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Welcome to the latest installment of the NJDSC's week in review. Here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and toward the end, some of the upcoming events around the state next week: Weekend Watching - Chairman Wisniewski appeared on News 12's Power and Politics and NJN's On the Record this weekend to discuss Pension and Benefits Reform, the State budget and Legislative elections. Check your local listings for viewing times in your area.
Coptergate questions still remain - Criticism continues over "Coptergate" (Video)
- Governor Christie's surprise landing on the fields of St. Joseph's wasn't completely unexpected. Montvale's police were notified the Friday before the Tuesday afternoon landing. Montvale Chief Jeremy Abrams had suggested to the governor that he land on LaTrenta Field instead, because the field is flat and obscured by trees, instead of by the crowds at St. Joseph's, but Christie wanted to be closer.
- Chairman Wisniewski asked what Christie is hiding and called on him to stop stonewalling public records requests from media outlets.
- Protesters were waiting with their own helicopter to welcome the Governor's high flying act, but Christie was a no show for the Bergen Republican Fundraiser.
- NJ Taxpayers are outraged over "Coptergate" (Video)
- Courier Post: "The copter issue isn't surprising when you consider Christie can owe the state money for his out-of-state travel, penalty-free. According to records through April, the governor owes $2,488 for personal expenses and upgrades earmarked for reimbursement either during his November travels or during a Sept. 24 trip to Chicago for his appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." The administration claims he owes nothing but can't provide proof he has repaid what he owes. At least 179 pages of Christie's out-of-state travel records have been redacted."
- Philly Mag: How Chris Christie should handle "coptergate."
- Charles Stile with the Record: "Finally, as many privately predicted, Christie was tripped up by his own hypocrisy. He was being punished by the inevitable law of political physics, which dictates that the ferocity of criticism a politician endures is directly proportional to the amount of criticism he dishes out. If some of it seemed over the top and partisan — the demands for special hearings, special prosecutors — it’s because Christie has been over the top and partisan for a long time."
- The Record: "While the governor probably needs to be in many places at the same time, unlike the president and his chief of staff, national security is not at stake when the governor is stuck in traffic. For a governor who has demanded sacrifice by others to not understand why public perception might not be working in his favor borders on mind-boggling. And for the State Police director to claim there was no cost because the chopper would have been flying for training is laughable. That suggested the aircraft and crew could have been doing something far more constructive."
- Congresman Andrews on Christie's use of a state police helicopter for personal and political travel: "We should practice what we preach."
- WSJ: State releases Christie's Helicopter Travel Logs... "At least three locations appear to be redacted... the number of passengers and their names were also redacted." Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Matt Katz said of the release: "I just got a heavily redacted flight log of Governor Christie's copter rides."
Hey Christie, What is it about women? - The Star Ledger: Even with the abrasive standard Gov. Chris Christie has established with his routinely tough talk, he has reserved some of his comment for female state Legislators. Check out diagram laying out the Governor's attacks.
- Blue Jersey: The Star-Ledger's editorial board illustrates - perfectly - the hostility Gov. Chris Christie has shown to New Jersey women legislators who dare to disagree with him. And, at the same time, an depiction of the gender gap between how men view the way Christie's doing his job, and the way women do. Star-Ledger's graphic is titled: Hey, Christie, what is it about women?
- With Governor Christie scheduled to fundraise for Republicans in Teaneck, Bergen County Chairman Lou Stelatto called for an apology:"Governor Chris Christie has demonstrated that when challenged on an issue he responds by attempting to intimidate his critics. His attacks on Senator Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle are inappropriate and I find it disturbing that a sitting Governor would use such rhetoric. This governor has chosen to act like a school yard bully and I consider his statements an attack on women. Today, I am calling on the Governor to use his fundraising trip in to the 37th district as an opportunity to apologize to Senator Weinberg and Assemblywoman Huttle."
Christie's Popularity is sliding - New Jersey Newsroom: If the Iowa Republicans who flew to New Jersey to urge Gov. Chris Christie to seek their party’s presidential nomination next year had known the results of a Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Public Mind nationwide poll, they could have saved their money and time.The poll made public Friday finds that Americans’ opinion of Christie is slipping as their opinion of President Obama grows. Chairman Wisniewski said, "since the Governor is already reimbursing people for this episode, maybe he'd Iowans for their trouble."
- Monmouth Poll: Concern for New Jersey’s middle class is the key perception that appears to explain the Democratic Party’s success among New Jersey’s electorate.
Democrats Scrutinize and Question Christie's Giveaway of NJN - Wall Street Journal: Lawmakers hold hearing over fate of NJ TV station.
- Senator Lautenberg asked the Federal Communications Commission to examine the deal between the state and WNET that gives the New York broadcaster the right to operate New Jersey public television to determine if the deal is "consistent with the public interest and with FCC rules governing broadcast licenses."
- New Jersey Newsroom: "Designed Ignorance" and the dismantling of NJN.
- Asbury Park Press: No deal? TV stations could go dark.
- Assemblyman Greenwald: "Ensuring employees received equitable and fair consideration was also vital, and I'm not convinced that's happening under this proposal..."
- Assemblywoman Quigley to the state Treasurer: "There is no Plan B? You have your hands around our throats,"
- Senator Weinberg: "We are giving away one of the greatest assets that the state of New Jersey has."
- Assemblyman Coutinho: “It’s imperative that we try to maintain something similar to what’s going on because effectively there are stories that are covered in that newscast that expose smaller parts of New Jersey, that help with tourism as an example, that will never be covered..."
- Asbury Park Press: Pull the plug on NJN deal.
- Vineland Daily Journal: NJN debate should focus on local programs.
- NJ Spotlight: The push to privatize.
- FoxNews: N.J.'s Christie Compares Public Broadcasting to Soviet Union Before Announcing Deal.
- Courier Post Editorial: Dems Right To Seek Answers About NJN - "potentially setting it up for failure when the network is of value to many New Jerseyans is wrong. That's what may be happening here and legislators are justified in wanting to put the brakes on this and demand more information about why WNET was chosen over other bidders."
Christie's Medicaid Cuts Continue to Draw Criticism - NPR: New Jersey seeks to shrink Medicaid.
- Asbury Park Press: Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed changes to New Jersey’s health care safety net programs will hurt residents already struggling to pay bills and receive crucial medical care, advocates told a state Senate panel on Monday.
- Senator Weinberg: “New Jersey should never be balancing its budget on the backs of the economically disadvantaged, the sick, the elderly and people living with disabilities. Governor Christie’s Medicaid proposals would cut out the main supports of our State’s health care safety net, and would put people at risk simply because they cannot afford health insurance. It’s time to stop putting our most vulnerable people in the crosshairs, and craft a balanced budget that holds harmless New Jerseyans who have nowhere else to turn for access to health care.”
- Burlington County Times: New Jersey nursing homes stand to lose as much as $140 million in government funding as a result of Medicaid cuts proposed by Republican Gov. Chris Christie, according to a coalition of health care providers and nursing home caregivers.
- NJ Spotlight: New Jersey's FamilyCare Program: Gov. Christie's Unkindest Cut?
- Asbury Park Press Editorial opposed Christie's Medicaid cuts and said that we need to avoid shredding the health safety net: These proposals could end up costing the state much more than Christie’s projected savings in the long run. A state-funded actuarial study four years ago determined that it costs $900 a year more to leave people uninsured than to insure them.
- Mother Jones: Chris Christie Set a new low for Medicaid.
- Senators Lautenberg and Menendez were joined by Congressman Pallone voiced opposition to Governor Chris Christie's plan to dramatically restructure the state's Medicaid program because the draconian cuts would result in the loss of medical care for tens of thousands of state residents. They urged the governor to reconsider what is still an ill-defined proposal.
- Congressman Andrews said he would protest an attempt by the Governor to reduce income of qualifying for Medicaid to $6,000: "I find that unconscionable."
Chris Christie, The Koch Brothers, RGGI and Clean Energy Chris Christie's 25% Toll Hikes On Bridges And Tunnels - Star Ledger: Gov. Christie says he would consider raising tolls 25 percent on Port Authority bridges, tunnels.
- Chairman Wisniewski said a toll hike to help the Port Authority pay for the Pulaski Skyway and other road improvements amounts to a shift in the burden of repairing them onto the shoulders of toll payers, allowing the governor to claim that he avoided increasing the gas tax or some other state revenue source. "He’s doing it in a way that I think is despicable, hoping that people won’t notice. He creates this elaborate fiction where he says, ‘Well it’s Port Authority money it’s not New Jersey money.’"
- New Jersey Newsroom: Christie concedes he would consider hiking Hudson River bridge and tunnel tolls to $10.
- NY Post: Hudson Cro$$ to bear.
- Report: Toll hike floated on Hudson River crossing.
NJ is #1 In High School Graduation Rate - Despite constant demonizing by Governor Christie, a new report shows that New Jersey has the highest high school graduation rate in the nation and saw an 11.1% increase from 1998 to 2008.
Congressional Corner - Senators Menendez and Lautenberg, Congressmen Pascrell and Rothman applauded the Obama administration announced that the United States would not participate in the Durban III World Conference Against Racism, scheduled to take place in New York City in September, during the U.N. General Assembly opening session
 Senator Menendez introduced legislation on cyber security that calls for more research and development on federal networks as well as for more collaboration between the government and the private sector. - Senators Lautenberg and Menendez,Congressman Payne and Newark City Council President Donald Payne Jr. announced a $3.4 million grant by the federal Environmental Protection Agency to clean up toxic industrial sites
- Congressman Andrews met with students in Washington to advocate for a health bill that would hold hospitals accountable for implementing reliable nurse staffing plans.
- Congressman Holt discussed national security, anti-terrorism efforts and what the country is doing to help protect its citizens in Seabrook. In addition, Congressman Holt talked about other topics, including debt and the closing of Fort Monmouth. More than 100 residents from the continuing care retirement community asked excellent questions about how the government is working to keep its citizens safe.
- Congressman Pascrell helped honor a Pivotal World War II unit at a Paterson luncheon.
- Congressman Pallone and 2 colleagues are asking that a hearing be held on the outbreak of a rare type of E. coli bacterium that has sickened and killed Europeans.
- Congressman Rothman on Pride Month 2011: I am proud to stand with the LGBT community as an ally for equal treatment under the law for all regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Cuban-born Grand Marshal Frank Moran, 72, a sales representative at Goya Foods of Secaucus — which was celebrating its 75th year in business — marched with a gaggle of elected officials in the North Hudson Cuban Day Parade, including Congressman Sires, Senator Lautenberg, Senator Stack, and Assemblyman Ramos.
Under the Dome  Negotiations and discussions continued over the state budget and potential benefits reform. Senate President Sweeney plans to introduce his proposed legislation.Speaker Oliver is proposing a compromise that would allow workers to negotiate health benefits. Chairman Wisniewski said that he believes "this is a Democratic issue and we need to be standing up for collective bargaining."- AC Press Editorial supports moving Presidential primary.
- Legislation to push the state toward providing enhanced visibility and accessibility to food products and commodities grown or raised in New Jersey, and baked goods made with products grown or raised in New Jersey was approved 37-0 by the Senate.
- Legislation that would cut the unemployment insurance (UI) tax rates that will be imposed on employers during fiscal years 2012 and 2013 cleared the full Senate. The reduction will save employers $652.9 million total and an average of $208 per employee over the two year period.
- A package of bipartisan bills that would provide direct grants to numerous communities for the direct preservation of open space, farmland and historic properties was passed by the Senate.
- A bill which would change existing State law governing local rent control ordinances in order to protect senior tenants was approved by the Senate by a vote of 21-14.
- NJ 101.5: Will Dems introduce their own budget?
- Legislation to drastically reduce penalties associated with the new free state fishing registry – implemented as a way to collect information from recreational saltwater anglers for research purposes – was recently approved by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
- Legislation to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on their income tax returns to provide support to our state’s National Guard members and their families cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
- Assemblywoman Watson Coleman called on the Christie administration to halt bid proceedings to fill in the historically significant Petty's Run archeological dig site at the Statehouse complex until various measures have been considered.
- Assemblymen Albano and Milam issued a multimedia package discussing their latest efforts to combat illegal ocean dumping off New Jersey's coastline. (Video)
- Assembly committees on Monday will consider legislation to reform and make stronger the state’s Urban Enterprise Zone program, require online transparency from local authorities and commissions, allow people to better handle end-of-life care issues and expand the care options for those with Huntington’s Disease. A panel will also take testimony on the governor’s decision to withdraw New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
- New Jersey’s assault on a methamphetamine-style drug known as "bath salts" continued, as legislation criminalizing six chemicals used to make the powders cleared the state Senate.
Upcoming Events  June 12:
Ocean County Dems Candidates and County Committee Meeting
6:30-8:00 PM
630 Atlantic City Boulevard (Route 9), Bayville
For more information contact oceancountydems@yahoo.com
- June 14:
Middlesex County Democratic Committee Meeting
The Pines Manor
2085 Route 27, Edison
Passaic County Democratic Committee Meeting
6:30pm
Elks, 775 Clifton Avenue, Clifton
- June 15:
Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik Caribbean Night
6:00-10:00 PM
Westmount County Club, 728 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park
$150pp
Atlantic County Dems County Committee Meeting
6:00 PM
UAW Hall
470 Albany Ave, Atlantic City
- June 16:
Monmouth County Democrats Summer Kick-Off Cocktail Party
7:00-9:00 PM
Parker House, First Avenue, Sea Girt, NJ
$65/per person. Sponsorship opportunities available.
To RSVP or for more information please call 732-739-8888.
The Somerset County Democratic Committee Present Comedy and Cocktails With comedian Jeff Kreisler
185 Madisonville Rd, Basking Ridge
6-7pm VIP Reception with Jeff Kreisler, Cost: $500 including a one hour open bar
7-9pm General reception and performance, Cost: $100 General Admission
For more information, please contact Joseph Kostecki at (908) 953-9300 Ext.24 or at joseph.kostecki@gmail.com
Fundraiser for Doug Dickinson, Candidate for Atlantic County 5th Dist. Freeholder
6:00-8:00 PM
Knights of Columbus Hall
243 St Louis Ave., Egg Harbor City
$20.00 pp
609-418-5887
- June 17:
Fundraiser for State Senate Candidate Raymond Santiago, Esq.
7:00-9:00 PM
$150 Individual/$300 Patron/$600 Sponsor/$1,200 Co-Host
To RSVP and for event details please call 732-294-7149 or email rsantiagoesq@aol.com
- June 18:
Reception for Congressional Candidate Ed Potosnak
7:30 PM
Home of Arnold and Roberta Krumholz, Warren, NJ
Special Guest Congressman Barney Frank
$100.00/pp
For More Info Contact Becky Moore at 908-691-4770 or becky@edpotosnak.com
- June 22:
Morris County Democratic Committee Annual Spring Gala Fundraiser
Honoring Senator Richard Codey, Assemblyman John McKeon and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey
7:00-9:00 PM
The Villa, 90 US Route 46, Mountain Lakes
$100/pp, $175/couple, $75/students and seniors
973-984-8080
Cocktail Reception for Assemblyman Joseph Egan
5:30 PM
Due Mari Restaurant, 78 Albany Street, New Brunswick
$1,000/pp
- June 23:
Wall Democrats JFK Valor Awards honoring Monmouth County Chairman Vic Scudiery, Majority Leader Joe Cryan, Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik and NJ State Senate Candidate Raymond Santiago
6:30-9:00 PM
The Mill at Spring Lake Heights, Old Mill Road, Spring Lake Heights
$80/per person
- June 24:
Sunset Reception for Senator Bob Menendez
5:00 PM
Home of Tracy and Nick Brown, 104 Wigwam Road, Locust, NJ
Co-Host $5,000/Sponsor $2,500/Friend $1,000
For more information or to RSVP please contact Samantha Maltzman at 973-732-0756 or smaltzman@menendezfornj.com
- June 26:
Fundraiser for Congressman Pallone
Gerzberg Home, Lincoln Ave, Highland Park
For More Information: (732) 571-4141
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We will continue to have updates about news from our elected officials and the many campaigns across the state. There will certainly be more to come next week. Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
John Wisniewski, Chairman
New Jersey Democratic State Committee |
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