Back in 1975, when NY City was in financial crisis, then President Ford threatened to veto a Congressional bailout. The move triggered widespread outrage, and this famous headline on the cover of the NY Daily News: Ford to City: Drop Dead.

Governor Christie has taken a page out of history and prompted this far tamer Asbury Park Press story headline (prompting a critical editorial: “Stop Stalling on Bay bill“):

Gov. Christie: No money for tackling Barnegat Bay pollution

In addition to failing to support financial investments, Christie and Republican party politics have killed a package of bills designed to reduce nutrient pollution from fertilizers on a  statewide basis, (S1411), require the repair of stormwater basins in Barnegat Bay, and require that DEP adopt a cleanup plan (called a “TMDL”) for Barnegat Bay.

Ocean County Republican Freeholders flat out opposed such efforts during August legislative hearings. Today, the Asbury Park Press reported that the Governor said he spoke with Ocean Freeholders about the Bay, so the issue appears to be a partisan one.

And the Republicans in the legislature have joined this partisan political game by linking the bills to the Christie municipal spending cap “tool kit” package. Per the APP:

Tool kit protest stalls movement of Barnegat Bay bill

That makes DEP Commissioner Bob Martin’s long delayed “comprehensive plan” to restore the Bay an unfunded, toothless, bad joke – DOA and a political football.