Gov. Chris Christie rejected legislation Thursday that would have raised monthly welfare benefits for the first time in 30 years, and would have restored $7.5 million in grants for women's clinics which he eliminated when he first took office in 2010. In veto statements released just before 10 p.m. two hours before the start of the new fiscal year the governor said his actions "protected taxpayers" from the "irresponsible" spending by the Democrats who control the Legislature.