York City. While I feel badly for New Yorkers, come to New Jersey. It's moving in the other direction."
Christie Invites New Yorkers To Move To Garden State
But the offer was roundly rejected in Times Square early Tuesday morning, 1010 WINS' John Montone reported.
"I like the fame and fashion of New York City," said Linda from Queens. "They could keep Jersey, I'll stay in New York."
Bertrand from Brooklyn wondered why anyone would want to leave New York saying, "I live in the center of the universe."
Christie Invites New Yorkers To Move To Garden State
Kayla and Tiffany considered the governor's offer an invitation to trash New Jersey.
"It smells all the time," Kayla said.
"We don't go to Jersey, our trash goes to Jersey," Tiffany added.
Others said New Jersey is just a detour to get elsewhere.
"There are only two reasons why I go to New Jersey: to hear Bruce Springsteen and drive to Pennsylvania. Otherwise, I'm staying in New York," said Bruce Teitlebaum of the Upper East Side.
"I don't like Jersey. I never liked Jersey. I will never move to Jersey," added Oscar Rivera of the Bronx.
Christie's offer didn't sit well with the soon-to-be chief executive of New York City, CBS 2's Marcia Kramer reported.
"Gov. Christie's latest political stunt doesn't merit a serious response," said de Blasio's spokeswoman, Lis Smith. "New York City is the greatest city in the world and will continue to be under Mayor-elect de Blasio."
Still, not everyone is in love with de Blasio's plan to tax the wealthy to fund his education priorities.
"I do think there will be a lot of people who will move out of this city because of the high taxes. I just don't think people want to see more taxes in the city," said Kevin McInerny. "Got to figure out how to do something besides tax, tax, tax."
Meanwhile, Christie commented on several other topics during the nearly 40-minute question-and-answer session, including his political future, WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported.
"When you make decisions before it's the right time to make them, you increase geometrically the chance to screw that decision up," Christie said.
He was asked what it would take to defeat potential Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
"You need someone who's clear, direct and authentic and says what they think," Christie said.
He also said President Barack Obama's plunging popularity is creating an unhealthy climate.
"As we shove him out the door, we minimize his ability to be an effective executive and we shouldn't do that," Christie said.
The Wall Street Journal CEO Council is a two-day event bringing together the world's most powerful chief executives. President Obama spoke at the gathering Tuesday afternoon.
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