Blue Jersey frontpager, NJ godmother of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party, Senate Majority leader, and a woman who gives Chris Christie the willies, Loretta Weinberg has a birthday today. She's 77.
LW's taking the day off from her usual Monday morning post, so instead this sweet video she made with her very sensible grandchildren, Shayna and Jonah. Here for "my adopted son Steven Goldstein" and Garden State Equality she talks with them about the day, hopefully soon, when people can marry "who they love and feel comfortable with" and the gay people in their lives who want to get married.
Birthday girl, with the beloved Shayna & Jonah:
(Disclosure: I have the honor of serving on GSE's board)
Blue Jersey Writer Testifies at Assembly Judiciary Committee Hearing on Marriage Equality
At this past week's hearing, three Blue Jersey writers testified in favor of the bill to promote marriage equality in the state. One of these writers, Loretta Weinberg, also happens to be the Senate Majority Leader and a prime sponsor of the bill. Here is her opening testimony.
Only Blue Jersey has gavel-to-gavel video coverage of yesterday's marriage equality hearings at the Assembly Judiciary Committee. I'll be editing and uploading the more relevant material over the next few days. Some will be frontpaged, some will appear on the sidebar, so be sure to check there, too.
I felt like a witness to history, and someday I'll be able to tell my grandson that Grampa was there when New Jersey worked to end yet another chapter in institutional discrimination.
Below are post-hearing comments from Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and Garden State Equality's Steven Goldstein.
Gusciora is a gentleman. His comments about freshman Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi are generous and conciliatory. I would have been less kind. Schepisi's first vote in her political career was one to perpetuate discrimination. I'll post Schepisi's remarks later, but suffice it to say that although she appeared torn in her decision, she based it partly on the fact that the e-mails she received were 50-3 in favor of marriage discrimination. She touted the all-to-familiar themes of "separate but equal" arrangements for marriage and the old "some of my best friends are gay" line.
Weinberg and Goldstein were in maximum kvell mode after the vote - deservedly so. Unlike the recent Senate hearings, at yesterday's session everyone who desired to testify was given that opportunity.
Videos are below the fold.
Technical note: One legislator I spoke with had trouble viewing prior videos on his iPad, probably because iPads do not support Flash. I've uploaded these videos in QuickTime format. The files are larger and take more time to upload. If anyone has problems with videos, please send direct email to deciminyan@gmail.com
Yesterday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on marriage equality made me proud of several legislators - veterans and freshmen alike. Below the fold are videos of the remarks of Senate President Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and two openly gay Assemblymen - Reed Gusciora and Tim Eustace. As a bonus, Assemblyman Eustance's son, Kyle, also testified.
Here is today's vote on marriage equality along with the statements from each of the senators. It's worth watching - from the eloquence of Senators Gill and Weinberg to the cowardice of Senator Bateman to the political posturing of Senator Kyrillos. Congratulations to Senators Lesniak, Weinberg, and Sweeney, and to Steven Goldstein for this momentous step.
I arrived early at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Marriage Equality in order to get a good spot for my video camera. The hearings were scheduled for 11 AM. By 9:15, when I arrived, the line was all the way back to the lobby and more people were coming. I was the first reporter there, and was able to secure a prime spot adjacent to the witness table, a power outlet, and access to the audio feed. What more could a blogger and amateur videographer ask for?
I've been to a lot of committee hearings over the last year, but this was one of the most emotional for me. Yes, I've heard the stories about Danny and John, and about Marsha and Louise before, and they touched me deeply. But today, their stories were juxtaposed with those of marriage bigots who demand special rights for heterosexual couples. (And I'm sad to have to use the term "bigot", but their arguments hold no more water than those who worked to deny women's right to vote in the early 20th century or those who worked to deny rights to African Americans in mid-century.) My head reeled with the thoughts of how can these people call themselves religious? Religion involves compassion and understanding, but these people did not understand a word that was spoken.
After the upheaval and sadness in the NJ Legislature following the death of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce - at the Statehouse and in the very last hour of Lame Duck - most of the traditional agenda-setting, the reorganization, and speeches of the Legislature were put off until Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Today, we're posting remarks as prepared for delivery of the top majority leadership in both Houses - on the Senate side of President Steve Sweeney & Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and on the Assembly side of Speaker Sheila Oliver and Majority Leader Lou Greenwald.
It's important to see what they promise, how they see the challenges ahead, and what their best intentions for the new session are. We'll be watching for both the successes and the failures. We're damn sure you will be. But right now, as they set off to begin New Jersey's 215th Legislature, I've got nothing but my best wishes for their fortitude, internal integrity and stamina as they face down a Republican governor working to make a national brand of himself, at the expense of the people of New Jersey.
Please note that any formatting errors are likely my own, and not the legislators'.
Remarks as prepared for delivery by incoming Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg Jan. 17, as the NJ Senate reorganized for the 215th NJ Legislature:
I'd like to begin by acknowledging the incredible loss that the New Jersey Legislature and the entire State suffered with the passing of Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce.
Alex was a friend, and embodied the spirit of public service that we all should aspire to. He was also a fierce partisan, whose strength of conviction was unshakable. While we begin this new legislative season, I hope to be the sort of leader for my party as Alex was for his. Someone who's willing to fight for the principles in which I believe, and yet who can put partisan labels aside to advance the people's business.
I want to thank Alex's family - Betty Lou, children and grandchildren - for their friendship through the years, and for sharing him with the people of New Jersey.
Many of you last week met my own family, who are now safely ensconced back in California.
On Tuesday, we will see the first step in the effort to pass Senate Bill 1 (S1), the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act. It promises to be an exciting hearing. Our friends at Garden State Equality will be there, and I’m sure the proponents of marriage discrimination will be also.
America was founded on principles of individual rights, and it’s appropriate that the marriage equality bill is the first piece of legislation to be considered in this session. That’s not to say that jobs, health care, and education are not critical. But individual rights are the bedrock of our society, and should never take a back seat to the other important issues.
Despite the Constitutional guarantees, there are still people who, as Steven Goldstein of GSE puts it, demand “special rights” of heterosexual marriage. It’s important that we understand and counter their arguments so that we help tip the balance in the legislature toward the side of marriage equality.
Garden State Equality is rapidly ramping up it efforts to help pass the recently re-introduced Marriage Equality bill (S1 and A1), which may be voted upon as early as March. The Senate appears to be taking the legislative lead on this bill. With primary sponsorship from Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37), President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and Raymond Lesniak (D-20), it was immediately referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. PolitickerNJ reports that its sources indicate the Senate could already be only one vote short of passage, and its article lists senators now believed to be supporters. Less is known about the Assembly where it primary sponsors are Reed Gusciora (D-15) and Speaker Sheila Oliver (D34), and where it has not yet been referred to a committee. In spite of what PolitickerNJ says, we can not take passage for granted in the Senate, much less the Assembly.
I'm re-posting this from Monday. That morning, one of the busiest days in the Senate, the Democratic leadership granted Blue Jersey a significant amount of time for this interview. It was overshadowed by the tragic events that evening, but the remarks by Senators Sweeney and Weinberg set the stage for the new session, ahead.
This morning, Senate President Stephen Sweeney and incoming Majority Leader Senator Loretta Weinberg took time out of their busy day to give Blue Jersey readers an exclusive interview. They talked about the accomplishments of the last session, goals for the new session (which starts tomorrow), the new initiative for marriage equality, jobs, energy, and the recent controversies about residency requirements in the last legislative election.
Yesterday, Rep. Steve Rothman made it official, that congressional redistricting will lead him to challenge not Tea Party darling Scott Garrett into whose district his home has been drawn, but Bill Pascrell, a fellow Dem elected to Congress the same year he was 15 years ago.
You can imagine the rending of garments at DCCC. And the state party. But given the imperative towards re-election hard-wired in House members, whose 2-year election cycle keeps them in perpetual re-elect, and the fact that much of the new district Pascrell now lives in is Rothman stomping ground, Rothman's move has some logic. He was mayor of Englewood 2 terms, and that's where he'll relocate back into district. He already reps nearly 55% of the people (61% of registered Dems) in the new 9th, he says. (hat/tip Daily Kos Elections for this chart, which shows Rothman 53.95%, Pascrell 42.90%).
Rothman v. Pascrell was immediate national news, a race between colleagues on the same side of most issues, sharing a party, supporting the same president in a presidential year. How awful will this race be? How personal their complaints against one another? How much will it divide the rest of us?
Mabe we have some clues in Rothman's first endorse list of 61 people; legislators, the Hudson & Bergen Dem Chairs, mayors, and municipal chairs, a Bergen-heavy list. Prominent are incoming Senate Majority Leader (and Blue Jerseyan) Loretta Weinberg, longtime Rothman ally, and both Assemblywoman Connie Wagner and Assemblyman-elect Tim Eustace, the two names with the most buzz as potential challengers to Scott Garrett in the contest Rothman passed on.
Pascrell, for his part has solid support from Passaic Chair John Currie, and gave no evidence of worry. Pascrell described himself as:
"a fighter who is ready for whatever may come. I will be as relentless in the election as I have been for my constituents. I do not know the meaning of the word quit.
Rothman's full endorsement list, after the jump. If Pascrell is developing a similar list, Blue Jersey would very much like to see it.
Wagner supporters are using facebook to rally for her. Bertin has the link - so does Nick - if you haven't seen it. Anybody know if any other potential NJ-5 candidates have a social media campaign presence? - promoted by Rosi
Ever since it was first announced that Congressman Steve Rothman would be running for re-election in CD9 instead of CD5, I have talked up the idea of drafting Assemblywoman Connie Wagner to run in CD5 against Congressman Scott Garrett, based on my belief that she has the potential to be a stronger candidate in this district than Rothman, because of her capacity to attract national attention and dollars.
Just a few minutes ago, while reading a thread started by our very own Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, I discovered that a Draft Connie Facebook group has been started. Please join me in joining this group and working to build energy and excitement around this extremely important effort.
Why is our bombastic governor afraid of a Jewish grandmother? Maybe because what she says makes so much sense.
I spoke with Senator Loretta Weinberg in Trenton today about her encounter with the governor this morning, charter schools, and the cap on unused sick leave.
The subject here is duck not turkey. Our legislature has now entered its lame duck session - defined as such because legislators are meeting after their successors were elected but before the successors' term of office begins. However, there are few lame ducks to be found as incumbents were overwhelmingly re-elected and Democrats remain in control of both houses. Even our all-mighty political bosses held on to their scabrous powers. The two top legislative leaders (and sometimes Democrats) likewise retained their respective jobs while sacrificing their progressive number two's for new progressive number two's. After this redistricted, gerrymandered election, in which many people, including Blue Jersey writers and readers, fought valiantly for new candidates and tried to get out the vote, only 26% of registered voters cast a ballot, in what resulted as a snooze-worthy event. One of the few weakened ducks was the governor who had predicted a historic occasion only soon to realize it was just a Deja vu occasion.
Our prior lame duck session, as Jon Corzine's governorship came to an end, was filled with accomplishment (prison reform and medical marijuana) a missed opportunity (millionaire's tax) and a heartbreaker (marriage equality.) To get through the current one, we might need maximum strength NoDoz pills. The governor is heavily promoting at least three education bills, and may achieve some minor success, but this time the heartbreak will be his. Senate President Sweeney will soon repromote a millionaire's tax bill and Senate Majority Leader Weinberg may re-promote (now or later) marriage equality and funding for women's health clinics. However the Grinch is sure to disapprove.
For the moment the following bills are making their way through the labyrinthian legislature:
Permits pharmacies to sell needles/syringes without a prescription. It will decrease the transmission of HIV, Hep C and other blood-borne illnesses not only among injection drug users but others such as people with diabetes who at any point in time may need needles but do not have a prescription handy. 48 states permit this. Jay Lassiter testified in support of the bill.(Bill: A1088)
Requires builders of new homes to include water sprinklers - an important safety initiative but one that might better be postponed as it increases the price of new homes in a market glutted with existing homes that owners and banks can not sell. (Bill: A3278)
Requires inmates be provided with a comprehensive medical discharge summary before release. It should be a no-brainer, but our Corrections Department is too frequently averse to change, and the general public often is content with depriving inmates of basic rights. (Bill: A3100).
Hope you have some great turkey or duck and a wonderful Thanksgiving. Among other things we can be thankful this year that in spite of our governor's seeming popularity we lost no ground in the legislative elections. May next year's Thanksgiving bring us a re-elected President Obama and a large congressional contingent of Democrats.
It was as if the General Assembly chamber in Trenton had a mechitza down the middle. But instead of separating the genders, it separated the festive atmosphere on the Democratic side from the mostly empty Republican side.
The occasion was the opening of the lame duck session, highlighted by the swearing in of the newest member of the body, Troy Singleton.
Here they are in their first public appearance together, the new leadership teams in both the Assembly and Senate. (Note: incoming Senate President Pro Tempore Nia Gill was not present).
"If you don't know where you're going,
you'll wind up somewhere else."
- Yogi Berra of Montclair, New Jersey
I've written and deleted six versions of this diary about the maneuvers that discarded two people who distinguished themselves this year by exhibiting core Democratic values, when it wasn't always simple to do so. Frankly, it's hard to think about this without wanting to pick the broken glass out of my teeth; Even with solid Democratic wins, this has been an awful week. A tense week for some people we admire greatly.
It was easier, and perhaps more profitable this year to bind with the Christie collaborationists. To fall in line. To hear Tea Party activists screaming in one ear about the cost of government, and New Jersey's unelected power brokers whispering soft directions in the other ear. Plenty of our Democrats fell in line. On more than one issue. Barbara Buono and Joe Cryan did not.
In the Senate Democratic caucus, the vote has just been taken. By a unanimous vote, Steve Sweeney is re-elected as Senate President. Senator Weinberg is the new Senate Majority Leader in this session.
Our best wishes to both, and to outgoing Majority Leader Barbara Buono.
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