http://www.politickernj.com/alan-steinberg/36165/christie-can-succeed-where-obama-failing

Key quotes from article:

"In short, the result of the first Christie budget will be a test of wills between the new Governor and municipal and school district officials throughout the state. These local officials will hope that threat of property tax hikes and major reductions in education and municipal services will cause Christie to raise state taxes in order to close the $9 billion deficit and maintain state aid to municipalities and school districts at existing levels."

"Will Chris Christie succeed in making the focus on the property tax issue the reduction of local costs, rather than the amount of state aid? His success in this regard will determine how his administration will be judged, not just by the voters in 2013 but by historians in general. The ability of the Christie administration to communicate this message will depend on the political skills of his top officials."

"Christie can win the test of wills with local officials and the various public employee and teachers’ union, most notably the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) if he holds firm and now conveys a real message of Hope: that after a painful period, the state’s budget expenditure can be reduced, that further reductions in taxes can be implemented, and that a more business friendly climate in the state will be the result."