New Jersey Assembly rejects plan to transfer NJN management to NY-based WNET

The New Jersey Assembly rejected Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to turn over management of New Jersey public television to WNET, delivering a political blow to Gov Christie (R) while leaving the fate of the state’s public broadcasting network in limbo.

In a vote of 45 to 30, the Assembly blocked the five-year contract that would allow Public Media NJ, a subsidiary of Channel 13 WNET, to be incorporated in New Jersey, to operate New Jersey public TV. Several who voted to nix the deal complained about an out-of-state entity operating a New Jersey asset. "Giving NJN to New York makes no sense," said the resolution’s sponsor Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) before the vote. "We need to make NJN stronger and not give it away." Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) introduced a similar resolution in the Senate. That body could vote on June 27, but it must pass by June 28 to prevent the deal from going through.