Once again, South Jersey finds itself in a constitutional dispute anbout its border.Yesterday, the Army Corps of Engineers announced it is going ahead with the Delaware River dredging program, and both New Jersey and Delaware are considering suing. The Corps will not wait for environmental reviews to be completed, as the federal government now claims it does not need state permission "if the project is needed to maintain navigation." The project is unpopular in New Jersey and Delaware because it benefits Pennsylvania's Port of Philadelphia but puts the environmental damage on Delaware and New Jersey, potentially releasing toxic material now trapped in the river bottom.
"I'm extremely disappointed that the Army Corps is trying to circumvent New Jersey's strong environmental protection processes and plow blindly ahead with its dredging plan. I have directed the Attorney General to prepare legalaction to stop this irresponsible move unless the Army Corps suspends it plan infavor of allowing the environmental review process to be completed.
"Governor Rendell has given me personal assurance, and public assurance, that any spoils from the dredging will be taken by Pennsylvania. Until the Army Corpy has participated in New Jersey's environmental review process, however, I must take action to ensure that the people of our state are fully protected and these spoils are not dumped on South Jersey."
In other words, the Corps is breaking our deal with Pennsylvania.
UPDATE: Asm. Conners made for an enlightening interview, with a thorough knowledge of and genuine commitment to the veterans issue in particular. I was very impressed. Have a listen. - JG
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with New Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls.
This week: Our guest is Assemblyman Jack Conners of Pennsauken. Conners is a Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, as well as Chairman of the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, a role much in the news following this weekend's Ft. Dix Homecoming. He'll be talking about vets, and much more, so join us!
So, what do you want us to ask the good Assemblyman? Put your ideas in the comments, and we'll choose our favorites to ask him. We really could use your help - who knows, maybe you could be our next new co-host.
Or, you can always give us a call during the show and ask the question yourself. Remember, it's all LIVE. That number again is: 646-652-2773.
Some of the largest gains in the 2008 election for Democrats were seen in Burlington County. We saw a great many firsts for the party. Congressman Adler became the first democrat elected for the NJ3 in over 100 years. Two democratic freeholder and County Clerk were also elected on the county level for the first time in over 20 years. Now we look to this election year, where control of the freeholder board will be up for grabs. Rumors abound that at least one Republican incumbent is not planning to seek re-election. That served as the backdrop to a visit this morning before a packed house for the County Committee breakfast by Governor Corzine and State Chairman Joe Cryan. Also in attendance were the new Democratic County Freeholders and the Assemblymen from the 7th District, Herb Conaway and Jack Conners.
The Governor talked about everything from SCHIP and the stimulus, to transportation funding and veterans issues. He touched on the upcoming election and the opportunities Burlington County Democrats will have.
He also took questions from the audience on foreclosure issues and received an invitation to participate in a debate during the general election from the Veterans for Education, who sponsored Adler/Myers and Andrews/Glading debates last cycle.
New Jersey took a step forward today towards allowing for a true vote by mail program when the Assembly State Government Panel advanced the "Vote by Mail Law of 2008". The legislation is sponsored by Assembly members Joan Quigley and Jack Conners. "To encourage people to vote, you need to make the process simple, easy, and accessible," said Conners.
Registered voters would be given the option to vote by mail-in ballot for all elections in a particular calendar year or for all future general elections. Once such a request is made, a county board of elections would be required to send a ballot to the voter without the need for any further requests. ...
The Secretary of State also would be required to undertake a public awareness program to properly educate voters about the new mail-in ballot voting procedures.
I'm not sure why they don't take the next logical step and allow voters the option to request all ballots for all future elections, but this is still a good step forward towards increasing voter participation.
The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
The largest deployment of NJ Nat'l Guard troops since WWII is happening very soon. Hopefully the Soldiers come back to their families safe and sound. And in the meantime. hopefully NJ won't suffer any natural disasters while our Soldiers are gone.
(The Assembly passed A-3252 by 79-0 today. Besides a huge victory for a more open government, I'm happy I don't need to find a FAX machine to get the tally. The bill now goes back to the Senate. - promoted by jmelli)
If you want to know how our legislators voted on a particular bill, you can't find that information online. You can call the Assembly clerk or Senate secretary's office. They'll ask for a number where they can FAX you the information. And if you don't have a FAX machine? "You can drop by the office to pick it up." Convenient, if you live on West State Street. Not so convenient for everyone else.
Those days may soon be behind us. Tomorrow the Assembly is set to consider a very important bill that should be welcomed by all regardless of political affiliation. (though that's not the case in practice - there are some afraid of giving the public this kind of "access"):
Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle and Assemblymen Jack Conners (D-Camden), Mims Hackett (D-Essex) and Bob Gordon (D-Bergen) are sponsoring the measure (S-1662/A-3252) to require the Office of Legislative Services to make the complete voting records of legislators available on the Legislature's Web site.
This shouldn't be controversial - it's a simple vote. Either you're for a more open government or against it. Check back tomorrow - we will let you know how every legislator voted on this, even if that means finding a damned FAX machine.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora introduced legislation last Thursday that calls upon Congress to oppose an escalation in the Iraq War:
1. This House calls on the Congress of the United States to stop escalating the war in Iraq unless the President first seeks Congressional approval for sending more American troops and increasing funding for the war.
2. This House calls on each member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation to support Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 and any identical resolution in the House of Representatives.
Though state legislatures don't have any direct control over foreign or military policy, we do have a stake. So far New Jersey has lost 52 service members in Iraq, and our state's national guard units have recently had their tours extended by four months as a result of the escalation.
To date, the President has ignored public opinion, military experts, the Iraqi public, bi-partisan commissions, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, almost all Democratic and many Republican-American congressmen, and practically the entire world. Given that history, it's unlikely this will change his mind, but it's entirely appropriate for our elected officials to speak out when our state and country are being driven into a ditch.
Take Action
The bill is currently in the Military and Veterans Affairs committee, which is chaired by Assemblyman Jack Conners. Tell him you support AR-237 and encourage him to schedule a hearing and vote to clear the committee.
Local migrant workers and some employers are reacting with fear and trepidation to the Bush border enforcement plan. Workers fear for their safety, and agricultural industry employers are concerned about availability of labor in the upcoming summer growing season.
Gov. Jon Corzine's advisory group is recommending a special summer session to deal exclusively with property taxes. Corzine wants to wait until the budget is approved, sometime around July 1, before addressing property tax reform.
A bill proposing restrictions to funeral protests advanced in the Assembly yesterday. Protesters would be banned an hour before and after a funeral service, and must stay 500 ft. away. Assemblyman Jack Conners called the bill "an attempt to respect both the mourners' privacy and the free speech of the demonstrators." but critics such as the ACLU feel the bill overreaches.
Verizon's bid to provide cable in Our Fair State advanced again yesterday, winning the backing of the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Existing-home sales slowed 8.1% in the first quarter, compared to last year. Prices have risen a bit but have not reached the highs of 2005. Wait- did you hear that noise? Sounded like a bubble starting to burst.
There's a new BlueJersey podcast! An interview with Tom Wyka, Democratic candidate for NJ-11. Y'know, if you've subscribed, you'll get it automatically.
