New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivered a tough State of the State speech yesterday, vowing to fight Democrats on tax cuts and spending and push pension reform past fierce union opposition.

Christie, starting his second year in office, took credit for closing the state’s $10.7 billion budget gap by turning away from the Garden State’s tax-and-spend tradition.

“We are showing other states that sometimes, to create real change, you’ve got to go all in and show a little Jersey attitude,” he said in a 38-minute speech.

He challenged state legislators to find the political courage to further tighten the state’s budget.

He called for “modestly” raising the retirement age, curbing cost-of-living increases, and ensuring “a modest but acceptable contribution from employees toward their own retirement system.”