Scandal-tested Governor Christie sworn into second term

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP):

Governor Chris Christie was sworn into office Tuesday for a second term, saying he had a mandate to stay the course even as Democrats ramp up criticism of the Republican governor amid investigations of a bridge scandal that has led to other allegations of abuse of power.

"It wasn't just some of our people who affirmed this course. It was not a vocal plurality like four years ago. No, this time, it was the largest and loudest voice of affirmation that the people of our state have given to any direction in three decades," Christie said. "We have no moral option but to heed the voice of the voters, and that is exactly what I intend to do."

He also reiterated his call for tax cuts for the middle class.

Unlike in his State of the State speech last week, Christie made no mention of the multiple investigations of his administration.

INVESTIGATION DEEPENS

His speech came less than an hour after Democratic state lawmakers announced they would merge investigative committees from the Assembly and Senate into one panel to look into lane closures on an approach to the George Washington Bridge.

Emails released this month showed a top Christie aide ordered the closure of approach lanes in the town of Fort Lee apparently as political retribution against the mayor there. And new questions have arisen about his use of post-Superstorm Sandy recovery aide.