Did you miss last night's scintillating edition of BlueJerseyRadio? You know, the one where Jeff and I served up the pithiest political dish in the land? The one with chairman John Wisniewski rallying the troops to keep flogging Governor Christie whose latest hissy cost New Jersey students nearly a half billion dollars?
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls Number: (646) 652-2773.
Our guest, Assemblyman John S. Wisneiwski represents Sayreville in the NJ Assembly. He's also chairman of the NJ State Democratic Committee and that's the hat he'll be wearing tonight. After all, who better to discuss the ongoing SchundlerGate (tm) story than the party's partisan-in-chief, John Wisniewski?
Jeff and I welcome your calls -- especially if your name is Bret Schundler --as we unravel the complicated layers of Governor Christie's colossal $400,000,000 school-funding hissy fit. So if you're in the mood to pile on, won't you join us? at (646) 652-2773.
So, tune in tonight and every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. to laugh so hard you're friends will be jealous. Seriously. You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes.
We understand if you're left feeling a bit jilted which is why I'd love to invite you to come onto BlueJerseyRadio this Tuesday at 8pm. Consider this an open invitation to come to unburden yourself to an appreciative crowd. It's easy to be a guest, just call into the show (646) 652-2773 any time between 8-8:30pm this Tuesday.
Basically, we empathize with you. So if you're looking for a warm place to cultivate your hard-earned feelings of vengeance, just know this much: you'll always have a wide-open forum on Blue Jersey Radio.
This is the second article in a continuing series by the NRDC Action Fund on the environmental stances of candidates in key races around the country.
Today we're looking at New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District, stretching from the Philadelphia suburbs in the west, across the undeveloped Pine Barrens (the country's first National Reserve) to the Jersey Shore. In 2008, longtime state Senator John Adler was elected to his first term in Congress, winning the seat vacated by retiring 12-term Republican Congressman Jim Saxton. In November, Adler will be challenged by Republican Jon Runyan, a former offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles.
A number of current and former New Jersey Republican Congressmen have been environmental champions - including Jim Saxton - but Runyan seems unlikely to follow in their footsteps. Despite playing for one of the greenest teams in professional sports, Runyan has been taking anti-environmental stands on the campaign trail. He has voiced support for drilling off of New Jersey's shore, echoing Sarah Palin's "all-of-the-above" approach to energy policy. He has been repeating the right-wing Heritage Foundation's fuzzy math about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Runyan claims that ACES will cost "$1,870 for a family of four," when in truth, according to the nonpartisan, unbiased experts at the Congressional Budget Office, it will cost "about $175 per household."
Rep. Adler, on the other hand, has a long history as an environmental champion. In the New Jersey Senate, he sponsored the state's Clean Cars Act and co-sponsored its landmark Global Warming Response Act.
In his first year in Congress, Adler received an impressive 93% rating from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), which means he voted the right way at nearly every opportunity. Most notably, Adler voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) calling it "historic legislation" that will "spur the development of new sources of energy while confronting the threat of carbon pollution." He added, ACES "will lower energy costs and create new jobs for New Jersey families and small businesses....This bill will make America safer. It is time that we stop sending money to Middle Eastern countries that fund terrorist activities. Furthermore, by preserving God's earth, our children and grandchildren can continue to fish, enjoy the outdoors and breathe clean air."
The NRDC Action Fund believes that it is important for the public in general, and the voters of specific Congressional districts, be aware of this information as they weigh their choices for November.
For July the BLS reported, NJ unemployment was at 9.7%, a slight increase over both last month and the same month last year, and above the national average of 9.5%. Realty Trac reported home sales in NJ declined precipitously by 55%, from 7,206 in June to 3,196 in July. This is bad news for New Jerseyans, but does Governor Christie care?
On Tuesday the governor signed into law the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority. In a press release Assembly Majority Leader Cryan said, "Quite simply, this is all about jobs for New Jerseyans." In the governor's press release the word "jobs" is not mentioned once. Instead it refers to loftier notions of "investment, continuity and economic growth." Does he care that NJ unemployment is higher than the national average? Does he care about jobs for New Jerseyans?
In order to help people buy homes and reduce current unsold inventory, Assemblyman and Budget Committee Chair Louis Greenwald sponsored a bill to establish a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program. Christe vetoed it saying "It would undermine our 2011 budget." Does he care that home sales fell 23% in May, 27% in June, and 55% in July? Does he care how this impacts New Jerseyans?
In the Quinnipiac poll released today Governor Christie is presented as "winning the hearts and minds of NJ voters who approve 51% - 36% of the job he is doing." Christie, however, seems remarkably detached from the lives of real people. He couches so much of what he says in terms of costs, finances and the budget, and he seldom talks about the impact of his actions on individuals. His single-minded focus on budget cutting and reducing the size of government satisfies his limited and short-sighted approach to governing. But does it satisfy those who are un-or-underemployed, concerned they might become un-or-underemployed, unable to sell their house or unable to buy a house. How many others are worried about not receiving a rebate, increased public transportation costs, smaller class sizes, or fewer municipal services? Do you get any sense he sympathizes with these people? When will New Jerseyans from the "Real World" strike back at "Christie's World?"
Each week, Blue Jersey Radio streams LIVE with Jersey's latest political buzz, interviews with newsmakers, and your stimulating calls Number: (646) 652-2773.
Tonight's guest Bob Ingle is senior political reporter for Gannett NJ. He also wrote the bestselling book Soprano State which was made into a movie to premiere later this fall!
He'll update us on that plus share his thoughts on hot topics du jour like Sheriff Speziale's dramatic exit or the scandal-plagued DRPA.
It'll be hot hot hot.
So, tune in tonightand every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. to laugh so hard you'll get an ab workout. Seriously.
You won't want to miss an episode - and of course, you never have to. Listen to them all on Blogtalkradio, or download any show on iTunes.
I wanted to pull this onto the front page, because its author, candidate Stephen Yellin, is a blogger of longstanding. In fact he was one of the original Blue Jerseyans when he was still a teenager. Wishing him luck on his race. - Rosi
[crossposted from DailyKos]
Hello all,
Four months ago, I set out on an unusual political journey.
It was unusual because, unlike all the campaigns I had worked on before, the campaign I was working on was my own. In April, I filed to run for Township Council in my hometown of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. I decided to run because now was the right time in my life to try and give back to my community in the way I knew best - through public service. With three months to go until Election Day, I wanted to give you an update on how my campaign is going.
(Morristown) - August 10, 2010 - Douglas Herbert condemned Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen's vote today against the 'Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act.' "Instead of helping to keep 138,000 hardworking teachers in their classrooms, Frelinghuysen voted them out of a job," said Doug.
"This type of legislation should not be about partisanship," Doug continued, "this legislation is about insuring that our schools are properly staffed to care for and to educate our children." Along with other long-term Washington incumbents like John Boehner, "Frelinghuysen's vote will increase class sizes and negatively impact the quality of education our kids receive. Without the financial support that this act provides for the states, teachers across the nation will be laid off and our children will suffer for it."
Doug stated after the vote, "I would have voted for New Jersey's and the nation's children. As a father of three, I know that it is vital that we keep our education system strong. My goal in Congress will be to insure that families across my District and across this nation have access to the best public education and healthcare available. This can be done in a fiscally responsible way that does not pass the bill on to future generations."
To learn more about Doug please visit: www.douglasherbert.org
There is little secret that this country's (and even closer to home, New Jersey's) infrastructure is crumbling. In fact, a recent report (warning, .pdf) gave New Jersey's infrastructure D's in most categories. What many people don't want to face as they argue about tax cuts for the super rich or capping property taxes or who is to blame for whatever is that none of this matters if we have collapsing bridges, roads that can crumble, an outdated energy grid, dirty and contaminated drinking water and air full of pollution.
And that is where we are headed - which is something that will need to be dealt with at some point - whether it is through crisis management, (yet another) shock doctrine, or by smart planning.
I was talking to someone on the bus ride into work the other day, and when he said that this country can't take on more debt, I said that isn't true, given that most of it is the wars and Bush tax cuts and things that (1) could be easily eliminated from the deficit and (2) were complete wastes to anyone or any country that would want to lend money to the United States. I asked him why any country would want to invest in the US if the money is going towards tax cuts for big oil, the super rich and BS wars?
But......
If there was a massive infrastructure project where roads and bridges were being fixed and rebuilt, new manufacturing industries were created (think turbines for wind power for example) and tax incentives (like NJ's recently folded Business Employment Incentive Program), then why wouldn't that be worth investing in? There could be incentives for private companies, public/private industry and also perhaps bonds issued where New Jerseyans can invest in their state's future.
This is precisely the very thing that is not only sorely needed to bring this country back, but if done right here in New Jersey, it can bring in business, help families, create jobs, help the economy and help the environment - and it can be done by combining a number of different ideas and processes. In fact, anyone looking at this seriously would say it is something that we can't afford NOT to do.
If Governor Christie were serious about being that "transformational change" that he held himself out as, he would do something that was actually constructive for the state - for families and for businesses. There is no denying that investing in New Jersey and its future is (1) sorely needed, (2) nonpartisan, (3) business friendly and (4) a pretty progressive idea.
It could be used as a model and a blueprint for a renaissance in this state and the country as a whole - and a blueprint for economic recovery, energy independence and a new era of growth. But that would involve making investments in real solutions, spurring innovation and not just using the same tired finger pointing and tax cutting nonsense that got this country to the state it is currently in.
It would be bold and anyone that took this chance and succeeded would be hailed by people on both sides of the political spectrum. Like property taxes, I wonder if Governor Christie wants to actually be a good leader, or just wants to be a confrontational finger pointer who calls himself a leader.
The approval-disapproval numbers for the sample of 801 New Jersey adults:
Obama 52-42
Lautenberg 45-31
Menendez 37-31
Own Congressman 54-28
We all know most Representatives are re-elected, but somehow I'm still surprised. 66% of the sample is "dissatisfied with the way things are currently going in Washington," yet they like their own Congressman. Perhaps there is something to be said for the way district boundaries are drawn? In any case, this suggests to me that the NJ3 race is the only one to be competitive. Most New Jersey adults (51%) think it doesn't make any difference who controls Congress, with the parties splitting the remainder equally. That's the disillusionment that the Republicans sought with their "Party of No" strategy in the Senate thanks to the super-majority rules.
A comment on Bob Menendez: He just isn't as well known. Not only his overall disapprove, but the subgroups of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans have virtually identical "disapproval ratings" as Lautenberg does. His missing approval numbers are in the volunteered "Don't Know" category, at least in this poll, and at the end of the 2012 those voters who like the very same acts by Obama and Lautenberg will vote for Menendez. You may recall that other pollsters recently found Menendez at a net plus 7 (50-43, Rasmussen) and minus 5 (38-43, Quinnipiac.) But look at how pollsters can differ: Rasmussen's automated poll of "likely voters," which (I think) pushes voters for a second choice, has only 7% "don't know" but Monmouth's poll of adults, with presumably no pushing from the human operators, has 32%. Lots of people don't vote! The pollster also has numbers showing there's not much support for the recall effort.
The headline for the energy poll was the offshore oil drilling:
Just 31% of Garden State residents are in favor of drilling for oil or gas off the New Jersey coast, while 63% are opposed. This marks a turnaround from two years ago, when a majority of 56% favored this energy option compared to only 36% who opposed it.
By comparison, support for both wind and nuclear energy remains basically unchanged. Fully 8-in-10 residents support the placement of energy-generating windmills off the New Jersey coast (80% today, compared to 82% in 2008) and just under 4-in-10 support building another nuclear power plant in the state (37% today, compared to 41% in 2008).
Pollster Patrick Murray observes that the coastal counties give the same numbers as the inland ones.
As for this Salem County resident, I think the interesting number is that 58% statewide oppose a new nuclear power plant.
When asked "which of the following do you think should be the more important priority for U.S. energy policy - keeping energy prices low or protecting the environment?", 28% go for low prices and 55% for the environment. 15% volunteer "both" despite not being given it as a choice. New Jersey is not Sarah Palin country.
Promoted by Jason Springer: We've written plenty about Christie's Slush Fund, Reform Jersey Now. Senator Buono tells us more about the approach they are taking in the Legislature.
Operating in the shadows, this group is raising unlimited sums of money to advocate in support of Governor Chris Christie's policies and agenda. That's because 501(c)4 organizations like Reform Jersey Now are not subject to campaign disclosure requirements, pay-to-play rules or contribution limitations. This is a clear loophole in our campaign finance laws. And we must close it.
Reform Jersey Now needs to live up to a higher ethical standard. Many of these so-called "issue groups" are simply political machines marching under a different name and to a different set of laws. Allowing this disparity to continue would only render our campaign finance and pay-to-play laws useless. It's obvious that this organization is operating under the radar. Except, of course, for those times when they send out invitations detailing how supporters can navigate around campaign finance limits to support Governor Christie.
As Governor Christie is well aware from his days as US Attorney, New Jersey has an unfortunate history of corruption and high-dollar malfeasance. This checkered record costs our taxpayers their hard earned money and erodes confidence in our state government. In these challenging economic times, when everyone is tightening their belts, we need to make sure every dollar is being spent wisely and within the intent of our campaign finance laws.
Promoted by Rosi. Proud of her feminist friend, Jay. And the Senator from Teaneck.
It's nice to see the Senate Democratic leadership so supportive of this issue but it's really lame that Gov. Christie is still so intransigent on women's health and family planning. So we paid him a visit. Again.
Whenever I get my fill of whining about Government, I simply strap on my bitchboots, grab my videocamera and head to Trenton. Sometimes there's a juicy issue cooking that I want to follow. Like today.
Following is the legal timeline regarding the lawsuit of the oldest indigenous Native American tribe still found in New Jersey - the NJ Sand Hill Band of Lenape and Cherokee Indians vs. the State of New Jersey. The Tribe has appealed to the UN to try this case in the World Court. The territory involved now includes Manhattan, Delaware, and Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey.
Legal documents discussed in the timeline can be found here.
On February 17, 2009, the oldest indigenous Native American tribe in New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey, the Governor of New Jersey, the NJ Secretary of State and the NJ Attorney General for, but not limited to, genocide, treaty, and civil rights violations. That lawsuit is still in Federal Court at this moment. Because of new evidence, the lawsuit has now increased in scope. The territory involved now includes the Island of Manhattan, the state of Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey. Holloway's tribe has now appealed to the UN for assistance, and the case appears as if it may actually move to the World Court.
Unfortunately, in the State Bar Foundation quarterly newsletter Respect, published Spring 2010, the cover story about NJ's Native Americans repeats the omissions and inaccuracies in the NJ Indian Commission's Committee report that prompted the lawsuit in the first place. It would appear unethical to have a State Bar Association-funded publication, unwittingly or not, publicly take sides in a currently ongoing litigation case and to quote the defendants' side of the story exclusively.
On February 17, 2009, the oldest indigenous Native American tribe in NJ filed a lawsuit against the State of NJ, Governor Corzine, and his Administration, as well as the NJ Commission on American Indian Affairs. That lawsuit is still in Federal Court at this moment and has NOT been dismissed.
In fact, the scope of the case has expanded exponentially. As of a new filing on June 16, 2010, the territory now includes the Island of Manhattan & Hudson areas, the State of Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey.
From last night - congrats to Stephen. Promoted by Rosi Efthim
Hi all!
Just wanted to give you a quick update from tonight's election in Berkeley Heights. My running mate, Linda Weber and I won the primary for Township Council. We will be running with Ray Sullivan, who won the nomination for Mayor as a write-in.
It's been a pleasure to be a part of the Blue Jersey community since its inception. I remember the conversations that took place when this site was in development, and how excited its founders - people like Juan Melli, Jeff Gardner and Rosi Efthim - were to be leading the vanguard for progressive change online in New Jersey. Those hopes have come to fruition, as you can see by the fact that one of our front-page writers is Loretta Weinberg, and leaders like Frank Pallone post their diaries here. I hope to remain part of this community for many years to come!
Many of you know me for my work as an Internet blogger, or as a Democratic activist in New Jersey. Another facet of my life is less well-known in these parts- my work as an outspoken resident in Berkeley Heights, the town I've lived in all my life. My town has been very good to me, giving me an excellent education in a friendly and (largely) affluent community. Now that I'm graduating from college, I feel that it's time for me to give back to Berkeley Heights. That's the main reason - although far from the only one - that I'm running for Township Council.
I'd like to think I follow New Jersey and the political landscape rather closely, but am I the only one who didn't know that the Christie administration tried to declare bankruptcy with the pension funds?
State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff researched the idea of sending the state pension systems into bankruptcy in early March, but he said then that bankruptcy is not legally possible.
I get that the pension funds are in bad shape, in part because of the actions of the same people who say they are trying to fix it. And Christie can say he's not a part of the problem, but he's not making any payment into the fund with his budget this year either.
But this seemingly significant news is buried at the very end of a three page online story out this morning in the Asbury Park Press as the second to last line in a jam packed story about coming proposed pension changes from the Christie administration. It's clear the focus will be on the larger story of what it means going forward and not this news at the very end of the story. We'll have plenty more to say about the proposals. I understand that everything is under consideration, but the Christie administration has a way of taking action under the radar and putting their trash out very quietly so when asked, they can say we knew and just didn't see it.
Updated by Jason: Thanks to Michael Symons with the Asbury Park Press and the Capitol Quickies blogfor pointing out that in fact I need to pay closer attention. From their Sunday March 7th story:(In their archives now)
Then Sidamon-Eristoff raised another idea.
"Can I put out a radical concept?" he asked, and was quickly told the microphones were still on. "Has any pension system anywhere in the world declared bankruptcy?"
Crawford said there is no provision under the bankruptcy law for such a filing, and Sidamon-Eristoff concurred. In an interview afterward, Sidamon-Eristoff said he had researched the law and also found that to be true.
"I ask that rhetorically because I wanted to know if there was more out there from what I understood from the research," Sidamon-Eristoff said. "But the challenge is enormous."
