Christie's biggest challenge

Christie and the Legislature (4.00 / 1)

Christie and the Senate will probably be a love fest, particularly if Sweeney is majority leader.  It's the Assembly where Chrisite might have trouble getting things through (whatever they are).  Look for him to try to play divide and conquer with the two chambers.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:17:39 PM UTC

Sadly, You're Right... (0.00 / 0)

Christie is a Bush/Cheney machine pol.  He's just as corrupt and dirty as Joe Ferriero ever was.   The only difference between them is that Christie hasn't yet been indicted and convicted.

The Norcross machine is laughing right now.   They got their wish.......someone they can work with.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:33:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Does this change things? (4.00 / 3)

Does anyone think the Gov-elect's victory changes anything in the Senate President vote?

Also: do we think a lame-duck legislative session will change New Jersey law and remove the power of the Governor to appoint a replacement Senator in the case of the death, resignation, or expulsion of an incumbent Senator? Not to be glib, but we never know what might happen and allowing a Governor Christie to appoint the next U.S. Senator from New Jersey should the unthinkinable happen....would compound our misery.

Is there going to be any strength in the Legislature for a quick-special-election/remove Senate appointment bill?

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by: JasonCNJ @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:17:40 PM UTC

re: (0.00 / 0)

This should give Codey a boost.  But I have a feeling that the cake is already baked.  We'll see.

That's a good idea regarding the special session, especially with Lautenberg's age.  But it remains to be seen whether the leaders want to take the heat that will come with it.

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by: 12mileseastofTrenton @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:23:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I just posted about teh Senate appointment on my blog (4.00 / 4)

It really needs to be done during this lame duck session.  Unfortunately living in Monmouth County, I don't have any Democrats who I could contact about this.  If you're represented by a Democrat, call them TODAY about it.  Do not wait.  Short of praying for the health of Senator Lautenberg, this is the best thing we can do for New Jersey.  Spread the word NOW.

follow my blog at outspokenliberal.blogspot.com

http://outspokenliberal.blogsp...

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by: tabbycat31 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:36:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Excellent Point: No Christie US Senator!!!! (4.00 / 1)

The lame duck session should immediately pass a law that Corzine should immediately sign allowing for runoff election in the event that we need to replace a Senator.

Giving Christie the power to appoint a right ring radical to the Senate would be a disaster for our state and the nation.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:37:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

call your legislators NOW (4.00 / 2)

we need to change this law.   Also cross post this everywhere you may post.  We can do this.

http://outspokenliberal.blogsp...

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by: tabbycat31 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:46:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Loretta Weinberg Are You Listening!!! n/t (4.00 / 1)

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:50:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'll give her a call today (0.00 / 0)

even though she's not my Senator (grr I have Sean Kean) I'll let her know I've got her back

http://outspokenliberal.blogsp...

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by: tabbycat31 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 17:08:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why not take the easy way out? (0.00 / 0)

Why not just get Lautenburg to step down immediately and have Corzine replace him? It would be better than rewriting laws in a very public and partisan manner.

Jumping up in a lame duck session to change the law would take a lot of effort and would further erorde party credibility. Christie would be grinning from ear to ear if that move is made. What leverage would the Houses have when there is a stalemate on the budget in 7 months?

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by: mmcgrath @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:00:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's Lautenberg's Call..... (0.00 / 0)

...and I would be shocked if he makes it.

I'm sure he's aware that it could be done; but the last thing anyone should do is press Frank Lautenberg.  As I recall he's a pretty tough old bird.  Ask Rob Andrews.

If that noble sacrifice were to be made, it has to come 100% from him, not anyone pushing the idea.

In lieu of that, I'm more concerned with keeping a Lonegan clone out of the Senate than with being "nice".

If this shoe was on the Republican's foot they would be scrambling as we speak to write the legislation.    

Let's grow up and play hardball, at least this once.

If the voters of NJ thought they would be putting a right wing radical Republican into the Senate yesterday; they wouldn't have voted for Christie...and lot's more would have come out to vote against him.

In fact, that prospect would have made a great theme/ad in the campaign (along with a dozen other things that weren't done).

However the mission is accomplished, we Democrats must do whatever can be done to minimize the possibility that Christie will be able to pick a US  Senator.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:38:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's a Fight You Don't Need (0.00 / 0)

If he resigns and gets replaced, it could all be over by Friday. I would like to see the Trump Apprentice put in there. Its time to start looking towards the future.  

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by: mmcgrath @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:51:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

environmental rollback will be done via regulation (0.00 / 0)

and
1) reductions in permit fees
2) reductions in inspections, fines and weakening of compliance and enforcement policy
3) management team - industry flacks
4) DEP budget cuts
5) revisions in science and data akin to federal Data Quality Act under guise of "sound science"
6) revisions to rulemaking process under guise of "transparency"
7) litigation policy changes - particularly the 120 natural resource damage lawsuits
8) approval of various industry petitions for rulemaking

No need to go to Legislature for any of this.
dismantling.  

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by: Winston Smith @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 17:58:49 PM UTC

reduction in permit fees? (0.00 / 0)

no vote from the money-raising body?  

Budget cuts?  mabye governor's budget, but we can assume his budget is Doa

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by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 20:27:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, DEP sets permit fees (0.00 / 0)

administratively, by regulation.

Go over to WolfeNotes.com and read my blog posts where I lay out DEP budget funding sources. More than 75%  of DEP operating budget comes from fees and fines and federal grants. That's 0.10% of Total state budget.

Any cuts in fee revneu woiuld need to be made up by genral fund (taxpayeer) appropriations.

The Governor submits the budget to the legislature, so he sets interdepartmental priorities as well as spending priorities. Plus, line item veto.

The governor can impound any supplemental appropriations to DEP - just like Christe Whitman did in 1996.

The Gov has extraordinary legal power under NJ constitution - which translates ito even more effective political power

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by: Winston Smith @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:47:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's a Self-Serving Quote BTW (0.00 / 0)

This 'aide' is still helping Chrisite.  A nice straw man he/she beats up    Of course, If that's the way the legislature is viewed by the public, 'no interest in working with any governor, etc.' Christie will have it.  

This is a 2011 Assembly.  They'll be a little concerned for the Senate, but for the most part, doing the political calculus you don't have to really deal with Christie until the 2nd year of his term, when he'll be old hat.

 

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by: CouncilmanBruceCarlson @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 20:32:55 PM UTC