The NJDSC Week In Review for February 17, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee'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:

Christie Vetoes Marriage Equality Legislation

• Chris Christie conditionally vetoed The Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act only 6 hours after it reached his desk. 
• Senate President Steve Sweeney vowed to continue to fight for marriage equality: "Governor Christie's veto is a shameful act hidden behind the guise of a public referendum. Today, he firmly planted his feet on the wrong side of history. The fight for marriage equality is not over. We will override this veto."
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver denounced Christie's veto: “When we look back in the annals of history, unfortunately, the Governor will see that he was on the wrong side of justice.  All the couples disappointed by his action today should take solace in the fact that we are not giving up this fight.”
• Senator Raymond Lesniak blasted Christie's veto: “Now that the governor has followed through on his promise to undercut marriage equality, it is up to us to follow through on our promise to work to override his misguided action."
• Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald said Christie's veto "seeks to codify discrimination."
• Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski will continue to stand for equality: "In our history as a nation, our shining moments were when our leaders stood up for the civil rights of our citizens and our shame was when our leaders stood in the way. Sadly, our Governor has chosen to stand in the way, but I remain confident that our day will come."

Senate Passed Marriage Equality Legislation 24-16

• The Senate passed S1, the marriage equality legislation, by a vote of 24-16 on Monday.
• Senate President Steve Sweeney called for his fellow senators to support S1: "Our votes today may be cast as "yes" or "no," but in history they will be forever recorded as "right" and "wrong." There is no third option. So now is your moment. Now is your time to stand up and say yes, I hear the pleas of those who want nothing more than to be treated fairly and equitably. And I stand firmly with them."
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg spoke in support of S1: “Stand up to the Governor, not because of political calculations or fear of retribution, but because it’s the right thing to do on this issue. With enough votes in the future, we can override the Governor’s eventual veto, and can do right by New Jersey’s same-sex couples who are being denied basic equal rights under the current law."
• Senator Richard Codey celebrated the passage of marriage equality in the Senate: “Today was a great first step in the effort to achieve marriage equality in New Jersey. When it comes down to it, it's really just a matter of common sense and decency.”

Assembly Passed Marriage Equality Legislation 42-33

• The Assembly passed A1, the marriage equality legislation, by a vote of 42-33 on Thursday.
• Assembly Speaker Oliver celebrated the passage of A1: "So let's end the pernicious practice of discrimination in civil marriage in New Jersey. Let's stand for what's right. Let's stand for every family. Let's stand for equality." You can also watch the Speaker's floor remarks here.
• Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald supported A1 on the floor: "Today, I will be standing up for equality. Because our Constitution means something. Because the founding truths of our state and of our nation mean something. And because the families of New Jersey cannot afford for us to wait one minute longer for truly equal treatment under the law."
• Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski spoke in support of marriage equality: "Today, with this vote, each one of us will leave our mark on New Jersey's history. Each one of us will decide where we stand on what may well be the defining civil rights issue of our tenure and of our time. Our names and our votes will be recorded, yea or nay, and future generations will know who stood for justice and equality and who stood in the way."
• Assemblyman Reed Gusciora released the following statement after the passage of A1: "I wanted to thank you, Madam Speaker, for posting this extraordinary measure. This is probably one of the highlights of my legislative tenure - no matter what the ultimate outcome may be."
• Watch the celebratory post-vote press conference here.

Supreme Court Invalidates Mosquera Election

• The New Jersey Supreme Court has invalidated Gabriela Mosquera's election in the 4th legislative district, disregarding existing case law that declared the residency requirement unconstitutional. The court ruled that Mosquera could be appointed in an interim capacity and can then run in a November special election.
• Chief Justice Stuart Rabner dissented from the ruling, saying that the decision "not only changes the rules after the fact, it also silences 19,907 voters and strips away respondent’s victory.”

Chairman Wisniewski Honors Black History Month

• Chairman Wisniewski attended a ceremony honoring the Tuskegee Airmen at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield: "I was honored to join my colleague Assemblyman Jerry Green to celebrate the bravery of the Tuskegee Airmen at a wonderful Black History Month event at Shiloh Baptist Church."

Vice Chairwoman Dana Redd Spoke to Pleasantville Democrats

• New Jersey Democratic State Committee Vice Chairwoman and Camden Mayor Dana Redd joined Senator Jim Whelan at an awards luncheon for the Pleasantville Democrats.

Join Obama For America's Truth Team

• Obama for America have created the Truth Team to promote President Obama's achievements, respond to attacks on his record, and hold the eventual Republican nominee accountable.
• Visit BarackObama.com/TruthTeam to join today.

More Problems for the Port Authority

• In response to the Port Authority's refusal to appear before the Assembly Transportation Committee to answer questions about record toll hikes and financial mismanagement, Assembly members John Wisniewski, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Linda Stender, and Ruben Ramos have introduced legislation to grant the Transportation Committee subpoena power to compel individuals from the Port Authority to attend a hearing and answer questions. Assembly Deputy Speaker Wisniewski commented on the legislation: "The Port Authority is beginning to look more and more like an out-of-control agency that has forgotten it exists to serve the public. They hid information about the toll increase, continue to waste money on overtime, stack their payroll with political cronies, failed to respond to public records requests, and now they're attempting to obfuscate it all by declining our hearing invitation. It's time to get straight answers once and for all."
• Politifact NJ gave Assembly Deputy Speaker Wisniewski a "True" rating when he commented in the wake of the Port Authority audit that top executives make more money than the governors of New Jersey and New York.
• Star Ledger calls for the recent Port Authority toll hikes to be rescinded in the wake of the audit showing financial mismanagement.
• Asbury Park Press: "It may be too late to roll back the last toll increases, but upcoming ones in 2013 and 2014 must not go forward until the authority’s fiscal house is in order for all to see. Right now that fiscal house is a mess, an all-too-often secretive mess."

Shelley Adler Enters Competitive CD3 Race

• Shelley Adler, wife of the late Congressman John Adler, is running against John Runyan to represent New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District.
• The Cook Political Report has shifted the 3rd Congressional District to "Lean Republican", showing that the race is competitive and Democrats have a chance to pick up the seat.

Delegate Selection Applications Available

• If you are interested in becoming a delegate, click here for the statement of candidacy and pledge of support forms. Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support forms must be returned by March 12, 2012 for District Level Delegate and Alternate Candidates and June 7, 2012 for At-Large delegate and Alternate Candidates and Pledged Party Leader and Elected Official (PLEO) Delegate Candidates. Original forms must be returned to the New Jersey Democratic State Committee at 196 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608.

Congressional Corner

• Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez have called on President Obama to reconsider his plan to close the fisheries lab at Sandy Hook.
  
• Senator Lautenberg applauded President Obama's Budget Proposal: "President Obama and Democrats in Congress continue to stand up for the middle class, while Republicans remain unwilling to ask millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share."
• Senator Menendez earned a perfect score on the League of Conservation Voters' 2011 National Environmental Scorecard.
• Congressman Rob Andrews announced 650 new construction jobs will be coming to West Deptford to help bring cleaner energy to South Jersey.
• Congressman Frank Pallone announced that two flood control/storm damage reduction projects will each receive $1 million as part of the proposed 2013 budget.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell pointed to recent economic growth to show that Democratic initiatives are working and that the President's budget proposal will spur the economy on more.
• Congressman Steve Rothman was thanked by Brigadier General (Ret.) Shmaya Avieli, Director of SIBAT, the Defense Export & Cooperation Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, for his strong support of Israel.
• Congressman Donald Payne plans to introduce a resolution honoring the life of Whitney Houston.
• Congressman Rush Holt cosponsored a bill that would prevent exports of natural gas drilled on federal lands, and would ban pipelines crossing federal lands from carrying natural gas destined for export.
• Congressman Albio Sires announced a grant award for the Elizabeth Fire Department: "This competitive grant will improve the safety and efficiency of Elizabeth firefighters by providing the funds necessary to purchase an oxygen generator and filling station."

Under the Dome

• Senate President Sweeney, along with Senator Bob Smith and Senator Linda Greenstein, sponsored legislation to prohibit commercial fishing on New Jersey's artificial reefs that was approved by the Senate Environment and Energy Panel.
• Assembly Speaker Oliver mourned the loss of Newark icon Whitney Houston: "Like millions of people around the world, I am truly saddened by the loss of one of New Jersey's own - a stunning performer and truly one of the greatest voices we've ever witnessed."
• Senate Majority Leader Weinberg was given a "True" rating by Politifact NJ for her statement that when New Jersey voters were given a referendum in 1915 to give women the right to vote they voted it down and women's suffrage only happened when the Legislature passed it.
• Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Angel Fuentes, and Dan Benson introduced a resolution that was approved by the Assembly aimed at getting Congress to enact the Paycheck Fairness Act and end the gender wage gap.
• Senator Jim Beach's bill to increase the amount of aid given to blind and paralyzed veterans was approved by committee.
• Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green unveiled his legislation to transform foreclosed properties in New Jersey into affordable housing.
• Senator Nicholas Scutari's bill to modernize New Jersey's marriage license requirements has been approved by committee.

Upcoming Events

• February 22
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Convention
  7:00 PM
  Woodbridge Hilton, 120 Wood Avenue South, Iselin
• February 28
  Assemblyman Wisniewski's Winter Cocktail Reception
  6:00-8:00 PM
  Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 515 Route 1 and Gill Lane, Iselin
  $750/pp
  RSVP: 732-525-1400 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• February 29
  Senator Nellie Pou's Annual Cocktail Reception
  6:00 PM
  Brownstone, Paterson
  $500/pp
• March 3
  East Orange Democratic Committee Jewels of the Community Hall of Fame Introduction Breakfast
  9:00 AM
  Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange
  $100/pp
  RSVP: Cassandra Alession at 201-457-9034
• March 5
  Breakfast for Senator Whelan
  8:30-10:00 AM
  The Town & Country Diner, 177 Route 130 North, Bordentown
  Sponsors: $500, Hosts: $250
  RSVP: Jane at (609) 910-0010 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• March 9-10
  Ready to Run Campaign Training for Women
  Douglass Campus Center, 100 George Street, New Brunswick
  For More Information or to Register: www.cawp.rutgers.edu/ReadytoRun
• March 11
  Somerset County St. Patrick's Party
  3:30-6:30 PM
  Verve, 18 East Main Street, Somerville
• March 15
  Fundraiser for Assemblyman Dan Benson
  8:30-10:30 AM
  Mastori's, Routes 130 & 206, Bordentown
  $250/pp
  RSVP: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 609-613-4030
• March 21
  Somerset County Democratic Convention
  6:30-9:00 PM
  Manville VFW, 600 Washington Avenue, Manville
• April 26
  New Jersey Democratic State Committee Jefferson Jackson Dinner
  6:00 PM
  The Heldrich, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
  RSVP: Heather at 609-392-3367 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  https://secure.actblue.com/page/jj12

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee

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