TRENTON -- Blasting Gov. Chris Christie's summer home as "a private luxury paid for with public money," a Democratic state lawmaker is proposing legislation to lease out the property, and Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno is calling for it to be sold outright.

Earlier this week, the governor came under fire after photos were published showing Christie lounging in flip-flops, shorts and a baseball hat at Island Beach State Park during the state government shutdown that cut off access to the same beach to residents.

"I've never thought there should be a beach house for the governor," Guadagno, the Republican nominee in this year's race to succeed Christie, in a text message to NJ Advance Media on Friday. "I think it should be sold."

In addition to a $175,000 salary, a $95,000 a year expense account, and the use of Drumthwacket mansion in Princeton, the governor also has exclusive use of several beach houses at Island Beach State Park in Berkeley Township.

"There is no real burning need to have a private beach house," state Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) said. "Especially in a state as small as ours."

On Friday, Wisniewski, a former Democratic candidate for governor, introduced two pieces of legislation addressing what's become known as "Beachgate."

The first bill (A5131) would require the state-owned beach house located at Island Beach State Park to be offered for rent to the general public.

"Run for governor, and you can have a residence there," Christie said when asked about his use of the facility earlier this week.

The governor has flatly rejected criticism of his use of the beach house residence during the shutdown, telling reporters on July 4th "we have a right to be there whenever we want to be there."

But Wisniewski's second bill (A5132) would change that, too. Except for Drumthwacket, it would prohibit the use of "any residential property owned by the state and provided exclusively or primarily for the governor's use - including the beach house at Island Beach State Park -- during a state budget-related government shutdown."

That prohibition would apply "to the governor, the governor's family or any other person or entity."

Speaking to NJ Advance Media on Friday, Wisniewski noted that the governor already has the use of a state helicopter to ferry him about should he need to reach the shore in a hurry.

"And he uses that to a fare-thee-well," Wisniewski said.

Guadagno said she thinks the property should be sold. But a spokesman for Democratic nominee Phil Murphy -- who leads her 2-to-1 in the most recent polling -- did not respond to a request for comment.

Claude Brodesser-Akner may be reached at cbrodesser@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ClaudeBrodesser. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.