Christie Vetoes Bills Requiring Public Contractors Use American-Made Products In NJ
By David Madden
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has vetoed a series of bills that would have required that those receiving public contracts use products that were made in America.
Christie's veto message stresses he supports American business, but these measures would "chill international development and increase costs borne by taxpayers" and, in turn, stymie job creation.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association agrees.
"This bill would not have worked in New Jersey, given the global supply chain," says NJBIA president Michele Siekerka. "There would have been a challenge that would have driven up costs for businesses."
Democrats who pushed what they label the "Made in America" bill disagree with the Governor's action. Senate President Steve Sweeney, in a statement, called it "a lost opportunity to help create jobs and to support domestic businesses".
There's no word on whether legislators will attempt an override.