The Race to the Top program was a specific thing that was designed to reward states with innovative ideas with extra funding money. It wasn't the sole funding provided by the federal government. It was additional funding provided under the Stimulus program.
New Jersey was on track to be the 10th state in the program (there were 10 states total). The state Sec. of Education prepared the required paperwork in cooperation with the teachers' unions. That paperwork contained the correct information and if it had been submitted as/is New Jersey would have received somewhere around half a billion in education funding. The paperwork was sent to the Governor's office for approval. While there, Christie decided it was insufficiently punitive towards the teacher's unions and demanded it be changed.
During those changes, the information was somehow screwed up and data from the wrong years was provided. Because this information was incorrect, New Jersey lost points and Ohio beat them out for that last slot. The Governor then lied about conversations he had with the Sec. of Education about the application, lumped all the blame on Schunder (the Sec. of Education), and fired him. Personally, I think Christie intentionally screwed up so the state wouldn't get the money and the schools would still have to fire the teachers (but that might just be partisan politics on my part). Even if he didn't do it intentionally, he still screwed up and then blamed someone else.
Christie's "demeanor" has been a problem from the beginning. His last actual political position was County Freeholder (a position rewarded to well connected partisan hacks with very few actual legislative responsibilities mostly concerned with passing out money to political allies). After he left that position he bought himself an appointment as US Attorney for New Jersey when Bush was President.
His brash, self-aggrandizing attitude was more appropriate back then (though even then he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by constantly grandstanding and trying to get in front of the cameras. He also, of course, launched a lot of Rovian investigations against Dems in election years).
Now that he's Governor, the attitude is catastrophic for the state. If a few minutes of tape was enough to sour you to his demeanor, think how bad those in the legislature and his staff have it. They have to hear him constantly.
no subject
New Jersey was on track to be the 10th state in the program (there were 10 states total). The state Sec. of Education prepared the required paperwork in cooperation with the teachers' unions. That paperwork contained the correct information and if it had been submitted as/is New Jersey would have received somewhere around half a billion in education funding. The paperwork was sent to the Governor's office for approval. While there, Christie decided it was insufficiently punitive towards the teacher's unions and demanded it be changed.
During those changes, the information was somehow screwed up and data from the wrong years was provided. Because this information was incorrect, New Jersey lost points and Ohio beat them out for that last slot. The Governor then lied about conversations he had with the Sec. of Education about the application, lumped all the blame on Schunder (the Sec. of Education), and fired him. Personally, I think Christie intentionally screwed up so the state wouldn't get the money and the schools would still have to fire the teachers (but that might just be partisan politics on my part). Even if he didn't do it intentionally, he still screwed up and then blamed someone else.
Christie's "demeanor" has been a problem from the beginning. His last actual political position was County Freeholder (a position rewarded to well connected partisan hacks with very few actual legislative responsibilities mostly concerned with passing out money to political allies). After he left that position he bought himself an appointment as US Attorney for New Jersey when Bush was President.
His brash, self-aggrandizing attitude was more appropriate back then (though even then he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by constantly grandstanding and trying to get in front of the cameras. He also, of course, launched a lot of Rovian investigations against Dems in election years).
Now that he's Governor, the attitude is catastrophic for the state. If a few minutes of tape was enough to sour you to his demeanor, think how bad those in the legislature and his staff have it. They have to hear him constantly.