Quotes From Christie's Speech

Quotes from Republican Gov. Chris Christie's State of the State speech on Tuesday and reaction to it:

"For New Jersey, the corner has been turned. Today, the debate is not about who to blame for our failures, it is how to build on our successes.

"It is no longer about how to deal with devastating decline; it is now about how to push New Jersey even further ahead. To be better than we thought we could be.

"In these last two years, New Jersey has set the standard for governance in America — be honest; don't mince words; and do the big and difficult things — not only because it is right, but because it lays the foundation for future greatness. Now, it's our job to finish the task."

—Gov. Chris Christie, on the state of the state.

"To use the success of others as an excuse to block change for those we are failing is not only wrong, it is immoral. Too many of our schools are failing our children, and they have been failing for far too long."

—Christie, on opposition to proposed changes in public education.

"It was a very good speech, but that's all it was — a speech."

—State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester.

"A 10 percent across-the-board income tax cut might make a nice sound bite, but ultimately it benefits the wealthiest far more than low- and middle-income earners. ... The obvious question is: Where will this money come from? And will it cut further into education funding or vital social programs that our poorest residents rely on as a lifeline?"

—Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, D-East Orange.

"If you want to do us a favor, cut the property tax rate by 10 percent.

—Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald, D-Voorhees.

"Getting New Jersey back on track was not easy. It took a lot of hard work and tough decisions but after two years it is now clear that Governor Christie's common-sense reforms are paying dividends."

—New Jersey Republican Party Chairman Samuel Raia.

"The governor clearly understands that the personal income tax is really a small business tax, and that it has to be lower if we're going to be competitive."

—Laurie Ehlbeck, New Jersey director of the National Federation of Independent Business.

"It's time to abandon bumper sticker and sound-bite solutions to the complex issues facing public education and to bring everyone together to support proven reforms."

—Barbara Keshishian, president of the New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

"Today the governor did not mention the environment or open space once during the State of the State address, but given his record he might be ashamed to. His environmental record is one of weakenings and attacks on environmental protections."

—Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club.