"Now more than ever, the well-being of children lies in the hands of state policymakers. Children now receive relatively little federal government support and what support they do get is highly influenced by the state and local districts in which they live." - January 18, 2012 - State Child and Youth Well-Being Index (CWI): Investing in Public Programs Matters
This just-released annual report from the Foundation for Child Development indicates, "A child's well-being is strongly related to the state where he or she lives." The good news is that this year's report ranked New Jersey number one among all states in the State Child and Youth Well-Being Index (CWI). The bad news is that this study presents results for 2007 (the most recent year for which data are available from the National Survey of Children's Health), and in recent years Governor Christie has reduced State expenditures and sought less federal matching funds. As the legislature and Governor Christie grapple with next year's budget, the message is clear: state investment in children matters.
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.
I went to Trenton this morning to observe a couple of Senate committee hearings and to tweet what was going on. First was the Senate Education Committee which addressed a number of issues, none of which were the front-page items like tenure, vouchers, and charter schools. Senator Ruiz chaired the short meeting which addressed things like including cheerleaders in school injury safety programs, school disaster preparedness plans, and pension contributions for instructors in institutions of higher learning. All important, and there was not much contention in the meeting. The highlight was hearing the chants of the Catholic school students outside expressing their support for taxpayer-funded vouchers.
Andy Smarick, the Christie administration's Deputy Commissioner of Education, testified before Senator Theresa Ruiz's Education Committee today about a state-wide teacher evaluation program that its being rolled out this school year. The program, EE4NJ, considers both objective and subjective criteria. The pilot program will run through the current school year. Following the hearing, Senator Ruiz spoke with the press.
Senator Ruiz's video and the NJEA's response are below the fold.
A Newark man pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent absentee ballots while working for the 2007 campaign of state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-29)
This is not the first conviction regarding Ruiz's election, others have put this criminality right inside her own house:
Authorities charged Colon; Ruiz's husband, former Essex County Freeholder Samuel Gonzalez; and Gianine Narvaez in multiple indictments in connection with absentee ballots they collected and submitted as workers for Ruiz's 2007 campaign. The charges included tampering with documentation for messenger ballots and fraudulently submitting such ballots as votes in the Nov. 6, 2007 general election. The workers fraudulently submitted absentee ballots on behalf of residents who never received the ballots or had an opportunity to cast their votes.
Truly disgusting behavior beyond any justification. So far Attorney General Dow has gone pretty easy on the culprits. Why? One can only wonder given the Governor's alliance with Joe D (Steve Adubato).
On Sunday Dr. Salvatore Pizzuro, a Disability Policy Specialist, made an impassioned plea for Senator Ruiz to resign. (details after the jump)
Police, Firefighters, Teachers, Gays, Public Sector Workers, Progressives - you name parts of "the base" of the Democratic Party in New Jersey and they aren't fans of Senator Steve Sweeney right now.
But then comes the party bosses, men who make their living lying, cheating and stealing as many elections as they can. Needless to say, you have to watch them and take whatever they say with a big grain of salt.
Enter Ray Lesniak, Senator and Party Boss who openly endorsed Sweeney's Kabuki Theater to a comical degree:
"This was a crossing of the Rubicon for Steve Sweeney," said the Union County power-broker. "It absolutely put him in play as a statewide candidate... By stating what he did in no uncertain terms, it put him on the same terms with Chris Christie..."Right now he's my hero," Lesniak said.
Guess you have to lay it on thick to cover up a big crack. But wow, he really supports Sweeney then again (same article):
Although he supported Sweeney for senate president in 2009, Lesniak has been critical of some of Sweeney's tactical decisions even as party progressives find in the gay marriage-abstaining, public pension-reforming South Jersey Senate prez a Stonehenge-sized target... Lesniak admitted. "Folks (like Sweeney) who sought a kinder and gentler mode of conduct, found out you can't negotiate with someone as mean-spirited as Gov. Chris Christie."
But here is the kicker:
But critics of the Senate president's say Lesniak and Adbuato are merely trying to cover up their wrong-headed move in backing the ginger-footed Sweeney to begin with, and quietly called into question the judgment of a leader who trusted Christie not to make the deeper budget cuts he exacted last Thursday.
Yeah I wonder who those "critics" are and who is backing their criticism. Watch your back Steve. More Union problems.
With apologies to Richard Nixon: "I am not a sellout."
"It was going down, and I wasn't getting phone calls from people saying it's important to keep it alive," said Cunningham. "I think it's fine going to WNET. I felt it was the best thing for my district."
Was she getting phone calls the other way? How many would she have needed? Best thing for her district? How so? Because you can see New York from your house?
We went through a task force to analyze NJN and based on the legislation put forth it was clear to me we would not have a television station had we not opted to do what we did," said Ruiz. "It's important for us to have New Jersey news."
An out and out lie. Putting aside the Montclair State bid, a deal could have been worked out keeping NJN news on the air.
So know we know why the four Democrats voted the way they did. Stack because . . . enough said. Gill to keep her Essex County legal fees flowing. Ruiz because Joe D and the Adubatos told her to. And Cunningham because her phone wasn't working, apparently.
UPDATE: I'll post video I just got - after the jump.
Last night, members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), who are currently engaged in tough negotiations with the state, joined by members of NJEA, AFL-CIO, SEIU, IFPTE and other unions, launched the first in a series of efforts calling on legislators to stand up for the basic collective bargaining rights of public workers.
Working families in NJ are fighting to stop a proposal to unilaterally strip health care benefits out of the collective bargaining process. And the first legislator to feel the unions' unity was Senator Teresa Ruiz. Union members congregated outside her offices in Newark last night. Here are some pictures:
Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that five more people, including a freeholder who is the husband of State Senator Teresa Ruiz, were indicted today for election fraud in connection with absentee ballots they collected and submitted as workers for Ruiz's 2007 campaign for the New Jersey Senate in the 29th District. Five other campaign workers for Ruiz were charged in four prior indictments...
According to Director Gramiccioni, Gonzalez, Caceres, Kowalski, Fernandez and Cruz are charged with tampering with documentation for messenger ballots, which are absentee ballots intended for use by homebound voters. They are charged with fraudulently submitting such ballots as votes in the Nov. 6, 2007 general election. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Corruption Unit.
"We charge that these campaign workers fraudulently submitted absentee ballots on behalf of residents who never received the ballots or had an opportunity to cast their votes," said Attorney General Milgram. "Election fraud is a serious crime, particularly when voters are disenfranchised."
It's an article of faith in the national progressive blogs I read that there is little or no real election fraud, and while their belief that Republicans are out to suppress votes might well be correct as far as I know, New Jersey is proving to me that there is real fraud. This is the third case of Democrats cheating with absentee ballots in recent years that I remember: The Penns Grove primary, the Atlantic City primary, and now a general election.
The good news is that these (alleged) criminals were caught (and charges brought by a Democratic-appointed Attorney General), but it seems to me that this is worst kind of corruption and law-breaking there is. However imperfect our campaigns are, they provide the ultimate check on incompetence and corruption in our political class. Unfortunately, while these people were caught, I have to believe this is going on elsewhere. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is a trend.
Governor Jon Corzine is set to undertake the historic task of selecting an individual to run as the Democratic candidate to become the first Lieutenant Governor in New Jersey history.
On Monday, we looked at the potential Republican picks for Lieutenant Governor. Today, below the fold is a diverse list of ten possible Democratic contenders. It is subjective and, more than anything, written to solicit the opinions of Blue Jersey readers on the strengths and weaknesses of each potential pick.
An overflow crowd of around two hundred people packed into and around a tent set up at Elijah Perry park in Camden this morning, as State Senator Dana Redd announced her candidacy for Mayor of Camden.
Redd was joined by elected officials from around the state including Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Rob Andrews, Speaker Joe Roberts, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, State Senators Teresa Ruiz and Jim Beach, Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez and more.
One by one, they praised Senator Redd for the woman she is, the work she has done and the work she will do as the hopeful future Mayor of Camden. Mayor Gwen Faison didn't endorse Redd, but was there on stage at the start saying:
"I'm the mayor that made Camden work. I'm here today because the city is bigger than me. My heart is with Camden. ...I am here to support anyone who will help the City of Camden. That is my statement."
Senator Menendez returned from the stimulus debate this morning in Washington to endorse Senator Redd. He compared her to President Obama, saying he believes she will be a fantastic Mayor. He pointed to her great relationships, as evidenced by the people in attendance, who can bring people together to get the job done.
Congressman Andrews pointed to the differences in neighborhoods on each side of the park. First he talked about the redone Roosevelt Manor section where Dana helped push through an Affordable Housing project. Then he talked about the Branch Village section, which still needs a great deal of work to give people the safe streets they deserve. Andrews said Dana will not just take credit for the work she's done, but recognize changes that still lie ahead.
Senator Ruiz said the her support for Redd was bitter sweet because their loss in the Legislature would be a great win for Camden. Speaker Roberts said flatly, "I Love Dana Redd".
Newark Mayor Cory Booker was on fire, talking about how this slate of leaders for Camden represented the Joshua generation standing on the shoulders of those who came before them. He talked about his ten year friendship with Redd and how she didn't talk about her personal struggles, but the problems facing Camden. Booker mentioned her profound vision and said she is a woman of faith, hope and a light so bright that she casts away shadows. He then endorsed and introduced Redd to a rousing ovation from the crowd.
Senator Redd talked about how she wants to make Camden the shining urban anchor of New Jersey. She said that no longer can the fight ward against ward, leader against leader, or black against Hispanic. Talking about her personal story as a forty year resident of Camden, she recognized the current situation facing the city:
"We are a city of many cultures, with a rich and unique history that we all should be very proud of," Redd said in announcing her candidacy at Elijah Perry Park. "At the same time, our eyes must be wide open to the many serious problems we face. We have been ranked as one of the nation's poorest cities - with too much crime, too few jobs, insufficient housing and sub-standard education denying us the quality of life we all deserve. But we are NOT poor in spirit, in talent, or in the desire to restore, rebuild and stabilize our neighborhoods."
Remember how exciting it was last November to vote so many women into the State House? (For those of ya'll who don't remember, female membership rose almost by half.)
So naturally it was a thrill at Andrews' HQ (where I work, mind you) to learn that Newark's own Teresa Ruiz -- our first Latina NJ Senator -- was joining our increasingly diverse coalition.
Senator Barbara Buono assumed the chair of the powerful Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee just in time to hear exec branch policy wonks discuss Corzine's debt restructuring plans. (Note to self: next time, bring a book.)
At press time they are still at it so stay tuned for the substantive detail. (Basically the Governor's surrogates are making the pitch, echoing much of what Corzine laid out in this state-of-the-state. Followed by questions from lawmakers which I may or may not stick around for.)
But for now I have some anecdotal observations to share.
First of all, Madam Chair ain't messing around kids. So turn your phone off and take the chit chat elsewhere. Those were the new "groundrules."
Then there's that punctuality thing. Erstwhile Chairman Bernard Kenney tended to run pretty late out of the gates. And Wayne Bryant before him was worse (usually.) But this term we'll be starting on time. Today that meant 3pm and I couldn't be more thrilled to not be waiting around just to wait around.
Senators Ruiz, Redd wait for their first panel hearing to commence.
I should have known something was different when I arrived early and saw newly minted Senators Teresa Ruiz of Newark and Camden's Dana Redd prepping for their first day, presumably shaking off some first day jitters.
"How adorable," I thought to myself, "the newbies are early. I wonder if I should bring them a Snickers (because it's gonna be a while.")
Turns out they were simply early for work, preparing to join Buono on the budget panel.
Senator Buono (D-Middlesex) welcomes Senator Cunningham (D-Jersey City)
In addition to Ruiz and Redd, Senators Stack, Cunningham, O'toole, Oroho and Hanes were all joining this Senate panel. Tom Kean Jr. was a re-joiner. Wearing an arm-cast no less. (Let's hope he didn't hurt his hand punching liberal bloggers in the nose.)
Kean started off last session on this panel but took a hiatus. Ten points for the best haiku or limerick to explain why you think he took the sabbatical. Be clever and sympathetic.)
It's tough to make any conclusions when they are still yackety-yacking, so I will part with a prediction: these pols will get their hits in and say what they have to say and Corzine's plan will pass in relatively short order. I would GUESS mid-March at the latest.
The Senator-elect was a delightful guest. Plus - Jay makes a big holy roman announcement. Have a listen! - noweeman
Senator-elect Ruiz
Ruiz, Lassiter and Gardner.
A high-powered lawfirm? Actually, no - it's the theme of this week's edition of Blue Jersey Radio! LIVE tomorrow (Saturday) from 10:30-11a! Call in: (646) 652-2773
Senator-elect Ruiz (D-Newark) represents a trend in Trenton: young, smart, diverse and -- notably this year -- female.
Lame duck is almost over and come January, there's gonna be a lot of new faces, including Ruiz, who replaces Sharpe James as Newark's newest non-prurient voice in the Legislature.
But remember, even with special guests like the lady Senator-elect, we are NOTHING without your phone calls.
That # again: (646) 652-2773.
Did you miss a Saturday? No prob, you can check out ALL our shows on our BlogTalkRadio Host page.
When 2007 began, women held just 23 of the 120 seats in the New Jersey Legislature. That's only 7 women in the Senate out of 40, and only 16 Assemblywomen out of 80. Of those 23 female legislators, 16 were Democrats, including 5 of the 7 Senators.
What a difference a dayweek year can make. Turns out, my predictions last week kinda sorta came true, with the recent unpleasantness producing two brand new Assemblywomen, Elease Evans (LD-35) and Mila Jasey (LD-27), and a very likely winner this fall added to the 38th District ballot, Connie Wagner.
Add them to primary winners earlier this year - likely future Senators Dana Redd (LD-5), Teresa Ruiz (LD-29), and Sandra Cunningham (LD-31); and likely future Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker (LD-28), Grace Spencer (LD-29) and Caridad Rodriguez (LD-33), and suddenly, the Legislature is starting to feel a little more estrogenated. Without a single upset in November, we're already looking at a record 10 women in the Senate (8 of them Democrats), and a record 21 women in the Assembly (16 of them Democrats).
That's right - there will be more Democratic women in the legislature next year than there are women total there now. Historic, yes. But, still nowhere near where we ought to be.
Of course, there's still more story to tell, because it wouldn't be election season if there weren't a cool upset or two brewing. With a record number of women challenging Republicans all over the state, how many more women do you think can land in the legislature next year?
*Take the poll* on the flip (and share the reasons for your votes in the comments):
It's getting uglier all the time up in the 29th in the race to replace Sharpe James. Teresa Ruiz is the Democratic candidate but Assemblyman Bill Payne's independent bid for the seat is proving to be a talentless and unnecessary distraction.
Now Payne is whining that Cryan's move was unfair and insulting to blacks. Which has my mind reeling especially since 1) Payne recently abandoned the Dem caucus to follow his own ego and 2) the heiresses apparent for James' and Bryant's seats are a Latina and an African American.
Politics being politics, anything is game. Trust me, I get that.
The real reason I find Payne's race-baiting temper tantrum so trifiling is because it's such an about face from his behavior at a Statehouse bill signing a few weeks ago. Corzine had called a press conference to sign the budget with Senate and Assembly leaders in tow and Payne was on hand as well behaving like a loyal yes man, clamoring for photos alongside his erstwhile colleagues, nodding approvingly like a lovable Dutch uncle.
Fast forward a month, and Payne is obviously feeling marginalized and acting out accordingly. Which is a real drag to watch. (Note to Payne: the Race Card is soooo 90's)
Consider this a 29th legislative district open thread. What's Ruiz' deal? Who is the GOP candidate? Please weigh in, curious (south Jersey) minds want to know!!!
Assemblyman William Payne is missing his sugar-daddy Sharpe James so much that he has created his own independent "Up with Racism, Up with Corruption" ticket. So far, he's the only asshat to sign onto it.
Payne, whose name is like tarnished gold in Essex County, is miffed that he was dumped from the Democratic slate when they decided that they would try some democracy. But he will not go softly into that good night - no, he's going to go screaming and crying like a little girl whose lollipop was stolen.
Diversity has come slowly and painstakingly to the New Jersey state legislature, no doubt, a legislative body that often serves as a pipeline to NJ's congressional delegation. Some with little conscience for social justice might say "we" are post-race or post-gender and thus shouldn't even bother with a diary about this kind of thing, but we progressives know better, especially in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision that, for all practical purposes, overturns the 1954 Brown decision.
In the state senate, the new gender breakdown among the minority membership of the upper chamber will be radically altered, and not just the minimum 4-3 split. It could likely be an even more significant 5-2. It would be yet another sign of the turnover this election cycle, and points to one more way the dynamic in the Statehouse will be different come January '08.
New Jersey rarely sees seriously contested primaries for the state legislature. The June 5th Democratic primaries in Essex and Hudson counties, in which Garden State Equality presents its endorsements below, are the exception.
Some explanation is in order on this odd political year in Essex and Hudson. Several legislative candidates long allied with one another -- candidates who previously ran together on the same column on the ballot -- are running against each other in different columns. The new alliances emanate from behind-the-scenes political wars that have little to do with issues, and much to do with turf and perceived slights. The alliances are asking organizations like Garden State Equality to endorse their entire columns or not at all.
We at Garden State Equality reject that approach, and so should you. We endorse the candidates best on our issues, regardless of column. Imagine that.
Garden State Equality's endorsements are based on the records of, and interviews with, the candidates.
Some of our endorsed candidates are running on the local party-endorsed column. Some of our endorsed candidates are not running on the local party-endorsed column. If you are a Democratic voter in Essex or Hudson, or anywhere else in New Jersey for that matter, you are always free to vote for candidates across columns.
All of Garden State Equality's endorsed candidates meet the following criteria: (a) They would vote for marriage equality. (b) They would vote for strengthening the state's hate crimes law, including adding hate crimes based on a victim's gender identity or expression. (c) They would vote for a comprehensive syringe exchange program that will save the lives of many people with HIV/AIDS. (d) If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the civil unions law -- candidates who abstained or voted no would certainly not vote for marriage equality. (e) If the candidate currently serves in the legislature, he or she must have voted "yes" on the transgender equality law.
We remind you that in New Jersey, each legislative district is represented by one state Senator and two Assembly members. Thus you can vote for one Senate candidate and one or two candidates for Assembly.
Note that if you live in District 27 in Essex, encompassing part of Newark and all of Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Maplewood, North Caldwell, Orange, Roseland, South Orange, West Caldwell and West Orange, the incumbents face no primary on June 5th. They are Senator Dick Codey, Assemblyman John McKeon and Assemblyman Mims Hackett, all splendid champions of equality whom we strongly support for reelection in November.
DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS
District 28, Essex (Part of Newark, all of Belleville, Bloomfield and Irvington): Cleopatra Tucker for Assembly.
For the Assembly, Garden State Equality endorses Cleopatra Tucker. She runs the Donald K. Tucker Centre in Newark, a comprehensive community center for both children and senior citizens that has done so much to lift up so many throughout the city. The Centre is named after Cleo's husband, the late Assemblyman Donald K. Tucker. Cleo is an impressive grassroots activist in her own right who has the support of our allies, Mayor Cory Booker and city councilwoman Dana Rone.
Garden State Equality stops just short of an endorsement of, but confers "preferred candidate" status on, Bilal Beasley for state Senate and Ralph Caputo for Assembly. They said they personally support marriage equality but have not made up their minds on legislation yet. This makes them preferable to the incumbents, particularly Senator Ron Rice, who abstained on civil unions and is the state legislature's leading opponent of syringe exchange.
District 29, Essex/Union (Part of Newark, all of Hillside): Teresa Ruiz for state Senate. Wilfredo Caraballo for Assembly. L. Grace Spencer for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the reelection of Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo. As Speaker Pro Tem and as a professor of constitutional law at Seton Hall, Fred is an intellectual powerhouse who ranks among the most effective civil rights champions anywhere in America. With passion, soaring oratory and a grasp of public policy second to very few, Fred has been a quarterback on a wide range of pro-LGBTI legislation. He guided the civil unions law to passage while making clear that the law is not equality -- and that the fight for real marriage equality must be won soon. He and his staff work in close partnership with Garden State Equality. No matter where in New Jersey you may live, if you have to donate your time or money to just one candidate this primary season, please consider Fred. Checks are payable to "Election Fund of Wilfredo Caraballo" and should be mailed to Caraballo for Assembly, 562 Broadway, Newark, NJ 07104. Fred's campaign office number is (973) 485-8701. New Jersey election law requires that for donations of $300.01 and above, you provide your occupation, employer and employer's address.
Garden State Equality debated whether to endorse Fred alone, or to also endorse one other Assembly candidate for the two Assembly seats. In a close call, we endorse L. Grace Spencer for the other Assembly seat, an attorney who has worked with members of the LGBTI community and has an impressive grasp of the issues. The third candidate running for the two Assembly seats is Albert Coutinho. Though he would make a fine Assembly member, Coutinho described himself as close, but not there yet, on marriage equality. We believe he is persuadable, but Caraballo and Spencer are there already.
Garden State Equality endorses Teresa Ruiz for state Senate, running unopposed in the primary. Ruiz, a top aide to County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, wowed us when interviewed her. She is formidably direct, progressive and off-the-charts charismatic. She spoke movingly of the harm inflicted on her LGBTI friends who cannot marry. Her experience working for the County Executive, himself a staunch ally of the LGBTI community and an absolute pleasure to work with, has been invaluable. Ruiz will be a superstar in Trenton.
District 31, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Bayonne): Sandra Cunningham for state Senate. Nicholas Chiaravalloti for Assembly. L. Harvey Smith for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Nicholas Chiaravalloti to the Assembly. We leaders of the LGBTI community and other progressive communities know Nicholas well through his years of service as U.S. Senator Bob Menendez's state director. Beyond being a smart, hardworking ally of the LGBTI community and a supporter of every LGBTI issue, Nicholas is everything Hudson County needs. He is an accessible, progressive reformer who articulates a compelling vision of a more accountable, open government. He would be a breath of fresh air in Trenton.
For the other Assembly seat, Garden State Equality endorses L. Harvey Smith. As a state Senator in 2003, Smith declined to vote on the narrow domestic partnership bill whose achievement was to gave same-sex partners the right to visit one another in the hospital. Today, Smith says he was wrong. "I've come a long way," he says, "and I believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry like everyone else." Voters should reward that kind of honesty and growth.
Garden State Equality endorses Sandra Bolden Cunningham for the state Senate. Well-known to voters as the widow of former state Senator and Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham, Sandy has a rich history of her own progressive activism and has worked closely with the LGBTI community. She is an extremely articulate voice for justice. We support her over Lou Manzo, currently an Assembly member, in a race where both candidates support marriage equality but where she is more passionate about the issue. Manzo said he would not be a leader on the issue. In a district with one of the largest LGBTI communities in the state, that's not good enough.
District 32, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Harrison, Secaucus, Kearny and North Bergen): Joan Quigley for Assembly. Vince Prieto for Assembly.
Garden State Equality endorses Joan Quigley for reelection to the Assembly, where she is Majority Conference Leader, the third highest ranking member of the chamber. Quigley has been a leader on every LGBTI issue over the years. She has soared even further in our eyes as she has taken on the rabidly anti-LGBTI author Ann Coulter in the media.
Garden State Equality also endorses Assemblyman Vince Prieto, Deputy Majority Whip and another progressive who supports marriage equality.
Senator Nicholas Sacco, running for reelection, did not return calls.
District 33, Hudson (Part of Jersey City, all of Hoboken, Union City, West New York and Weehawken): Brian Stack for state Senate. Ruben Ramos for Assembly. Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly.
Garden State Equality's focus in this district is the election of Brian Stack to the state Senate. Were there a list of the 10 most interesting people in New Jersey politics, Stack would surely be on it. As reviled as he is by the local party machine for being independent, Stack, now an Assembly member and mayor of Union City, is beloved by his constituents. It's understandable: Stack picks up garbage from the streets, works around the clock and is accessible to all. He's also one of the most pro-active leaders we've ever worked with. Just before last fall's New Jersey Supreme Court decision came down, he called us to say he would introduce a marriage equality bill were the decision to fall short. We didn't even have to ask, and he's been like that on every LGBTI issue over the years. Brian Stack in the state Senate could make all the difference in that chamber for marriage equality.
Garden State Equality also endorses Ruben Ramos and Carrie Rodriguez for Assembly, two proteges of Stack who share his passion and his views. This is one team Garden State Equality is proud to endorse in its entirety.
I went to Trenton this morning to observe a couple of Senate committee hearings and to tweet what was going on. First was the Senate Education Committee which addressed a number of issues, none of which were the front-page items like tenure, vouchers, and charter schools. Senator Ruiz chaired the short meeting which addressed things like including cheerleaders in school injury safety programs, school disaster preparedness plans, and pension contributions for instructors in institutions of higher learning. All important, and there was not much contention in the meeting. The highlight was hearing the chants of the Catholic school students outside expressing their support for taxpayer-funded vouchers.
