TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie took to the steps of Trenton's City Hall to sign a bill into law establishing an alternative pre-trial release system so that poor defendants aren't stuck in jail because they can't afford bail.

The governor also promised to do what he could to advocate in favor of a constitutional amendment (SCR128) that would allow judges to deny bail to some offenders.

Christie heavily lobbied lawmakers to approve the constitutional amendment and even called legislators back to the Statehouse for a special session to take up the measure along with the companion legislation (S964) he signed into law today.

The ability for both proposals to move through the Statehouse and one be sent down the street for a signing at Trenton’s City Hall was made possible by Democrats and Republicans working together, Christie said.

“Here in New Jersey, we’re continuing to show that we can do things different,” he said, calling the nation’s capital the “dysfunctional mess that Washington D.C. has become” because of partisan politics.

“New Jersey is once again leading by example and showing how it’s possible to bring about real bipartisan action,” he said. “Today, I am proud to stand here with so many people.”

Lawmakers and legislative leadership stood beside Christie as he signed the measures and gave a brief address, echoing the governor’s call to put politics aside for the better of New Jersey residents, said Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester).

“I want to thank the governing on focusing on issues like this is and putting partisanship aside,” Sweeney said.

“We actually did something that makes a difference of the lives of people in the state of New Jersey,” he said. “So governor, thank you.”

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) also echoed both their comments.

The signing comes a week after New Jersey lawmakers sent the bill to Christie’s desk. It was approved after the governor called legislators back to the Statehouse for a special session to vote on the proposal ahead of a looming deadline to put the two constitutional amendment questions on the ballot this November.

Christie called a special session on July 31 and the Senate quickly adopted the proposals after the governor address both chambers.

The Assembly waited until hours after the address before signaling the lower house would take up the measures on Aug. 4.

Some of the social activists, clergy and mayors who joined Christie in urging lawmakers to approve the proposals during a Statehouse address a day before the special session were on hand for today’s signing.

“It’s a great step in the right direction and certainly we support the governor,” said Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson said. “Thank you governor.”

The last time leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature joined Christie for a bill signing was on the Statehouse steps in June when the governor signed into law a measure that was credited with helping stem the growth of property taxes in New Jersey.

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