NJN News; Inauguration '94swearing in; Inaugural ceremony for Governor Christine Todd Whitman

Governor Richard how experienced a radical career change when he took office had been a spy for General Washington and was so good at his job that he was actually jailed for being a British sympathizer during his governorship has led New Jersey's militia into Pennsylvania to help crush the Whiskey Rebellion and his own daughter took part in the rebellion of a larger scale Nerine Jefferson Davis president of the Confederate States Richard how governed from 1793 to 8 to no one. Well I guess it helps to be a spy on the right side and you can become governor. You're looking now Inside the War Memorial. Senator Lott and others as they are behind the curtain. Senator Frank Lautenberg there the ceremony is just about to begin. Some of them taking their seats. Others of course greeting Cho and may not have seen since the holidays. We are going to be going to war memorial for the swearing in at noon and of course the ceremony will take anywhere from 40 to 45 minutes. There you have Dan Todd the brother of Christie Whitman right by of course the New Jersey Symphony orchestras and they're warming up before him. We are looking at one

historical aspect of this in particular this moment and that is of course that Christie Whitman is the first woman who will be holding this post. Joining us is Howard Green. There is a historical commission. Howard we've talked with the governor elect about this and she recognizes the importance. Obviously she says she wants to be remembered in longer and more for what she does during her four years as governor than the fact that she was the first governor. But nonetheless it is historic absolutely the vote. The remarks you just described as well as remarks that the Republican Party chairman litel made in the interview with Larry Nagel suggests to me the following if you look at. The. Debates about whether to give women the right to vote or why they should have the right to vote. You can see a sort of analogy today. The argument was went in two directions some people argued women should be given the right to vote because they were different and would put a different stamp on things and what would change American politics and other people argued that they should be given the right to

vote because they were not different they were people like anybody else. And I hear threads of both. In. In what the. Administration to be saying she has suggested in a couple of occasions I'm going to be a different administrator and then on another occasion saying I want to be remembered as a good governor not as the first woman governor. So I shot a lot of folks there who will also be sworn in today as the secretary of state another woman and I will take the oath of office along with that purports New Jersey's first woman attorney general will also take the oath of office today. You know you and I have been talking also about the beginning the foundation of the women's movement in New Jersey it really goes back to women's clubs in the 18:00. And before that. And I did some reading and found out that. President Grover Cleveland after he left the presidency just after the turn of the century and was residing in Princeton wrote more Ladies Home Journal

that women did better staying at home. That that's really where they belong. And wouldn't he be surprised today to see that New Jersey's first governor in 1994 first woman governor is being inaugurated. These draws in Philadelphia. It did come to that much. There was a woman named Vale from Essex County a Republican one of the first two women to serve in the New Jersey Assembly who during her election campaign said something along these lines is our home is the center of my life it is not the circumference of my life and it's a very good line. I can remember. As Christie Whitman looks ahead to her governorship. You have mentioned that there are three ways of governing in this state that a governor might look forward to. Right. Certainly governing by consensus being one of them. The way I put it you can take the case to the people. I'm not a political scientist. The political scientists who are listening if there are any may shudder at this but you can take the case from the piercing former

governor Thomas Kane just taking his seat. Who is you who excelled at that Florio. KERRY And of course. All the way at the end. We don't mean to do my problem I had. You can govern through the party. Or you can govern using the administrative CEO executive function kind of approach and it seems to me if you look at history doesn't matter how the office was organized. Governors had those three approaches available to them and a successful governor succeeded in it. If you've succeeded in one or two of those realms. You generally had a successful term. And if you didn't win you didn't win the governor there. Jim Florio still the governor of the state shaking hands with Chuck Kaitaia in the assembly speaker Donald Francisco the Senate president. And Congressman William Hughes they're just moving out of our sight. Kim when Indira Gandhi was asked when she became the woman prime minister the she said politics doesn't

respect gender respect power. And that's why you see how power is exercised over the course of the next year or two. And that's where the debate will fall I think away from the novelty if you will of the first woman governor. He'll fall more along the lines of what he can do and he talks about politics and power. I always recall former representative Millicent Fenwick statement was my first boss in politics and a wonderful wonderful woman who used to say we're all in this together. And I think that is the kind of approach that you see Christie Whitman taking to this her outreach. Her listening. We're all in this together and I'm sure Mileson would be delighted if she were with us today. But it's business and there are some who say that it will Christie Whitman be tough enough for the job fairly or unfairly so unfair that remark made about a woman for the job she is about to tackle you say unfairly. No doubt in my mind. Christie Whitman is one tough character and wind and she will govern by consensus in my view got consensus with the people of the state. That's not to suggest she's going to

moderate or compromise her principle. But the fact of the matter is she's going to be tough when it comes to principle. She does have about 30 seconds or so maybe a minute at most. We're looking at Jim Florio Now this is his last couple of minutes as governor basically thanks to the chief justice. But thoughts from each of you we only have a few seconds. That's it for me. I think that you know this is an individual a blue collar backroom who tried to really write what he felt was in felt he had to do it under a timetable and pressure and then did something that many of the newspapers around the state in the last week editorialized about said brace for the pain the consequence that Jim Florio was about a person that believed government could solve the problem solve all the problems. And in fact it can't. Christie Whitman will try to reach out as I say people help solve some of the problems themselves. But in the process the power will now be passed on to Governor elect the governor the great state of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman New Jersey's 50th governor and New Jersey's first woman governor Larry Stewart Nagle

is standing by with our coverage. Inside the War Memorial Building where the inauguration is about to get underway in the formal sense Larry King and in just a few moments now we will be starting the inauguration of New Jersey's 50th government 50th governor. And of course our first female governor. We are live here at the War Memorial where the crowd is considerably fuller than when we first went live just an hour ago. The place where we stand. It's almost standing room only the first floor if we go down and take a look down there you can hear the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. They of course have been playing some very stirring music backstage. We have the Gospel Choir. We have members of the legislature behind us. We have members of the incoming governors cabinet course former governors soon to be former Governor Jim Florio former Governor Tom Kane. And you can see do the Shaw there the. Incoming chief

of staff for Christie Whitman she's making sure everybody is in their place. We're waiting for the curtain to come up here at the War Memorial. Downstairs we have a absolutely packed house I don't see one empty seat. And this is a largely Republican crowd that we have here. It of course there are some Democrats notably some former members of the legislature but a lot of people here a lot of people who were here supporting Christie Whitman throughout this campaign. And there are also a lot of people here who are waiting to hear what she's going to have to say in her inaugural address. Now we have all had a chance to take a look at that inaugural address and Walli. And here's Christie Whitman she's coming in right now she's entering backstage along with her family. I think probably once she is in place there's. This program this historic moment the swearing in. Jersey's first woman governor and its 50th chief executive will start we can see her leaning over and talking to some of the people behind her although I can't

make out who they are with the shot that we have but she looks very relaxed and it's looks like she's well couldn't really see there's somebody step in front of our camera shot. But I think the was do the shime told her chief of staff who has been busy rounding everybody up trying to make sure that this program gets on as close to on time as it possibly can. Of course the weather has not been what you would call cooperative. Earlier when I was talking to the state GOP chair Virginia tell who had come down from Sussex County. She told of a seven hour ride that she had to take last night with her and her husband Bob to tell who's state senator is also the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. They of course wanted to be here on time. They didn't want anything slow them up but it took them seven hours last night in those horrible horrible conditions to get here. A lot of people have really braved some tough weathers cold temperatures and ice to make it here for this inaugural event today. It doesn't

look like anything's really going to slow them down. There she is again talking to her husband John when there was weather throughout the rough and tumble campaign that she had in Florida. She's waving to somebody there and there's her brother Dan Todd who was also her sidekick throughout the campaign. Is also a source of controversy right after the campaign in the. Rawlins fair that a fair That has since seen all both civil and criminal charges that the investigation dropped There's Jim Florio still the governor until Governor Whitman is sworn in. He looks very relaxed and sitting next to him is his wife Lucinda and sitting next to them. The Chief Justice Roberts will end who will of course swear in Tom Kaine there looking down the row at the governor. Bernie is also there. Cahill I think is on the far side Cahill of course was present at Governor Jim Florio his final State of the

state message which was delivered exactly one week ago today. The curtain is rising now on a new era of government intervention. We will go down onstage. Swearing. In New Jersey. 50. Governor. Beginning this program today be the Senate president Don and the princess got. Out. The afternoon.

Like to welcome. Everyone here to the inaugural ceremonies. For the honorable Christine Todd Whitman as governor of the state of New Jersey at. We're pleased to have. With us today the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra brass and percussion sambal conducted by Charles Baker. It. Plays right. Please rise for the singing of the national anthem by a hunter from Hoboken and remain standing for the invocation. Can you.

See what. Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa. Wait. Thank you to. The joint session of the legislature will please come to order. Monsignor Richard Beal of Birdsville will offer the invocation. Let us pray. Just as Mose's gather together a diverse people to seek your protection. In ancient times. So we come before you this day Lord. Our God. It is you who author liberty.

It is you who author prosperity. May our words this afternoon. EXPRESS So much more than hollow formality. May each one of us be truly open to your direction. So that we might be your instruments to the citizens of New Jersey. People young and old. Some richer some poorer. With differing needs and differing visions. People who look to us for wise responsible courageous leadership. Lord. Enlighted and strengthened with your Holy Spirit your servant and daughter Christie our governor. Help her achieve a clear unified piercing vision for the common good. A vision that embraces all you ask of us. Justice selflessness. An awesome respect for your

gift of human life born and unborn. Compassion. Honesty. May her vision reflect with practicality the insight of Isaiah your prophet. We are the clay. You are the potter. We are all the work of your hands. You LORD know the pitfalls that are part of the terrain of our late 20th century and you know the Malays covering more and more of this land of the free. Bay Governor Whitman. Her administration and all governmental officials. Allow you to lead them along a road that is straight and narrow. Give them insight into their relationship with you. A relationship with the words of Christ Jesus crystallize. You could do nothing were it not given you from above.

Help them to choose freely what is right. And not simply what is politically correct. Help them to serve the people of New Jersey even when that involves decisions that are not politically expedient. Board. Renew and guide them when they feel fatigued unsure confused beleaguered May they know in the very depths of their being that the tensions and fears facing all of us can be reversed. If we first act on the words of your prophet Micah. The Lord requires of you only to do the right. And to love goodness. And to walk humbly with your God. Lord. Empower us to do this for your glory and for our own well-being.

Through your only son and in your Holy Spirit one God for ever and ever. Thank you Monsignor. Please be seated. With the Honorable Daniel J. Dalton. Secretary of the state of New Jersey please come forward. And read the certificate of election of the Honorable Christine Todd Whitman. This is to certify that a general election held and said Stay on the second day in November 1993 you were duly chosen and elected by the people of said state to serve a term of four years as governor of the state of New Jersey. In testimony whereof I have there to set my hand and caused my seal to be here on to a fix that Trenton on the 30th day of November one

thousand nine nine hundred and ninety three. Thank you Senator Dalton. The oath of office will now be administered to the Honorable Christine Todd Whitman by Chief Justice Robert and Will ends. The oath will be followed by the salute of 19 guns. Raise. You right. After me. Christine Todd Whitman I Christine Todd Whitman do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of New Jersey and the Constitution of the

state of New Jersey and that I will faithfully and I will faithfully. Impartially. Impartially and justly and justly perform the duties perform the duties of the governor of the state of New Jersey of the governor of the state of New Jersey according to the best of my ability according to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. But.

The Reverend David miles of Bedminster will offer a prayer. I guess I have the honor of being the first to say it. Congratulations to you Governor wouldn't. I. This too is part of our celebration. Let us pray.

Oh Lord is the music of trumpets rings in the air and the salute of the cannons fills the sky. We lift our praise and our prayer to you Almighty God. We give you thanks for the life you have given each of us. And for the hope and the promise of this new day. And in this hour as your servant Christine Todd Whitman stands now before us as governor of our state. We offer our prayer for her before you. Asking that you would lead her as she leads us. Oh God. We prayed that she would remain near to Christie as she serves the people of this state in the days ahead. Lord give her strength when the days are long and the challenges are many. Give her wisdom when the decisions are difficult and the pressure is great.

Give her compassion when she encounters the pain and suffering of people in need. And at the end of the day oh lord give her the peace. That comes from knowing that all our lives are in your hands. We also pray this day for Christie's family for Jon and Kate and Taylor bind the Whitman family closer together and nearer to your heart. Oh God we pray for all those here who have been called to public service. Give them vision and diligence and support them and the work they do. Support each of us in the state. Oh Lord as we seek to fill our own calling whatever it may be help us to live each day serving loving and caring for each other as you have served loved and cared for us and

God we pray that you would use the work of our hands that are simple acts of kindness justice and mercy. In them your kingdom would come and take shape before our eyes. And in our decisions choices and priorities your will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord we lived up to you this day. The song of our celebration. And ask that you would tune it to the sound of your grace and the name of Christ we pray. Thank you. Miles. It's now my pleasure to introduce the youth inspiration choir. Of the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark under the direction of Mr. Jack Forshay for a musical celebration. Whoa whoa whoa

whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa oh my god oh my god. Thank you Mr. fouché. On ask Reverend alien Gilmore to come forward to offer prayer. Let us pray. Eternal God our

Father we invoke divine blessings upon this momentous occasion. Celebrating the inauguration of our newly elected governor. Of our great state of New Jersey. The Honorable Mrs. Christine Todd Whitman. We are indeed grateful for our representative form of government. Our democracy. Each branch of our state government executive. Legislative and Judicial be cognizant. Of its obligations and responsibilities to the entire citizenry of our garden state do bless. We pray. Governor Whitman that she may serve with dignity. Her constituency with love. Honor. Humility mercy fervor

and justice. Do imbue her. Enlighten her and down her. Empower her. And enable her to always be able to comprehend with all people. What is the breadth. And the land. And depth. And height. Of good effectual and efficient government give have the knowledge the wisdom and understanding to write it minister the state of affairs to the state. And the state of affairs. May she restore to us a government of the people by the people and for the people. Do grant that the State House may once again become the citadel of hope for all. Do we eliminate and inspire us with that goodness. But these and all the blessings we do humbly

ask in by name and for my sake. Amen. Thank you Reverend Gilmore. I now call upon the Honorable Daniel Dalton to deliver the great seal the state of New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman. I delivered to you the great seal of the state in New Jersey as a symbol of your authority. I accept this deal. As evidenced. By. This.

My pleasure your Excellency to introduce you to the Honorable Donald De Francisco president of the New Jersey Senate. I. Gotta make sure to follow this group. Members of the Senate. And the General Assembly. It's my pleasure present to you the governor of the state of New Jersey. Ladies and gentlemen the governor of the state of New Jersey. I. Thank you very much. Mr. Chief Justice. Governor Florio. Mr.

Speaker distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen it is with an eagerness to tackle the challenges ahead that I take the oath of office says New Jersey's 50th chief executive and its first woman governor. I. On behalf of the people of the state of New Jersey I would like to thank Governor Florio for his years of public service. I have agreed on some issues disagreed on others but no one has ever doubted that you cared deeply. Some say. Some say it is a proud moment to be sworn in to such a high office as governor.

For me however this is also a humbling moment. No one reaches this position alone. Certainly I didn't and I want to thank all of you who made it possible. I especially want to thank my husband John and my two children Kate and Taylor. For standing by me during a long and tough campaign. Tonight today's inauguration marks not a victory of partisanship but a test of our democracy of our ability to govern ourselves as a people. We face a crisis of confidence. Many have lost faith in the ability of government to deliver services efficiently to lend a helping hand when needed and to get out of the way when it is not. We worry about the ability of our economy to generate jobs and restore prosperity. We question the ability of our schools to deliver the quality education our children deserve at a

price. Their parents can afford. We question the ability of our criminal justice system to prevent crime and to deliver justice and safety. Americans have lost faith in institutions that are the foundations of our democracy they question those they have elected to serve them. Wherever I go whether I'm in a shopping mall attending a devils or a Nets game taking questions on a call in show I hear the same implicit question after the O's after the speeches and the parties and festivities. Will you remember your promises and will you keep them as the first statement of my governorship to every voter in New Jersey let me answer that question. I have just taken the oath of this office you have entrusted to me to me this oath means one thing I will not hedge. I will not backtrack. I will keep my promises to you my friends to the best of my ability. So help me God.

But I can't do it alone. I need your help your wisdom and your support. If government is to be for the people it must be of and by the people for democracy to work. As Abraham Lincoln said in his first inaugural speech we in government must have a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people. Government must trust and listen to the people or it is not a democracy. That is why I've spent the last four years listening to you and it is why I will keep listening. For as long as I am your governor I believe in the people of this state. I believe in open government. I believe that the best decisions are based on consensus. And like you I believe deeply in the fundamental need

for change to those who question of whether I'm serious about bucking the special interests who hold so much quiet power in this city. Let me be clear I did not run for governor to conduct business as usual. It is going to be different around here. The only way government can win back your trust is to earn it. Our principal problems are not the product of great economic shifts or other vast unforeseen forces. They are the creation of government of government that put special interests ahead of the peoples interests of government that refuses to change. You know what. I know it and this time together we're going to fix it. New Jersey should lead the nation in a world driven by ideas and

technology we've both some of the world's leading telecommunications pharmaceutical chemical and other high tech firms. We have first class universities great ports and a prime location between America's financial and political seats of power. We have great natural resources from the highlands to the shore. New Jersey should be the engine the engine of economic growth that leads this nation into the 21st century. It should be a powerful engine of prosperity that gives our children the same opportunity that our parents worked so hard to give us the chance for a better life. Together we will unshackle that economic engine from the restraining chains of high taxes. Four months ago I said I would put 1.4 billion of your tax dollars back in your pocket by cutting taxes over the next three years. With the first cut coming in July. The skeptics groaned. But here we are. And I say why wait until the next fiscal year starts in July between now and

then. Families have car payments and credit card bills that will come due. Senior citizens on fixed income will be struggling to make ends meet and businesses have payrolls to make their plans to create new jobs are sitting on shelves waiting for a stronger economy. Let's not keep economic growth waiting another minute. If President Clinton and his Congress can reach backward into time and raise your taxes retroactively your governor and your legislature can cut them retroactively. That is why I will be asking my partners in the legislature Senate President Donald J.

Francesco an assembly speaker Chuck right-I and to enact a 5 percent income tax cut for every family in New Jersey. Effective January 1 1994 18 days ago. Secondly I am asking the legislature to eliminate all taxes on those earning less than seventy five hundred dollars again retroactively to January 1st. Those who are struggling the hardest need a tax cut the most. Third I'm asking the legislature to cut the corporate business tax to 9 percent. Again effective January 1st of this year. We will be competitive no more losing our employers or job

to job raids by low tax states. New Jersey is open for business. Crafting a budget that covers not only the cost of these tax cuts but also makes up more than $1 billion in previous one shot revenues will not be easy. We must do so without cutting the state services which so many of us depend. We must do so without driving up the property tax. The shell game of raising one tax to cut another is over my budget task force and the 350 citizens who served on my transition teams have been poring over every department's budget. My cabinet officials take office with a mandate to find ways to provide the same or better services for less hundreds of citizens have been writing in with their ideas on how we can save five cents on every tax dollar that we spend.

Let me tell you. Once we put our minds to it it's amazing all the ways you can find to save money. Take just three areas. A vast amount of uncollected bad drivers surcharges are owed to the state yet no attempt has been made to collect them. Were owed unclaimed federal Medicaid funds for health care services provided by poor children provided to poor children by their schools. And even an inmate from rollways state prison wrote in to our tax dollar program to point out that more than 160 million dollars in fines owed by criminals have never been collected together these three areas alone offer the potential for closing the budget gap by several hundred millions of dollars. What's more almost 200 million has been left unspent and each of the last two budgets because programs were overfunded. I'm directing my cabinet to try to save at least that much from current year accounts. Budget cuts are just part of the equation. To cut taxes in each of the next three fiscal years rule prior sustained economic growth.

Economic growth doesn't just happen. We have to plan for it encourage it and caused it. That is why I have directed my secretary of state to serve as an advocate for business and it's why the first executive order of my administration which I will sign in front of you today creates the new jersey economic Master Plan Commission. This commission will develop the long term strategy we need to make New Jersey the economic powerhouse it deserves to be. Done. Make no mistake about it we are in a battle for jobs with Pennsylvania the Carolinas and the

Sun Belt every single day. One of the main reasons we've been losing that battle is state government. We must cut through the needless overregulation that drives businesses out of New Jersey and discourages new firms from locating here. We can protect the environment without taking years to process a permit. Our businesses deserve better. And you deserve better. It isn't just a question of money being wasted. It's a question of duplication inept planning and inadequate services. We have 68 Departments of Labor field offices. Yet in some counties we require unemployed workers to sign up front employment benefits and one office then drive 10 miles to another office to find out what jobs are available. Look at how the state regulates cemeteries. If you are buried only with members of your own religion your corpse is regulated by the attorney general's office. But if you're buried in a non-sectarian cemetery the department of banking has jurisdiction over your remains. That's right. Banking. Do we really need two

different state agencies to regulate the dead. It from cradle to grave our state government needs reform. We must reinvent government the way American corporations have been reinventing themselves to survive in the 1990s. You elected me as a chief executive officer of a 15 billion dollar service corporation with 60000 employees and that's what we're going to provide service efficient cost effective service. After all we work for you. Right. And of all the tasks we are entrusted to perform as your government nothing is more

sacred than our responsibility to educate your children. The school system we have today was developed in the 19th century to prepare the children of farmers and new immigrants for an Industrial Revolution that wanted both bodies for repetitive factory work. The world has changed and our education system must change with it. Employers today require a highly educated workforce that knows how to think and how to be creative. The state that can provide the best educated workers is a state that will be the powerhouse of the 21st century. The states that fail will fall behind. We must make New Jersey number one. We. Parents teachers students administrators government leaders and business executives must work together to reinvent education. We must make it our top priority to teach our children all our children to read in kindergarten and first grade and second grade when they're enthusiastic about learning. That way we will not have to spend tens of millions of dollars in junior high school high

school and college trying to rectify the failures of the past. We are going to inject competition and encourage innovation by developing alternatives like magnet schools and charter schools within our public school systems to give parents a choice of where to send their children. Should start school should compete for the chance to teach our children. They are our greatest treasure. If we're going to teach democracy in our schools we should practice democracy in our school system. In Jersey City. Five long years of state control. Have not picked schools that continue to do far too little. We should give Mayor Bret Schundler the green light to test school vouchers. And invite. It and invite the top school experts in the nation to measure the results.

We will get politics out of the Department of Education by giving the education commissioner an independent five year term. But. We will push it 30 down to the local level because I trust parents who love their children to get involved in school boards and PTA as the state can give you better schools but you must be responsible for raising your children. We will develop a strong core curriculum that teaches every student the basics of reading writing arithmetic and respect for our nation's heritage. We will make our schools safe. And we will demand discipline in our classrooms. The last. The last thing children should learn about in school is violence and fear.

Personal safety is a sacred right in America. Our children. Our parents all of us deserve to live in peace. Yet far too many of us are imprisoned by fear of crime. Some say we should turn our heads give up and just accept violent crime ridden society. Some say crime is too tough a problem to solve. My answer to them. We're tougher. But we know that a small percentage of hardened criminals commit most of the violent crime. It's time to make every criminal know that he or she will serve 70 percent of the court's sentence. Chris. Three time. Three time violent offenders those who make a career out of crime it should be three strikes and you're in for life. We also need to set up boot camps and other alternatives to teach young people who are

toying with the criminal life that they want to go straight and said Everybody deserves a second chance but not a third. Criminals are not the victims of society. Society is the victim of criminals. The way to make our streets safe again is to make sure criminals know they will pay surely and perhaps permanently for their crimes and we will. Cut. Our blueprint to make new jersey first has an agenda of economic growth good schools and safe streets an agenda of hope optimism and determination of government that is for the people because it is and by the people the hope the vision the strength of our people is our guarantee of success. And what remarkable people make up this state and the factories of Paterson and the

research laboratories of Princeton and the ethnic neighborhoods of Perth Amboy and the senior citizen villages of Lakewood and the towns of the shores and the Pinelands and in the cities like Camden and Newark all across our state. I have come to know so many of New Jersey's people. We are one family one community one state. There is a phrase in Spanish that means all that. So soul of weblog. When one of us is out of work. Homeless cannot read is a victim of violent crime. We all suffer and when we help one another succeed we all succeed. I remember a young writer who I think must have learned about America as a student in New Jersey. Over six decades ago he wrote of a sense of overwhelming gratitude and gladness that America was

there. That in the heart of the people the old generosities and devotions fought on indomitable and undefeated the best of America. F. Scott Fitzgerald concluded is the best of the world and I can tell you that the best of New Jersey is the best of America. And the people we will place our faith on trust in the people. We will build our agenda of opportunity and growth. This is our state. It is our time. And this is our future. Last week I met the children from Mrs. Riley's second grade class at the Gable's school in Neptune. Each child brought along a letter for me. We should all learn to share and be nice to each other. Claudia Greer wrote. I know that you have a demanding job ahead of you and I will be there to help you. Claudia is here today. And Claudia I thank you for offering to help.

It will take everyone's help to meet the challenge ahead. It won't always be easy and we won't always agree but we must not fear change. In 1776 this state was at the forefront of a revolution. We are there again today. Let's show the world what New Jersey can do together we will make New Jersey first. Thank you very much. It.

I knew it would be January 1st. I just didn't have the years straight. But seriously governor we're all here to help you and we thank you very much. Rabbi Norman Bates will invoke the benediction. Our God and God of our ancestors.

Look with blessing upon these inaugural proceedings now concluding. Bestow your favor upon our new governor Christine Todd Whitman and upon all the other constituted officers of government in this great state confirm in their hearts the spirit of wisdom compassion and understanding. Help them spread the sheltering tabernacle of your peace over the land. So that we may hear and feel and respond to each other's fears and pains hopes and dreams. And thus together rebuild our society so that all of its citizens can live in genuine harmony and tranquility source of blessings teach us all to realize that your beneficence provides us with the keys to unlock that power for good which is already within every one of us. Let every person every family

every community renew the effort to strengthen the common weal for the good of all and to the heart of none. Maybe the divine spark within each of us glow more brightly as we dedicate ourselves to making secure and preserving the social contract that promises liberty and justice to all. Author of liberty. We look to you for truth to guide us. But we also know full well that we are your partners and that your work gets done by our hands. We are your witnesses. We cannot expect others to take up the tasks that are ours to do. Help us. We pray to go forward. Leaders and citizens together and make new jersey a shining example of American democracy as it ought to be. Made this be your will of God and therefore our is made.

On the pleasure of recognizing the speaker of the general assembly the honorable Chuck. My time. At the joint session now rise during this meeting. Well here a second. Somebody is were there Jack so ordered. These proceedings are concluded. The Senate will reconvene at 2 o'clock. Thank you. And so when's the inaugural ceremonies for Christine

Todd Whitman in New Jersey's government and the first female government. This is as much an inaugural address I think today was also a state of the state message and that she clearly came out and outlined what it was she wants to accomplish in the next few days. It's a matter of fact what she thinks should have been accomplished going back to January 1st. In her inaugural address she said she wants to have a 5 percent tax cut for all New Jerseyans are retroactive to the for all New Jerseyans. Retroactive to January 1st. She also wants to see corporate income tax roll back to 9 percent retroactive to January 1st and she wants to see all taxes for people making under 70 $500 eliminated. She also said that the way that some of the money could be found to do this or collect on some bad drivers surcharges some federal Medicaid funds that we collect and she's also talking about taking money back from. The governor today also outlined very very very ambitious

education agenda. She most notable here is that she wants to see the voucher system more in Jersey City get a try right now down on the stage where former governor Brendan Byrne He's talking to the dean of the Democratic delegation. William Hughes Democrats here of course are decidedly in the minority in the days to come the Republicans having overwhelming majorities in both houses and also with the. Also in both houses of the legislature. I'm going to throw it back to Kent Manahan. Now let's go back to the studio. Thank you Larry. We have more coverage of the inaugural of Christie Whitman as New Jersey's 50th governor when we continue here on. New Jersey's first Republican governor was sworn in 144 years ago. William knew a doctor from Anna Hopkins of two years in Congress before taking office back home. He

formed a friendship with Abraham Lincoln while in Washington and after governing Jersey became the attending physician at the White House. You went on to become the governor of Washington Territory and the commissioner of Indian Affairs. Do you know who govern from Eaton 57 between 60. Thomas Woodrow Wilson the fourth governor of New Jersey. He was born in Virginia. The son of a reverend

came north to New Jersey to attend Princeton University and taught and was president there before becoming governor after only two years in office. Wilson was elected the 20th president of the United States. He said of his governorship and serving the people of New Jersey has been the greatest privilege of his life. Woodrow Wilson governed from 1911 to 1913. Welcome back to NJ ends coverage of inaugural 94 I can't Manahan along with Steve Highsmith. It is now official. New Jersey has its 50th governor its first governor Christine Todd Whitman sworn into office. A little after noontime today at the War Memorial Building in Trenton she has just delivered her inaugural address 24 pages at the longest address probably to be given to New Jerseyans as a new governor takes office. But one perhaps that we could say touched on crime touched on education and certainly her promised tax plan and one in which son and daughter Kate and Taylor were

well behaved as compared to the weather and Giuliani. You are right that mugged for the camera throughout the inaugural speech of his father I was struck by a couple of things obviously the transition of power and responsibility. But to paraphrase one of her favorite singers Johnny Cash is also in the ring of fire. Now I'm sure the serious criticism analysis and the real work has to begin with you could see with Senator different schools and the president's comments about I knew I had the date right January 1st but I must had the year wrong. Perhaps that will be a lot of work out. The other thing I found interesting about this is that we talk a little bit earlier about one aspect of this. Jim Florio in his inaugural four years ago left out a sentence in his text about I will keep my promises. One of the strongest lines in her speech was I will keep my promises and that could be a big difference in least in the tone setting out in this campaign. We are joined as running as governor of course by Roger Bodman and Jim Acosta. Jim McWhinnie our regulars here on and J.N. and Howard Green from the New Jersey

Historical Commission. And we welcome you back to our coverage of inaugural 94. Roger you have heard the speeches as we all have been. And certainly Mrs. Whitman made a pledge today to New Jerseyans in her inaugural address. Absolutely she did. And you know it comes to mind. Interestingly comes to my mind is is a Democrat President Harry S. Truman who was known for plain speaking. This speech was full of plain speaking. In my view and and it wasn't one of those visionary type speeches that you know George Bush used to call it the vision thing you know this was a speaker she just got right down to the nuts and bolts of government. It was almost like a budget speech was learned Snoopy said a state of the state address. You know she quoted a lot of interesting lines here one of which is after all we all work for you is I think a an interesting statement to make an important statement to make but. But as Steve just mentioned I think the most important was as the first statement of my governorship I will not hedge I will not backtrack. I will keep my promise and we have a tape version of that.

We could play it back for our audience to listen once again to New Jersey's 50th governor. Wherever I go whether I'm in a shopping mall attending a devils or a Nets game. Taking questions on a call in show I hear the same implicit question after the O's after the speeches and the parties and festivities. Well do you remember your promises. And will you keep them as the first statement of my governorship to every voter in New Jersey let me answer that question. I have just taken the oath of office you have entrusted to me to me this oath means one thing I will not hedge. I will not backtrack. I will keep my promises to you my friends to the best of my ability. So help me God. Definitive word. Certainly Roger when you talk about that pledge to New Jersey and what she plans to accomplish and very sincere words to Kent.

The fact of the matter is you could see the way she said it the way she enunciated those words. I will keep my promises to you. And I think as compared to her predecessor with all due respect that was a problem in the last four years in this state. I don't believe it will be a problem in the next hour. She needs the cooperation of the legislature in order to keep that pledge. And she did put the onus on the legislature in her speech today to McWhinnie one of the strains that Christie Whitman had in the campaign by those who step back and look at it is that she. Had a sense a good sense of what many in this state want and when she would go out to events she would listen to people Do you find any evidence of that. And this thing actually in this speech she made a direct reference to how she wants to listen but also a little bit referring to it Roger said about how she's still paying attention to what went wrong before her if you will. Mistakes in the former administration that she perceives them. And one of them is that they want to listen in this bite. I think that we have explained that also.

Let's go ahead and take a look at that now from the speech today by the governor. Government matters trust and listen to the people or it is not a democracy. That is why I spent the last four years listening to you and it is why I will keep listening for as long as I am your governor. I think one of the things that's important about this though is that you can listen for a while and hear things. But you know some of the things that she's heard. She'll hear something she'll use in cutting the budget I'm sure. But some of the things you hear when you're out there a lot of them are really loony because people don't understand government and that's not meant as a patronizing comment. If you saw some of the call in shows in some of the recommendations people will call you and suggesting that dead deer killed on the highways be fed to state prisoners. I saw one and I think it was an angel and actually someone called in and said we're spending too much money on police cars that only end up getting these traffic tickets by radar that end up taking money out of our pockets. It's the sort of syllogistic logic that sort of is

going to come into play what happens then when people say you didn't listen to us with that. I know I know everyone here wants to chime in and we're going to get the chance to do that but I'm being told that I'm going to send it now to Michael Lehren who is standing by outside the war memorial building to continue our coverage of the inauguration 94 Michael. Kate I'm here with Assemblyman Leonard glass and count one of the earlier supporters that Christie Whitman is that right you were one of the first. That's right Michael. I think I may have been the first I've known Christie my whole life and I think she'll be a great governor. What did you think of her dress today. I thought it demonstrates that business is not going to operate as usual in New Jersey from this point forward. She really is committed to change. Particularly regarding our income tax. Were you surprised that she called for this retroactive tax cut. Yes I was I did not know about it. Head of the public to her actual speech. Do you think that she'll have any difficulty getting that retroactive income tax cut into other tax cuts retroactive to January 1st through your legislation.

No I don't think so because the legislature is supportive of the new governor we are all Republicans in the majority now working with a Republican governor. The first time we've been in that situation for 20 years you look cold. One quick question and then I'll let you go on with the feeling inside there. Were you on the stage or on the ground. I was on the stage. What we feel and I think we were excited because now we have the opportunity to lead. And if we don't lead we will be removed from office. It's time for changes in New Jersey. All right. Leonard Lance thanks very much Kroker topcoat. So Michael Eric let's go to Larry stoupe mango who's inside where it's warm. Larry that's my. That's right. Mike it is considerably warmer in here. Joining me now is the assembly minority leader Joe Doria. Joe what do you think of this speech. Well it was a very brief speech. I think she hit on a number of salient points. I think the thing that caught everybody by surprise was the concept of the 5 percent retroactive decrease in taxes which obviously everybody would be supportive of depending upon what the impact upon the of the final proposal would be. I think Donna different Jessica said the president

got the best lift the day when he said he knew it was January 1st but he thought it was January 1st of another year next year. So I wish he had been pushing as you realize I think that you know there's nothing surprising there was she basically did what most of us thought that she would do. She talked about the issues that are of importance to the state and of importance to her and her campaign and that we have to wait to see the final proposals. And until we see the proposals there's no way to know the impact these proposals will have on the state and on the citizens of the state. You have any idea how much these retroactive tax cuts are going to cost. Might they add up to that 288 million dollars that the Florio administration said it found last week leftover from the last fiscal year. It might. There's no way of knowing till we see the proposals. And as I said until that happens I would have to reserve judgment. I would have to see the impact upon all of the proposals on services state services and everyone's for more efficient government and more efficient services so we can save money through efficiency. Obviously we support supportive. The biggest

concern that I would have in the Democrats in the Assembly would have is that we don't allow an increase in property taxes. And she restated that commitment today and I was happy to hear that that decreases in state taxes will not result in a transfer to the property tax which we have for a long time felt is the most onerous of taxes and the one that we're most concerned about because of the fact that during the 1980s it increased by over 100 percent. What is going to be the Democratic role now in this new administration with this new legislature here. You're really in and minorities in both houses what role is your job. What's your job now for the next few years. I think our Joe role will be that of the loyal opposition. Our responsibility will be to question the proposals to be cooperative and to act in a bipartisan basis when the proposals are things that will benefit the citizens of the state. And at the same time to question proposals that we feel could be harmful to the citizens of the state such as the cutting back of services that are necessary or increases in things such as property

taxes or fees you know it's great to cut taxes and everybody supports that as long as while we're cutting taxes with one hand we're not increasing fees or increasing property taxes would another. That's not to the benefit of the citizens. And the governor elect and now the governor Governor Whitman said that and I'm supportive of her statement that if we cut taxes that state that we shouldn't be crossed taxes other places. So we're going to need to be there we want to work on a bipartisan basis things like regulatory reform we have done on the bipartisan basis economic development we're supportive of that and will work with her on that. And obviously we support the concept of the executive order that she signed today. So those types of things I think we will be bipartisan. I think we will work together when we have to and we will act as the loyal opposition and present alternatives won't feel those alternatives have to be presented for the benefit of the citizens of the state. You're from Hudson County on the education front she said it's time for Jersey City to go ahead and try the school voucher program that Mayor Schundler has been pushing for the last year or so. What's your reaction to that.

Well I myself have been supportive of the concept of choice. The proposal that Mayor Schundler had presented and that I've read I'm not in agreement with because I think there's a lot of problems with it. I think that discussion should take place and we should determine exactly what is meant by the concept of vouchers and choice. I've been trying to get a debate on that for a number of years. I've had a piece of legislation in fall now over two and a half years and we haven't had any discussion so the discussion is fine. The specifics of the proposal again would have to be looked at. And I think that obviously if we do it in Jersey City we should do it in a number of other cities. Your city should not be the only place a pilot program concept is an interesting concept but I'd have to see all of the totality of the presentation before I could say I agree with it. All right assembly minority leader Joe Doria thank you for joining us. Larry student again let's go back to the studio announced the Heisman. Thank you Larry. And joining us is Roger Simon Jim. And of course also joining us Howard Green the historical commission. Howard you've taken a good look at the speech you listened to if you're knowledgeable about past speeches you find anything sounding familiar or hitting on saying

things from any other famous ones. Well the first thing I would say is I have not read all the governor's inaugural addresses. And why not come tomorrow. OK. This speech strikes me as a speech that tells us something about the kind of person Mrs. Whitman is and the kind of governor she hopes to be. It was solid it was straightforward. I didn't personally hear any fireworks or magic or wonderful new metaphors or figures of speech but I heard concrete proposals along the lines of the theme she ran her campaign campaign on. It's what she said she was going to do and that's what she has done. And it reminds me a little bit of Woodrow Wilson who also gave a speech when he came into office. That was exactly what he said. Was what it wasn't what he campaigned on. In fact he was a candidate of the bosses. But it was a very distinct specific. Here is what I want to do in the first few months I'm in office simple and simple and direct and straightforward and that's what I thought that perhaps could come back to haunt.

Because it is so direct. I am I don't have a crystal ball. Well perhaps these gentlemen are using our presence here over the last year but I think one of the things that was kind of interesting though was her putting in the speech evidently at the last minute accelerating the tax cut and whether it's Esco the Senate president was kidding or not when he came up made the funny comment. Well I had the date January 1st where I didn't have the year because it came quickly. So he's in it. He's got to pick up the tab for this thing basically is the Senate president. The assembly speaker perhaps on the campaign trail. Chuck I-talian running against from Gothenburg So Donny do you look like the kind of person that was expected to go into Dutch treat for lunch and then was told Lesbia was going in a restaurant you're paying for a pal. And more than you thought. So is that putting the speech at the last minute the kind of thing that might have to be something recognizable legislators giving to what Howard says here about style. She certainly was her own person in this thing. And even to the extreme of going announcing this is somewhat of a surprise here. But I would say one thing legislators and the legislature doesn't take that

kindly to a surprise. Roger do you think that she has hit on this speech on some kind of theme that the public can latch on to. Bill Clinton has been criticized for not being able to find that particular buzz phrase yet. Four years ago Jim Florio said he wants to be remembered as the person who brought new ideas to old ideals that sort of fell flat. It was hard to understand is this something that's understandable. Again I as I said earlier I mean it's reminiscent of Harry S. Truman in my mind plain speaking I agree with Howard here. The fact is is that she said that I mentioned this earlier. After all we all work for you. And I think that there was this you know this this attempt not by design obviously in Trenton in the last number of years to the sort of holier than thou will do it for you will take care of you. You know that's not in the speech. All right. I want to find out whether or not you think she's going to get back on the bus. Roger I was so successful during the Whitman campaign for governor that we're going to take it now to Michael Lerone who is standing by live at the outside the war memorial building to

continue our coverage of Inauguration Day. Michael thanks very much. I'm with senate president former Senate president John Russo. He was the Democratic Senate president for part of the Cain years and he's now a lobbyist on State Street is that the correct way of saying what you do now. Princeton public affairs on State Street Yes. John what was your reaction to Christie Whitman this inaugural address. I thought it was a wonderful speech. It was great politically and it was also great as a program for New Jersey. If she can carry it out. That remains to be seen. But I thought it was a fantastic inaugural speech. Maybe the best I've heard. When you say it was great politically what what touch or what words or where did she really hit on all the themes that the people of New Jersey are concerned about and care about crime particularly Certainly the fiscal thing the tax problems these are the things people wanted to hear. They also want her to deliver. I hope she can. I think she can. It'll be interesting to see her or her announcement that she wants to cut the income tax retroactive to January 1st and took most people by surprise. Correct.

I think it took the Republican Senate leaders by surprise. But I think now it's it's a goal for them. Hopefully they can do it. Are you surprised that something like that in a major speech doesn't leak out that ordinarily in New Jersey doesn't that sort of thing leak to the press about three days ahead of time. You know I'm surprised these past few weeks how many things that have come been proposed they didn't leak out. Send a present on the Francesco's proposal and senatorial courtesy didn't leak out. This didn't leak out. It seems like things are tightening up around here. You said that you think that the program that she's laying out for the state is good. What do you mean by that. The cutting of taxes stimulating business. No question about stimulating business is good at stimulating jobs cutting taxes and saving the people money so they can use of other things as good crime. Her her thoughts on crime if they work people are are terribly concerned about safety. So it's a good program if she can do it and I hope she can. Well what about the cutting side of the ledger What about the spending cuts. Are you one who thinks she's going to have to make much more painful and obvious cuts that she seems to think she is

going to have to make. Mike I've always felt that there are cuts that can be made in this state government that won't hurt as much as people seem to think they will. I think if she does that and doesn't hurt people who need help she can cut that money at least that a good part of it. OK John Russo thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. This is Michael Aaron with former Senate president John Russo. Let's go back to the studio. All right Michael thank you. We've talked about promises and tax cuts. How would green necessarily so that with a Republican governor and holding the majority in both houses of the legislature necessarily smooth sailing for governor. Well I don't want to predict the future here but there are certainly precedents in the past for governors having legislatures in their own party and having to coming forward with programs that were not popular with that legislature creating splits and breaking up what seemed to be a solid

coalition government. Byrne In 1973 had basically the same situation for him a lopsided Democratic majority and he used to joke about how to control the debate. That was in the hands of a three party system the Democrats the Republicans and the working majority. But the point you have to keep in mind in case it a similar situation but in in the case of Cahill and burn they it was the whole income tax fight that dominated the 1970s political agenda is a function of education funding and so forth. You know the Republicans don't like to raise taxes you have a philosophical circumstance here where they're on the same side of the question. Republicans like the medaled has its own agenda. You've got the both houses of legislature with their agenda and certainly the executive branch with the governor. I think you'll see actually Christie will have less trouble with the public on this. Less trouble with the Democrats is in more trouble with her own majorities in