The NJDSC Week In Review Year In Review

Welcome to the latest installment of the NJDSC's week in review.  

This week, we will take a look back at the editions we put out this year and some of the highlights from 2011:

In January, Christie Delivered His State of the State, While Chairman Wisniewski and Democrats offered the State of Reality

• While Christie offered his State of the State, Democratic State Committee Chairman Wisniewski offered the State of Reality. The Chairman also noted that an analysis of the Governor’s State of the State Speech only mentioned jobs four times. Following the speech, Republicans sent out fourteen press releases that mentioned jobs only six times. The rhetoric from the Governor and NJ Republicans combined amounted to over 7,000 words and just 10 of them were jobs. A shocking .001%.
• New Jersey Newsroom - Democrats say Christie not living in the real NJ.
• You can read more news from the January editions here, here, here and here.

February Featured Legislative Redistricting Moving Forward, Democrats Standing Up For Women's Health And Christie Continuing To Hide And Delay

• As Chris Christie’s broken promises continued to mount, Democrats said the Governor should be judged on his actions, not his words. This video had a sample of those actions and the consequences, for which he will be judged.
• Home News Tribune: Ideology or Fiscal Concerns?
• Senator Weinberg on Christie Women's Health Veto: “This legislation would have garnered $9 in federal matching funds for every $1 in State funds spent, this is a program we cannot afford to let fall by the wayside. We could have used funds which are already appropriated in the FY 2011 State Budget, so this proposal would have required no new money."
• You can read more news from the February editions here, here, here & here.

By March, Christie Was Still Underfunding Education, A Redistricting Impasse was Declared And Experts Said Christie's "New Normal" looked very similar to the "Old Normal"

• Veteran budget observers, some of whom helped put together previous state spending plans, said Christie’s "new normal" looks a lot like the "old normal," 
• New Jersey Spotlight: NJ had highest prop taxes in nation when Governor Christie took office, & will still have highest prop taxes when he leaves, whether he serves one term or two.
• Star Ledger Editorial: Excuse us, governor, no doubt your powers are profound. But before you are whisked to the heavens on a golden chariot, would you mind focusing just a little longer on New Jersey? You can start by working with the mortals in the Legislature on some way to cut our property taxes. Get that done, and we’ll listen to the bragging without spitting out our soup.
• Moran said Governor Christie is not a pioneer. He is the top cheerleader...
• You can read more news from the March editions here, here, here and here.

Democrats Made History In April, Winning Legislative Redistricting, Then Welcomed DGA Chair Governor Martin O'Malley For The Jefferson Jackson Dinner And Mourned The Passing Of John Adler

• By a vote of 6-5, the New Jersey Legislative Reapportionment Commission adopted the Democratic proposal for a new Legislative map. 
• You can see comments from Chairman Wisniewski following the adoption of the map here. (VIDEO).
• The Fix: Democratic Governors Association Chairman Martin O’Malley dismissed New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, telling a New Jersey audience that Republicans are peddling “stand-up comedy routines from colorful characters like your governor."
• Blue Jersey: Differences.
• You can see NJN's report here (VIDEO).
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Hundreds gathered in New Jersey for farewell to former Rep. Adler.
• You can read more news from the April editions here, here, here and here.

May Brought The Death Of Osama Bin Laden, Saw Christie's Education Cuts Ruled Unconstitutional And New Jersey Democrats Gathered In Atlantic City For the State Party Conference

• President Obama announced the death of Osama Bin Laden.  You can see video of his remarks here. (VIDEO)
• Chairman Wisniewski offered this reaction: "The news of Osama bin Laden's death is a profound moment for not only New Jersey families, but for every American. Hopefully this news can help the many New Jersey families who lost loved ones on that tragic day and in the years since continue the healing process. We owe a great debt of thanks to the members of our armed forces and intelligence community for this significant victory for our country.”
• On MSNBC, Senator Lautenberg questioned how Pakistan missed Bin Laden’s hideaway? He said the only thing missing was a neon sign. (VIDEO)
• Star Ledger: A Q&A with ... Robert Menendez: What’s next with Pakistan?
• PolitickerNJ on State Party Conference:  "It was an excellent event, well attended with good energy."
• Video: AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech on NJ Democrats standing with workers and moving the State Conference: "Actions speak louder than speeches."
• You can view photos from the State Conference here and here.
• Huffington Post: Governor Christie rebuked by NJ Supreme Court over budget for schools.
• You can read more news from the May editions here, here and here.

By June, Christie Got Caught in Coptergate, Continued To Attack Women and Revealed His Connections To The Billionaire Koch Brothers As Democratic Legislators Rejected The Governor's Budget Cuts

• Philadelphia Inquirer: High-flying Christie draws fire over ‘Coptergate.’
• Chairman Wisniewski reacted to news of the Governor's trips on Hypocrisy One:  “He’s a governor who as U.S. attorney would rail against elected officials blurring the line. But this governor has defective memory and selective outrage.” More from Wisniewski in the Wall Street Journal: “He took the helicopter for no other reason that he could go to meet his donors in an impressive style.”
• Criticism continued over "Coptergate" (Video)
• 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 their 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, a 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?
• DailyKos: NJ's RGGI Pullout: the Latest Christie-Koch Wink-Nod.
• ThinkProgress Green: Christie continues Koch binge, slashes renewable targets.
• You can read more news from the June editions here, here, here and here.

Instead of Sharing In The Sacrifice, Christie Settled Scores In July While Republicans Failed To Stand Up To Their Governor And Protect New Jersey Families

• NJ Spotlight: Seven words that pack a punch: "This item is deleted in its entirety." It was among the most-used lines in the governor's handiwork, and the results ranged from cutting a $537,000 grant to the Wynona M. Lipman Child Advocacy Center to the $50 million that had been proposed for public-safety grants to high-crime cities.
• Atlantic City Examiner: Governor Christie targeted the working poor while protecting millionaires in NJ - "Notice how many cuts are made against women, children, and the elderly"
• Asbury Park Press: Christie’s series of line-item vetoes hit social programs and aid for low- and middle-income communities the hardest. They even included orphans-and-widow items, such as a treatment center for abused kids.
• NJ 101.5: GOP lawmakers freely admitted many of the programs that were cut in the budget were very worthy.
• New Jersey Newsroom: One in six New Jerseyans were adversely affected by line-item vetoes of the Earned Income Tax Credit and NJ Family Care in the budget.
• The Record took a closer look at Christie's claims of success and found that despite the Governor's claims of increased tax relief, "the state will be spending far less on property tax relief under Christie this year than it did during prior administrations when property tax bills averaged under $7,000."
• (Video): Senator Menendez talked about News Corps’ phone hacking scandal and his call for further investigations on MSNBC.
• Asbury Park Press: For the first time in history, a Democratic woman became Beachwood borough’s mayor. Bonnie Verga was sworn into office as the first Democratic woman to hold the post, according to Bette Mastropasqua, the borough clerk.
• You can read more news from the July editions here, here, here, here. and here.

In August, NJ Women Stepped Up, The NJDSC Marked Ramadan, A Tea Party Challenge Was Rejected And It Was Reported That Kids In New Jersey Aren't Better Off Under Christie And GOP Policies, They're Poorer

• Over 80 women attended the 5th Annual STEP-UP Democratic Women's Advanced Training in New Brunswick.
• Over 90 people attended the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's 3rd Annual Women's Equality Event in Montclair. Chairman Wisniewski, Congressman Pallone and Congressman Holt joined special guest Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and honorees included County Chairs DeFilippo, Muoio, Schaffer and Zarish.
• Over 100 people attended the first NJDSC Ramadan Iftar, which was held at Istanbul restaurant in North Brunswick. The dinner was an opportunity for friends, neighbors and colleagues to share traditions and come together as a community. Elected officials in attendance included Prospect Park Mayor Khairullah, Irvington Mayor Smith, Essex County Freeholder Beasley, Princeton School Board member Shamsi, North Brunswick Councilwoman Nicola and former East Orange Councilman Small.
• Star Ledger: "The typical poor family is a single mother with children, working a low-wage job. Gov. Chris Christie has only made their lot harder. Last year, he took $45 million from the meager paychecks of the poor by reducing the earned income tax credit. This year, Democrats voted to restore that money. But Christie vetoed that restoration. What sense does that make?"
• Editorial: "Christie said he would never sign tax increase on the wealthy. And w/ his GOP bobbleheads in Legislature afraid to challenge him on anything, his vetoes will stick. But if you're angry about the budget cuts he’s imposed, you should know it didn’t have to be this bad. The governor & Republican legislators are protecting the wealthy from sharing in the sacrifice. And that makes it harder on everyone else."
• You can read more news from the August editions here, here, here and here.

Campaigns Heated Up In September As Democrats Focused On Jobs, But Christie's Koch Connections Made News Again And He Continued His Anywhere But New Jersey Tour

• WhiteHouse.gov: To create more jobs, the President sent Congress the American Jobs Act. You can view the President's speech here.
• New Jersey Newsroom: KochWatch.org, a Washington-based website that tracks the actions of billionaire conservative Republican powerbrokers David and Charles Koch, asked Gov. Chris Christie's office for all records related to his secret trip to Vail, Colorado on June 26 to give the main address at a political gathering hosted by the brothers. Christie left New Jersey for the Sunday appearance without telling the public or news media, something he has done at least three other times for political matters since taking office 20 months ago.
• Christie's Secret Calls For Cuts To Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid were exposed.
• Chairman Wisniewski congratulated Babs Caspar Siperstein, who was elected at the DNC Fall Meeting in Chicago by the DNC Eastern Caucus as the region's female representative to the DNC Executive Committee. She joined fellow NJ DNC member Tonio Burgos, who also serves on the Executive Committee. Chairman Wisniewski also congratulated Michael Kempner, President of MWW group, on his appointment as DNC Deputy National Finance Chair.
• You can read more news from the September editions here, here, here, here and here.

The Chairman's Team Helped Campaigns Around New Jersey In October, While Christie Campaigned For Himself Around The Country And The Media Examined Christie's Cuts And Myths

• Chairman Wisniewski and the NJDSC launched the "Chairman's Team" on Saturday October 1. You can view photos from the 38th District here and from the trip to the 7th District here.
• Chairman Wisniewski responded to the Governor's announcement that he will not abandon New Jersey to run for President: "Chris Christie finally realized that to run for President, it helps to have been an effective Governor. On Christie's watch, our bond rating has been downgraded by two of the bond rating agencies, our unemployment rate remains above the national average and middle class residents and seniors continue to be squeezed by higher taxes, higher tolls and higher health care costs."
• New Jersey Newsroom: N.J. public education funding myths repeated by Christie.
• You can read more news from the October editions here, here, here and here.

Democrats Were Victorious On Election Day In November, But Christie Was Busy "Fiddling With The Constitution To Score A Few Political Points"

• Philadelphia Inquirer: To hear Democrats tell the story of Tuesday's election, voters went to the polls to make sure Democratic legislators continue to keep a Republican governor and his attack-style politics under control.
• Chairman John Wisniewski on New Jersey’s Democratic victory: "New Jersey wants someone looking out for us; someone who represents New Jersey values and that’s not Governor Christie. It’s New Jersey’s Democrats. It’s our legislators, our Mayors and our county and local officials. And that’s why New Jersey’s Democrats have had a great victory tonight."
• The Top 10 Chris Christie Thoughts And Excuses Following His Election Night Failure.
• Star Ledger Editorial: When a wedge politician calls for a constitutional amendment two weeks before an election, you can be pretty sure that his intention is to win votes, not to build a better government. And that’s why he is lashing out at judges, calling them elitists, and suggesting it is corrupt for any judge to rule on a pension issue that affects the judiciary. (Interesting that he sees no similar problem when he vetoes a millionaire’s tax that will clearly affect his family for years.) Demonizing judges is ugly. Fiddling with the Constitution to score a few political points is worse.
• You can read more news from the November editions here, here, here and here.

And Finally In December, Senator Lautenberg Cast His 9000th Vote, Chairman Wisniewski solicited Education Ideas and Democrats Remained Focused On Putting New Jersey Back To Work

• Chairman Wisniewski sought ideas from the public about reforming New Jersey’s Education System: “New Jersey has earned a reputation as having one of the best public education systems in the country, but we need to do better. Real change will only come through the hard work of an open and inclusive dialogue and collaborative proposals.
• The Chairman encouraged the public to become a part of the discussion. You can see a video recapping some of the discussion from the Chairman's Education Roundtable and comments here. 
• The Record: Lautenberg casts 9,000th vote in milestone for N.J. lawmaker. You can see video of the Senators giving tribute to Senator Lautenberg on the floor of the Senate.
• Renewed legislation to create the Back to Work NJ job creation and economic growth program was approved by the Assembly. The bill was approved 47-32, with Democrats supporting and Republicans opposed.
• Blue Jersey: Jobs and Taxes #3: Assembly Rs Say State Can't Afford to Create Jobs.
• The New Jersey Democratic State Committee began holding Delegate Selection Workshops for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The purpose of the workshops is to explain the delegate selection process, review important deadlines and educate those interested about the requirements for becoming a delegate.
• You can learn more about the Delegate Selection Process at the NJDSC website. Additional workshops will be scheduled in the coming weeks around the state.
• Blue Jersey: Want to go to the 2012 Democratic National Convention?
• You can read more news from the December editions here, here, here and here.

We will continue to provide updates about news from our elected officials and the many campaigns across the state in 2012. Best wishes for a safe and Happy New Year. Thank you for all you do for our party. We'll see you next year.

Sincerely, 

John Wisniewski, Chairman
New Jersey Democratic State Committee