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.
Twas a good convention. I was moved by speeches given by Chair John Wisniewski, our Senator Frank Lautenberg and most notably the one passionately delivered by Speaker Sheila Oliver. The theme of all was: remember why we're Democrats, and go back to the grass roots who share our values. Young people, candidates, vendors and many interesting folk in attendance. The breakout sessions were informative, and meeting other Dems was most satisfying. Made some great connections with other women throughout the state who want to help with the womens' access to health care issue. Also enjoyed meeting some of the very famous Blue Jersey bloggers in person. They were all over the convention. Rosi, with her trusty computer, kept all of you up to date in real time.
But why do some in our ranks continue to try to plant negative stories with the press? Not designed to help anyone!
Along with the Women's Political Caucus, we hosted the Women's Health Roundtable in Trenton this past week. Very well attended and representatives of the various groups including nurses and other health professionals, womens' organizations, and providers were outspoken in describing what the cuts to these health programs mean for women and their families. Thanks to Jay Lassiter for being there with his camera. I did describe the Governor as having initiated a "war on women". Mike Drewniak, Gov's press secretary, responded with: 'that's over the top - everyone knows Chris Christie is a loving husband and devoted father to two daughters'. I would assume that's very true, and would only add: And they have very good health insurance and access to health care! more below...
Tonight, at the Middlesex County Democratic Organization (MCDO) convention, John Wisniewski got some measure of comeuppance for the leaked redistricting map that would have required two of the state's most progressive Senators, Barbara Buono and Joe Vitale (both of Middlesex), to compete against each other, and carved an opportunity for Wisniewski himself to move up to the Senate. Progressive outrage after that leak rose within hours; multi-level and very public. The map, rumor had it, could be attributed to Wisniewski himself and what looked like opportunism fueled that mobilization. At this evening's gathering of Middlesex Dems, that common perception of what happened during redistricting nearly cost John Wisniewski, state party chair and a candidate in November, the line. In his own re-election in his own home county party.
When Alan Rosenthal threw his vote behind the map proffered by the Democrats, there was jubilation in Party circles, high-fives for NJDSC Chair & redistricting co-Chair Wisniewski and a palpable air of self-satisfaction that the Democrats made Christie - who had poked his executive branch nose deep into the legislative branch's process - lose something.
But what is a score for Democrats is not necessarily the same kind of score for progressives. There are different measuring sticks and the priorities are for more than party loyalty and a sunnier outcome for Democrats. From an infuriating Senate vote against marriage equality, to a too-cozy relationship between Chris Christie and sometimes-helpmate Democratic Senate President Sweeney, there is a sense that the Democrats have not done enough with their majority. And so it was that when that map leaked there was a one-day, multi-level, ferocious and very public expression of outrage from progressives in defense of Buono - an obvious contender for governor - and Vitale. (Disclosure, several members of the Blue Jersey staff were involved).
But while that was going on, the leaked map had what I think is a separate impact on local Democrats loyal to their own in Vitale and Buono, people they've worked alongside and helped develop. And so, there was actually discussion among the Buono and Vitale camps to organize to deny Wisniewski the line tonight. But, maybe because longtime MCDO Chair Joe Spicuzzo was just arrested a month ago on corruption charges something many shades less extreme took place.
In the end, the entire Woodbridge delegation abstained in a vote to endorse Wisniewski for re-election, minus Woodbridge mayor John McCormac, who is not on the county committee and didn't vote, but made clear their position:
Woodbridge is a team, and Wisniewski's actions threatened our teammate [Vitale], and we don't appreciate that. It was symbolic, but it was essentially a vote of no confidence.
It remains to be seen what fissures tonight's vote revealed or opened. Wisniewski played it all down: "Middlesex County's fine. I don't think there's any lack of cohesion in Middlesex County."
Thanks for telling this truth, Scott - better than quite a lot of revisionist fabrication I've heard and read over the last couple days - promoted by Rosi
Blue Jersey, this is your map. Period, point blank. This week, when rumors started swirling of a new legislative map that would have pitted Senator Barbara Buono and Senator Joe Vitale in one new legislative district, many of us took it as a gut punch. These two Senators have consistently stood up for the interests of New Jerseyans, in and out of their respective districts.
Some suggested that the rumored map was the product of Republican fantasies meant to disrupt the Democratic coalition. Others ascribed other darker motives to a few actors within the Democratic Party. We may never know the truth, but either way, none of that matters now for one simple reason... You organized. You mobilized. You fought. And you won.
Ever since it was announced that progressive State Senators, Barbara Buono and Joe Vitale, could find themselves in the same legislative district, progressives have been apoplectic with rage over the possibility that an already regressive Democratic State Senate could be short yet another progressive State Senator when the next legislature is sworn in next year.
However, what nobody seems to realize is the possibility that both Buono and Vitale could find themselves on the outside looking in next year unless they agree to work cooperatively rather than competitively. How? Read below the fold to find out.
Yesterday, rumors that the state party chair proposed a map which would force two progressive State Senators into a primary enraged progressives and provoked a caustic response from this blog. The district contained three towns—Woodbridge, Edison, and Metuchen—and two State Senators—Barbara Buono and Joe Vitale. The idea wasn't an original one. A Woodbridge-Edison district is probably the most feasible way to make the Perth Amboy-New Brunswick district work, and that district is a priority of Hispanic organizations seeking to increase that group's representation in the legislature. more below
When the day's work is done at the Heldrich Hotel, Blue Jersey hopes Democratic Chair Asm John Wisniewski reads this post. It concerns a rumor, hot all day, we hope was never true. If it was, we hope progressive and grassroots outrage has shifted some members of the redistricting commission off a certain highly questionable plan.
As Jay Lassiter wrote earlier today, the hottest rumor coming out the redistricting meetings in New Brunswick is that of Senators Barbara Buono and Joe Vitale being lumped together into one legislative district while Assemblyman and Democratic State Chairman John Wisniewski is left with a new district all to himself, from which he may ascend to the Senate. If true, this represents the worst kind of backroom treachery - rather than upholding the interests of the Democrats he's charged to represent, he's using the redistricting process to serve his own ambitions.
It's no secret that Senator Buono hasn't made many fans among the powers that be of late, on either side of the aisle. She's consistently stood up to Governor Christie's assault on working families, no matter what position her Democratic colleagues have taken. But ironically, it's Buono's willingness - as both a progressive and a woman - to stand up to the power brokers that leads us to support her as vigorously as we do. And, we fear, it's this same fighting spirit that's put her political career in the crosshairs.
The same is true, it should be said, of Senator Vitale. A solid progressive and a health care champion, Vitale was the architect of the NJ FamilyCare expansion that guaranteed universal access to quality health care to all New Jerseyans. He's spent his career in the Senate quietly, but steadfastly, working on behalf of children and working families. As he pointed out, it's ironic that two dedicated progressive public servants be threatened by insider political machinations in the name of assisting those they've both done so much to help.
It's likely that whatever the map-makers in the bowels of the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick ultimately decide will stand as our next legislative map. But by no means do we here at Blue Jersey have to accept it. Our chief interests have always been progressive policy and honest governance. This move flies in the face of both of those tenets. That it is allegedly being perpetrated by the Chairman of the Democratic State Committee for his own political gain is a slap in the face of each and every progressive activist who has dedicated their time, effort, and hard-earned money to the Democratic Party.
We respectfully but firmly ask Chairman Wisniewski to denounce this planned assault on two of our state legislature's brightest progressive lights. If he does not, he will have lost the faith of all of us at Blue Jersey, if not all of us in the Democratic Party.
UPDATE::::::::::: The Democratic members of redistricting committee dropped the original Democratic proposal - On Sunday, April 3rd, the redistricting committee approved a map that does not pit Senators Buono and Vitale against each other.
Thank you everyone for your support!
Sincerely,
The 100+ signers of the below letter.
P.S. Below is statement from Senators Buono and Vitale
__________
Thank you.
Now that Professor Rosenthal, the Redistricting Commission's Supreme Court appointed member, has chosen the Democratic legislative map, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who stood with us through this sometimes difficult process.
We are proud to stand with you to make health care more affordable and accessible for every woman, man and child. We are proud to stand with you in the cause to keep New Jersey a leader in public education. We are proud to stand with you in the fight to make sure corporations and multi-millionaires simply pay their fair share so middle class families and seniors get relief from their tax burden. We are proud to stand with teachers, nurses, cops, firefighters and all those who put public service first. We are proud to stand with everyone who works tirelessly to protect our air, water. open spaces and shore. And, most of all, we are proud to stand with all those who never stop fighting for justice, tolerance and the belief that New Jersey can be better tomorrow than it is today.
You touched our hearts by standing with us. And we want you to know we will always stand with you.
Thank you.
Barbara Buono and Joe Vitale
____________________
This was delivered yesterday. - Rosi
Over 100 Democratic activists, elected officials and party leaders have written a letter to Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski asking him not to move forward with a map that targets Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and Senator Joe Vitale.
In media reports on March 30th, Senator Vitale issued the following statement: "The latest map submitted ironically at the direction of the Democrat chair, puts at risk one of two Senators whose public careers have been in part dedicated to shaping policies that benefit minorities, women and the disenfranchised. It does not enhance opportunities for minorities, and only potentially enhances a political career."
Since the petition was announced at 2:00pm on March 30th, over 100 Democratic activists have signed on and are prepared to follow through.
This scenario would pit two powerful progressive lawmakers against one another while providing DSC Chief John Wisniewski a clear path to a to the Senate. For himself.
I guess being chairman of the Democratic Party's reapportionment committee -- Wiz' other other job -- has its perks?
Senate Joe Vitale is not a fan of the show "Jersey Shore" on MTV and he has sent a letter to Viacom calling for it to be canceled:
"The image of young Italian Americans conducting themselves in a disrespectful and inappropriate manner at a summer home on the Shore may make for good ratings, but it's a fabrication that damages our State and cultural reputations," said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. "Rather than profit off ethnic stereotypes and derogatory myths about Italian Americans, MTV and its parent company, Viacom, should do the socially responsible thing and pull the plug on Jersey Shore. Not only is the program wildly offensive, but it diminishes the accomplishments and contributions of Italian Americans in New Jersey and across the nation."
"Saying that the young people on Jersey Shore represent all young Italian Americans is like saying The Jerry Springer Show represents responsible journalism," said Senator Vitale. "From casting decisions to scenery to interactions between cast members, everything on Jersey Shore has been fabricated and manipulated, and not a representation of the 'reality' that MTV purports to document. The problem lies in the fact that, for the audiences that Jersey Shore is being marketed to, the overly-muscled, overly-tan caricatures of long-held ethnic stereotypes highlighted on the show may form the basis of ethnic generalizations that do a disservice to Italian Americans everywhere."
Vitale isn't just writing letters and press releases, he says the show breaks the law and wants an investigation:
Vitale says that the Italian American cast regularly uses derogatory terms such as "guido" and "guidette" when describing themselves. The use of those terms, Vitale says, violates Viacom's own terms requiring a harassment-free workplace, as well as New Jersey's tough laws on racial bias and ethnic discrimination.
At Vitale's request, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development has opened an investigation into employment and wage practices, as well as the tax status of the "Shore Store" where cast members supposedly worked while filming the program.
I've asked many people how they feel about the show. Some say it's just an MTV show, others find it funny and still some agree with Vitale and find it offensive. Personally, I found it as time I can never get back in my life and isn't worth even watching, let alone the uproar it has caused. So what do you think? Do you watch the show? Should it be canceled? Or should Senator Vitale focus more on other issues that damage the reputation of our state as well.
Mark this down as Christie's first big mistake. Because he has just given his opponents a legitimate reason to resist his budget cuts, and a chance to seize the moral high ground.
Every time he cuts spending now, his opponents can point to that tax cut for the rich, which is worth roughly $1 billion.
Democrats have wasted no time jumping on the issue:
"He'll give millionaires a tax cut, but he doesn't want to give more aid to food pantries?" says Sen. Steve Sweeney, who will take over as senate president next month. "We will definitely point that out."
That will be the contrast people will draw as he proposes cuts. He's not the only one who already pointed that out:
Take Sen. Joe Vitale, chairman of the Health Committee. He's spent years working to expand health programs so working poor families can get coverage. Now the Christie team is warning eligibility standards will be tightened to save money.
"He's got to take a step back from that tax cut," Vitale says. "This is reverse Robin Hood. You're taking from the poor and you're giving to the rich. I'm telling you that just won't happen. This is going to be one long summer."
Today is the first day of winter and we're already predicting a long summer. Something tells me there will be alot more where this came from as Christie takes office and we start to see him introduce his policies and proposals.
The health care reform hearings conducted by congressional committees and subcommittees will include an ad-hoc debate between two New Jersey political leaders, Senator Joseph Vitale, a leading health care advocate in the Garden State, and Assemblyman Jay Webber, who was selected as the next chairman of the New Jersey Republican Party by Chris Christie, the GOP's gubernatorial nominee.
Senator Vitale and Assemblyman Webber will join with others before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health as part of a panel "discussion with differing opinions" on State, Local & Tribal Views of health care reform.
This will be the 2nd of three days of hearings before Congressman Pallone's committee, which he talked about on Blue Jersey Radio last night. There will be 3 panels testifying at the hearing, which begins at 1pm. Here is the list of people joining them:
The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt, Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Honorable Joseph Vitale, Chairman, Committee on Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens, New Jersey State Senate
W. Ron Allen, Chairman, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe
The Honorable Jay Webber, State Assembly, State of New Jersey
Raymond C. Scheppach, Ph.D., Executive Director, National Governors Association
Robert S. Freeman, Deputy Executive Director, CenCal Health, California Association of Health Insuring Organizations
Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA
The release says that the hearing will be webcast at energycommerce.house.gov, in case you want to follow along.
On Monday the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to approve the first phase of Senator Vitale's health care plan which seeks to eventually offer universal health insurance. The first step is fairly modest and includes expanding the eligibility of those eligible for NJ Family Care. But given the state's dire fiscal situation, it's encouraging that the legislature considers affordable health care a priority. Sen Vitale said (on Monday):
"Today's Budget Committee approval was a strong statement on the feasibility of transformational health care reform in the State of New Jersey. At a time when the Budget Committee is grappling with a substantial fiscal shortfall in State finances, the fact that Committee members would lend their support to this measure speaks volumes on the priorities we hold dear in the Garden State.
"Affordable health care is not a privilege for the wealthy, but a right for all New Jersey residents at all ages and income levels. No one in the State should be put in a position where they have to forego medical treatment because it's too expensive. But for many people living in New Jersey -- people who are above the federal poverty line but still struggle to live paycheck to paycheck -- quality health care is out of their reach."
This is a fundamental ideological distinction between progressives and conservatives. Some people think we're all in this together and others think it's every man, woman and child for themselves. They include ideological radicals like George Bush, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Jim Saxton, Scott Garrett and Chris Smith who put tobacco companies above children's healthcare.
Luckily in New Jersey even many Republicans are moderate by national standards (which isn't saying much), so my uneducated guess is that expanding healthcare coverage for children would pass pretty easily. Kudos to Senator Vitale for leading the way on this very important issue, particularly during tough times. That's when it's most important.
Stop whatever you're doing, and kindly watch this vlog which lays out the first steps of Senator Vitale's plan to provide all New Jersey'ans access to affordable healthcare.
This press conference + QnA went two hours, so mashing up this vlog was ambitious. If this video provokes any curiosities, please comment on them. I might be able to field any question based on the notes I took. But at this point the heft of the subject matter clearly far outstrips my editing skills.
Senator Vitale (D), chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, will announce his plan which seeks to eventually provide universal health care in New Jersey.
Senator Vitale's plan would call for a phase-in of State-administered affordable health insurance for the uninsured, as well as market reforms to drive down the costs of private insurance for small employer and individually-purchased health insurance plans. The ultimate goal, according to the Senator, is to require that every New Jersey resident have some form of health insurance within the next three years.
Without knowing all the details, it sounds similar to what Massachusetts did and what Senator Clinton is proposing.
Vital will be joined by Senator Bob Singer (R), Assemblymen Lou Greenwald (D) and Neil Cohen (D). I imagine there's going to be pressure against this plan from all directions - fiscal constraints, conservatives who don't accept that health care should be a human right, and progressives who want a single-payer system. I don't know what the business lobby is going to do. They should be in favor of people having healthcare since it should lower their operating costs. But I also thought they would be in favor of having happy employees who don't have to choose between taking care of a newborn baby or working to keep the lights on. Sometimes we get lucky and people's selfish interests align with doing the right thing. Let's hope this is one of those times.
There are real cost savings involved with having universal healthcare and stressing preventive care as opposed to treating the uninsured and underinsured at emergency rooms. I hope Vitale talks about that.
I'm going to withhold judgment until I see the full proposal. If it will improve the access to and quality of health care while reducing costs, it's a good thing. If it forces the poor to buy into a system they can't afford, that's not going to work.
A Democrat is readying plans to make health insurance accessible to all New Jerseyans.
Sen. Joseph Vitale says on Monday he will unveil a plan to require all New Jerseyans to have health insurance within three years.
Some 1.4 million residents don't have health insurance.
Vitale's plan involves state-administered health coverage for the uninsured and reforms to cut the cost of private insurance for small businesses and individuals.
David Chen at the New York Times has the scoop on how the state will be able to provide low-cost health insurance for all children at no additional expense to taxpayers:
As many as 15,000 children who currently lack insurance could enroll in the program, which will take effect on Jan. 1. In contrast to comparable efforts in other states, the program would cost New Jersey nothing because Horizon, a nonprofit company, would absorb what Karen L. Clark, president and chief operating officer of the Horizon subsidiary Horizon NJ Health, said could be up to a $1 million loss in the first year.
"We are going to be setting the standard in the country for how we insure those children," Mr. Corzine said in his announcement at a shopping mall here. "We know we will get a lot more of our children insured, and you know what that will do? That will keep them out of the emergency room. That will make sure that they get their shots. That means that they will look after their health and prevent the problems from developing." [...]
"There are things that states can do that are imaginative and creative, and can be effective," said Irwin Redlener, associate dean at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and president of the Children's Health Fund, a philanthropic organization. "And any efforts made by health insurance companies, which are doing extremely well, are good and should be applauded."
New Jersey 101.5 talk show hosts Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, commonly known as "The Jersey Guys", have a history of spewing on-air hatred and bigotry that would give even Don Imus pause. In 2005, Carton viciously attacked and stereotyped Asian-Americans while discussing the chances of Edison Mayoral candidate Jun Choi. In 2006, they "outed" over a dozen gay and lesbian "politicians" on their show. Earlier this year, they called State Senator Ray Lesniak a "gay Polack", which led Senator Lesniak to create a Coalition Against Bigotry and Hate. Lesniak's Coalition has called for the station and advertisers to drop the Jersey Guys, but he has had very little success.
Which brings us to the Jersey Guys' latest project, the Coalition Against Corrupt Politicians, which they created no doubt in response to Lesniak's Coalition Against Bigotry and Hate. Now, how seriously we should take a list of anti-corruption politicians that includes Eric Munoz and Adam Puharic is a question for another diary. What disturbs me is that Democrats like Dick Codey, John Adler and Joe Vitale - as well as self-styled "moderate" Republicans like Jennifer Beck and Diane Allen - are playing ball with the bigots by joining the CACP.
With Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott gaining media traction from his speech before the National Governor's Association, it's worth reminding the public that taxpayers continue to foot Wal-Mart's healthcare in New Jersey. The Philadelphia Inquirer has the story:
State Sen. Joe Vitale fought for years to expand FamilyCare, New Jersey's health-insurance program for families just above the poverty line.
"FamilyCare was never meant to be a dumping ground for the country's most successful businesses," said Vitale, the Senate Health Committee chairman. "Taxpayers shouldn't be picking up their bills."
The bill, sponsored by Vitale and Senate Labor Committee Chairman Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), requires businesses with more than 1,000 employees to provide benefits worth $4.17 an hour - or pay that amount, per worker, into a state fund that will reimburse the nearly $400 million that the state spends on FamilyCare and other health-insurance programs each year.
New Jersey Policy Perspective, a liberal think tank, conducted an unofficial study of FamilyCare recipients last fall, finding that Wal-Mart employees and their children led the state's insurance rolls. After Wal-Mart's 589 in FamilyCare, Home Depot had 335, Pathmark grocery stores had 329, and Target had 302. ShopRite, Macy's, Kmart, McDonald's and CVS weren't far behind.
President Bush’s spokeswoman is claiming that the administration now supports a delay in the United Arab Emirates takeover of operations at six ports.
State Senator Joe Vitale is sponsoring a powerful healthcare bill that would require businesses with over 1,000 employees to provide a health care stipend.
