I spent two days in two weeks (and preparing for more) at the statehouse listening to testimony on marriage equality. While I have yet to give a testimony myself (as a straight ally, I don't have as good a story as the LGBT community does), I did give a written testimony on why it is important to me that this bill is passed (unfortunately I probably live in the worst district in the state when it comes to marriage equality).
In the two days of testimony, all of the opposition's arguments against marriage equality had to do with religion. And in a country with freedom of religion, there are many various religions (and lack thereof) practiced in the United States, let alone a diverse state such as New Jersey (which is not exactly in the Bible Belt). Quoting the Bible has absolutely no meaning to a non-Christian.
Now by posting this challenge on Blue Jersey, I know that I am not exactly preaching to NOM's choir, but I will post to any lurking marriage equality opponents. Pretend that the legislature is 100% atheist. Any arguments you make mentioning God, the Creator, scripture, etc are irrelevant. Give ONE compelling reason why a non-believer should oppose marriage equality.
Earlier this week the Latino Action Network joined with the Women's Political Caucus, Latinas United for Political Empowerment - Political Action Committee, New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association, Latino Coalition of Monmouth County, and Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO to file an amicus curiae ("friend of the court") brief in In re Contest of November 8, 2011 General Election of Office of New Jersey General Assembly, Fourth Legislative District, the New Jersey Supreme Court case in which Gabriela Mosquera's election as 4th District Assemblywoman in November 2011 is being challenged despite her having won more votes than her opponents.
On Wednesday, January 26, 2012 we heard that the Supreme Court has accepted our amicus brief.
One of her opponents, Shelley Lovett, argues that because Ms. Mosquera moved to the 4th District 11 months prior to the election, she violated a requirement in the New Jersey Constitution that all candidates must live in their district for at least a year. However, a federal judge back in 2002 had held that provision invalid under the United States Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. As such the Secretary of State (Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno) had told Ms. Mosquera that she could run for office, without challenge, and in fact every candidate since 2002 has been told the same thing.
Two years is a long time. Just two years ago, I was at the beginning of my political career and just starting to see the ins and outs of campaigns. That winter was my first experience going to the state house to lobby the legislature an issue that does not affect me, but I care deeply about. Now, fast forward two years later, and I am still heading to the same state house to lobby a slightly different legislature (with a very different governor who promises to veto the bill) on the very same issue-marriage equality. The general population has grown more accepting of the issue, as students who formed gay-straight alliances in school are now old enough to vote and a large state like my home state of New York passed marriage equality through their legislature (as New Jersey is now trying to do.)
Unlike two years ago, my schedule allowed me to attend the hearing where testimonies from both sides were heard. On one side, I heard heartbreaking stories about how our "separate but equal" civil union law was not recognized by medical facilities and funeral directors, and the financial pain and hoops that civil unioned couples have to jump through to have their relationship recognized. On the other side I heard sermons (including a direct reading of the Mormon Church's teachings on marriage and family), and even a rant about how recognizing same sex marriage would lead to the government controlling circumcision. And of course nothing on gay rights is complete without a Rick Santorum's protégé comparing same sex marriage to marrying a dog (Perhaps I should get his name and give it to Dan Savage). The one common theme I noticed among the opposition was their issue with the word "marriage" as if the definition has never changed over the years (that is a diary coming later this week as I further research the history of marriage).
Thankfully, unlike two years ago, not a single senator gave a disgusting "foot in mouth" speech about the LGBT community (that senator, Sean Kean, is now my assemblyman and will be as long as he wants to be as the district is one of the most Republican in the state) and even the opponents were respectful of the problems that civil unioned couples go through. However, while there was a lot of talk (then and now) about the inequality of the civil union law, not a single marriage equality opponent introduced legislation to strengthen the civil union law by making healthcare providers recognize them (someone please correct me if I am wrong).
If our current governor gets his way, he will dance around the marriage equality issue (as it would damage his presidential hopes by doing the right thing and signing the bill) by making this a ballot initiative, thus opening the airwaves to misinformation spread by the Mormon Church (as they did in California in 2008). Marriage is a civil right (see Loving v. Virginia) period. I am sorry Chris Christie, but civil rights should not be on the ballot period. Could you imagine the society we would live in today had racial issues been decided by the people?
Governor Christie has had some major legislative accomplishments over the past two years including a 2% cap on property taxes and a public worker pension and benefits overhaul. Mind you, these laws have not necessarily made life better for New Jerseyans, as taxes have still risen and thousands of experienced public workers have either retired, fled or have been laid off because of them.
The past six weeks, though, have been another story for the guv'nor.
Despite his general popularity, the Republicans actually lost seats in the November legislative elections. Now Christie will need to rely even more heavily on the Democratic majority in the legislature and the Democratic power brokers in Essex and Camden Counties. Add in the disdain that Senate President Steven Sweeney has for Christie and you have a recipe for gridlock sprinkled with a tablespoon of revenge.
Then, the general consensus was that the lame duck legislative session was going to be one of the most active in years, with bills flying around State Street on teacher tenure and evaluation, property taxes, jobs, budget cuts and patronage. What's happened? Nada. Almost every issue was pushed to the formal session that begins in early January, and won't probably get any steam until the Governor's State of the State message in the middle of the month.
And in the spirit of the holidays, Christie picked a fight with Senator, and former Governor, Richard Codey over the permanent appointment of Commissioner of Education Christopher Cerf, accusing Codey of (gasp!) feeding information to reporters. Christie canceled Codey's security detail and fired Codey's cousin from the Port Authority board. That's politics through and through and shows that Christie will never be the warm, fuzzy leader he sometimes pretends to be.
But the true state of the Governor's clout was uncovered when New Jersey was actually awarded $38 million dollars in Race to the Top funds by the Obama Administration so it could implement a speculative teacher evaluation system based on student standardized test scores. Getting money should be a positive, but this award only dredged up the previous failure to even qualify for $400 million dollars in education funds because of the Governor's attitude towards the New Jersey Education Association. Not only did it cost the state money, it also cost Commissioner of Education Brett Schundler his job and showed that Christie would blame everyone but his leadership for the error. It's a pattern that he's repeated in every misstep since, and it's one reason why he would not make a good president.
He's ending the year by essentially becoming Mitt Romney's pit bull and possible vice-presidential running mate. Granted, he did only say that he would keep the door open, but that will only serve as a distraction in the coming year, as his flirtation with the presidency proved throughout the fall, because every time he doesn't get what he wants, the media will remind us all that he's got his eye on the national ticket. The Governor should just say no this time around and focus on the state.
It's still very possible that Christie will get some of his reforms through the legislature, but many in the state are tired of his outbursts and outlandish statements. Prosecutors like him are convinced that they are always right and that they have the ultimate truth on their side, so why compromise? We need to remember that the next time one runs for statewide office.
S-2702. Another important issue being handled in Trenton. Goofing around for month's over allowing Jersey dairy farms to sell raw milk. Health concerns holding it up? Nobody is keeling over in surrounding states from drinking RAW milk. Great example of government being somewhere it should not be, then screwing around trying to get out of the way.
Yesterday, we presented Part 1 of a two-part interview with Sierra Club Director Jeff Tittel. He talked about some of the issues and challenges being debated in Trenton, including hydraulic fracturing, the Governor's abandonment of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, renewable energy such as solar and wind, and the impact of the Oyster Creek nuclear plant and other factors in the Barnegat Bay.
Today, Tittel talks about messaging, jobs, the Governor's absconding of environmental funds to balance the budget, state park privatization, a report card on the legislature, and his retrospective on the Sierra Club's endorsement of a third party candidate in the last gubernatorial election.
By the end of this decade, New Jersey will be close to 50 percent people of color. That fact - and particularly the increase in the state's Latino population - was front and center in the redistricting debate earlier this year. And of course, our state is already comprised of 50 percent women.
With the results from yesterday's legislative elections in, how will the new Legislature compare on reflecting New Jersey's population?
Next year's Legislature will be the most racially and ethnically diverse in New Jersey history. As a result of several key areas flagged during redistricting being met - such as Latino representation in the 36th in the person of Marlene Caride and Nellie Pou moving to the Senate in the 35th to replace John Girgenti (which in turn led to that district having two new African-American assembly members, Shavonda Sumter and Benjie Wimberly), 29 of the state's 120 legislative seats will be held by people of color starting January, a record. Latinos picked up two seats (including a Senate seat) to reach an all-time high of 10 seats, and African-Americans reversed a minor decline in seat numbers over the past several cycles to reach 17 seats, which ties the prior all-time high. Asian-Americans held steady at 2 seats. These numbers still, however, represent significantly lower shares of Latinos and Asian-Americans than the population as a whole.
Leading up to election day has been rather quiet. Is the GOV, licking his chops (maybe they pork chops) at low voter turnout giving him big wins in the Legislature? If NJ has their typical 30%, we might have plenty of crying going on Wed. With nothing in his way we will be wishing we were Wisconsin after he's done. GET OUT AND VOTE!
While Republicans approve. From the latest Monmouth poll:
Though Democrats run the Legislature, Democratic voters disapprove of the Legislature's performance, 52-25, while Republicans approve, 49-33.
The Drudgeian headline notwithstanding, this is big news. I can't recall a poll where any legislature, or congress for that matter, has been viewed with disfavor by voters of the party that controls it, while viewed favorably by voters of the opposite party.
This is a power negative indictment of the Sweeney/Oliver leadership and the cabal of political bosses, led by Norcross and Adubato, who control them. It is also a big thumbs down on Christiecrat office holders, such as Joe D and Brian Stack.
This clearly shows that it is not those who have been accused of being "radical leftists" who are out of step with the party, but the Christiecrats. But the Christiecrats have the power, and control the party in Trenton, in south Jersey and in Essex and Hudson counties. Until that power is broken, the view of the majority of Democrats in this state will not be reflected in Trenton.
While the local, state, national and (good lord) international media (everyone really, except NJTV) whipped itself into a frenzy during the last week over whether a first-term governor with no foreign policy experience could be the savior of the GOP by running for President of the United States, I decided to do something about this year's actual race. I voted.
That's right - last Wednesday I filled out and sent in my Vote-By-Mail Application, which took about a minute to do. My ballot arrived on Saturday - just 3 days later. I filled out the ballot on Monday night, which took about 2 minutes (just because I read every instruction, to be safe). And, yesterday, I mailed it in. It really was that fast, and that easy.
To act or not to act, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.
Whether tis better to stick to one's convictions
Or work with others to gain passage of bills.
To spend time in the fields of constituents
or in the halls of the legislature.
To promote ethics and education reform
Or jobs and the economy.
To tax the poor or tax the wealthy.
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprise of great pitch and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.
After a lengthy summer recess, our legislature is back in session. We are getting close to the November election with all seats in play, although only a handful appear heavily contested. Governor Christie has been promoting his bills for education and ethics reform. Democratic legislators are talking more about jobs and the economy. Below is an update on selected bills which have seen some action.
Moves NJ's February presidential primary back to June. Signed into law. (A3777)
Permits the conversion of high-performing nonpublic schools located in failing school district into charter schools. Passed both Houses. (A2806)
Provides a green job certification program for community colleges. Passed in both Houses. (A-1098)
Protects business trade secrets, important for NJ firms in innovation. Passed in the Senate and returned to the Assembly for legislative action. (A921)
Allows tax credits to businesses providing employment to certain National Guard or reservists. Passed Senate. (S1015)
Establishes Small Business Loan Program in EDA allowing certain small businesses to be eligible for low interest rate loans. Passed Senate. (S3052)
Democratic State Party chair John Wisniewski welcomed the ruling, stating in a press release that "We commend the court's decision to dismiss the Tea Party's litigation over the current map. Not a single count in the Tea Party's complaint was found to have merit and rightfully so." Wisniewski further cited the "unprecedented public input" in the process including 28 hours of public testimony in 7 public hearings.
But perhaps even more interesting than the decision is the content of the lawsuit in the first place. Apparently, the Tea Party is all in favor of strict interpretation of the Constitution - when it suits their needs. When the Constitution doesn't lead to the outcome that they want - attack the Constitution. More on that - beyond the jump...
(This post is part of a larger series attempting to create an index of state legislatures around the country. As a committed progressive myself, I began this project in an effort to give those of us online more tools to use when analyzing what happens inside our state capitols and at the ballot box for our state legislatures. Since my blog is written for a broad audience, there is going to be information that is redundant for anyone with a basic understanding of NJ government.
There are two parts of data you'll see below, the NJ-DI score and the 50/50 score. 50/50 scores are just raw data, measuring what the generic margin of victory is in each district, where as the NJ-DI numbers are adjusted to be relative to the average NJ legislative district. For more information on what goes in to these numbers, how they're calculated, etc., I encourage you to check out the main site, or ask me questions in the comments - I'm more than happy to answer as many as possible.
As I'm not a New Jersey resident (Vermonter studying in Connecticut, I am sure there are things that your eyes will catch, or that you'd be interested in seeing, that have totally skipped my mind. Please bring those things to my attention, as I'd love to tailor my next post to providing some of that information.
Keep fighting the good fight,
- Matt)
Today begins the first of a two part series looking at New Jersey - first as how the districts have existed for the past decade, and then as the districts will exist following this fall's election. This is the first chance I've had to look at a state before and after redistricting, which offers a lot of exciting opportunities.
I support the NJEA, CWA, PBA, FOP, and other unions that may be in Trenton today protesting the pension/benefits reforms. They are standing up against the bullies in the legislature and the governor's office. They are doing their best to defend collective bargaining and standing up for the working class.
Let's assume the legislature passes this legislation tonight. What happens tomorrow?
There may be legal challenges to the entire law or certain parts of the law. Some may challenge the fact that two topics were placed into one law, which many would argue is unconstitutional. Some may challenge the freezing of COLAs for retired pensioners. Some may lobby the legislature to make more changes to the law. Some people may decide to retire. Some may decide to try to find work in the private sector.
But what happens to the rest of us that have to go back to work for the government?
When this is all said and done, I call on ALL the unions and their locals to take some time to explain, in detail, how this legislation will affect each of their members. They have done a pretty good job of explaining that their members will have to pay more money. But they have done a poor job explaining details beyond that.
I call on the unions to create programs for their members that promote good financial decisions. Since members are losing a significant amount of money, I would love to see a program that teaches members how to create a family budget and how to abide by that budget. You would think that every family should know how to do that already, but with a sudden loss of income, they may need a refresher course.
I call on the unions to promote programs that would assist their members financially. That could mean an expansion of their scholarship program. That could mean that unions use some of their union dues for a financial-hardship assistance program.
There are a lot of positive things the unions can start doing tomorrow. Naturally they will still be involved in political activism. We still need someone to finance the voice of the working class. But what else will the unions do tomorrow?
(I'm lucky to be here at Netroots Nation which starts today, surrounded by sane and rational progressives. People I've talked to already lament the demise of democratic principals in the Democratic Party. Mr. Liberal's diary hits the nail on the head for the New Jersey incarnation of the new DiNoism. - promoted by deciminyan)
"I do let loose my opinion, hold it no longer"
- The Tempest, William Shakespeare
This is probably the least politic diary I have written on Blue Jersey in the last 5 1/2 years. As a young Democratic activist, I've thought, wouldn't it be politically inane to speak out against the leaders of my own Party? As a candidate for local office in a conservative part of New Jersey, I thought, wouldn't it make more sense to stay silent rather than alienate potential constituents?
Yet I cannot stay silent. I am a Democrat because I believe in the rights of workers - blue collar and white collar, male and female, of all races and creeds - to seek a just and better world for themselves and their families. It is that fundamental freedom - the right to organize - that I see under attack in New Jersey tonight.
Weigh in, especially you Union County folks - Rosi
By Stephen Yellin - I am proud to be on the ballot for the June 7th primary on Column A. I am also a candidate for Township Council in Berkeley Heights.
This isn't a 'me-first' rally - this is a 'community-first' rally...a worker's rights rally!
- Joe Cryan, March 3 2011 (standing with union workers in Trenton)
He's going to do a wonderful, fabulous job as our next Governor.
- Tony Monteiro, November 4 2009 (at Chris Christie's victory party)
On June 7th, Democrats in the 20th Legislative District (Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle and Union) have a clear choice to make. They have a choice between the regular Democratic ticket, whose Democratic Party credentials aren't in question, and a renegade group called "Democrats for Change".
Just who are these "Democrats for Change", and what do they stand for? Examining the facts paints a troubling picture of this group, and its candidates for the State Legislature in the 20th District. This ticket has managed to combine the 2 worst problems confronting New Jersey today: a corrupt, unaccountable political machine and the enabling of Chris Christie's destructive, divisive policies across our state.
New Jersey residents are divided on Governor Chris Christie's job performance and his ratings have dropped since the last Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll in February. He now stands at 47% approve to 49% disapprove among all state residents. Among registered voters, he has a 46% positive to 49% negative job rating.
The change in Christie's rating comes mainly from the number of people who shifted from having no opinion of the governor a few months ago to holding a negative view today.
This is the third poll this month with Christie back under 50% approval and surging disapproval. What's going on? Pollster Patrick Murray points to the continuing budget problems. I too think that after 18 months the incumbent governor starts to own the problems. But I think still think that his bullying and rightward shift to appeal to other states' Republican Presidential primary voters is also hurting him.
The sample has 807 New Jersey adults and a margin of error of 3.5%. You might be amused to see they polled on the governor's "YouTube" town hall performances. I should point out that the legislature, which will actually be on the ballot this year, still polls poorly (33% approve, 47% disapprove) but there's nothing new in that.
Well, if Chris Christie is ever going to run for president, he's going to have to do better than this. Seriously better. Don't talk to me about how he keeps saying he's not running, the man is working overtime to keep Republicans frothing and drooling over his presidential aspirations. And I will tell you, if we're comparing chief executives, Barack Obama doesn't have the issue we now see Christie has, and would laugh himself silly over it. If Christie wants to compete, instead of, you know, flirting with competing, this shite won't fly.
See, the theme Christie's been hammering to death reduces the entire legislative branch (though we know it's really only the Democrats he really means) to not much more than his own private disappointment. For Chris Christie if the legislature isn't doing what he wants, they're doing ... nothing at all. Totally into the finger-wagging. At a "Town Hall" he issued a "Report Card" on the "do nothing legislature," issuing them an "incomplete" on a list of changes he wants enacted.
But now we find out the same guy who slams the "do nothing legislature" doesn't ...even ...work ...weekends. Jeff Pickens gets credit for shooting us this link. It seems on Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day, your governor did a little Q & A with some of the kids of state workers. He talked a little Mets, joked about running for President. Then, answering a kid, this:
Does the governor work on the weekends? "No," the governor said...
Turns out he was working that weekend, but apparently usually doesn't. Really? That's just stunning news. I'm sorry, but if you run for chief executive - governor, president - you'd better be quite prepared to be available 24/7. And if you're not, STFU.
Girgenti gets moved into the 38th with Gordon, but he may try to move into the new 35th, which will be 48% Latino.
The 33rd will now be 47% Latino, which could be trouble for DINO Stack.
Codey will stay in 27th but have a tougher district as several Morris County towns are moved in.
The second district was apparently made a bit more Democratic. A third senate seat was created in Ocean County, but Sean Kean and Robert Singer were thrown into one district.
Reed Gusciora and Princeton were moved out of the 15th district. To where, is not clear. Joe Malone and Bordentown were moved from the 30th to the 7th.
Upshot is that Democrats will likely keep control with reduced majorities. Something like 22-18 and 44-36.
With the usual fanfare in May Governor Chris Christie signed Executive Order 26 establishing the New Jersey Higher Education Task Force. After having several weeks to review the Task Force's recommendations, Governor Christie held a press conference on Tuesday. Christie's response was not to help "grow infrastructure, increase accessibility, or promote excellence." Rather, he simply put his own political signature on creating a Higher Education Council (Executive Order 52), and then kicked the can down the road by indicating the state can not afford additional investments in education now and by forming yet another advisory committee to develop recommendations for graduate medical education (Executive Order 51). He then diverted attention from the report by calling for passage of his own education "tool kit" proposals.
After all the effort of Tom Kean and his fellow members, we are left wondering why Christie established the task force in the first place, and what commitment if any he has to this cause. And we can also wonder about the timing of the press conference and whether it was designed to divert attention from his abdication of responsibility during the recent snow storm.
Tom Kean's approach was to empower a new council and a Higher Education Secretary to take on more leadership. The Council Christie created is to consist of five members, all appointed by him and reporting to him, and meeting as infrequently as 4 times a year. Christie so far has shown no interest in appointing a Secretary to this long vacant position.
The Task Force pointed out that New Jersey has the fewest post-secondary seats per high school graduate (page 138) and the lowest state appropriation in Higher Learning (page 126) than any other state. These long-known pressing concerns the governor ignored.
His press release following receipt of the task force's report spent almost as much space on promoting his Tool Kit as it did on the report itself. Hopefully the Legislature will pay more attention to the report's recommendations.
