Gov. Christie pushes bill to convert New Jersey Network into independent entity

Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) submitted legislation Sept 2 designed to end the state's four decades of support for the public television network, NJN, by year's end.

The Governor's plan calls for the Treasurer, by Nov. 1, to take inventory of the network's assets and find the best way to complete a sale or transfer of them, . The bill requires this step be and the list shared with the public broadcasting authority and the Legislature. It also calls for the Treasurer to negotiate directly with an existing public broadcasting outlet and to accept proposals for the sale or transfer. The administration says it wants to make sure the "successor to NJN can fulfill the responsibilities of maintaining a New Jersey-focused public broadcasting operation." Gov Christie's 2011 budget passed in June cut NJN's direct state aid to $2 million and called for the state's $11 million subsidy (for salaries, and buildings) to end as of Jan. 1, 2011.