The Governor still hasn't either vetoed or signed into law funding for Women's health services. This past money, the Senate Health and Senior Services Committee held a hearing to discuss the situation. Here's a video put out by the Senate Democrats following the hearing:So the Governor said the only problem was a budget problem and funding source, but the Treasurer or someone from the Department of Treasury couldn't find time during the 3 hour hearing to question the funding source. If it's not the money and the treasurer can't be bothered, then what's this all really about?
.....to talk about Family Planning Centers, their funding and women's access to health care. Assemblywoman Linda Stender and I met with Governor Christie and Lt Governor Guadagno for an hour this afternoon. It was a seemingly amiable and respectful exchange. Mr. Christie was interested in the statistics we gave him outlining the number and kinds of services provided at these centers. He did say that the Treasurer questioned the funding source we have in the bill, so we supplied him with the OLS analysis which confirmed our figures. No promises were made, but he did say we would have an answer sooner, rather than later. Both Assemblywoman Stender and I assured him that we would prefer taking this issue off his plate while giving back to uninsured women this important access for themselves and their families. However, though we thanked him for his courtesy during the meeting, we also made it clear that this is not an issue which can be easily dismissed. Women's access to health care is a priority and will continue to be!This funding must berestored.
Promoted by Rosi. Proud of her feminist friend, Jay. And the Senator from Teaneck.
It's nice to see the Senate Democratic leadership so supportive of this issue but it's really lame that Gov. Christie is still so intransigent on women's health and family planning. So we paid him a visit. Again.
Updated 3:25pm: Sen. Weinberg says via email the legislature is meeting Thursday - to discuss the agreement the legislative leaders made with the governor.
Updated 2:56pm: Here's what we're hearing now: Deal reached. Sweeney and Gov. to have press conference at 3:30 p.m. Today
Updated 2:09: From State House Steps tweet: "Because Speaker Oliver is not on board with plan, press conference has been moved to 2:30 pm at the earliest."
Despite rumblings coming out of Trenton by tweet, by hurried phone call and most definitely by rumor, we're unsure that all the players are on the same page right now.
We hear there's a press conference at 2pm, 8 minutes from when I'm writing this, in Gov. Christie's office announcing a deal reached on whether we'll have a statewide property tax cap, and if so at what level and how structured. But we're also getting messages every few minutes from the spokesman for the Assembly Democratic majority office distancing Speaker Sheila Oliver and the Assembly from such a deal.
Spokesman Tom Hester's latest message:
The Speaker has not been part of any closed door deal. As the Speaker has said repeatedly, we will thoroughly vet any proposal. The Assembly Budget Committee will meet on Wednesday to consider proposed legislation that represents the Assembly plan.
Our friends at politickernj.com have put together a list of 2010 NJ Budget Winners & Losers. The list excoriates Cory Booker (Fastest Change from "Too Early to Tell" to "Budget Loser" Award) and the entire NJ Assembly (Worst Use of the Legislative Process), and makes fun of Chris Christie's presidential aspirations. There's plenty more where that came from, some of it infuriating, and some amusing.
But here's the first item, and we couldn't agree more with politickernj:
1. Best Use of the Legislative Process Award:
State Sen. Loretta Weinberg
Last seen sinking with the Viking funeral pyre of Jon Corzine, state Sen. (and former Lieutenant Gov. candidate) Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) rebounded from last year's statewide loss with vigor during the budget session. When Gov. Chris Christie chopped family planning out of the budget, Weinberg proved why she is one of the state's most resourceful and effective lawmakers. Not only did she put the women's caucus to work and mobilize Republican senators Diane Allen and Jennifer Beck in support of a bill that would restore the $7.5 million allocation, she even tapped the hardened hearts of several male Republicans to land the required two/thirds majority to effect an override. A version of Weinberg's bill simultaneously passed in the assembly, shepherded by Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Fanwood) but is not veto-proof. Weinberg identified her issue and applied every legislative tool at her disposal to drive it forward.
Hope you all had a Happy Father's Day, and enjoyed some family time. I started the day by attending the kick-off of a new Muslim effort to end hunger in our larger community. It was a well attended gathering at the Glenpointe Hotel in Teaneck where money was raised to purchase and outfit a building in Newark for a soup kitchen. Beside feeding the hungry, this new social service group will help to foster outreach to victims of domestic violence. Congratulations and best wishes for this new endeavor. Gave me a chance to renew acquaintance with the good women of WAFA House who are working to start a residence for Muslim women who might be victims of domestic violence. I'll be meeting with them next month to see where we might help.
Today it's off to Trenton again starting with a Judiciary Committee meeting to deal with judicial reappointments, the new Commissioner-nominee of Children & Families, Dr. Allison Blake, (seems like a good appointment) and various other Christie nominations. My main interest will be the nomination of Dr. Kevin Barry of Mendham to a position on the Board of UMDNJ. Have lots of questions for Dr. Barry such as how he feels about making sure that there is a continued commitment to provide physician training in women's reproductive health, and how to improve physical conditions at the dental school where they provide much needed services to the developmentally disabled population in awful surroundings. Hope Dr. Barry will show some interest in these important areas. By the way, if we have any more nominees from Mendham, they will soon have enough folks to fill their own commuter van to Trenton.
We all also be meeting to discuss the new Democratic leaderhip initiative on capping property taxes. The Democratic proposal is a 2.9% cap with certain exceptions. I like our democratic ideas much better. You know that Governor Corzine was actually producing results with his 4% "soft" cap. Under our prior Governor's leadership, the rise in property taxes actually slowed from a high of 7% to a more realistic average of 3.3%. I'm glad that the Democratic legislature will stand up - and I hope stand together - on this important issue. We have the better plan!
Senate voting session is slated to begin at 2 p.m. and will continue all afternoon as we await the results of the Assembly attempt to override the Governor's veto of the "more than millionaire's" tax. Hardly a cliffhanger I know, but all legislators should be on record about who will really be "sharing the pain" of this budget. Is it senior citizens who will lose property tax relief? Is it the family planning centers who will lose the money used to support women's health care? Is it developmentally disabled youngsters who need early intervention? Is it the much needed services of our local libraries? Just to name a few! Or is it those in New Jersey making more than a million dollars? You get the idea. All our residents will see a clear picture of their own legislator's answers to these questions with the red and green votes registering on that big board in the Assembly.
SCR-108 will be on the Senate agenda. It urges the Governor NOT to join other states in suing against the enforcement of the new federal health care reforms. Caused quite an uproar in last week's Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Services Committee. The hearing I chaired went on for several hours as Steve Lonegan and members of Americans for Prosperity came out against the bill. Folks were respectful toward each other, and we even got an American history lesson through the interchange between Senator Whalen and Assemblywoman McHose. I did point out that the Governor already turned to funds from the federal bill to maintain the PAAD prescription program for low income seniors and the disabled in his new budget! It would be a little late to decide that the federal government had no right to pass this law. But consistency has not been a hallmark of this administration, so anything can happen!
Congratulations to Assembly colleague Jerry Green who rightly slowed down the S-1 train in his committee. He even took testimony on the bill! I for one appreciate his leadership. Now I hope we can work to make it into a law which respects the rights of municipalities, the business community, as well as those who are entitled to affordable places to live within our larger community!
Will have more news on the budget after this afternoon's caucus. We are still aiming for a budget adoption this Thursday, but nothing is etched in stone just yet! The coming week will be busy and our votes will set the priorities for our state during the coming fiscal year. Let's hope we collectively make the right decisions.
Gov. Chris Christie, who made opposition to a medical marijuana law for ill New Jerseyans a campaign issue, now says he supports the law passed right before his inauguration and won't make it more restrictive like he said he would when he was running. But Christie wants to delay the kickoff of NJ's program until January or July, 2011. And that prompted our Quote of the Day from Sen. Loretta Weinberg:
I understand this governor has some questions, but I would like to point out to everybody, including the governor, this is the law.
Tick Tock, Governor. Tick Tock. Bear in mind that when the lady in the video talks about a July start, she was talking about July this year, not next year.
After first surrendering to authorities for insurance fraud charges at the end of April, Hackensack Police Chief Ken Zisa was charged today with official misconduct relating to a 2004 assault and robbery. Following the news of the additional charges, State Senator Loretta Weinberg called for his resignation from the county elections board:
"Even though Mr. Zisa has been charged with serious breaches of the public trust, he still enjoys a position as a commissioner on the Bergen County Board of Elections. How someone facing such serious charges of misusing their office can remain in any public post - especially one that oversees the fairness of our election process - is beyond me.
"I have been waiting patiently for the Governor or our own Democratic Party leader, to call for Mr. Zisa's resignation from the elections board. The silence has been deafening."
For all the talking that Christie did as US Attorney, he has been virtually silent when it comes to the FBI Raids in Toms River, charges against then Hunterdon Sheriff Deborah Trout and in this case. It will be interesting to see if either Christie or Wisniewski respond to the call from Weinberg and the latest developments.
This past Thursday was a busy day for many of us, but if one just read the mainstream press, you might not have realized it.
It was Women's Healthcare Week, and many of our women legislators decided to mark the occasion by protesting Governor Christie's wiping out all the dollars ($7.5million) in the Family Planning budget. As has been noted before, this money is earmarked for uninsured or underinsured men and women who get HIV testing, cervical cancer screening, family planning information and general reproductive health care through these centers. Joined by Assemblywomen Valerie Huttle, Linda Stender, Linda Greenstein, Elise Evans, Cleopatra Tucker, Pam Lampitt, Annette Quijano, Mila Jasey, Joan Voss, and Connie Wagner, we held a well attended press conference, that is except the press! Though, NJN did stop in for a brief moment or two. Apporximately 50 pink shirt supporters joined us bringing along hundreds of signed post cards protesting these cuts! The cards were delivered to the Governor's office. Do you think he'll read them? In my remarks, I suggested some cuts to other programs withinthe budget to transfer much needed funds to this program. Let's see if the Governor will look at these re-ordering of priorities, and we'll know if this budget cut is a matter of dollars or a matter of philosophy!
My next stop was the Senate State Government Committee meeting to speak for my bill giving the Governor veto power over the minutes of the Passaic Valley Sewer Authority and the North District Water Commission. These were the only two commissions we could find which were State appointments with no governor veto power. I reminded the committee, that I started on this road several years ago and first coined the description "shadow governments" to describe these authorities. In 2007 when Assembly colleagues Gordon Johnson, Valerie Huttle and I first took a look at the PVSA, we found that over a six year period, they spent more than $13 million on legal fees, and more than $3 million on consultants. Included in the consultant fees was $100,00 for a well connected flak to produce a children's coloring book called, "Messy Marvin". Makes Brian Christiansen look like one of the pikers of the hangers on at the PVSA. It's all so outrageous!
And as outrageous, is it took several years to get this bill posted in committee. Since Governor Christie has rightly made an issue of these "shadow governments" which spend millions of our tax dollars and user fees with very little accountability, this bill should pass both houses before the summer break.
Next was the Judiciary Committee meeting where we approved the nominations of Lori Grifa as the Commissioner of Community Affairs and Harold Wirths as the Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development. Acting Commissioner Wirths was closely questioned about his lack of experience (he has been a Republican county Freeholder) in the area of labor relations. I was concerned with his continuing in his Freeholder position while serving as an "acting commissioner". Asked OLS for an opinion on the subject, and they said it was important to get an Ethics Board ruling. It was claimed that such a ruling had been forthcoming last February which gave him permission as long he turned down his Freeholder salary. I still believe this could be a court challenge, but since he was resigning both his elected position and his service on a bank board with his confirmation, it became moot. Both nominees now move to the full Senate for a vote.
We all know we have a reduced statehouse press corps., and they were covering the Millionaire's Tax hearing and the Lesniak theater action for the voucher bill held on the statehouse lawn. Curious juxtaposition! Several hundred religious and private school students were brought to Trenton to support the Lesniak/Kean bill. I didn't hear anyone from the Governor's office refer to them as "Drug Mules" or denounce them as youngsters who had no idea why they were there. Don't get me wrong - I think it was great that these young people got to see their government in action! They probably learned more that day than they would in classrooms. I do, however, think the Governor's "double standard" is quite evident! Students who support Christie's initiatives can get the day off from school, but those students who disagree with his cuts to public schools deserve to be derided and insulted.
The prior Monday, I had the great pleasure of joining Senator Ray Lesniak for our book signing at Kean College for "What's Love Got to Do With it", about the fight for Marriage Equality in the New Jersey State Senate. It's a beautiful book with wonderful pictures and contains many of the words which were shared on January 7, 2010. There were more than 100 people who turned out for this event at the new Kean Human Rights Institute. My thanks to Ray for including me in this adventure. Yes I know: Lesniak & Weinberg - definitely an odd couple - but fun nevertheless!
So all this while the very much smaller group of print media folks were elsewhere. And how about Channel 12? Do they ever really cover New Jersey News live? Seems every time I turn them on they are doing the "Weather on the Ones" or the "Pet Doctor". We need to keep NJN. They are the only statewide New Jersey television news. I've written to the administration to try and find out if anyone has actually worked on a plan to transition NJN into a private company. And what happens to their state owned assets? Lots of unanswered questions here, but we must work to preserve this NJ television news.
In an Open Letter I posted here to the next Democratic State Chair - aimed to John Wisniewski - Point #5 was Listen to the Citizens' Campaign:
New Jersey has an idea factory for vibrant civic engagement and good government. They're about clean, fair politics, and they have the sharpest tools in the toolbox to get us there. They don't work for you - and that's good - but they have all the answers. Same suggestion, by the way, for my GOP brothers and sisters.
On June 9th, Wisniewski is one of the panelists at the Jersey Call to Service Summit, convened by the Citizens' Campaign. I plan to be there too; Citizens' Campaign is expecting 1,000 people. It's free to most (read).
Panels on Party Democracy Act, Citizen Journalism, Property Tax & Government Waste & Government Policy Boards and speakers include: Govs. Brendan Byrne and Donald DiFrancesco, Wisniewski and Sen. Joe Kyrillos, Mayor Dana Redd and Michele Brown, who serves Gov. Christie. The Citizen Journalism panel seemed heavy on non-political featurey stuff, but I'm open to listen.
I've had to explain the Citizens' Campaign to a few people since I wrote that post. I'm no expert, but I've studied with them, and watched them develop good-government legislation - they were key in stronger pay-to-play legislation (which Bergen just voted down) and the Party Democracy Act. Citizens' Campaign is non-profit and non-partisan.
In fact, it is relentlessly non-partisan. They teach ways citizens can take stake over policies and laws that govern daily life; power that's always been available, but often goes begging. Think of it as a giant civics lesson for grownups, which is hotter than you think, given that it has the power to take complainers and turn them into leaders. It applies equally, no matter what Party. That's the relentless non-partisanship; less how you should participate but that you can participate.
Most of us here are daily combatants in the cage match of partisan politics. For us, it may be a little hard to wrap around raw info about the infrastructure of governing, given we spend so much time pounding inside it. But knowing the fundamentals is crucial. And it's a heady, buzzy atmosphere - ordinary people all angling for greater democracy. I'm bringing my local candidates. Networking and bouncing ideas around so many good-government advocates is exactly what I where I want them to be.
As news of Zisa's arrest and separation from the department spread throughout the city, some of his critics rejoiced.
One of the strongest critics, Bobby Egan, owner of Cubby's Restaurant on River Street, flashed an electronic message below his sign that said "ZISA ARREST" four times.
Then a message scrolled across the screen: "POLICE CHIEF KEN ZISA ARRESTED FOR FRAUD HASTA LA¬VISTA CHIEF ZISA GOOD BYE GOOD RIDDANCE."
I just reached Senator Loretta Weinberg, on her way to talk to a Jewish Women's group at Eagleton Institute on the Rutgers campus, to ask her about what went on in yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Bret Schundler, Gov. Christie's pick for Education Commissioner, made it out of the confirmation hearing by an 11-0 yes vote and after two sessions of intensive questioning, but he goes on his way without the Judiciary Committee's recommendation.
In an obvious effort to suss out whether his personal religious views would dictate his managing New Jersey's schools, Schundler was questioned on everything from evolution, abstinence-only sex education, and teaching about homosexuality as a "lifestyle." Schundler recently worked as Chief Operating Officer of The King's College, a Christian liberal arts school. Senators asked Schundler whether he would try to revise how same-sex relationships are discussed in New Jersey's schools, with Sen. Nick Scutari doing much of the questioning.
Loretta reports that some of her colleagues didn't want to vote for Schundler at all, and others wanted him confirmed. What I didn't know, and Loretta reports today, is that Sen. Gerry Cardinale - senior Republican on the Judiciary - asked him a series of questions "on the other side" of all these issues. Quoting Loretta:
For instance, Cardinale asked him if he would approve a curriculum which "advocated for the gay lifestyle". He was appropriate in his replies. I couldn't resist to then ask him if he would "advocate for the heterosexual" lifestyle.
The full Senate may consider Schundler's nomination as early as March 11.
Sen. Loretta Weinberg explaining why she voted no on Chris Christie's choice for state Treasurer, gives the Quote of the Day:
Christie has the prerogative and every right to do as he sees fit in his role as governor, but to deny what the outcome of some of these acts are is a little bit Alice in Wonderland and I expected the Treasurer to be a lot more factual and appropriate.
Today is Senator Loretta Weinberg's 75th Birthday.
At Democracy for America (DFA-NJ), we call her the Godmother of Progressive NJ.
At Blue Jersey, our new Monday morning columnist has another nickname. LW gives speeches sometimes about Blue Jersey's coverage of her during the Senate seat fight, when she was standing up to the Ferriero machine, and we were all standing behind her. We had so many diaries about her - each tagged with her name - that she was on our Hot Tag List for months. In this video (shot by Nick Lento, introduced by Steven Goldstein) below, she crows about that at her campaign kickoff in 2007:
What has made me happiest in my public career is being listed as a hot tag at Blue Jersey.
Progressive Democrats of America to host Statewide Conference & Winter Warm Up Dinner
Conference will feature local and state progressive champions including U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, SICKO's Donna Smith, PDA National Director Tim Carpenter and others.
Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts has signaled that the Assembly will not take up marriage equality as lame duck session resumes Monday, unless the Senate does first.
This is not good enough. New Jerseyans on both sides of this issue deserve an up or down vote from every legislator, in both houses, in both parties. Given that the testimony December 7th before the Senate Judiciary Committee made history - with 7 hours of testimony and 1,300 marriage equality advocates taking the day off to show up at the statehouse (against a few handfuls of opponents), it is right and proper now to hear what the people we elected to represent us have to say. And we want it on the record.
I have statements from Roberts, Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein, and Sen. Loretta Weinberg.
Speaker Joe Roberts:
After more than seven hours of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Dec. 7 and continued public debate in the weeks since, we've certainly had a chance to hear all sides on marriage equality legislation. I believe ample opportunity has already been given for all views to be heard and additional Assembly committee debate is not needed. I've advised the Senate sponsors that, if the bill is passed by the Senate, I am prepared to bring the bill directly to the Assembly floor for a vote before the end of this legislative session.
UPDATE: Sen. Loretta Weinberg statement to Blue Jersey: It is right and appropriate for the full Senate to now vote. Senator Lesniak and I requested Senate President Codey post the Civil Marriage and Freedom of Religion bill for a vote. Let the public know where the majority party in both houses stand on this civil rights issue so important to a strong segment of our supporters.
Garden State Equality Chair Steven Goldstein:
We're far from dead - in the long and winding road in this marriage equality battle, anything and everything has happened. On an issue like marriage equality, which thousands of key players in the Democratic party support so passionately, you predict at your own peril. Remember, earlier this month, we won a major victory in the Senate Judiciary Committee when no one thought the bill would even go to any committee. We call on Senator Codey and Speaker Roberts to bring the bill to a vote before their respective houses, and in the meantime, we will continue to work day and night for victory soon.
We're not taking this announcement from Trenton lying down - not any of us. Garden State Equality is again massing supporters, gay and straight. I'll add my voice as co-Chair of Democracy for America-NJ, and I know my colleagues on the DFA-NJ board back me up - they include Jeff Gardner. Blue Jersey also stands behind Garden State Equality - this is a matter of fairness and equity for all of us.
An ACTION ALERT, called for MONDAY, by GSE:
We're going back to the statehouse. Meet this Monday at 10:00 am in front of Garden State Equality's Trenton office across from the State House - 110 West State Street. We will lobby and rally - keep up the pressure to do the right thing. Massive turnout is key. Please spread the word.
We know from the wild ride that this year has been that this issue is no longer the province only of the gay people whose committed relationships should be recognized in our community. This is about equality. It's that simple. And that matters to us all - it's about what kind of a state we're going to live in. Fair, or unfair. Our legislators have the responsibility to all of us to commit their votes, and we shouldn't accept anything less.
Whether you're talking about the death penalty, a woman's right to choose, marriage equality, in our party we have always had an unwritten rule that you don't take a party position on matters of conscience. For the few legislators who might feel that way, I respect it and I think I have some understanding. Legislators who are somehow afraid of this issue - that I have less patience with.
It's been a rough and tumble few weeks on the road to marriage equality. We've seen ups and downs, moments of despair and moments of great hope. Emotions have run high on both sides of the issue.
Last week, State Senator Loretta Weinberg, the bill's key Senate sponsor, made the case for marriage equality advocates and supporters to keep their message positive, rather than resort to nastiness or threats. She's right.
When you boil it down, we progressives are fighting now a fight that we've fought so many times before in history. Our fight is about positive rights, about affirmational policy, about granting equality where there is inequality, about providing justice and opportunity where there were none. About giving everyone a shot at the American Dream, not just some. About moving our state forward. The other side is looking to deny and prevent and delay progress kicking and screaming if need be for as long as possible. We shouldn't sink to their level.
One of the striking contrasts at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing of S1967 (which was a judiciously and fairly-run hearing for which Senator Sarlo deserves much credit and appreciation) was the fundamental character of both sides. Marriage equality supporters were committed, loving families and children, ordinary folk just wanting to get on with their lives and be left alone. Clergy and community leaders. Legal scholars. Medical professionals. Legendary civil rights leaders. Both gay and straight spoke. The testimony was heartfelt, moral, and striking.
In deep contrast, the other side resorted to typical fear-mongering and scare tactics. That marriage equality would lead to polygamy and bestiality. That gay people are making a choice and weren't born that way, so they should be less than equal. That marriage equality would lead to depravity being taught in our educational system. That it would, in fact, cause the sky to fall.
We've seen this movie before. We, and people of conscience, know all those things to be terribly false, horrific distortions designed to incite fear and to intimidate. But as Martin Luther King, Jr.--whose legacy endorsed marriage equality recently in the words of John Lewis and through the powerful voice of Julian Bond-- said, "Dark cannot drive out dark; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
We must not respond in kind to vicious name-calling and bigotry, as much as it pains us (and it does so deeply). Negativity, name-calling, and threats only close minds that we need to open. Like King said, we must respond with positivity and with making our case. With light, and with love.
Like Gandhi said so many years ago, we must "be the change we wish to see in the world." Let's get our Gandhi on. Let's draw another contrast by making the case that equality and fairness are real family values, while the other side calls our LGBT friends sinners and sickos and shovels hate speech upon them. Let's rise to the bigness of the moment, not shrink to the smallness or pettiness of the other side. Let's push forward and not look back. Let's be positive.
And let's fight like hell. Because justice and fairness for our LGBT brothers and sisters has already waited long enough.
