"I am more than willing to work with the governor."
In a guest Op-Ed at The Record, Sen. Nick Scutari - a sponsor of NJ's medical marijuana law - explains why the legislature had to overrule Gov. Christie's destructive rules, and what the next steps are.
Weinberg: "What can you make of Mike Kasparian?" she said. "I have no idea. He hasn't called an executive meeting in months."
Looks like Paul Kaufman, legal counsel for the Bergen Dems, has been fired.
Incoming Bergen County Exec Kathe Donovan files suit
Donovan filed a lawsuit yesterday accusing the Dem-controlled freeholders of violating OPMA in its approval of a bond ordinance bailing out BergenPAC. Her predecessor Dennis McNerney, who also approved the ordinance, is also named.
Mickey Mouse Governing
Salon is just amazed at Christie's "idiotic" decision.
CNN takes note of the Christie front office scramble to keep the heat off the boss.
Dr. Joe Marbach at Seton Hall U. says our succession rule is antiquated in the digital age.
Codey: "They're both entitled to a vacation. But not at the same time."
Your town may have a chance to go a little greener, and do it with state & federal monies already set aside. But the deadline's in 2 days.
Camden: L3
Concentrating crime fighting and combining efforts of law enforcement agencies - - in space at a highly secure defense firm near Camden's waterfront.
NJ wants new operator of NJN by end of spring
Stockton College, which is proposing to run NJN out of their non-profit arm, was told that NJ expects to issue a request for proposals early in 2011.
Audit to look at DRPA's spending
A "forensic" audit of $715 million that the Delaware River Port Authority spent on economic development projects from 1992 to date is expected to be completed during 2011.
"I already made my announcement and I don't think it's necessary to say it 100 times."
Since Christie & Guadagno's vacationing during the 2010 blizzard - and not returning once the emergency was declared - became national news, the governor's spokesman has been working overtime doing damage control for his boss.
It's a big snow, definitely, but the world is not coming to an end.
Can no one in the Christie administration go a day without that belittling tone? He goes on to say:
We are a northeastern state and we get snow - sometimes lots of it like this - and we will get through it just as we always do.
Yes, as I returned to New Jersey after being snowed in elsewhere, I saw a lot of public workers out salting and clearing the roads, emergency services workers tending to accidents, shopkeepers clearing a path to their doors to stay open, low-wage workers in double-layer work gloves pumping gas for weary drivers, waitresses in double shifts at McDonald's keeping the coffee fresh.
Yes, we'll "get through it as we always do". That'll be us, your constituents. That's who I see out working and getting "through it". Your boss and his LG still have another few days of play in the sunshine, so maybe stow the snide at least till the governor's back on New Jersey soil. Till then, it sure as hell is lost on me.
If you are interested in the debate over the more than 1,000 diplomatic cables recently made public by WikiLeaks, you're likely to find the video below to be of value (from) a panel discussion ... at the Woodrow Wilson School on the campus of Princeton University.
This was posted just before Christmas. I have to say, this year Fair Share Housing Center has told its story very well at Blue Jersey, and we thank them for that. - promoted by Rosi
It has been quite a year for housing policy in New Jersey. After at least six different versions of housing legislation, one Executive Order that only stood for 10 days before a court injunction, and two other key court decisions, the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) remains in place, and housing policy in New Jersey has an uncertain future. Here's a look at where we've been, where we are going, and the excellent grass roots organizing by so many groups - including the BlueJersey community - that have impacted the past year and will be critical in 2011.
Gov. Christie, of course, promised to "gut COAH" during the 2009 Republican primary to his conservative base. It didn't come up so much in the general election, perhaps because polls shows that most New Jerseyans support having a range of housing choices in every community. Still, replacing COAH was a goal that most people could agree on as the agency, despite a competent and intelligent staff, had been manipulated due to various politically motivated changes in policy over the past decade.
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams live with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls. And each year, we get to take a week off, and just listen back to some of our favorite shows.
So, like we did back in 2007 and 2008, and 2009, we invite you again to sit back, relax, and "click on the pix" to have a listen back to some of this year's Blue Jersey Radio Year in Review:
Congressmen
In such a tumultuous year, we were privileged to hear directly from a number of our representatives in Congress, including first-time guest Rep. Donald Payne, and returning guests, our dear friends, Rep. Frank Pallone and Rep. Rush Holt, all three of whom will be returning to Congress in January. (By contrast, Rep. John Adler didn't manage to squeeze us in this election year, and he won't be going back. Coincidence?)
Rep. Frank Pallone, NJ-6
Rep. Donald M. Payne, NJ-10
Rep. Rush Holt, NJ-12
NJ Legislators and Mayors
We also had the pleasure of being joined by state and local elected officials from around the state.
Sen. Linda Greenstein, LD-14 (well, almost)
Asm. Peter J. Barnes III, LD-18
Asm. John Wisniewski, LD-19
Haledon Mayor Domenick Stampone
Some of New Jersey's Most Inspiring Activists and Leaders
We spoke with leaders of a variety of influential, interesting and inspiring organizations working to make a positive impact around the state.
Courage to Connect NJ's Gina Genovese
Unseat Sean Kean
Women's Health Matters NJ's Michele Jaker
NJ Policy Perspective's Deborah Howlett
Annabel Park, Coffee Party USA Founder
Progressive Challengers
And we heard from the brave souls who stood up to challenge incumbents even in New Jersey's toughest races, earning them an "A" on the political participation scoreboard.
Cory Booker and Chris Christie deal with the blizzard in New Jersey
Booker, everywhere: delivering diapers to a mommy in need, patrolling with a mayoral shovel, standing by a woman in labor until EMS arrives. Christie: nowhere, tweeting out what OTHER people were doing in the snow emergency.
Blue Jersey Blogger Jeff Gardner to challenge for NJ Legislature?
Retired laborers hit with six-fold increase in health care contribution
1,360 retirees from the Laborers International Union of North America 10 New Jersey locals are being hit with a 6-fold increase in their monthly health care contribution.
NJ disabled to face reductions in Supplemental Security Income benefits
Some of us (who haven't signed up for the responsibility of running New Jersey) are still stuck getting home. If you're reading something you think we should all see, please drop a link in comments. This is an Open Thread.
The chairman of the local Democratic committee in Hawthorne may challenge for a 35th Legislative District seat next year.
Jeff Gardner will leave his present job as an attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in January to star a solo law practice in his hometown.
"I think it's safe to say I have not ruled out a run," said Gardner, who opposed state Sen. John Girgenti's (D-Hawthorne) no vote on marriage equality and subsequently took control of the local Democratic committee.
I've texted the man personally for comment which should come soon, hopefully in the comments portion of this here diary.
Democratic Senator Stephen Sweeney did Republican Governor Chris Christie a big favor by maintaining a low profile (other than declaring a much-needed snow emergency) when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor inexplicabally neglected their constituents by skipping town before the onset of the snowstorm. As acting governor, Sweeney promised not to do any "mischief" during his brief reign.
Yet, Sweeney can do himself, the governor, and the state a favor by taking two actions - signing the anti-bullying bill and signing the women's health bill. As Senator Weinberg pointed out, the women's health law will not impact the state's budget. The signing of the anti-bullying law is the right thing to do, but for some reason is not supported by oddly misnamed pro-family groups, a key element of Christie's constituency.
If we go out on a limb and grant that Chris Christie is a decent person, then signing these bills is something that he would do if political considerations were taken out of the equation. So if Acting Governor Sweeney signs the bills, he takes the heat from his political enemies and earns points from his skeptical allies. A win-win for the politicians and the people - how often do we have that opportunity?
