So I took a vacation

by: Senator Loretta Weinberg

Tue Apr 06, 2010 at 02:12:00 PM EDT

And doing a shortened version of the political scene from the other side of the country. Am spending part of the budget break on the west coast with family celebrating the holidays. It's been cooler than it is back in New Jersey this week. The atmosphere, however, is very "Jersey Like".

According to the latest news reports 74% of folks here believe California is going in the wrong direction. High unemployment, and declining property sales have all contributed to the growing lack of confidence in California's government! This is a state which passed Proposition 13 in 1978 to reduce and cap property taxes! And this is a state with a Republican Governor and the right to Initiative & Referendum.There are 84 different referendum on the next ballot here with voters needing a full manual to decipher their various meanings. It was just announced that the school year will be shortened by 5 days less of learning this year to help with the budget shortfall. So much for results of Prop 13.

Though this is where the Tea Party folks flourish, do not despair! Today I learned about the growth of the new "Coffee Party" which is grounded in a "coming together with respect for each others' opinion while searching for common ground, and building a better political consensus". What do you think of the Coffee Party, Blue Jerseyans? So much for the latest news from the Left Coast. Except of course I could tell you about my adorable grandkids, but I'll send that video next week!

Am looking forward to seeing the final printing of "SO WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?" which was the brain child of my Marriage Equality co-prime sponsor, Senator Ray Lesniak. It's a great New Jersey story about The Case For Marriage Equality in our State. I'm thrilled to be part of it and will let you know soon about "our book signing".

Back to New Jersey soon to continue working with my colleagues on alternatives to Christie's budget. The latest "down" news was that after wiping out the $7.5million from women's health initiatives in the Governor's budget, the Department of Human Services was forced to drop their medicaid waiver application because of lack of matching funds. The waiver and additional federal money would have allowed the state to re-institute part of these lost programs. Another bad decision. I am glad that the Democrats will draw that "line in the sand" over the temporary surcharge on those earning more than $400,000 per year.

Keep your voices heard!

Senator Loretta Weinberg :: So I took a vacation

Tags: coffee party, marriage equality, Ray Lesniak, women's health, millionaires tax, Department of Human Services, (All Tags)

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So I took a vacation | 4 comments

I think I heard Christie say... (0.00 / 0)

during the campaign that we should have a referendum system like California's. I sure hope you would fight that 100% because it's been a disaster.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Tue Apr 06, 2010 at 18:40:26 PM UTC

Coffee Party New Jersey (4.00 / 1)

As the state coordinator for Coffee Party NJ, I would love to invite you to get involved with what we are doing.

We have already had two very successful National Coffee Party Days on March 13 and 27 respectively and are currently in the midst of reaching out to our Congressmen and Senators as part of our Coffee with Congress initiative.

I am personally working to develop a community service component as part of the overall Coffee Party agenda that would work with the district offices of our federal and state electeds, Democratic and Republican, to better educate people about the programs and services that government offers so that they can gain a better appreciation for the value of government as well as make government work better for them.

I believe that this is a better way to counter the TP's anti-government message than engaging them in circular arguments that will never yield any form of consensus or resolution.

We are currently in the midst of some leadership transitions and are looking for county coordinators for Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and Hudson Counties (as with most progressive grassroots efforts, we seem to be strongest in the redder parts of the state and not as strong in the bluer).

If you or anybody else reading this knows anybody who is interested in getting involved with the Coffee Party movement in NJ in a leadership capacity, please feel free to e-mail me at bertinlefkovic@gmail.com.

by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Tue Apr 06, 2010 at 19:47:05 PM UTC

Hope you're enjoying n/t (0.00 / 0)

by: Jason Springer @ Tue Apr 06, 2010 at 23:47:32 PM UTC

"Line in the sand" (0.00 / 0)

Welcome back.

Am glad to hear from you that the Democrats will draw the line in the sand over over the tax bracket for those earning over $400,000. Such is a critical action which then permits you to reduce some of the cuts and provide a better safety net for those most vulnerable, assistance for those seeking employment, maintain infrastructure, pay down some debt and make investments to strengthen our economy.

Adding short-term higher tax rates for those with incomes over $250,000 and $750,000 would further speed our recovery in NJ.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

by: Bill Orr @ Wed Apr 07, 2010 at 18:35:32 PM UTC