The new Senate committee lineups are taking shape and I just got my hands on the list of committee chairmen/women. Some seem like a natural fit (Vitale, Scutari for ex.) while other appear wildly out of place given their backgrounds and leadership skills. But that's just my take.
Anyway, follow me below the fold to learn who the Senate's gavel-bearers will be for the next 2 years.
Does the name Fred Madden ring a bell? Probably not. He's a backbencher politician who represents the part of New Jersey that hardly anyone lives is. And judging from his voting record he's a right wing tool.
For example:
He voted against gay marriage equality.
He voted to keep the death penalty on the books.
He's a member of the NRA-sponsored ""Hunter Caucus."
And yesterday he voted against the bill to curb HIV rates (and charity care costs) by giving IV drug users over-the-counter access to clean syringes.
Fred Madden was elected in 2004 to the NJ State Senate as a Democrat by spending a record 4.2 million dollars on his campaign. Now we all know you don't get $4.2m in your warchest without being someone's handmaiden.
It's just a pity that Senator Madden's special someone is not a Democrat.
There are few Republicans that I would consider voting for. But if I see a member of the GOP who I think would bring the party back to becoming a viable loyal opposition instead of a bunch of extremist corporatists, I would consider voting for that candidate.
Shelley Lovett was such a candidate in the recent election, a Republican running for Assembly from the Fourth Legislative District in Gloucester County. While she lost to political neophyte Gabriela Mosquera, Lovett was the kind of Republican we need in Trenton. When I met with Lovett back in October, she said "public education is the most important thing we can give our children" - heresy in the Christie religion. Lovett was open to the idea of giving voters a say in the establishment of charter schools and had concerns about the use of standardized tests in teacher evaluation as proposed by Governor Christie's "reforms." Lovett's Assembly running mate, Pat Fratticcoli, is also a member of that dying breed of moderate Republicans, and had either one been elected, I would not have been disappointed.
Multiple attempts to reach out to state representatives without ever a response? What could possibly be your reasons, Senator Madden? Assemblyman Moriarty? Assemblywoman Mosquera seems to have a chance here to do better with this constituent than her colleagues. - promoted by Rosi
Senator Fred Madden and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty are incumbents. Gabriela Mosquera is a newcomer, running for the seat formerly held by Republican Domenic DiCicco, who was redistricted out of LD-4 in April.
I have written to my state representatives numerous times on a variety of issues, both state and local. Never once have I ever received a response, not even a form letter or a robo-email, from Madden or Moriarty. Mr. DiCicco, the Republican, has personally responded to me, as has Governor Christie. I even got a phone call from a Christie staffer responding to one of my letters.
Madden and Moriarty are also among the "Christiecrats" who sold out the public unions on pension and benefit "reform" (why does that now sound like such a dirty word?).
I received two responses: one from Mayor Lyons, who thanked me for my concerns and suggested that I attend the next planning meeting . The other was from Assemblyman DiCicco, the sole Republican Legislator in my District, who expressed that he shared my concerns, and included the usual Republican boilerplate about making NJ more business-friendly. I believe he was sincere. I am disappointed by the silence form the two Democrats who represent my District, especially Mr. Moriarty, who is a Township resident and former mayor. At least Mr. DiCicco had the decency to respond. Perhaps he is the only one who realizes that he is up for re-election this year, and re-election is not a given.
I also wrote to the Governors office, one sentence:
"When can we expect the Governor to unveil his 2012 budget proposal?"
In August 2010 Seton Hall Law School released a report entitled Ironbound Underground which documented that in Newark's East Ward 96% of local immigrant day laborers have been victims of wage theft, 27% assaulted by an employer, 80% not given safety equipment, and 20% hurt on the job. Then in January 2011 the Law School issued All Work and No Pay in which it expanded its research to Elizabeth, Freehold, Morristown, Orange, Flemington, Bridgeton, and Palisades Park. There it documented among day laborers 48% not paid, 54% underpaid, 26% injured, 35% abandoned and 26% assaulted.
Ironbound Underground concluded, "Our findings demonstrate a staggering degree of workplace violations and exploitation of day laborers by local employers in violation of federal and state law, resulting in a loss of dignity for the day laborer population and a loss of revenue to the public. Yet the day laborers in Newark have found few effective avenues to address the violations of their rights." The more extensive All Work No Pay concludes: "Community organizations, municipal courts, prosecutors, and state and local officials all have essential parts to play in enforcing labor standards and further safeguarding the rights of workers."
With the current tough economy the number of day laborers is increasing, and they are not only immigrants. Local officials should establish hiring halls for day laborers, as they decrease worker abuse. State legislators, in particular the Labor Committee chairs Sen. Fred Madden and Assemblyman Joseph Egan, and Judiciary Committee Chairs Sen. Nicholas Scutari and Assemblyman Peter Barnes, should draft new legislation. Bill S1588, which seeks to set up a division to investigate and address disparities and civil rights violations suffered by immigrants, could be a start. The All Work No Pay report recommends that New Jersey's Wage Theft statute be updated and include standardization of the procedure which allows workers to file complaints directly with municipal courts, criminal sanctions against employers who retaliate against employees who file complaints, and sufficient fines and damages to deter wage theft.
Reporter Jane Roh picks up on an interesting contrast between Governor Christie and Gloucester Senator Fred Madden, in each man's decisions regarding a Florida vacation. When presented with an obvious work requirement in the form of a snow emergency, Gov. Christie chose to go on vacation, while Sen. Madden, presented with a work requirement in the form of a vote on Christie's tool box, chose to stay in New Jersey (which apparently cost him some $$ bucks) and do what we hired him for.
Add to this contrast in sense of responsibility ...
... Madden is one of 40 Senators. Christie is NJ's CEO.
... Had Christie changed his plans to handle work, some or all of his costs might have been paid for by us, the taxpayers. Sen. Madden likely paid out of pocket for his missed vacation.
No one begrudges Christie, his wife and four children a winter getaway, but Madden was among a number of critics who wondered why the governor did not hang back for a day or two to keep an eye on storm cleanup across the state.
[snip]
"It makes no sense that they're both out of the state at the same time," Madden said.
"I was supposed to be in Florida for four days with my wife for a family wedding this month. Then I was called for Senate votes on the tool kit bills. I ate the tickets, ate the trip and my wife went by herself."
After WW II Johnny's return was greeted with "Hurrah Hurrah." After Vietnam his return was not so happy. Yesterday the last combat troops left Iraq, and gradually Johnny and Jane will return to New Jersey. They leave behind a country with significant unresolved issues and a war for which the results are yet to be determined. Of the 50,000 (plus contractors) who are staying in Iraq, many will not be immune to combat. Of those who are leaving, many will be reassigned to Afghanistan or other theaters. Other New Jerseyans will continue to be assigned there to join the "non-combatants."
Most returning to New Jersey are excited to be reunited with loved ones and friends and feel a huge sense of relief. However, they face an unemployment rate about double our 9.7%. (Nationally for veterans the rate is 21%.) Many have physical wounds and ailments requiring treatment from our overburdened VA hospitals. Most will experience some level of post-traumatic stress disorder, in some cases severe enough to lead to suicide. Earlier this month, Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) hosted a forum for hundreds of Central New Jersey veterans addressing concerns about health care, the GI Bill, veterans employment, and other issues.
A NJ Senate committee released this week a non-partisan bill that would provide an income tax credit up to $10,000 to veterans who require psychological counseling and treatment. Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) said she will also introduce a separate measure calling on Congress to pass a bill requiring that returnees receive a telephone call from properly trained personnel to determine their emotional, psychological, medical, and career needs and concerns at least once every 90 days.
"Vet-2-Vet," a toll-free confidential help line, created five years ago by the NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and UMDNJ responds to over 3,000 calls a year, but operates on year-to-year funding. Sen. Fred Madden (D-Turnersville) introduced legislation that would require the state to permanently fund the program.
What can we do? Welcome vets home with open arms. Support legislation for better medical care, counseling and job services. Encourage employers to hire vets. Urge our government to withdraw even more troops from Iraq and start the process immediately to bring an end to our fruitless war in Afghanistan.
Maybe Assemblyman DiCicco as a new legislator isn't familiar with how the idea of video works. See if you say something that they record on video and then do the opposite, that video will make its way out to the public for further questions. Check out this exchange from a May 5th town hall with Seniors in Gloucester Township and pay attention to how the Assemblyman answers the question he gets:So he says he disagrees with the Governor, attacks the proposals and says that's not how he was raised. But then Democrats gave DiCicco the opportunity to restore the property tax rebates for seniors by extending the millionaires tax. Instead of living up to his word by restoring the rebates, he turned around and voted against it with his felllow Republicans. District members Senator Madden and Assemblyman Moriarty didn't let DiCiccio's tall tale to seniors pass without offering this comment:
Said Moriarty, "He sold out to the governor and the super-wealthy and stuck everyone else with the bill."
Madden continued: "I am well aware that facts at times can come forth that would change a legislator's position. I firmly believe that based on the Assemblyman's sudden reversal on this major legislation, 12,000 plus seniors and disabled residents of the 4th District deserve to know why he withdrew his support for their most needed cause - the restoration of the rebates."
The most amazing part of the video is just how far apart DiCicco's statements and actions are. He attacks the proposed cuts as "going after Seniors" and expresses personal outrage by claiming he "wasn't raised that way" only to later on vote in support of the cuts he just finished slamming.
Thanks for coming here to post your opinion, Senator. Let's see if we can't continue this dialogue that Thurman, firstamend & rachael'sdad have started, Blue Jersey. - - Promoted by Rosi
When Governor Chris Christie recently proposed cutting unemployment benefits by up to $50 per week and delaying an increase in the amount businesses contribute to the system, it would be easy to think yet another issue would break down simply along the lines of Democrat versus Republican.
Frankly, as a Democrat, my first instinct was to oppose the Governor's plan. The jobless and their families need every penny to stay above water - and as one of only three states where employees pay into the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, workers who lose their jobs deserve every cent they put into the system while they were working. And preventing money from flowing into the UI fund is every bit as dangerous to its long-term health as the past raids that left it on life support.
Yet simply opposing the Governor's proposal would be counter-productive. The UI Fund would still be woefully unprepared to cover the needs of the unemployed, and New Jersey's economic recovery would be threatened by a business tax increase. What is clearly needed is a compromise to protect both the jobless from a benefits cut and businesses from a potentially destructive tax increase.
The proposed cut in benefits is simply unworkable - and not just for the reason that the jobless need this money to survive. Follow me below the fold for why.
Jeff Van Drew (D-Dennis)
Shirley Turner (D-Trenton)
Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen)
Ronald Rice (D-Newark)
John Girgenti (D-Hawthorne)
Fred Madden (D-Washinton Twp)
James Beach (D-Cherry Hill)
Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford)
Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-ridge)
Senator Van Drew is honestly the only person on this list who deserves a pass, his district is just overwhelmingly Republican.
I've never been more disgusted and embarrassed than I was today to be a Democrat.
Can we make this the official primary candidate suggestion list?
I remember working in the 4th District Legislative office when mercury contamination was discovered at Kiddie Kollege, a former thermometer factory that was then housing a daycare facility. The horror those family members experienced was staggering to watch. Now years later, demolition is ready to begin on the site:
Cleanup and demolition are expected to begin soon for the former site of Kiddie Kollege, a day care center found to be contaminated with mercury in 2006, state legislators said Tuesday.
A crew is scheduled to being preliminary work on the project today
"I've been advised that the last bit of paperwork has been approved and that work crews should soon begin working full speed to demolish this facility and to begin cleaning the site," said Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester.
The facility was shut down in 2006 when the state discovered it had been operating in a bankrupt thermometer factory for two years, even though the building was previously classified as a toxic site. There are still plenty of questions as to how that mixup was able to occur. How do you ensure this hasn't happened in other parts of the state at other facilities? Roughly 60 children tested positive for mercury exposure, and the building registered a level of mercury 27 times above acceptable limits. There have already been lawsuits over who is responsible and bills are still moving through the Legislature in response to this situation.
I am very grateful for the opportunity the voters gave me to represent them in Trenton," said Love. "It has been a wonderful and challenging experience, and there is still a great deal I want to accomplish in the year remaining in my term."
Love, 63, said she did not want to get into specifics about her condition, but assured it's "nothing that's life-threatening."
"There are other people who I'm sure would like to have a chance to serve," she said. "Whoever is chosen, I am willing to work with them and share my ideas to help them in any way that I can."
Love took the seat in 2007, when then Assemblyman Dave Mayer decided not to run for re-election. The move certainly makes things more interesting in the fourth legislative district. The district is split between Gloucester and Camden counties, with one seat typically representing each. With Paul Moriarty from Washington Township in Gloucester County, PolitickerNJ speculated about potential candidates from Camden County:
A long list of possible candidates to succeed Love include: Camden County Freeholder Rodney Greco (D-Gloucester Township); former Gloucester Township mayoral candidate Bill Collins; former Acting Camden County Sheriff William Fontanez; Lindenwold Mayor Frank DeLucca; and Gloucester Township Councilmembers Glen Bianchini, Orlando Mercado, Crystal Evans and Ken Garbowski. Sources say that the four local officials are not likely contenders for the Assembly.
If Democrats pick Greco, it would open up a seat on the Board of Freeholders. Greco is up for re-election this year.
Basically, this is just a list of all the potential Democrats. Depending on who the Democrats go with, the domino's could continue to fall. Let's not forget that they are already seeking a new Clerk in Camden County, with the departure of now Senator Jim Beach taking the former Adler seat in the sixth district. Choosing Greco would mean a new Freeholder and Clerk would be running with current Freeholders Nash and Ripa in November.
The fourth district has been one of the more competitive districts in the past with Senator Fred Madden winning his election in 2003 by just 63 votes. The Senate however isn't on the ballot again this year leaving the Assembly seats and the Governor at the top of the ticket in an off year election. Another factor in the race, with a potential candidate joining the ticket from Gloucester Township will be the local election for mayor, where will be that former Assemblyman Dave Mayer is running for the office. A competitive local election could help to drive turnout in Gloucester Township and Mayer is very well known in town. He will take on the current Mayor, Republican Cindy Rau Hatton. This will be a district that gets more attention now than it would have gotten yesterday for sure.
Since Gannet will not have anyone around to report it, I figured I should let everyone know that State Senator Fred Madden has been named to chair the Senate Labor Committee. From the press release:
"Senator Madden is a natural fit to helm the Senate Labor Committee," said Sen. Codey. "Clearly he has the experience, having already served as Vice Chair. He also has a demonstrated commitment to laws that protect workers' rights and foster job growth, the bedrock of a healthy workforce."
"I'd like to thank Senator Codey for selecting me to Chair the Senate Labor Committee," said Senator Madden, who has served in the Senate since 2004. "The continued growth and expansion of business and labor here in New Jersey are of great importance, especially in these tough fiscal times. I am eager to continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft policies aimed at strengthening our workforce and allowing other states to look to us as an example of positive partnerships between the state and its business and labor communities."
The names on the Republican ticket for the 4th District are changing. The executive committee is set to vote tonight to endorse the new slate.
I'm hearing Shelley Lovett will move up from the Assembly candidate to seek the Senate Seat against sitting Senator Fred Madden. The move became necessary after Senate Candidate John Jankowski decided to drop out of the race a few weeks ago. Agnes Gardiner, Vice Chair of the Washington Township Republican Organization and former councilwoman who lost re-election in 2004 will apparently replace Lovett and run with Patricia Fratticiolli against Assemblyman Paul Moriarty and Former Gloucester Township Mayor Sandi Love for the Assembly Seats. More on this tomorrow.
Simply put, it is no contest. On all kinds of issues and initiatives, our Democratic representatives have championed the needs of the taxpayers, and they are dedicated to continue being their advocates," said Mellace and Charles Klingberg, the GOP organization Treasurer, who is also switching parties. "By contrast, the county and local Republican parties and their candidates have been silent or ineffective - or both - on matters important to our hard-working residents That's why the Republicans continue to lose elections. They serve up candidates and platforms that are short on ideas and the commitment to do the hard work required to meet the needs of the township and the region."
Now, Madden is unopposed in his bid for re-election to a second term. His Republican opponent, former Gloucester Township GOP Chairman John Jankowski, dropped out of the race on June 24, and so far, no new challenger her emerged.
Jankowski sent his notice of withdrawal to Camden County Clerk James Beach, whose office confirms they received it on June 29. But technically, Jankowski remains on the ballot, since his letter should have gone to the state Division of Elections.
I'm sure the Republicans will spin it as they're getting rid of the dead wood or something, but when your elected officials and party leaders switch while one of your remaining candidates drops out, it becomes difficult to claim victory.
Kicking off the "Better know a Legislative District" series, I will take a look at the fightin fourth.
New Jersey's 4th Legislative District contains 10 towns across the counties of Camden and Gloucester including Clementon Borough, Franklin Township, Glassboro Borough, Gloucester Township, Laurel Springs Borough, Lindenwold Borough, Monroe Township, Newfield Borough, Pitman Borough and Washington Township.
As of last count, there were 188,830 voters registered in the 4th district with the majority, 56% as independents, 28.5% Democrat and 15.5% registered Republican. There are Democratic mayors in 7 of 10 towns and the county has been trending Democratic even though it has historically been a very close swing district. Gloucester Township elected its first Republican Mayor in decades last cycle and Newfield now has a Republican mayor; however Democrats took control in Franklin Township and now hold all seats on council in Washington Township. Democrats hold many county offices in Camden and Gloucester counties, but this district has had historically close elections including the 2003 contest in which Senator Madden won his seat by 63 votes. In 2005, Assemblymen Mayer and Moriarty faced Republicans Frank Winters and Corey Ahart defeating them handily 63% to 37%. There are no clear challengers to any of the seats as of this time.
Rather than give the Democratic majority 6 months to establish marriage equality, the progressive community should give them 6 weeks. As far as I am concerned, the clock is ticking on Trenton Democrats.
If marriage equality has not been established by Wednesday, December 6, and/or our State Senators or State Assemblypersons have not at the very least stood up and been counted as supporters of marriage equality by then, progressives need to begin shopping around for alternative representation.
I don't know when the filing deadline is for the 2007 legislative primaries, but I do know that April 25 is definitely too late to begin launching primary challenges.
Several websites have sprung up recently that will sell you the cell phone record of anyone you want, for a low, low price. All you need is their cell phone number. Two sites that have recently shut down are CellTolls.com and LocateCell.com, which let you buy records for $89.95 and $110. But new ones have popped up to take their place.
Fourth district Assemblymen Dave Mayer and Paul Moriarty introduced A-2539 - the Consumer Telephone Records Protection Act of 2006 - this afternoon, a bill that would end the sale of private phone records of New Jersey residents. Senator Fred Madden introduced an identical Act in the Senate today as well, noting that "with the ongoing threat of identity theft, this legislation is crucial for New Jersey to protect the privacy rights of its citizens."
The bill would make obtaining someone else's confidential phone records without their authorization a third degree crime. The bill also applies to phone company employees who knowingly give out confidential information.
The legislators also wrote a letter to the State's Attorney General, Zulima Farber, asing for a temporary restraining order against these internet sites:
We would like to see the Attorney General's office act to protect NJ Consumers by taking action to halt this invasive process.
I'm glad to see New Jersey's legislators acting on this. Hopefully the legislature will act quickly to approve this important legislation.
