Legislators set the tone for bullying

by: Ed Barocas

Fri Oct 01, 2010 at 01:32:09 PM EDT

It didn't take long for my feelings of horror and sadness at the suicide of Tyler Clementi to turn into anger - anger not just at the unfeeling young students who so cruelly invaded Tyler's privacy, but at our state's leaders who, through their refusal to provide gay and lesbian citizens with full equality, have stigmatized gay and lesbian relationships and set the tone for tragedies like this to occur.

A line from my testimony to the New Jersey legislature during the 2009 marriage equality debate echoed hauntingly in my mind:

"When the state itself segregates people, it grants the rest of society permission to do the same. Through its example, the legislature excuses bigotry and emboldens bullies."

An open letter to NJ state Senator Stephen Sweeney

by: Alex

Sat Jan 09, 2010 at 10:43:49 AM EST

I write to you today as a member of the Democratic Party, as a proud resident of the state of New Jersey, and as someone who is deeply ashamed of your complete lack of leadership as shown by your failure to cast a vote on senate bill 1967. As you must surely know, that bill would have extended civil marriage rights to same-sex couples in New Jersey. The citizens of New Jersey expect their elected representatives to be men and women of action. That you could sit by and take no action at all on what may very well be one of the most important pieces of legislation to come to the floor of the state senate in a long time, a piece of legislation having a direct practical impact on the lives of scores of same-sex couples in our state, says a great deal about your lack of leadership. By your unwillingness to cast a vote, you have shown yourself utterly unworthy of the post - that of incoming president of the Senate - to which you have aspired. I would hope, out of a sense of shame and regret at so seriously defaulting on your responsibilities to the people of New Jersey and to your new position as senate president, that you would do the right thing: resign your leadership position. After all, you are a leader in name only.

Quote of the Day: Capable of walking and chewing gum

by: Jason Springer

Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 04:15:00 PM EDT

Regarding the intra-party Trenton scuff-up between Senate President Richard Codey (D-Roseland) and Andrews's South Jersey colleague, Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney and the possibility of that spat spilling with negative consequences into the gubernatorial contest, Andrews said, "That doesn't affect the governor's race at all. There are about 100 people engaged in that fight and they are all capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time."

Sarlo and the Senate Presidency

by: Jason Springer

Tue Sep 22, 2009 at 02:15:00 PM EDT

The Wood-Ridge Democrat refused to say last week whether he would support Codey or Stephen Sweeney, the current Senate majority leader from South Jersey who is likely to challenge Codey this fall and after the governor's race.

"I'm not answering," Sarlo said while milling through the Bergen County Senior Citizens Picnic in Paramus last Tuesday. "It's an internal family conflict that should be worked out by the family behind closed doors."

Sarlo's non-answer actually spoke volumes. Translated, the family feud is a time of opportunity for Sarlo. While Codey and Sweeney duke it out over the Senate president's perch, Sarlo sits in the catbird seat.

Sarlo could very well emerge as a key, North Jersey swing vote, which puts him in the position to leverage his next move up the political food chain in the state Senate. For example, Sarlo could cut a deal with Sweeney, agreeing to support him for Senate president in exchange for the Senate majority seat, a role that Sarlo failed to win in a bitter caucus contest against Sweeney last year. (Imagine the irony of that scenario: Despite the clamor for political reform that led to the state's first ban on dual elected office holding, the Senate would continue to be led by two power brokers exempted from the ban.)

The threat of a Sarlo defection to the Sweeney-Norcross camp could force Codey to compete for Sarlo's support, with possibly more pork, appointments, or just about anything else that can legally be steered to Sarlo's south Bergen-based 36th Legislative District.

Last year, Codey showered Sarlo with several high-profile consolation prizes since Sarlo's failed bid for the majority leader. He was named chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, the first non-lawyer to hold that role in more than three decades. He was also named vice chairman of the Senate budget panel and was enlisted in Codey's leadership circle as a deputy majority leader.

Stack to endorse Corzine for Governor, supports Sweeney for Senate President

by: Jason Springer

Sat Sep 19, 2009 at 01:32:07 PM EDT

Sources say that State Sen./Union City Mayor Brian Stack will announce next week that he has endorsed the re-election of Gov. Jon Corzine.  Stack, who had openly flirted with the prospect of backing Republican Christopher Christie, committed his support of Corzine during a meeting of the Hudson County Democratic Organization today.

"I am confident in Senator Sweeney's ability to lead the Senate, as we prepare to address matters that are critical to the residents of New Jersey," Stack said in a statement.

"Senator Sweeney has demonstrated both strong leadership and sound judgment during his tenure as Democratic Majority Leader, and I am certain that he will make an outstanding Senate President as he continues to fight for the families of our State. His prominent record as a labor leader conveys his understanding of the needs of New Jerseyans at a time when it is particularly important for working families to have their interests represented in the Statehouse."

Corzine's Temporary Exit Allows for Possible Mischief

by: mikeshapiro

Wed Apr 25, 2007 at 11:39:07 PM EDT

Governor Corzine's tragic accident has left him temporarily incapacitated, leaving the President of the State Senate, Senator Dick Codey (D-West Orange), as the Acting Governor.  The change in leadership comes at a precarious time for Corzine's Administration.  With high poll numbers and several accomplishments under his belt, Mr. Corzine had plans to make some fiscally responsible changes to the State's budget this year.  While those plans are theoretically still on the table, it will be Senator Codey and his colleagues in the State Senate and Assembly who will decide the fate of the State budget.  Since Senator Codey will be Acting Governor while presiding over the Senate, there are significant issues regarding the separation of powers that are especially troubling given that the government's most important subject matter, the State budget, will be considered during this time period.  Even more interesting is the mischief that can now take place should Senator Codey decide to be more than just a caretaker for the next few weeks or months.