Christie In Belmar: NJ Can't Turn Blind Eye To Pension Problem

BELMAR, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said his proposals for fixing New Jersey's underfunded pension system will come by the end of summer, but the governor said the problem can no longer be ignored.

"The only way everything's going to be OK is if we step up and we deal with the problem like adults," Christie said at a town hall-style event staged Wednesday in Belmar.

As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, Christie said raising taxes would only hurt the economy, the way it did from 2004-08.

Listen to Christie In Belmar: NJ Can't Turn Blind Eye To Pension Problem

"We raised taxes monumentally, nearly doubled them during that period of time, (and) $70 billion in wealth left this state -- not according to me, according to Boston College, who did the study," Christie said.

The governor focused his opening remarks on bail reform, which he is urging lawmakers to pass in a special session scheduled for Thursday.

Christie was interrupted by a smattering of protesters angry that his administration has never held one of the town hall events in Newark. Others held signs and wore shirts protesting the Republican governor's call for the pension and benefit cuts.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)