N.J. Supreme Court Blocks Christie's Plan to Abolish Affordable-Housing Agency

Gov. Chris Christie cannot shut down an independent state agency charged with building affordable housing for New Jersey’s poorest residents, the state Supreme Court ruled today. The decision deals a blow to the Republican governor’s agenda and shields other independent agencies from similar power grabs.

Since his first days in office, Christie has tried to eliminate the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and transfer its duties to one of his cabinet officers, arguing that the council was broken beyond repair.

He needs the Democratic-controlled Legislature to give the green light first, the state’s highest court ruled today in a 5-2 decision by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner upholding a lower-court ruling.