"State of Emergency"

As reported in Claire Heininger's "Chris Christie declares fiscal 'state of emergency,' paving way for N.J. spending cuts," the Governor's speech today should be a wake-up call for anyone who thought that the report on Education by his transition team suggested that New Jersey colleges and universities might be spared the axe.  As the story sums up, Governor Chris Christie has declared a "fiscal crisis" and "state of emergency," giving him broad powers to impose spending cuts, including to education.  According to the story, "Christie is cutting $475 million in aid to school districts" and "$62 million in aid to colleges."  How this will directly affect Rutgers is difficult to predict, but it will certainly mean even more cuts in services and greater privatization (including continued tuition increases for students).  

I recommend watching the entire speech, which is quite compelling and certainly presents the governor's situation in a sympathetic light.