New Jersey guv enjoys closed beach amid budget standoff

Jul 04 2017 : The Times of India (Chennai) New Jersey guv enjoys closed beach amid budget standoff New York: AFP   He's a Donald Trump ally with abysmal approval ratings and now the governor of New Jersey has sparked fresh outrage after being photographed lounging on a beach closed to the public because of a government shutdown.For millions of Americans, nothing says Independence Day weekend like going to the shore and soaking up the sun, before indulging in a barbeque and watching the fireworks. Except New Jersey's state beaches and parks were closed by Republican Governor Chris Christie on Friday due to a budget standoff with Democrats in the state legislature -spoiling plans for many of the state's nearly nine million residents. While lesser mortals stayed home, Christie was photographed on Sunday on a pristine stretch of deserted sand, relaxing with friends and family at Island Beach State Park, where the governor has an official summer residence. At a news conference before the pictures emerged, Christie denied getting any sun. Neither did Christie appear to think it was unfair to spend the weekend at the beach when other holiday-goers were shut out.“Run for governor, and you can have a residence there,“ he was quoted saying. He ordered the shutdown of non-essential services after failing to agree on budget terms with state lawmakers. In June, a Quinnipiac University poll gave Christie an approval rating of 15%, saying it was the worst rating for any governor in any state it surveyed in more than 20 years.