NJDSC Unveils Interactive Party Website
- The NJDSC unveiled its new, interactive party website this week. Some of the new features include opportunities to engage on new media and share content with friends, a voter
resource center to provide information on registering to vote, voting absentee, and answers to frequently asked questions and the Bray, which is dedicated to following the Democrats fight to keep New Jersey solidly blue. In addition, the new website provides supporters the opportunity to make their voice heard by finding local media outlets to submit a letter to the editor. A Consequences of Christie section of the new site is dedicated to correcting the Christie record and examining the impact of Christie’s cuts and actions. The site contains a comprehensive newsroom to keep visitors up to date with the latest news and releases from New Jersey Democrats, along with information In the our party section for Democrats to find their county organization and get involved. Visitors can get a list of Democratic candidates for county and Legislative offices around New Jersey as well. A comprehensive calendar allows Democrats to keep informed of upcoming events around the state and in the Chairman's corner, visitors can find archives of past editions of the week in review.
- Chairman Wisniewski offered this comment on the new website: “Our redesigned website will better enable us to engage with supporters, educate the voters and promote the work of the Democratic Party as we fight for middle class families in New Jersey. Visitors will have expanded opportunities to share their views and opinions through traditional and new media. This will be another important tool in enhancing our communications efforts as we reach out to voters for the upcoming elections."
With NJ Unemployment at 9.5%, Christie Campaigns In Iowa For New Job
Chairman Wisniewski:“Chris Christie has become New Jersey’s Sarah Palin, continuously traveling around the country to tell people that he’s not interested in running for president.”
- More from Chairman Wisniewski: “Instead of staying to help New Jersey seniors and families struggling under budget cuts and rising unemployment, Christie decided to once again raise his own national profile by campaigning out of state in Iowa.
- Politico: Chris Christie returns the favor to Steve King.
- Why Chris Christie owed Steve King a favor.
- On campaigning for Congressman King, Chairman Wisniewski said: "Christie is trying to re-elect a congressman who believes it is ‘common sense’ to engage in racial profiling and said that electing Barack Obama would have the terrorists 'dance in the streets,’’’ Wisniewski said “This is just the latest example of how Chris Christie is out of touch with the values and struggles of New Jersey families. As our state sees unemployment continue to rise, Chris Christie runs away from our struggling workers to try and find himself a new job.”
- Courier Post Editorial: "Here's what the governor needs to always keep in mind: Most New Jerseyans don't care about any of this inside politics stuff. What they want to know is that the person they elected to lead their state has his full attention on matters at home. More importantly, they want to know that the decisions he makes as governor are being made because they're the best decisions for New Jersey, not because they bolster the governor's standing with voters in 49 other states."
After Lawsuit Filed Over Denial, Christie Releases Ailes dinner
- PolitickerNJ: ACLU sues Christie administration in pursuit of correspondence between governor and Fox News prez.
- More from PolitickerNJ: “Executive privilege exists to help a governor carry out constitutional obligations, not to diminish the constitutional right to a free press.”
- WSJ: Suit seeks Christie's contacts.
- AP: "The governor's office initially refused to confirm any records existed and said that, if they did, they would be exempt from state's open records law based on "executive privilege."
- Star Ledger: In face of lawsuit, Gov. Christie makes copy of calendar public, revealing private dinner with Fox News chief.
- Politico: Christie releases record after Gawker suit.
- Bloomberg: News Corp., Hacking Claims and the Story I Missed.
House Republicans Push the Country to the Brink of Disaster
- Senator Lautenberg: “The country is on the brink of financial disaster and Republicans continue their efforts to push us over the edge. Their refusal to compromise could devastate state, county and local governments as they try to recover from this economic downturn and plan for the future. Republicans must abandon their ‘my way or the highway’ approach that will make it harder for New Jersey counties to invest in job creating infrastructure projects and other improvements throughout our state.”
- Senator Menendez: “House Republicans have pushed the country to the brink of economic disaster wasting time on a plan that everyone knew would not work. It seems clear that Republicans do not really want to lower the deficit as much as they want the opportunity to put the U.S. in crisis again and again until they can pass their radical agenda to end Medicare. It is time for them to put aside their Tea Party agenda and join us at the table to find a solution to the current impasse. I am not excited about the decisions we’re being forced to make in this process, but Sen. Reid has crafted a proposal to reach a compromise and save our country from the specter of default and more economic turmoil.”
- While America faces a jobs crisis, Republicans have decided to hold the economy hostage instead of working with Democrats to create middle-class jobs. Watch Senator Lautenberg speak on the Senate floor about the political motivations behind GOP obstruction in debt negotiations.
- Congressman Pascrell offered his thoughts on the debt ceiling impasse, how we got here, and why we need to make sure America pays its bills. You can see more video of Congressman Pascrell discussing the debt on the House floor here.
- Star Ledger: "As you watch the value of your stocks slip, a little more each day, direct your anger at the House Republicans. They are to blame."
- Video: Congressman Sires spoke on the floor of the House about the need for compromise on the debt ceiling.
- Congressman Pallone tweeted: Strongly oppose Boehner's Default Act. It protects GOP's ideological agenda, not the full faith & credit of this country & American ppl.
- Congressman Holt tweeted: The debt crisis is real but unnecessary. Extremists risk America’s good name for a vision of ineffective gov't and trickle down economics.
- Video: Congressman Andrews spoke on the House floor: The biggest problem is not that America is about to breach its debt ceiling. It's that too many American families have already breached their Debt Ceilings. We have a jobs crisis in this country and this should be our principal focus. We cannot wait another 6 months. We must act now!
- PolitickerNJ: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) released robocalls savaging at least three Republican congressmen from New Jersey for protecting tax breaks for the rich and powerful in the name of lowering the country's debt ceiling, according to the ad.
- Star Ledger: NJ Republicans in Congress have become tea party foot soldiers.
- Asbury Park Press: Default could hit Jersey retirees hard: Interest rate hikes loom on credit cards, mortgages.
"Seniors were better off before Christie took office"
- Star Ledger Editorial: "Time for a reality check. In many ways, seniors were better off before Christie took office. It’s gotten only harder for people on fixed incomes to stay in their own homes, thanks to cuts Christie made to property tax relief programs for seniors and people with disabilities."
More Theater From Christie
- Press of Atlantic City Editorial - "Whatever is going on here, this much is clear: These budget games the governor is playing are evidence of a disturbingly cavalier attitude toward the lives his decisions - and his ambitions - affect."
"Governors like Christie build careers on backs of the poor"
- Press of Atlantic City: "Christie recently vetoed a widely popular and eminently sensible tax on New Jersey millionaires. This temporary tax, affecting a mere 0.2 percent of all households, would have generated around $500 million, primarily for public schools. In the same budget, Christie raised (yes, raised) taxes on his state's working poor by cutting about $45 million from the Earned Income Tax Credit, which helps people working full time in low-wage jobs to make ends meet. He went on to shred the Democratic Legislature's budget, which paid for things like police protection, a health care safety net and college tuition grants. Christie said no to all of it, insisting the state didn't have the money."
Many of our poorest residents won't have access to such adequate representation
- Star Ledger: Gov. Chris Christie cut $10 million from the program that assists poor people with housing and tax disputes and myriad other legal matters. The cut in this year's budget comes atop a $9.7 million cut last year. Christie also eliminated funding for legal clinics at Rutgers Law School in Newark and Camden.
- WHYY: Budget cuts restrict legal help for needy in N.J.
- AP: Two-thirds of those who contact Legal Services of New Jersey and qualify for its help are not being assigned lawyers because the agency doesn't have the money to meet the demand, its president told legislators Wednesday. Melville Miller Jr. told an Assembly Judiciary panel examining state budget cuts that he expects to lay off 100 staff members, close at least three offices and serve 10,000 fewer clients than last year because Gov. Chris Christie cut the agency's appropriation by $5 million for the budget year that began July 1. The cut comes atop a $9.7 million reduction last year.
- Assemblyman Barnes: “This is a matter of fairness. Cutting costs in these difficult economic times is a must, but we do so in a way that ensures all New Jerseyans receive justice. Everyone – not just New Jersey’s wealthiest residents – should have access to proper legal representation.”
- Assemblyman Greenwald: "The moral of the story is we must take action into our own hands. We have done this with the budget, which responsibly boosted funding for Legal Services and maintained funding for vital health clinics for the poor. It’s unfortunate that the governor could not understand that, but perhaps after hearing testimony, he will do the right thing and reconsider these cuts, as he has with others."
- Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle: "The Governor's budget was a reflection of his priorities, and I'm sorry to see New Jersey's most vulnerable children are not on that list. Residents throughout our state are reeling from the Governor's cuts, but these children especially have no means to fend for themselves. Abused, sick, disabled and poor children deserve better and we've got to find a way to help."
- Assemblywoman Quigley: "I can't help pointing out that I see a pattern in what happened with the budget cuts. The budget cuts were made to affect the poorest, most vulnerable people."
- Press of Atlantic City Editorial: "First of all, Christie didn't just cut the $5 million for Legal Services that Democrats added to the $5 million in aid Christie had proposed in his own budget. The governor cut it all - $10 million - including the $5 million he was previously willing to give the agency. The only explanation for that, folks, is pure vindictiveness toward the Democrats, who had the gall to propose their own budget."
Rally for Marriage Equality
As Marriage Equality became the law in New York State, Garden State Equality held a rally for equal rights in Hoboken.
- Chairman Wisniewski: “Today is a great day for equal rights with Marriage equality becoming law across the river in New York. As we have seen in New Jersey, the road to equality and inclusion is filled with roadblocks and detours. But setbacks don’t mean that we stop traveling to reach our destination. This is a fundamental civil rights issue and while we have not yet reached our destination, we will not stop until we do.”
- Senator Lautenberg said, "It's time for people in New Jersey to have the right to marry whomever they choose."
- Senator Lautenberg and Congressman Pallone spoke about federal options for increasing gay marriage recognition in the states, including potentially repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which allows states the right to ignore gay marriages performed in other states. The act also denies gay couples more than 1,000 other federal rights protected for heterosexual spouses.
- Blue Jersey - Poll: New Jersey voters favor gay marriage.
Christie Twists The Truth Over MVC
- NJ 101.5: Democrats blast Christie for twisting the truth.
- In Christie's FY 2012 budget, more than 136 million dollars in MVC revenue was transferred for other uses.
- Senator Gordon on MVC troubles: Lack Of Knowledge On Agency's Media-Reported Problems Is Unacceptable.
- Assemblywoman Wagner said if the Governor truly believed the MVC needed additional funding to upgrade its computer system "then he should have allowed the Motor Vehicle Commission to keep more of its revenue- instead he raided their revenue almost twice as much as last year."
Christie's Energy Plan Takes NJ Backwards
- New Jersey residents got their first chance to comment on Gov. Chris Christie's proposal for the state's energy future with the beginning of public hearings.
- Press of Atlantic City: The chairman of the Assembly Environment Committee, John McKeon, said Christie’s plan is “counterproductive and regressive. By reducing our renewable energy goals and increasing our dependence on fossil fuels, Gov. Christie’s Energy Master Plan would be taking a giant step backward.”
- More from Assemblyman McKeon: "We are at the apex of progress."
- Gannett: New Jersey's energy-plan debate heats up.
- NJ Spotlight: Clean Energy Advocates Fear Rollback of Goals.
- The Record Editorial: Increased transit ridership leads to decreased energy consumption. If the Christie administration wants to focus on other things in the master plan, fine. But it should not ignore the pressing need in this state for better, faster and more comprehensive public transportation.
- Opinion: N.J. Draft Energy Master Plan saps drive for clean power.
Space Filling Up Fast For The Step Up! 2011 Women's Training
- If you haven't signed up yet for this intensive, interactive one-day training for women with some of our region's leading political strategists, space is going fast. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee is proud to present our 5th Annual STEP-UP Democratic Women's Advanced Training on Saturday, August 13, 2011. StepUpNJ@njdems.org for more information.
Call for Investigation of Elizabeth School Board
- According to records obtained byThe Star-Ledger, the Elizabeth board has secretly paid off more than a dozen people and tried to keep those and as many as 90 other settlements confidential. Over the past five years, the school board paid out at least $1.5 million to teachers, administrators and other employees to settle charges ranging from political interference to discrimination and wrongful termination. During that time, Elizabeth spent more on legal services than any other school district in the state — $5.6 million — and more than twice as much as Newark, the state’s largest school system, according to an analysis of audited figures reported to the New Jersey Department of Education.
- Senator Lesniak submitted a formal request for Investigation today to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission charging that employees of the Elizabeth Board of Education have repeatedly violated laws which prohibit soliciting campaign contributions on school property. Under the laws, each offense is punishable by a minimum fine of $5000.
- Senators Lautenberg and Menendez announced that two New Jersey organizations who help low-income veterans get permanent housing will receive $1.7 million in federal funds to help approximately 360 military families throughout the state.
- Senator Lautenberg introduced the Access to Birth Control (ABC) Act. Birth control is a vital component of women's preventive health care, and this bill would require pharmacies to help, not hinder, a woman’s ability to access legal contraception.
- Senators Lautenberg and Menendez announced they have cosponsored a bill to provide back pay and put hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) workers who have been furloughed in New Jersey back to work. Last Saturday, these workers were sent home without their paychecks after Republicans refused to pass a clean funding extension and insisted on including controversial provisions in the FAA extension.
- Senator Menendez again questioned BP's need for subsidies following their $5.6 billion quarter.
- Congressman Rothman offered an amendment to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies 2012 Appropriations Bill. The legislation would have provided $85 million in much needed aid for our nation’s first responders and local taxpayers.
- AP: Senator Lautenberg sent a letter asking the director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to look into allegations raised in an article in The New York Times earlier this week. The article suggested that a politically connected firm had gained advantage in the bidding process and that two executives of the company are high-level allies of Gov. Chris Christie.
- Orange Mayor Hawkins thanked Senators Lautenberg and Menendez as well as Congressman Payne at the swearing in of the first two of 12 new firefighters hired under a federal SAFER grant from FEMA.
- Congressman Pascrell on need to add coverage of cancer to the Zadroga act: “The Ground Zero first responders who have been diagnosed with cancer since the attacks must be able get the care they need through the Zadroga Act, and I urge this decision be reconsidered quickly. Those dedicated people worked in a toxic environment at Ground Zero that was erroneously declared at the time to be safe. The least we can do is provide the care they need now.”
- Congressman Pallone on the difficulties passing the Zadroga act initially: Pallone said previously that there were many people who felt that the bill would benefit only the New York area. “The problem was that you still had a lot of Republican senators who were not from the New York area who perceived this as a local problem … and that’s not true,” he said.
- Congressman Holt said that he hadn't seen any data to support the need for the DOL rule. “We shouldn't make policy on what we imagine to be the problem. "Absence of evidence may be a problem in and of itself.”
- Video: Congressman Andrews spoke in strong opposition the "Outsourcer's Bill of Rights Amendment" that would effectively kill collective bargaining rights.
- On Twitter, Congressman Sires recommended his followers check out a blog post on ModernizeAid.com about his Global Health Technology bill.
- Congressman Pallone met with 8 yr old Ariana McGuire, who is pushing for his bill that will ensure kids have specialized healthcare that saved her life.
- At Rutgers, Congressman Holt vowed to fight cuts to Pell Grants.
- Congressman Pascrell has been honored with a Friend of the National Parks award from the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for his contribution to protecting America's national parks.
- New Jersey cities got a development boost after legislation was signed expanding the Urban Transit Hub tax credit.
- Legislation to establish a veteran-to-veteran peer support telephone has received final legislative approval.
- Assemblyman Ramos wrote an open letter in response to the United States Postal Service's decision to close some 3,700 post offices around the country.
- Assemblyman Coughlin in partnership with the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and Middlesex Water Company conducted the second Bowl for Hunger.
- Senator Lesniak released a letter Monday blasting Nevada's U.S. senators for their recent claim that federal law prohibits online gaming even within state lines.
- Assemblyman Burzichelli & Assemblywoman Riley helped a mobile food bank in South Jersey.
- Assemblyman Benson submitted this letter to the editor on senior tax relief.
- Assemblyman Diegnan said closing Hagedorn hospital will be a mistake.
- Legislation that calls for the phasing in of a sharp increase in the state's unemployment tax rate, a move proponents say will spare businesses from having to immediately pay a hefty boost in the rate was signed into law.
- WHYY: N.J. tries to check increase in discrimination against unemployed.
Upcoming Events
July 31
Haskell Invitational Fundraiser in support of Bill Shea for Freeholder
Monmouth Park, Oceanport, New Jersey
$65/supporter, $120/sponsor, $250/gold sponsor
Please make checks payable to Friends of Bill Shea for Freeholder, P.O. Box 155, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730
Please RSVP to Maryellen Principe at 732.720.9597- August 1
2011 Middlesex County Fair
August 1-August 7
Cranbury Road, East Brunswick - August 2
National Night Out
Check local websites for start times and activities
7:00-9:00 PM
Labor Leaders of the 13th District reception in support of Kevin Lavan and Chris Cullen
Assaggini di Roma, 3253 Highway 35 North, Hazlet
RSVP to Joe Caliendo at 732.671.0870 - August 3
5:00 PM
Passaic County Central Labor Council Summer BBQ
100 Scales Plaza, Clifton - August 6
5:00-7:30 PM
Hunterdon County Democratic Committee’s Annual Pot Luck Picnic
Home of Chairwoman Lois Zarish, 153 Voorhees Corner Road, Flemington
Please bring side dish, appetizer, or dessert!
Free event but donations welcome
RSVP: lzarish@hcdems.com or 908-782-3940 - August 7
4:00pm
Jamaican Ceremony 49th Anniversary of Independence
United Presbyterian Church, 375 Van Houten St., Paterson - August 8
11:00 AM
Golf outing in Support of Bill Shea for Freeholder
Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, 20 Shore Oak Drive, Farmingdale
$250/guest, $500/sponsor, $1,000/silver sponsor and $2,500 gold sponsor
$50 guest dinner with paying golf participant, $75 for dinner only (no golf)
Please RSVP or for more info call Ron Principe at 732.670.4134 or email ronprincipe@gmail.com or votebillshea@gmail.com
6:00 PM
Monmouth Dems Social Media Training
Chairman's Conference Room, Airport Plaza, 1390 State Highway 36, Suite 105, Hazlet NJ 07730
This is a free event. Please RSVP to john@monmouthdems.org - August 9
5:00 PM
Fundraiser for Assembly Candidate Joe Camarota
Casa Giussepe Ristorante, 487 Route 27, Iselin
$500/pp
For More Info or to RSVP: Bernie Hvozdovic at 609-430-0065 or bhvozdovic@hvozlaw.com
6:00-9:00 PM
Summer Celebration in Support of Senator Nia Gill, Senate President Pro Tempore
Tapastry, “Classic Spanish Tapas”, 12 Church St., Montclair
RSVP Dannielle, 201-636-2176
$50/pp - August 10
5:30-7:30 PM
Colin Bell for Freeholder Fundraiser
Carriage House, Pitney Rd., Galloway - August 11
Fashion Show in support of Bill Shea for Freeholder
Lakeside Manor, Route 36, Hazlet
$40/supporter, $80/sponsor, $150/gold sponsor
Please make checks payable to Friends of Bill Shea for Freeholder, P.O. Box 155, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730
Please RSVP to Maryellen Principe at 732.720.9597
6:00-8:00 PM
Ed McGettigan for County Clerk Fundraiser
Sandi Point Coastal Bistro, 908 Shore Rd., Somers Point - August 13
Step Up! 2011 Democratic Women’s Advanced Training
New Brunswick, NJ
For More Info or to RSVP: StepUpNJ@njdems.org
Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee
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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
Video:
for an update. (