Editorial: Christie’s book deal bad for New Jersey

Governor Christie once told The New York Times, “I try to squeeze all the juice out of the orange that I can.” He was referring to accepting lavish trips from so-called friends like the King of Jordan for himself and family. Not content with just the juice, Christie has gone back for the pulp — as in pulp fiction. He wants a book deal while still governor.

The governor’s chutzpah is remarkable. He dumped the people of New Jersey for most of his second term in pursuit of another job — president of the United States. When that fell through, he threw caution to the wind and backed Donald Trump, who did win the presidency in November, but has left Christie behind.

ANALYSIS: Christie's book deal with Democrats would cost taxpayers millions

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No longer the darling of the media, national Republicans and New Jerseyans of all political stripes, Christie is stuck in New Jersey with apparently nothing to do but write a book. Rather than dealing with the gaping public-employee pension crisis, the 10 credit downgrades during his seven years in office or the turf wars inside the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Christie has made a personal book deal his top priority.

He reportedly cut a deal with Democratic leaders to change state law to allow him to profit while still governor in exchange for pay increases for legislative staffs, executive staff employees and judges, to name just some of the lucky. The raises, as reported by State House Bureau Writer Salvador Rizzo on Wednesday, will cost taxpayers at least $10 million a year. Probably more. But the exact numbers aren’t known because this bill, like the book deal and a punitive hit on state newspapers, is being rammed down the throats of legislators like they were geese fated to become foie gras.

Word of all three proposals only broke this weekend in The Record, with votes in the Legislature expected next Monday.

Since becoming governor, Christie has cost taxpayers millions of dollars. Besides the costs of feeding, housing and paying for the travel of his security detail while he sought the presidency, there is the not-so-little amount of more than $10 million in legal fees for Bridgegate.

There may be reason to change a law that prohibits a governor from profiting while in office, but all evidence shows Christie, who earns a $175,000 annual salary as governor and reported a joint income with his wife of $913,420 in 2015, has been able to do very well for himself as it stands. The governor is not bound by the same ethics rules that affect other public officials, so he can sit in the owner’s box at a Dallas Cowboys game or fly off to Jordan to play with his family in the desert.

But what is most egregious about Christie’s book scheme is that it is part of a back-room deal that smells of the smoke and cigars of New York’s fabled Tammany Hall. The most unpopular governor in recent memory should not be in a bargaining position for anything — let alone a deal that benefits not the people of New Jersey, but only the singular constituency of Chris Christie.

Legislators backing this plan should be ashamed of themselves. New Jersey residents need to run to their phones and computers and flood legislative offices with complaints. New Jersey cannot afford to give out raises. The Christie administration is covered by scandal. No book deal is in order.

This is government Jersey-style — secretive and self-serving. Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who may run for governor next year, got it exactly right when she responded to a reporter’s tweet that the pay raise/Christie book deal would benefit both her and her husband, who is a judge. She called it “ridiculous.”

We agree. If Christie wants a book deal, go to Barnes & Noble.