Christie Negotiated Secret Pension Deal

Gov. Chris Christie (R) “will disclose that he and the teachers’ union have spent weeks in secret talks aimed at closing the billion-dollar deficit that involves the teachers’ retirement and health benefits,” the New York Times reports. The union, an aide to the governor said, has “signed on to and endorsed a road map for reform that the governor will outline in today’s speech.”

“It is an unexpected turn in a relationship that has at times redefined dysfunction. Since 2009, the Democratic-leaning teachers’ union has clashed often and openly with the governor, a Republican who is bent on overhauling benefits and tenure rules for teachers.”