CHRISTIE'S DAY – AT 8:26 A.M. ET:  Chris Christie makes his much-anticipated speech on leadership at the Reagan Library today.  We'll tell you what he says.  The speech, viewed as routine when it was announced originally, has now taken on a life of its own amid speculation that Christie may reverse himself and decide to join the presidential race.

As readers know, we have had our doubts about Christie, but we're certainly willing to listen.  This is an important speech.  At the same time, Christie being Christie, he's done something new that reflects the spunk and verve that he brings to his office, the kind of thing that has made him so popular with so many:

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) — MTV’s reality show “Jersey Shore” won’t get a tax break from New Jersey because Gov. Chris Christie says the show hurts the state’s image.

Christie on Monday blocked a $420,000 film credit that was approved for the show last week by the state Economic Development Authority.

The money was supposed to cover production costs for the hit reality series’ inaugural 2009 season.

Christie suspended the film tax credit program in 2010 to close a budget deficit, but the 2009 season still qualified for the credit.

“I have no interest in policing the content of such projects,” Christie said in a statement. “However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the State and its citizens.”

COMMENT:  Good for Chris.  I've been in the film business and have always been dubious about tax credits for the industry.  Hollywood accounting has too much flim-flam for me to believe that these credits are well used.  I suspect many tax "incentives" turn into BMWs in the garages of Hollywood executives. 

We await the governor, from the Reagan Library.

September 27, 2011