N.J.’s Christie Says Layoffs Out for Cutting Budget

Bloomberg reports:

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said he’s unable to lay off or furlough unionized state workers to help close an $11 billion budget gap.

Christie, speaking at a town hall meeting in Haddon Heights, said job cuts would trigger more than $300 million in contractually obligated raises for remaining state workers under a 2009 wage freeze agreement secured by former Governor Jon Corzine.

“I cannot lay off one state worker, I cannot furlough one state worker,” Christie, 47, said. “It’s an exquisite set of handcuffs.”

Imagine that!