Governor Christie has vetoed legislation that would have set up a state-run health exchange needed to implement the federal Affordable Care Act in New Jersey.

Though the Democratic-controlled Legislature passed a bill to have the state run its own exchange, New Jersey under Christie, a Republican, had been one of several states delaying a final decision.

Christie said in a statement released Thursday afternoon that the federal government hadn't provided "all the necessary information" he needed to make decision.

"Any other action than this would be fiscally irresponsible," Christie said in a statement.

"Thus far, we lack such critical information from the federal government," he said. "I will not ask New Jerseyans to commit today to a state-based exchange when the federal government cannot tell us what it will cost, how that cost compares to other options, and how much control they will give the states over this option that comes at the cost of our state's taxpayers."

Will the feds be ready to provide an insurance exchange in all of the states that don't have one on October 1, 2013?

I have no idea. And neither does anyone else I talk to inside the Beltway. We only hear vague reports that parts of the new federal exchange information systems are in testing.

The former CIA director couldn't get away with an affair in this town but the Obama administration has a complete lid on just where they are on health insurance exchanges and haven't shown any willingness to want to talk about their progress toward launching on time — except to tell us all not to worry.

We are all worried. I would not want to be responsible for the work that remains and only have ten months to do it…