Far too many people have bought in to the talking point that Steve Rothman should have run against Scott Garrett even though the bulk of what was the district that he represented still remains in the district where he chose to run. Conversely, Reed Gusciora has been associated with Princeton for as long as he has been involved in politics, yet when he had the opportunity to move up to the State Senate and take on Kip Bateman, the man who now on two occasions has betrayed and insulted the LGBT community with his statements and votes on marriage equality, he cut and ran to Trenton where his re-election to the State Assembly would be guaranteed, but would also block the ascendancy of another good progressive, Dave DelVecchio of Lambertville, and prevent the Hunterdon County part of LD15 from getting the representation that it rightly deserves.
Considering the narrow margin of loss in LD16, there is no doubt in my mind that if Gusciora had summoned up the guts, which so many people, who were silent at this same time, feel Rothman lacked when he made a similar, but far different decision, to take on Bateman, the entire LD16 team would have won last year. That said, I do think that while most of the total voters in LD16 are in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, the additions of Princeton and South Brunswick to this district are undoubtedly what have changed it from a safe Republican district to the competitive district that it has become.
Does this mean that the Democratic nomination should have been handed to Sue Nemeth on a silver platter? Of course not. I am a staunch advocate for seriously contested primary elections, but the negative tone of this race, which I attribute mostly, although not completely, to Nemeth has been destructive rather than constructive. Considering how close Democrats came to winning in LD16 in 2011, I think that the Democratic leadership in the district should have been more strategic in terms of how they approached this election and how it could propel the entire team to victory in 2013. At the very least, I think that some very important questions should have been asked of both Corfield and Nemeth.
15 Democrats and three Republicans in the Assembly have joined to sponsor a bill to decriminalize possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. There will be a Judiciary Committee hearing for the bill (A-1465) on Monday at 10:00 AM in the State House Annex. The effort, led by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-15), already has an impressive number of initial bipartisan sponsors. However, 23 additional assemblypersons are needed to assure passage. The complete list of sponsors so far appears below the fold.
Three members of the Judiciary Committee are already sponsors: Chair Peter Barnes (D-18), Ralph Caputo (D-28), and Michael Patrick Carroll (R-25). You can call or email the other members: Vice Chair Annette Quijano (D-20), Gordon Johnson (D-37), John McKeon (D-27) and Holly Schepisi (R-39).
For some nifty graphics created by OnLine Paralegal Programs with reasons to support this bill and ultimately legalize marijuana contine beyond the fold.
That's the Jewish blessing of thanks that is said on special occasions, and the message that Steven Goldstein, Chair of Garden State Equality, sent to his co-religionist opponents of marriage equality at a press conference this afternoon in Trenton.
It was a joyous occasion, after several hours of "debate" in the Assembly chamber - dominated by supporters of marriage equality with their touching stories of family, civil rights, and equality - peppered with contrived rationalization of the status quo from marriage discrimination proponents.
Whether you give thanks with the Jewish prayer, or in some other way, today was an historic day for New Jersey, affirming the tenets of our Constitution.
In the end, the vote was 42-33. We'll post some of the amazing floor speeches later, but here's the press conference:
Following almost seven hours of testimony on Thursday, the members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee went on record with their votes to move the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption bill to the full chamber. As in the Senate committee, the vote was along party lines, with some Democrats expressing reservations but ultimately voting for equality while other Democrats were solidly in favor.
The two Republicans on the committee had interesting views and their remarks are worth listening to. It still surprises me how a libertarian like Michael Patrick Carroll can be for discrimination and government intervention in a civil rights issue. His argument comes right out of the Santorum playbook - since there is no societal benefit to equal rights, it's fine to vote against them.
Freshman GOP Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi appeared torn and indecisive. Her rambling remarks argued both sides of the issue but she ultimately voted for discrimination. I don't know if she can be flipped, but it would certainly be worthwhile if she could hear from pro-equality constituents. In the arc of the history of the New Jersey Assembly, she'll go down as having cast her first vote in favor of discrimination. I wonder if she wants this to be the legacy of her political career.
The video is 29 minutes long. If you want to jump ahead, here are the starting times for each speaker:
Gordon Johnson (D) 00:00
Reed Gusciora (D) 02:03
Ralph Caputo (D) 05:58
Annette Quijano (D) 07:40
Holly Schepisi (R) 13:20
Michael Patrick Carroll (R) 21:35
Peter Barnes (D) 22:33
Voting 28:01
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora is one of the sponsors of A1, the Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption bill. Here is his testimony from yesterday's hearing at the Assembly Judiciary Committee. His remarks completely negate the arguments of the opponents of marriage equality.
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.
The lowly groundhog has been relegated to having expertise only on the coming of warm weather. His predictive skills, however, have been grossly underestimated. Groundhog Gerry goes where others fear to tread. His reactions on the following New Jersey legislation:
Provides tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for low-income children, euphemistically known as the Opportunity Scholarship Act. Groundhog Gerry has been laying low and shown little expectation for the soon arrival of Christie's vaunted education bills. However he has shown some stirring on this vouchers act. It has been approved in committees with several Democrats supporting it in the Senate (Lesniak, Vitale, Beach, and Ruiz) and in the Assembly (Coutinho, Lampitt and Fuentes.) S1872/A2810
Appropriates $139 million for Aid to Localities.
The governor five months ago vetoed this much needed aid to our hardest hit (but Democratic) urban cities, stating it should include administrative and monitoring expenses. With $1.5 million added for such expenses, Gerry is definitely stirring. The Assembly overwhelmingly passed the bill and a Senate committee will review it today at 1:00 PM. The groundhog hopes it will be placed on a fast track. S3118/A4373
Permits pharmacies to sell needles/syringes without a prescription.
It will decrease the transmission of HIV, Hep C and other blood-borne illnesses. Although the governor has not said whether he will sign the bill, Gerry is positively excited as the bill passed both the Senate and Assembly with votes, which if they remain the same, are veto-proof. (S958)/A1088
Decriminalizes possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana.
The bill would still fine such individuals, but Gerry feels that too much government money is spent on combatting pot, too many people needlessly being incarcerated and that pot would strengthen his own predictive abilities. He knows that 21 Assemblypersons (Republicans and Democrats) led by Reed Gusciora (D-15) sponsor the bill, but he is not holding his breath. A4252
22,439 people were arrested in New Jersey for possessing less than 50 grams* of cannabis in 2009.
FreedomIsGreen.Com, a local blog devoted to advancing more enlightened cannabis policy in New Jersey is reporting an an intriguing new bill on the Assembly docket that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in the Garden State.
The bill, which already has 18 co-sponsors (5 from the GOP) was introduced by Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) and Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris), the same bi-partisan duo that introduced the state's nascent medical marijuana law.
What do you think, Blue Jersey? - promoted by Rosi
There is no question our political parties have failed us. They perpetuate policies in place that have continued to result in the highest property taxes in the nation, no foreseeable increases in the job market for the average worker, and an escalation of health and insurance costs.
It is no wonder that citizen anger has fueled the Tea Party movement, which boasts support from citizens across the state. The current "republican-favored" Tea Party holds three principles: 1) the constitution is to be strictly interpreted as the blueprint for good government; 2) in a free society, actions should have consequences; and 3) the bureaucracy is too big to succeed.
All of us can agree with any one of the components. After all, our U.S. Constitution was formed, "in Order to form a more perfect Union," not to maintain the "status quo." As Thomas Jefferson once noted, "Institutions must advance to keep pace with the time." In this sense, many agree there is a need to constantly reevaluate our challenges, but we often disagree on the how.
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.
I leave it to other on Blue Jersey to talk about the rest of the map. Here's my first thoughts about the re-drawn 15th / 16th and 23rd districts affecting Hunterdon, Somerset and Mercer Counties.
To put it simply -- I think this is a far better map for the Dems than is being portrayed.
The lead story is that Princeton has been taken out of the 15th -- taken away from Trenton -- and progressive Assemblyman Reed Gusciora has no chance to win in conservative Somerset county.
But folks need to take a look at the rest of the district.
First of all, Bedminster, Bridgewater and Bernards (and environs) are no longer in the district. Neither is Assemblywoman Coyle for that matter. This takes away some of the most conservative part of the district.
Second of all -- and here's where I think there's gains to be had -- Flemington Borough, as well as Raritan and Readington townships in Hunterdon County are now in the 16th.
So the new district includes much of the Democratic core of Hunterdon County, along with Princeton, Somerville and Manville -- town centers that have voted Democratic.
Most importantly, the district is far more diverse. About 70% white, over 16% Asian and 8 percent non-white hispanic.
I'm not saying it's a lock district for Democrats, but Bateman and Biondi have a greater chance of losing to good Democrats than ever before. Reed Gusciora has announced his intensions to run and I hope doesn't try to move back into the 15th, and stays here to run with Marie Corfield.
As thousands of New Jersey's first-responders - firefighters, police, corrections officers emergency medical services members & many of the people they protect every day - rallied outside the State House, many of their signs expressed their disgust with Senate President Steve Sweeney, members of NJ's other legislative body were out in force at yesterday's massive rally.
Below, in video shot by the Assembly majority office, Democratic legislators look out at a sea of blue:
"A representative of one of our largest port cities, with proximity to one of the nation's busiest airports, she fully understands the importance of homeland security to the safety and well-being of our residents."
--NJ Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver
Democrats choose Quijano
Union County Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Elizabeth) will be the new Chairwoman of the Assembly Homeland Security Committee.
The panel's responsibilities include oversight of issues pertaining to counter-terrorosim, port security, emergency responders, and (as the name suggests) general homeland security. It's a powerful position with a lot on the line.
Quijano takes the gavel from Fred Scalera who left office after a half-term to go spend time with a better paying job. Rounding out the panel are Democrats Gordon Johnson (co-chair), John Burzichelli and Vince Prieto and Republicans David Russo and Robert Schroeder.
We owe a debt of gratitude - again - to our South Jersey neighbors, who turned out in force today in Bordentown to protect the dignity and privacy of a family funeral against the rantings of the hate-filled Westboro Baptist "Church". It's crazy cold today. Nevertheless, hundreds of good people - Trentonian reports maybe thousands - turned out, starting very early, to shield the grieving family of Ben Moore, hometown volunteer fireman and Army private killed in Afghanistan by an explosive device.
Today was his memorial day. And that tiny Kansas-based cluster of hatemongers promised to disrupt it. But today proved that the Westboro outfit can't gin up any real crowd, except the good neighbors who show up in opposition. WBC's not a movement; they never grow. They persuade no one, because they have nothing to say beyond name-calling, undignified behavior and disruption of grieving communities with their squalling: God hates fags. They're silly. Most of what passes for activity from them comes before an event like today. Press releases. Threats. Incendiary flyers. And laughably immature name-calling, like the letter posted at Trentonian last night, by WBC's Margie Phelps, where she calls Assemblyman Reed Gusciora poopy-pants. Yes, an adult said that. In print:
I had to chuckle reading "gay" Assemblyman Reed Gusciora whining that we - Westboro Baptist Church - should be picketing him. Fat chance, poopy-pants!
Gusciora had called them out on their hate, even suggesting he or Barney Frank are better targets (oh that word) for gay-haters than the Moores. I guess "poopy-pants" Margie Phelps is giving us the best argument she's capable of.
In the end, thanks to the good people of Bordentown-area, the WBC stragglers were basically a no-show. They didn't like the area local authorities - they also deserve thanks - set for them. I guess if it was Ben Moore's mourners who were the center of attention, and not them, they couldn't hack the cold.
THE TICKLER FILE Transportation Trust Fund - As NJ Spotlight points out Christie is already two months behind his own schedule for producing a plan for the fund. He pledged during his gubernatorial campaign to use a "pay-as-you-go" approach, and he has consistently said he will not raise the gas tax. The Regional Plan Association has reported that former Governor Corzine's $3.2 billion transportation spending level was not enough, but Christie has suggested his plan will be even less robust. Our infrastructure maintenance and repair needs are growing exponentially and threatening our lives and future. Governor Christie must stop delaying, establish a new revenue source (probably increased gas taxes) and build a realistic medium-term plan to address our fraying infrastructure.
Medical Cannabis Regulations - The concurrent resolution adopted December 13 provides the Health Department 30 days to amend or withdraw its proposed regs or the Legislature may invalidate the regs. Hopefully the Health Department will make the four required changes plus others that experts have recommended. However Christie spokesperson Michael Drewniak suggested that only two changes based on Christie's earlier "compromise" with Assemblyman Gusciora will be implemented. With people seriously ill and in pain, Christie can and must end his pettiness and do better.
Xanadu Meadowlands Complex - Jon F. Hanson, who heads the governor's commission on the state's gaming and entertainment industry, said in November his panel expects to file recommendations to Gov. Chris Christie on the dormant $2 billion mall project before Christmas. He indicated four companies remain interested in the project, which could include the Izod Arena. It's time to come to terms with a purchaser of this complex where current costs of upkeep are high but where long term value is much higher. Rather than more Christie YouTube "moments" we need more Christie action.
The New Jersey Senate, like the NJ Assembly before it, has sided with ill and suffering New Jerseyans to protect them from an ideologue governor. Today, the full Senate voted to reject Gov. Christie's unnecessarily restrictive rules on NJ's already-conservative medical marijuana law. Christie's going to have to rethink and rewrite how the state will distribute marijuana intended for sick people. He'd better get moving.
Governor Christie's wasting sick people's time. Maybe he should make one less cute video of himself and spend the time working on sensible regulations, and get this done. He's governor of all of New Jersey, not just the people who agree with him, and he is charged to do his job with all New Jersey's laws, not just the ones he likes.
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