Gov. Christie signs bill giving workers back pay over shutdown

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a bill that gives back pay to New Jersey state workers affected by this summer's three-day government shutdown.

Christie said in statement Tuesday that the new law "justly reinstates" the pay state workers lost over the shutdown of nonessential government services from July 1 to July 3.

The Republican governor ordered some government services, including state parks, closed after he and the Democrat-led Legislature failed to enact a budget by the deadline. At issue was Christie's demand to makeover the state's biggest health insurer.

The shutdown ended after Christie was widely ridiculed when photos captured by NJ.com showed him lounging on Island Beach State Park, which was closed to the public.

Christie signed the nearly $35 billion budget by the July 4 holiday.TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a bill that gives back pay to New Jersey state workers affected by this summer's three-day government shutdown.

Christie said in statement Tuesday that the new law "justly reinstates" the pay state workers lost over the shutdown of nonessential government services from July 1 to July 3.

The Republican governor ordered some government services, including state parks, closed after he and the Democrat-led Legislature failed to enact a budget by the deadline. At issue was Christie's demand to makeover the state's biggest health insurer.

The shutdown ended after Christie was widely ridiculed when photos captured by NJ.com showed him lounging on Island Beach State Park, which was closed to the public.

Christie signed the nearly $35 billion budget by the July 4 holiday.