Phil Murphy, Democratic candidate for governor, today pointed to news that Governor Christie gave Donald Trump a pass on $25 million in back taxes as further proof of his fiscal ineptitude, and pledged to end the favoritism that has cost New Jersey taxpayers millions of dollars.
In a front-page story this morning, the New York Times detailed how Christie’s office forgave more than 80 percent of the back state taxes and interest owed by Trump’s casinos, even after preceding administrations had tried to collect on the taxes. On a tax bill of $30 million, including interest, Christie’s administration accepted $5 million. Those efforts also uncovered irregularities in Trump’s company’s filings.
“Once again, Chris Christie has been found to have been putting his own political needs before those of the people of New Jersey,” said Murphy. “Letting Trump off the hook for his back taxes at a time when the state can’t pay its most basic obligations makes absolutely no sense. The fiscal and political recklessness must stop, and when I’m governor, it will.”
Murphy said the revelation puts Christie in the same company as the bond holders Trump crows about shorting in bankruptcy court, and raises questions as to whether Christie is as charitable to middle-class taxpayers who owe back taxes.
“Donald Trump played Chris Christie just like he played the bondholders he brags about short-changing for his past business failures, and the taxpayers of New Jersey are $25 million poorer for it,” said Murphy. “Instead of coddling self-described billionaires for political gain we need a governor who seeks fairness for all taxpayers. One could only hope that a middle-class family behind on their taxes would find such a sympathetic audience in the governor’s office.”
Murphy said the episode highlights the Christie administration’s overall failure to look after taxpayers, and comes one year after the state settled a nearly $9 billion fine against Exxon for environmental damages for only $225 million.
“New Jersey has had enough of short-sighted politics that leave taxpayers holding the bag, and under my watch that will end,” said Murphy.