The NJDSC Week In Review for October 12, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

OCTOBER 16 IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE 2012 ELECTION! Make sure you're registered here.

New Jersey Campaign Round-Up

• Philadelphia Inquirer Endorses Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Rob Andrews, and Shelley Adler
• Senator Menendez will tape the final of three debates for New Jersey's U.S. Senate seat on Saturday.  The debate will air on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on WPVI (ABC Channel 6) and 11 a.m. on WABC (Channel 7).  It will also air on Univision on October 20 at 11:00 am.
• In the first debate, Senator Menendez said that his opponent, state Senator Joe Kyrillos, had voted six times against women's health care in New Jersey.  PolitifactNJ found Senator Menendez's statement was TRUE.
• NJ Spotlight highlights the candidacy of Donald Payne, Jr., who is running for the Congressional seat previously held by his late father.
• John Arvanites, the Democrat challenging Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen in New Jersey's 11th District, says now is the time to build a flood tunnel and mitigate the impact of floodwater on communities neighboring the Passaic River.
• Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, who is running for re-election in a special election this year, is one of four honorees being recognized by the Puerto Rican Action Committee during Hispanic Heritage month.
• Marie Corfield, the Democratic candidate challenging Tea Party-endorsed Assemblywoman Donna Simon in a special election for Legislative District 16, was named to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's Essential Races list, after receiving more grassroots nominations than any other legislative candidate in the country.  With only a few weeks left in the election, get out and help Marie win!

Vice Presidential Debate

• Vice President Joe Biden won his debate against Congressman Paul Ryan. 
• Obama for America has a roundup of debate reviews from political reporters and pundits including, “There was an enormous gap, it seemed, in substance and specificity, the gap between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan when it came to everything from what’s happening in Afghanistan to the Middle East to the defense budget to taxes. On every single one of those, it’s like Biden came ready to brawl, he came ready to brawl with lots of nitty gritty details.”
• New York Magazine's Jonathan Chait, who had predicted that Ryan would "wipe the floor" with the Vice President, admitted "Biden delivered a revelatory performance that proved me utterly wrong."
• Paul Ryan cited 6 studies that "proved" Mitt Romney's tax plan could work.  The Atlantic found that those six studies actually prove the plan is impossible.
• The Obama campaign also released two videos illustrating the differences between the Vice President (Warrior for the Middle Class) and Congressman Ryan (Thirsting for an Answer).

Christie's Cross-Country Campaign Trips Leave Him Confused and New Jersey With the Tab

• Governor Christie's frequent out of state campaign trips are well known.  By our count, he's up to 51 days campaigning out of state in the last year alone (not including vacation days or other non-political travel, so his total days outside the Garden State are much higher).
• Chairman Wisniewski called Christie out for campaigning for Mitt Romney, whose tax cut proposal for the wealthy would likely eliminate deductions for state and local taxes, deductions middle class families count on, given New Jersey's high property taxes, to make ends meet.
• With 9.9% unemployment in New Jersey, one would think Christie would be less of a hot commodity these days, given that nearly every state he's campaigned in has a lower rate than New Jersey does.  But, the Republican Party doesn't seem to trust math anymore than science these days, and Christie has proven time and again that he fully embraces the far-right wing of his party (Steve King, anyone?). He now claims there is something "screwy" with the unemployment calculations.  Sorry Governor, what's screwy is your priorities.
• Christie prioritizes out-of-state campaign travel so much that he apparently has to rely on Republican legislators to remind him where he is and what day it is.
• But its only a brief pitstop in New Jersey before Christie heads back out on the trail, this time to Indiana and Wisconsin.
• The Star-Ledger makes a good point here.  As Governor, Christie is staffed 24/7 by a New Jersey state police security detail.  The editors say the expenses related to Christie's security detail during his extensive partisan travel should be covered by the candidate or political organization Christie is campaigning for.  Why should New Jersey taxpayers have to foot the bill?
• But the Ledger should be careful.  As Patrick Murray notes, Christie has a tendency to lash out at those who criticize him.

Meanwhile, here in New Jersey...

• While Christie's off gallavanting, New Jersey's revenue continues to fall short of the exceedingly rosy expectations Christie set.  Current calculations put New Jersey nearly $175 million below expectations for the year.
• Equally troubling is the spike in foreclosures in our state. NJ 101.5 reports that foreclosure filings jumped a massive 228% from September 2011 to September 2012, while national foreclosure filings have gone down 16% during the same times period.  The Christie administration's failure to stem the foreclosures with the $300 million in available federal aid (only $4 million of which was spent more by Labor Day 2012, more than a year after the funds became available) surely didn't help New Jersey's struggling families.

Mitt Romney: Wrong on the Facts, Out of Touch With the Rest of Us

• Mitt Romney just can't keep his facts straight.  He claims that people don't die from lack of health insurance.  But, he's wrong. A 2009 study conducted at Harvard Medical School and Cambridge Health Alliance concluded that “[l]ack of health insurance is associated with as many as 44,789 deaths per year in the United States."
• He can't even get the facts straight on his own position on a women's right to choose.  He and his campaign managed to espouse several different positions on choice throughout the week.  None of those positions make him the right choice for New Jersey women.
• Meanwhile, Rolling Stone had a look at the lengths Romney goes to in order to pay 14% in taxes, a rate much lower than that of many middle class taxpayers.

Cheer!

Rutgers Football is 6-0! and 3-0 in the Big East.

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced more than $380,000 in federal funding to protect New Jersey children from online sexual predators.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg urged service members, veterans, and beneficiaries to apply for retroactive “stop loss” bonuses before the October 21, 2012 deadline.
  
• Senator Bob Menendez and Congressman Frank Pallone were interviewed while on the campaign trail by Blue Jersey.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell received the endorsements of the New Jersey Education Association, Passaic County Education Association, Bergen County Education Association, and Hudson County Education Association for his re-election.
  
• Congressman Rush Holt was among the Members of Congress to pose for the NOH8 campaign, which supports marriage equality and grew out of response to the passage of Proposition 8 (which banned marriage equality in California). 

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney was among those celebrating 200,000 acres of preserved farmland in New Jersey.
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, Senator Sweeney, and a bipartisan group of supporters campaigned for $750 million bond to help improve New Jersey's institutions of higher education.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg wants to make sure there is proper planning before more than 500 disabled individuals are relocated as the state closes Totowa and Woodbridge developmental centers over the next five years.  She has proposed legislation to require a study of how several hundred former residents of the North Princeton Developmental Center fared after it was closed in 1998.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald criticized Christie's frequent campaign travel while New Jersey is struggling after 3 years under the Governor.
• Senators Ronald L. Rice and Jim Whelan introduced legislation to create a dedicated funding mechanism for after-school programs for at-risk kids from a 0.5% surcharge on any New Jersey Lottery winnings of $600 or more.
• Assemblyman Troy Singleton penned an editorial for the Times of Trenton on his responsible fatherhood initiative.
• Senators Jim Beach and Nia H. Gill's legislation to help ease the cost of higher education for veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces cleared the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
• The Assembly Health and Senior Services committee approved legislation creating a health care exchange in New Jersey.  The Senate approved the same legislation last week.

Events

• October 15
  Sussex County Democratic Committee Meeting with Guest Speaker: Chairman John Wisniewski
  7:30 pm
  Hampton Diner (36 Hampton House Road, Newton)
• October 16
  Spanish Wine &Food Tasting honoring Assemblywoman Quijano
  530 Irvington Avenue, Elizabeth
  $500 per person, $75 for county committee, $50 for first responders*
  *A portion of proceeds will be donated in honor of the late Roselle Fire Captain JonYoung
  Payable:EFO Annette Quijano for Assembly (311 W. Henry Street, Linden, NJ 07036)
• October 16
  Millenium Strategies & Keith Furlong  hosting Cocktail Reception Honoring Chairman John Currie & Passaic County Freeholder Candidates, John Bartlett, Ronda Cotroneo and Hector Lora
  6:00pm-8:00pm
  Office of Millennium Strategies, 60 Roseland Ave., Caldwell, $250pp
  Contact Lisa Martinez 973-226-3329
• October 16
  Thank You Party Honoring Congressman Rush Holt’s 16 Years Representing Monmouth County in Congress
  Hosted by Monmouth County Democratic ChairmanVin Gopal
  6:00pm to 8:00pm
  Home of Former Mayor Michelle Roth (5 Glen Wood Court, Manalapan)
  Friend: $50, Lifelong Friend: $100, Co-Host: $250
  TO RSVP to this Special Event, Please Click Here.
• October 18
  Genova Burns Giantomasi & Webster and New York Law School to Host “SuperPACs in New York: A Look Ahead to the 2013 NYC Election” Panel Discussion
  6:00pm-8:00pm
  Panelists include: Richard Davis (NYC Campaign Finance Board), Kevin Finnegan (1199SEIU), Douglas Kellner (NYS Board of Elections), Bradley Tusk (Tusk Strategies), L. Joy Williams (LJW Community Strategies)
  With introductory remarks by Angelo J. Genova and Laurence D. Laufer, Esqs., Genova Burns Giantomasi & Webster
  The New York Law School Auditorium (185 West Broadway, New York, NY)
• October 16
  Passaic County Democrats Presidential Debate Watch Party
  6:00 pm
  Passaic County Democratic Headquarters (668 McBride, Woodland Park)
• October 17
  Fundraiser Luncheon for Senator Joseph Vitale
  12:00 PM- 2:00 PM
  $500/Person
  Marsilio's (71 West Upper Ferry Road, Trenton)
  RSVP: Krista Sweeney (732) 609-1762 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 17
  
  Women's Achievement Awards Luncheon
  Hosted by Somerset County Democratic Committee
  12:30pm - 2:30pm
  Basking Ridge Country Club - 185 Madisonville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
  RSVP:  Jinnee DeMarco at (908) 953-9300 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).com
• October 17
  Fundraiser for Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan
  La Tavola Cuccina (700 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River)
  5:30 PM- 8:00 PM
  $750/Guest
  RSVP: Donna (908) 753-7200 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 18
  Support Joseph Grisanti and Pat Barndt for Freeholder
  5:30 to 7 30
  Starkey, Kelley, Kenneally, Cunningham &Turnbach (2 Hooper Avenue, Toms River)
  $75 per ticket, for more information call 732 244 6742
• October 20
  Monmouth County Democrats Italian American Luncheon
  Honored Guest:U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
  Master of Ceremonies: U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
  2012 Honorees: Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, Marlboro Councilman Frank LaRocca, Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Arata Horgan
  12:00 noon to 2:00pm
  La Riviera Restaurant (113 Main Street, Matawan)
  ADMISSION: $45.00, CHAIRMAN’S CLUB MEMBERS: $22.50, TABLE OF 8: $300
  For more information, please contact Giuseppe Grillo at 732-739-8888 or email monmouthdemocrats@gmail.com.
• October 22
  Passaic County Democrats Presidential Debate Watch Party
  6:00 pm
  Passaic County Democratic Headquarters (668 McBride, Woodland Park)
• Monday, October 22
  Third Presidential Debate Watch Party - Foreign Policy
  Hosted by Somerset County Democratic Committee & Chivukula for Congress
  7:00pm-11:00pm
  Somerset County Democratic Committee / Chivukula for Congress Headquarters (205 W. Main St., Somerville, NJ)
  
• October 23
  NJDSC "14 Days to Victory" Fundraiser
  6:00 PM
  Settimo Cielo (17 East Front Street, Trenton)
  RSVP by 10/19 to Heather DeJong: (609) 392-3367 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 23
  Monmouth County Democratic Organization Fundraiser Supporting Brian Froelich for Congress
  6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
  Seasons Coal-Fired Bistro (Ideal Plaza - 2201 Rt. 9 South, Howell)
  Tickets: $35.00 per person (includes a buffet style dinner!)
  Sponsorships: Bronze Sponsor $100, Silver Sponsor $200, Gold Sponsor $500, Platinum Sponsor $1,000
  Please RSVP to Jocelyn Toledo (732) 757-8616 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
  To Purchase Tickets Online, Click HERE.
  Make Checks Payable to: Froelich for Congress
  If you’re unable to attend, please consider sending a donation to: Froelich for Congress, PO Box 84, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
• October 23
  3^rd Annual Hope Leadership Awards Dinner, Hosted by Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, Honoring Chairman John Currie
  6:00pm-10:00pm
  Brownstone (351 West Broadway, Paterson)
• October 24, 2012
  Senator Nellie Pou's Annual Steak Night
  6:30pm
  Bonfire Restaurant (999 Market Street, Paterson)
  $150 pp
• October 27
  Monmouth County Democrats GET-OUT-THE-VOTE OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT RALLY
  11:00 am to 1:00 pm
  West Side Community Center  (115 Dewitt Avenue, Asbury Park)
  Speakers include: State Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski, Mayor Cory Booker, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, and SEIU's Milly Silva along with other prominent Democratic Party Members and Labor Leaders. 
  Sign Up for Volunteer Shifts to Re-Elect President Obama
  Lawn Signs and Give-aways
  Free Food
  RSVP Mandatory to 732-739-8888 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 27
  
  Morris County Democrats Rally on the Green
  2pm-4pm
  Morristown Green in Downtown Morristown
  Expected guest speakers:
  Congressional Candidate John Arvanites (NJ-11)
  Congressional Candidate Upendra Chivukula (NJ-7)
  Freeholder Candidates Joy Singh, Wasim Khan, Toshiba Foster and Truscha Quatrone
  NJ-26 Assembly Candidate Joe Raich
  The event will be hosted by Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for October 5, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Federal Unemployment Drops to 7.8%... NJ Stuck at 9.9%

• There is still more work to be done, but it is another sign that our economy is moving in the right direction under the leadership of President Obama.
• July and August jobs estimates were revised up, with a 86,000 more jobs than originally estimated for those two months.  Under President Obama, the national economy is moving forward, with 31 straight months of positive job growth and 5.2 million new private sector jobs.

• Here in New Jersey, we still lag behind, with unemployment at 9.9% under Chris Christie. Last year, Christie declined to run for President in 2012, telling reporters he still had work to do in New Jersey.  Chairman Wisniewski points out that, since then, he's spent at least 47 days out of state campaigning and building his national brand, while unemployment in New Jersey rose from 9.4% to 9.9% in the last year.
• It isn't just our unemployment situation that the governor needs to address.  The Star-Ledger says "no sane person would want to clean up the mess Christie has created. That’s right, this governor, the guy who keeps telling the world that he’s straightened up Jersey’s budget, has made it worse."

New Jersey Families Struggle While the Christie Adminstration Drops the Ball

• In May 2011, the Christie administration was awarded $300 million in federal funding to help New Jersey homeowners avoid foreclosure, but by the end of September 2012 had only distributed $47 million. 
• Moody's Investor Service said that New Jersey's high rate of foreclosures, second in the nation behind only Florida, could result in downgrades for local municipalities' credit ratings.
• The Star-Ledger says, "Christie, while running around the country brushing up his political credentials and talking up his imaginary 'New Jersey comeback,' wasn’t paying attention."

Romney May Have Earned Style Points, but His Debate Answers Failed on the Facts

• ThinkProgress found 27 myths in the 38 minutes Romney spoke during the first Presidential Debate.
• Rolling Stone said "Mitt Romney turned in a polished performance in last night's presidential debate – and revealed himself to be an accomplished and unapologetic liar."
• When it came to Romney's claims in the debate about his plans for health insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, Romney's own campaign had to correct his misrepresentations after the debate.
• Before the debate, PolitifactNJ caught Governor Christie doing a little distortion of his own, on the President's plan to reduce the federal deficit.  Christie claimed that President Obama has never explained "how he's going to do it."  PolitifactNJ found two lengthly proposals from 2011 and 2012, rating Christie's claim "Pants on Fire."
• Sorry Governor Christie, it's your own candidate, Mitt Romney, who lacks details (like how his $5 trillion tax cut for the wealthy adds up).

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Bob Menendez, and Congressman Bill Pascrell applauded the approval by the Secretary of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of the New Jersey’s disaster recovery plan.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg was joined at the State House by representatives from New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), New Jersey public sector workers, and state leaders to unveil a new report finding that Gov. Christie’s policies are a major contributor to New Jersey’s high unemployment rate and economic problems.
  
• Senator Bob Menendez won the first Senatorial debate against his opponent.  Menendez was clear and specific, highlighting details about his record in the Senate fighting for New Jersery.
• Congressman Frank Pallone applauded the EPA's progress in cleaning up Raritan Bay Slag Superfund site.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell announced endorsements from firefighters throughout New Jersey for his re-election campaign.
• Congressman Steve Rothman called upon Congress to come back from recess and enact President Obama's Jobs Act to continue to bring down the unemployment rate.  The President's jobs bill has been stalled by the Republican House.
• Congressman Rush Holt's legislation to preserve New Jersey's historic Revolutionary War battlefield sites passed the House of Representatives.  Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.
• Congressman Albio Sires received the endorsement of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey in his Congressional re-election campaign.

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney penned an editorial for the Star-Ledger, detailing his proposal to increase New Jersey's minimum wage and tie future increases to the rate of inflation.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg appeared alongside Senate President Sweeney in a two-part video interview with Blue Jersey.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald appeared with the New Jersey Sierra Club to promote green energy innovation and encourage the development of electric cars.
• A bill sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak which would create an expedited process for lenders to foreclose on abandoned, dilapidated properties was approved by the Senate. The measure is part of a larger legislative package sponsored by Senator Lesniak to address New Jersey’s foreclosure crisis.
• Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle has introduced sweeping legislation to crackdown on human trafficking, which is estimated to claim up to 20 million victims worldwide.
• Senator Shirley Turner has introduced a proposed state constitutional amendment that would temporarily suspend without pay elected officials who are indicted for wrongdoing from their official duties, and would remove them from office upon conviction.
• Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. introduced two bills this week to enhance the transparency of election finance in New Jersey.

Events

• October 7
  Wine Making and Tasting Event Honoring Marie Corfield, Democratic candidate for Assembly in LD-16
  3-5 PM
  Hosted by Susan and Bill Courtney at their home (6 Oldwick Road, Whitehouse Station)
  Suggested Contribution is $125 per person.
  Please RSVP by returning the form below prior to October 4, 2012.
  Any questions please email Lisanne Powers at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 908-691-3141 for more information.
• October 8
  GOTV Rally for Democratic Candidates with Senator Bob Menendez
  Featuring Congressman Luis Gutierrez
  3 pm
  Ironworkers Local 373 (462 Market Street, Perth Amboy)
  RSVP 732.640.2250 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 9
  Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Cordially Invites You and Your Guests to a Pre-Election Gala
  6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  The Venetian (546 River Drive, Garfield)
  $500.00 per person, $1,000.00 per PAC
  Please RSVP by Monday, October 8, 2012 to Ray Ferraioli at 201-457-9000, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Jacky Grindrod at 973-618-0600, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  To contribute on line please go to www.pascrellforcongress.com
• October 9
  Reception in support of Colin Bell for Freeholder
  5:30 to 7:30pm
  Carriage House (25 S. Pitney Rd., Galloway)
  $50.00 pp
  Sponsorships available
  More info call 609-992-1987
• October 10
  Morris County Democratic Committee Fall Gala
  7:30 pm
  Hyatt Morristown (3 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown)
  Special Guest Speaker: Senator Robert Menendez
  Dinner Ticket $125.00, Couples $200.00, Seniors/Students $100.00
  RSVP or info: Dave Cochran 973-450-9042 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 10
  Assemblyman Wisniewski's 9th Annual Golf Outing
  11:00 AM Registration, 11:30 Lunch, 12:30 Shotgun Start
  Old York Country Club (228 Old York Road, Chesterfield)
  $750/Golfer
  RSVP: Scott Dworkin (732) 525-1400 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 10
  Fundraiser for Assemblyman Jerry Green
  6:00 PM -8:00 PM
  The Spain Inn (1707 W. 7th Street, Piscataway)
  $500/Person
• October 11
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Fall Cocktail Reception
  6:00 PM-8:00 PM
  Al Dente (1665 Stelton Road, Piscataway)
  $1,000/Guest
  RSVP: Dana Korbman (732) 906-3680 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 11
  Assemblyman Dan Benson (14th District) Breakfast event
  8:30-10:00 am
  Mastoris (Route 206, Bordentown)
  $250 per ticket
  RSVP to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 16
  Spanish Wine &Food Tasting honoring Assemblywoman Quijano
  530 Irvington Avenue, Elizabeth
  $500 per person, $75 for county committee, $50 for first responders*
  *A portion of proceeds will be donated in honor of the late Roselle Fire Captain JonYoung
  Payable:EFO Annette Quijano for Assembly (311 W. Henry Street, Linden, NJ 07036)
• October 16
  Millenium Strategies & Keith Furlong  hosting Cocktail Reception Honoring Chairman John Currie & Passaic County Freeholder Candidates, John Bartlett, Ronda Cotroneo and Hector Lora
  6:00pm-8:00pm
  Office of Millennium Strategies, 60 Roseland Ave., Caldwell, $250pp
  Contact Lisa Martinez 973-226-3329
• October 17
  Fundraiser Luncheon for Senator Joseph Vitale
  12:00 PM- 2:00 PM
  $500/Person
  Marsilio's (71 West Upper Ferry Road, Trenton)
  RSVP: Krista Sweeney (732) 609-1762 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 17
  
  Women's Achievement Awards Luncheon
  Hosted by Somerset County Democratic Committee
  12:30pm - 2:30pm
  Basking Ridge Country Club - 185 Madisonville Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
  RSVP:  Jinnee DeMarco at (908) 953-9300 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).com
• October 17
  Fundraiser for Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan
  La Tavola Cuccina (700 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River)
  5:30 PM- 8:00 PM
  $750/Guest
  RSVP: Donna (908) 753-7200 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 20
  Monmouth County Democrats Italian American Luncheon
  Honored Guest:U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.
  Master of Ceremonies: U.S. Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
  2012 Honorees: Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini, Marlboro Councilman Frank LaRocca, Red Bank Councilwoman Kathy Arata Horgan
  12:00 noon to 2:00pm
  La Riviera Restaurant (113 Main Street, Matawan)
  ADMISSION: $45.00, CHAIRMAN’S CLUB MEMBERS: $22.50, TABLE OF 8: $300
  For more information, please contact Giuseppe Grillo at 732-739-8888 or email monmouthdemocrats@gmail.com.

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for September 28, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Christie's Use of the RNC Video at the Town Hall... and why it matters

• The New Jersey Democratic State Committee filed an ethics complaint against Governor Christie for his use of a political video at a town hall event in Howell. This video was produced expressly for the Republican National Convention (a campaign event for Mitt Romney and the Republican Party), and is owned by the Romney campaign.
• The difference between politics and government is confusing to many people, but think about it this way:
  • What if Governor Christie played this ad at one of his government funded town hall events?  It would be inappropriate, right?
  • This is the same thing.  This was a video created for a political event and owned by a political campaign, and it should not have been broadcast at an government event.
• After questions from Jenna Portnoy of the Star-Ledger (who was first to notice the use of the video at the town hall), his staff noted that they would not be playing the video at a town hall again, seeming to realize its use was inappropriate.
• Later, a spokesman for Governor Christie admitted to Portnoy that members of the governor's staff had helped work on the video for the RNC, raising additional questions about why state government staff (whose salaries are funded by the taxpayers) were involved in the production of a video owned by the Romney campaign and who directed them to do so.
• This Thursday however, Governor Christie claimed on New Jersey 101.5 that his staff "didn't work on the video."  Why don't the governor and his own spokesman agree about whether state government staff helped put together the RNC clip?
• In the same 101.5 segment, Christie said he would have continued to play the video, had he not been overruled by his staff.
• Why does this matter?  Simple: the law prohibits using campaign materials at government events and prohibits government staff from using taxpayer-funded offices and resources to do work for a political candidate or campaign. The Governor has a responsibility to the people of New Jersey to make sure he and his staff follow both the spirit and the letter of the law instead of just laughing it off.

Speaking of the letter and spirit of the law...

• As noted above, the law prohibits government staff from using taxpayer-funded offices and resources to do work for a political candidate or campaign.
• And yet, Governor Christie chose to use his taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend a fundraiser in Bergen County.
• One has to wonder what other government property and resources Governor Christie uses for his political ambitions and personal convenience.

New Jersey needs jobs. Christie's top priority? Getting Republicans elected in places like Iowa, Washington, Utah, Missouri, and Montana.

• The Courier Post says "with official unemployment at 9.9 percent and unofficial unemployment surely much higher, it really is time for the governor to be honest and put away his “Jersey comeback” concept, at least until the scoreboard actually shows our state catching up."
• Assemblyman Wisniewski writes in the Star-Ledger that the governor deserves blame for the unemployment mess we face.
• There is work to be done, both in the Legislature and by Governor Christie, to help get New Jersey working again.  But Christie plans to spend his fall keeping up a busy campaign schedule for out of state Republicans.  Last week, Governor Christie hit Iowa, Utah, Washington, DC, and Missouri.  Earlier this week, he headed to New Hampshire.  This weekend, he'll appear on Sunday shows to tout his role as surrogate for Romney and Republicans running for governor.  Next week, he'll campaign in Washington state and Montana.  He seems to have an awful lot of time for folks who don't pay his salary.

30 Straight Months of Private Sector Job Growth- Thanks President Obama!

• President Obama took office during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, a crisis caused in large part by the disastrous economic policies of the Bush era.  Under President Obama, we have 30 straight months of private sector job growth and 4.6 million new jobs.
• Last week, Governor Christie claimed that there were "fewer jobs in America today than when Barack Obama became president." At the time, PolitifactNJ found the Governor's claim mostly false, citing the fact that the economy lost a significant number of jobs in the first month President Obama was in office (before any of his policies could be implemented), but that if one looked at the numbers from February 2009 (the President's first full month in office) through the latest jobs report, there has been a net increase in jobs.
• If Governor Christie made that statement today, he would likely get a "False," with no caveat.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Thursday that the U.S. has more jobs today than it did when President Obama took office.
• President Obama needs four more years to continue the policies that have fostered job creation, economic growth, and recovery.  Mitt Romney, who admitted while at Bain Capital that his work focused on harvesting companies for signifcant profit, would just continue the policies that got our country into trouble in the first place.

When can you see President Obama square off against Romney?

• The first of 3 Presidential Debates (and 1 Vice Presidential Debate) will occur between President Obama and Mitt Romney on Wednesday, October 3, 9-10:30 pm Eastern.  Each of the 4 debates will be broadcast live on the major networks and on cable news.
• On Thursday, October 4 at 8 pm, the first debate between Senator Bob Menendez and Joe Kyrillos will occur at Montclair State University and air live on NJTV.

Congressional Corner

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• After the dismal report on Christie's failure to use available foreclosure assistance funds to help struggling New Jersey families stay in their homes, Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez sent a letter Wednesday to the state Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.  They cited U.S. Treasury figures showing that the HomeKeeper program had used only $22.5 million of its$300 million in funding, and asked the agency to take immediate actions to improve its performance.
• Senator Bob Menendez released a second campaign ad this week.  Check it out here.
• Congressman Frank Pallone hosted his annual Academy Day at Naval Weapons Station Earle.  The event, attended by more than 200 guests this year, provides a forum for students interested in attending one of the country’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies.
  
• Congressman Bill Pascrell named Bernadette McPherson, Senator Nellie Pou and Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly serve as Co-Chairs to oversee and direct his 2012 campaign for Congress.
  
• Congressman Steve Rothman issued a statement celebrating the one-year anniversary of the implementation of the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
• Congressman Rush Holt calls upon fellow legislators to think like scientists.
• Congressman Albio Sires, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, told NJTV that Amtrak funding could be in jeopardy if Mitt Romney wins the presidency.

Not in Congress yet, but hopefully they'll join the New Jersey delegation next year!

• Shelley Adler released a campaign ad this week.  Her campaign against Jon Runyan to represent New Jersey's third Congressional district was highlighted by PolitickerNJ this week.
• Brian Froelich is running against Congressman Smith to represent New Jersey's fourth Congressional district.  Congressman Smith's views about women and reproductive health are far outside of the mainstream.  Smith was the lead sponsor of the legislation that sought to define a difference between forcible rape and other kinds of rape (legislation cosponsored by none other than Todd Akin and Paul Ryan).  So perhaps it is no wonder that volunteers representing Smith at a festival responded to a woman inquiring about the Congressman's position on reproductive rights with, "[h]ave you ever heard about keeping an aspirin between your knees? Works every time it's tried.’’ Leaders set the tone.  Let's change the leader and support Brian Froelich!

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney introduced a proposed constitutional amendment which would raise the minimum wage and tie further increases to the Consumer Price Index.
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver was among the women leaders speaking at the first meeting of the New Jersey chapter of Emerge, a national non-partisan organization that trains women to run for office.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg founded the Jersey Girl Caucus while down in Charlotte with the New Jersey delegation to the Democratic National Convention.  You can join the Caucus on Facebook, follow the Caucus on Twitter, and sign the Senator's report card for Governor Christie's record on women's issues.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald introduced legislation to waive or reimburse public university application and transcript fees for each veteran, member of the Armed Forces of the United States or member of the New Jersey National Guard who resides in New Jersey.
• Senator Raymond Lesniak called upon Newark Archbishop John Myers to temper his incendiary remarks about gay marriage, which Myers compared to incest.
• Assemblymen Green and Schaer announced plans to hold hearings on Governor Christie's failure to help struggling New Jersey families avoid foreclosure.  First reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Katz, of the $300 million available to New Jersey homeowners to help stave off foreclosure, the Christie administration had only disbursed $30 million by Labor Day.
• Senator Ronald Rice criticized Governor Christie for ignoring the 47%, invoking Mitt Romney's derisive comments about the people in this country who do not pay income taxes (students, the working poor, individuals with disabilities, active duty military, and senior citizens among them).  Rice pointed to the Christie administrations failure on foreclosures as one of the examples of Christie's indifference to the less fortunate.
• Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Celeste M. Riley, Gabriela M. Mosquera, Paul D. Moriarty and Angel Fuentes to allow domestic violence victims to testify against their abusers via closed circuit television under certain circumstances advanced out of committee.
  

Events

• September 29
  Senator Nellie Pou's 15th Annual Women's Leadership Breakfast
  9:00am to 12:00pm
  Brownstone, Paterson
  $50 pp
• September 30
  John Arvanites for Congress Gala Dinner
  Special Guests: Honorable Cory Booker, Honorable Mila Jasey, NHL Devil Legend Ken Daneyko, and Broadway’s own Betsy DeLellio
  6:00 Cocktail Reception, 7:00 Dinner
  The Villa at Mountain Lakes (90 US Highway 46, Mountain Lakes)
  Requested Contribution: $250 per individual, 
  Please R.S.V.P. by September 27 at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  For more information, please contact Tiffani Llerandi at 908.313.0763
• September 30
  Luncheon for Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Candidate for Congress in NJ’s 7th District
  Honored Host Mayor Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark & Co-Hosts Mayor Jon Hornik of Marlboro, Prasad Rao Sannidhi, Zenon Christodoulou, Monmouth Dems Chairman Vin Gopal, Nirmal Mulye, Ph.D., Hari Eppanapally
  2pm-2pm
  The home of Prasad Rao Sannidhi (317 Bay View Drive in Morganville)
  Donations are $500 (Guest); $1,000 (Sponsor); $2,500 (Host).
  To RSVP please contact Pete Oneglia at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 973-978-7731
• October 2
  Atlantic County Cocktail Reception Fundraiser
  Special Guest:  Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald
  5:30 to 7:00pm
  Mays Landing Country Club (Cates Rd., Mays Landing)
  Tickets $50.00, Sponsorships available
  Call 609-338-3215
• October 2
  Fundraiser for 19th LD Assemblyman Coughlin
  5:30 PM-7:30 PM
  JJ Bittings (33 Main Street, Woodbridge)
  $350/Person  RSVP: Krista Sweeney, (609) 273-0968
• October 2
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Labor Fundraiser
  Special Guest Senator Bob Menendez
  6:00 PM-8:00 PM
  Casa Guisseppe (287 Route 27, Iselin)
  $500/Person  RSVP: Kevin McCabe, (732) 489-2210
• October 3
  Senator Gordon, Assemblywoman Wagner, and Assemblyman Eustace- Debate Watch Party
  8:30-10:30 pm
  Vici (2 Mercer Street, Lodi)
  Cash Bar
• October 3
  Sayreville Democratic Organization's First Presidential Debate Watch Party & Hot Dog Rally
  7:30 PM
  Sayreville Democratic HQ (2909 Washington Road, Parlin)
  $5 Admission
• October 3
  Monmouth County Democrats Presidential Debate Watch Party 
  HONORED GUEST SPEAKER U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
  7:00-11:00 pm
  Park East Restaurant (3352 Highway 35 in Hazlet)
  Complimentary Beer & Wine Served for the 1st hour until the debate starts - Cash bar after-Appetizers also served.
  General Admission: $45, Sponsorship: $150 – Monmouth County Chairman's Club Members get in FREE (To Join the Chairman's Club, Click Here!)
  For more info or to RSVP, email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 732-739-8888.
• October 4
  Somerset County Democratic Committee 2012 Gala Dinner
  6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
  The Dolce at Basking Ridge (300 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge)
  Suggested Contribution: VIP Patron: $500 per person, Benefactor: $250, Supporter: $100 per person
  RSVP:  Jinnee DeMarco at 908-953-9300 or JDeMarco@ShainLaw.com
• October 9
  Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Cordially Invites You and Your Guests to a Pre-Election Gala
  6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  The Venetian (546 River Drive, Garfield)
  $500.00 per person, $1,000.00 per PAC
  Please RSVP by Monday, October 8, 2012 to Ray Ferraioli at 201-457-9000, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Jacky Grindrod at 973-618-0600, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  To contribute on line please go to www.pascrellforcongress.com
• October 10
  Morris County Democratic Committee Fall Gala
  7:30 pm
  Hyatt Morristown (3 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown)
  Special Guest Speaker: Senator Robert Menendez
  Dinner Ticket $125.00, Couples $200.00, Seniors/Students $100.00
  RSVP or info: Dave Cochran 973-450-9042 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 10
  Assemblyman Wisniewski's 9th Annual Golf Outing
  11:00 AM
  Old York Country Club (228 Old York Road, Chesterfield)
  $750/Golfer
  RSVP: MaryLou McCormick (732) 525-1400 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• October 10
  Fundraiser for Assemblyman Jerry Green
  6:00 PM -8:00 PM
  The Spain Inn (1707 W. 7th Street, Piscataway)
  $500/Person
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Fall Cocktail Reception
• October 11
  6:00 PM-8:00 PM
  Al Dente (1665 Stelton Road, Piscataway)
  $1,000/Guest
  RSVP: Dana Korbman (732) 906-3680 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for September 21, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Sure Doesn't Look like a Comeback...

• Let's be clear- we all wish New Jersey's finances and employment numbers were headed in the right direction.  But unlike Chris Christie, New Jersey Democrats aren't content to whistle a happy tune when we get bad news.
• First, Standard and Poors downgraded its outlook on New Jersey from stable to negative.  The financial ratings agency cited continuing budget imbalance and revenue projections for the fiscal year.
• Speaking of those projections, for the second month in a row, the governor's office was late in delivering those revenue numbers, a violation of Christie's own executive order.  Maybe they were embarrassed that Governor Christie overestimated revenue projections for the fiscal year (which is only two months old) by $100 million?
• On Thursday, ratings agency Fitch warned of notable downside risk in New Jersey’s revenue budget for fiscal 2013 as well.
• Also on Thursday, New Jersey's August 2012 unemployment rate was announced.  Once again, unemployment went up, and we're now at a record 9.9%.  Where was Governor Christie during this announcement...

Christie Campaigns for Right-Wing Zealot

• While New Jersey unemployment rose again, Governor Christie was out of state in Iowa, campaigning for Congressman Steve King.  Of course, Christie will also campaign on Friday in Washington, DC, on Saturday in Utah, and on Sunday in Missouri, but King is by far the most extreme candidate Christie has stumped for (and that's saying something with the current state of the national GOP).
• King's views on women, minorities, immigrants, LGBT rights, President Obama, animals, and the working poor are shockingly offensive.  King's views are so outside the mainstream values of all New Jersey voters that Senator Lautenberg and Chairman Wisniewski called upon Christie to cancel his trip to Iowa:
  • “It is shocking that Chris Christie is willing to pander to the most extreme elements of the Republican Party,” said Lautenberg.  “Steve King is a right-wing radical whose views are not only out of line with the values of most New Jerseyans, but also out of line with the values of most New Jersey Republicans.  I call on the Governor to respect common decency, and cancel this misguided and offensive excursion.”
  • “At the end of the day, this is about the company you keep,” said Wisniewski. “New Jerseyans have a right to expect a higher standard from their governor than this. Governor Christie’s use of his office and his position as a representative of our state to support Congressman King’s abhorrent views and agenda is unacceptable. Governor Christie needs to cancel his trip to Iowa and get back to doing his day job.”
• Do you suppose there's possibly another reason Christie might take a trip to Iowa?
• Perhaps he's reading the Tea leaves with the week Mitt Romney had and figures there is a good chance 2016 will have an open Republican presidential primary...

Oh, what a week Romney had!

• This has been a tough week for Mitt Romney.  First, a Pew Research Center poll came out making it clear that voters did not approve of Mitt Romney's response to the deaths of American diplomats at our consulate in Libya.
• Then, Politico published an in-depth look at infighting in Romney's campaign... the type of story that usually comes out after an Election Day loss, rather than 50 days before November 6.
• Then, Mother Jones obtained a secretly taped video of Romney candidly speaking at a May fundraiser. Among Romney's comments:
  
  • There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.  My job is is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”
  • Joking that he'd have a better shot at winning the White House if he was actually Latino, rather than having a father born in Mexico to white parents.
  • With respect to peace in the Middle East, Romney said "the pathway to peace is almost unthinkable to accomplish," and said if he were President, "we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it."
• When asked, Romney refused to admit that writing off nearly half of all Americans was wrong, saying his comments were not "elegantly stated."
• Obama for America released a video with reactions from Americans to Romney's 47% comments.
• New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski released this statement: “It is stunning to hear a candidate for any office, let alone the highest office in the United States, write off half of our population with such callous disregard. Included among the 47% Romney derides are seniors, students, members of our military, and people with disabilities. President Barack Obama is fighting to grow our middle class and create an economy built to last for all Americans. One wonders why Romney even wants to be President of the United States, when he is so disdainful of nearly half our population."
  
• Conservatives reacted harshly to Romney's comments.
  
  • The New York Times' David Brooks said, "It suggests that Romney doesn’t know much about the culture of America...It says that Romney doesn’t know much about the political culture...Romney’s comments also reveal that he has lost any sense of the social compact...It reinforces every negative view people have about Romney"
  • The Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan said, "This is not how big leaders talk, it’s how shallow campaign operatives talk: They slice and dice the electorate like that, they see everything as determined by this interest or that. They’re usually young enough and dumb enough that nobody holds it against them, but they don’t know anything. They don’t know much about America."
• While all this may seem like good news to President Obama supporters, remember: Mitt Romney has not lost this election until Election Day.  Make sure you're registered, make sure your friends and family are registered, and make sure you vote!

Senate Republican priorities are, well, pretty messed up.

Meanwhile, the Obama Campaign has announced a new Initiative: #ForAll

• It “illustrates the shared values of the president and young Americans across the country: that if we work together, we can continue to move this country forward." The campaign is asking supporters to use marker to write a word on their hand that describes “what progress means,” take a photo of it, and tweet the photo using the hashtag #forall.
• Here's Alicia, NJDSC Communications Director, showing her support for the President. If you have a Twitter account, join in

Congressional Corner

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• Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, and Congressmen Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell announced more than $1.1 million in federal funding for three New Jersey organizations that serve victims of domestic and sexual abuse. 
• Senator Frank Lautenberg blasted Republicans for blocking action on legislation designed to help veterans find jobs and ease the transition back to civilian life for returning service members. 
  
• Senator Bob Menendez released an ad this week for his re-election campaign.  Check it out here.
• Congressman Rush Holt spoke with New Jersey 101.5 for the radio station's "Know Your Representatives" feature.
• Congressman Albio Sires joined with Senator Bob Menendez to announce a $5.5 million federal grant to North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue to hire 32 new full-time firefighters.

• She's not in Congress yet, but we think she will be next year- Shelley Adler's campaign was featured in the New York Times this week.

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney, commenting on the 9.9% unemployment rate in New Jersey, said "every month we have to hear the same bad news, followed by the same inevitable spin from this administration trying to hide why it is so completely inept at getting people back to work."
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg spoke with the Wall Street Journal about why the Legislature is holding off on a tax cut until the revenue projections match reality.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald called out Governor Christie's latest slogan as yet another empty promise to New Jersey's middle class, saying, "This governor has rejected plans to triple property tax relief credits, cut funding for women's health care and rejected numerous bipartisan job creation initiatives, all while protecting tax breaks for the mega-rich time and working to elect anti-middle class Republicans."
• Senator Shirley K. Turner's legislation to create a municipal court-based conditional dismissal program, giving municipal judges the same ability as state judges to assign certain offenders to pre-trial intervention programs rather than jail, was released out of committee.
  
• Assembly Democrats John S. Wisniewski, Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D., Cleopatra G. Tucker, Wayne P. DeAngelo, and Celeste Riley  sponsored legislation that would grant a temporary nursing license to the qualified spouse of an active duty member of the Armed Forces who has been relocated to New Jersey.
• Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee chairman Paul Sarlo had strong words for the Christie administration following today released the  Standard & Poor’s decision to change its outlook on the state’s finances to “negative,” warning of a potential future downgrade: “Last week, we learned that the administration has been telling Wall Street one thing while the governor and his handlers have been telling the people of New Jersey another. Today we got a stern warning from Standard & Poor’s of a potential downgrade and, again, the administration’s talking heads deny the facts.  The people of New Jersey are grown-ups. They deserve and can handle the truth about our state’s finances. It strains the bounds of credibility to tell investors sitting in a Wall Street board room one thing and another to residents sitting in a town hall. Taxpayers of New Jersey are even more invested in this state than the hedge funds and others who buy our bonds, and yet they are being denied straight-forward talk about the state’s true financial position."
• Assembly Homeland Security Committee Chair Annette Quijano is partnering with the United Way of Greater Union County to launch an awareness campaign aimed at helping New Jersey residents prepare themselves to tackle unforeseen emergencies.

Events

• September 23
  Afternoon reception for Senator Bob Menendez
  Hosted by Mario L. Baeza, State Senator Bob Gordon, and Tonio Burgos
  4:00 pm
  Baeza Home (123 Hillside Avenue, Englewood)
  Suggested Contribution: Friend: $2,500 per person, Supporter: $1,000 per person, Guest: $500
  RSVP:  Samantha Maltzman at (973) 732-0756 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• September 24
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Campaign Kick-Off Dinner Rally
  6:00 PM
  Featuring Delaware Governor Jack Markell
  The Pines Manor (2085 Route 27, Edison)
  7 PM Program
  $40/Person, RSVP: Everett Falt, (732) 906-3680, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• September 27
  Middlesex County Democratic Organization Social Media Training
  6:00 PM
  IBEW 456 (1295 Livingston Ave, North Brunswick)
  RSVP: Everett Falt, (732) 906-3680, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• September 29
  Senator Nellie Pou's 15th Annual Women's Leadership Breakfast
  9:00am to 12:00pm
  Brownstone, Paterson
  $50 pp
• September 30
  John Arvanites for Congress Gala Dinner
  Special Guests: Honorable Cory Booker, Honorable Mila Jasey, NHL Devil Legend Ken Daneyko, and Broadway’s own Betsy DeLellio
  6:00 Cocktail Reception, 7:00 Dinner
  The Villa at Mountain Lakes (90 US Highway 46, Mountain Lakes)
  Requested Contribution: $250 per individual, 
  Please R.S.V.P. by September 27 at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  For more information, please contact Tiffani Llerandi at 908.313.0763
• October 2
  Atlantic County Cocktail Reception Fundraiser
  Special Guest:  Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald
  5:30 to 7:00pm
  Mays Landing Country Club (Cates Rd., Mays Landing)
  Tickets $50.00, Sponsorships available
  Call 609-338-3215
• October 2
  Fundraiser for 19th LD Assemblyman Coughlin
  5:30 PM-7:30 PM
  JJ Bittings (33 Main Street, Woodbridge)
  $350/Person  RSVP: Krista Sweeney, (609) 273-0968
• October 2
  2012 Middlesex County Democratic Organization Labor Fundraiser
  Special Guest Senator Bob Menendez
  6:00 PM-8:00 PM
  Casa Guisseppe (287 Route 27, Iselin)
  $500/Person  RSVP: Kevin McCabe, (732) 489-2210
• October 3
  Sayreville Democratic Organization's First Presidential Debate Watch Party & Hot Dog Rally
  7:30 PM
  Sayreville Democratic HQ (2909 Washington Road, Parlin)
  $5 Admission
• October 4
  Somerset County Democratic Committee 2012 Gala Dinner
  6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
  The Dolce at Basking Ridge (300 North Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge)
  Suggested Contribution: VIP Patron: $500 per person, Benefactor: $250, Supporter: $100 per person
  RSVP:  Jinnee DeMarco at 908-953-9300 or JDeMarco@ShainLaw.com
• October 9
  Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Cordially Invites You and Your Guests to a Pre-Election Gala
  6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
  The Venetian (546 River Drive, Garfield)
  $500.00 per person, $1,000.00 per PAC
  Please RSVP by Monday, October 8, 2012 to Ray Ferraioli at 201-457-9000, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Jacky Grindrod at 973-618-0600, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  To contribute on line please go to www.pascrellforcongress.com

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for September 14, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Governor Christie Drops the Jersey Comeback

• After months of beating the drum for his Comeback slogan, Governor Christie appears to have dropped it.  Maybe it was the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, since we've been pointing out for months that rising unemployment and 20% increase in property taxes doesn't look like much of a comeback?
• His latest town hall slogan is "the Christie Middle Class Reform Agenda," complete with a logo featuringa set of buzzwords. What word doesn't appear?  JOBS.  New Jerseyans don't need another slogan, or another YouTube video, Governor.  They need jobs!

Christie Continues To Campaign for Far-Right Republicans Outside of New Jersey

• First stop- North Carolina to campaign for a Republican who is afraid to release his tax returns... seems to be theme among candidates Christie supports.
• Next week, Christie will stump for Congressman Steve King in Iowa.  King is an extremist in the same vein as Todd Akin, who Christie publicly called upon to resign. Someone will have to explain why Christie thinks two men who hold the same views should be held to different standards.

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced $100,000 in federal funding for Rutgers-Newark for the Rutgers University Technical Assistance Program (RUTAP), which supports non-profit and community-based organizations in New Jersey.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg's provisions to protect against predatory practices targeting military and veteran students were approved this week by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
  
• Senator Bob Menendez and Assemblyman Angel Fuentes hosted a DREAM Relief Information Session at the Camden City Council Chambers in City Hall.
  
• The Food and Drug Administration agreed to a proposal from Congressman Frank Pallone to elevate the Office of Generic Drugs within the Agency.
• Congressman Steve Rothman announced a $61,071 Department of Homeland Security’s Fire Prevention and Safetygrant for Secaucus.
• Legislation sponsored by Congressman Rush Holt to provide competitive matching grants to preserve battlefields from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War passed the House of Representatives this week.

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Bob Gordon introduced legislation that will encourage small businesses to hire those who have been out of work for 30 or more days by providing them with a credit on their payroll taxes.
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says U.S. Department of Labor employment numbers prove that minimum wage increases does not hurt jobs numbers, as Republican opponents have claimed.
• The Senate Government Committee approved legislation from Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Jim Whelan to create a pilot program within the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) to address chronic health conditions for public employees
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald says actions speak louder than slogans, and Governor Christie's actions prove he's no friend to the middle class.
• Senator Raymond J. Lesniak and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano introduced legislation which would require the Unemployment Insurance appeals division to rule on a case within 60 days – or else the applicant would receive the unemployment benefits for which they are appealing.
• Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Ruben J. Ramos Jr., Matthew W. Milam, Connie Wagner, Annette Quijano and Paul Moriarty to save more than a half-million dollars per year by modernizing the state's payroll system will be considered by the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
• Legislation sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner would permanently disqualify public contractors from future bidding opportunities if they have been convicted of fraudulent activity involving any previously awarded public contract.
• In light of McDonald's choosing to voluntarily list calorie counts on menus in its New Jersey locations, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner called upon Governor Christie to implement the law requiring other chain restaurants in New Jersey to do the same.

Events

• September 19
  
  Atlantic County Democratic Committee's Fourth Quarter Rally
  5:30 to 7:00pm
  Chickie's and Pete's (6055 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp)
  Cost:  $25.00
  609-418-5887

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

Week in Review: Convention Edition

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

This week, New Jersey Democrats traveled to Charlotte for the Democratic National Convention.  Below are a few photos and stories from the week we spent supporting the nomination of President Barack Obama!

On Sunday, delegates and guests arrived in Charlotte to kick off the week.

Several New Jersey delegates were featured in articles about the convention this week.

• Ed O'Brien, New Jersey's youngest delegate.
• Babs Siperstein, the first transgender member of the Democratic National Committee.
• Jeremy Feigenbaum, outgoing Vice President of the College Democrats of America.
• Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, a delegate from south Jersey.

Delegation Chair John Wisniewski, Vice Chair Dana Redd, and NJDSC’s Executive Director Paul Penna and Finance Director Heather deJong toured the Time Warner Cable Arena to practice the roll call and view where the NJ delegation would sit.

New Jersey guests had a special treat when DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke to the Convention Kickoff Party at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites.

On Monday, New Jersey delegates and guests heard from Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and David Simas, Director of Opinion Research from the Obama Campaign.

Led by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, women delegates and attendees held the first meeting of the "Jersey Girl Caucus" following breakfast. 

Charlotte hosted an afternoon street festival called CarolinaFest to showcase the best of the Queen City.  A group of New Jersey Democrats including Chairman Wisniewski and his family lent a hand to the Craftman "House United" project, which had teams from state delegations at the DNC and the RNC build and paint a house that will go to a military family in need.

On Tuesday morning, we officially kicked off the first day of the three day convention.  Breakfast speakers included Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy, Donna Brazile, New Jersey Congressmen Frank Pallone, Rob Andrews, and Bill Pascrell, and former New Jersey Governors Brendan Byrne and Jim Florio.

Tuesday night in the Time Warner Arena featured Newark Mayor Cory Booker introducing the Democratic platform. 

We also heard from Keynote speaker Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio, and First Lady Michelle Obama.

On Wednesday, delegates heard speeches from The Honorable Lisa Jackson, Mayor Cory Booker, Congressman Rush Holt, and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen at breakfast.

In the Time Warner Arena, Sandra Fluke talked about the critical choice young women have in this election, Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren rebutted Mitt Romney's claim that "corporations are people," and President Bill Clinton gave one of the best speeches of the week in nominating President Obama for a second term.

Following President Clinton's nominating speech, the roll call, in which each state casts its votes for the nomination, began.  New Jersey's roll call was given by New Jersey Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski and Senator Bob Menendez.

On Thursday, delegates heard speeches from New Jersey Senators Bob Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, President Obama's sister Maya Ng, and New Jersey Democratic Chairman John Wisniewski at breakfast.

Then it was time for the big event: speeches from Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama accepting the Democratic nomination!

New Jersey Democrats came back from Charlotte fired up and ready to go for the fall elections!  The energy we felt in the Time Warner Cable Arena will be felt throughout the Garden State from now until November 6!

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for August 31, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

This Monday marks the annual celebration of Labor Day.  Chairman Wisniewski released the following statement regarding Labor Day:

"Labor Day is a national holiday, first proposed by labor unions, to honor the contributions working men and women have made to America’s economy and social well-being. This Monday marks the 119^th national celebration of Labor Day.   As Republicans continue to demand that the working men and women of our middle class make do with less, let us take this occasion to remind ourselves that they are the backbone of America. As laborers, their sweat builds our infrastructure and makes our products.  Working men and women built this country together.  As consumers, their purchasing power determines the health of our economy.  These men and women deserve the gratitude and respect of every American not just on Monday, but every day of the year."

New Jersey Response to Christie's RNC Keynote

• Before the speech, New Jersey Democrats reminded people that Christie's record isn't a model Republicans (or anyone) should look to in order to lead this country.
• Chairman Wisniewski called the Christie keynote a sideshow.
• Tuesday morning, Rutgers released a poll showing that most New Jersey voters were unimpressed by Christie's role at the Republican convention.  We had a little fun, and made this:

Guess Who Else Weren't Impressed With Christie's Big Speech? 

• Politico called it a prime-time belly flop.
• The Record noticed that Christie "strayed from the truth several times to inflate an accomplishment or exaggerate its impact."
• The Washington Post called him "phony, phony, phony,"
• The Atlantic said his speech "misled viewers on Medicare."
• Forbes said "there wasn’t a whole lot of truth to be found in the content of his twenty-minute address."
• MSNBC's Rachel Maddow called it "one of the most remarkable acts of political selfishness I have ever seen."
• New York Magazine's Frank Rich said, "it’s clear that Christie regards Mitt as merely a passing sideshow in his own glorious narrative."
• New York Magazine's Jonathan Chait remarked, "why Romney would give Christie the best speaking slot of the convention to lay out such a self-serving argument, I cannot fathom."
• The Nation highlighted lies, big and small, that were peppered through Christie's speech.
• The Tampa Bay Times named Christie among its losers of the 2012 RNC, writing, "Me. Me. Me. The keynote speech did nothing to elevate his political stature."

Christie Made it All About Christie

• New York Magazine points out that Mitt Romney didn't look to happy with a keynote that took 16 minutes to mention him by name.
• The New Yorker compared the 2004 keynote address from Barack Obama with Christie's speech, and found that while both included heavy autobiographical sections, Obama used his to make larger points about the American experience, where Christie's was merely self-promotion.  They found that Christie's speech revealed that "he is unoriginal, divisive, and not loyal enough to be worthy of the platform Romney gave him."
• Chairman Wisniewski points out, in an editorial in the Star-Ledger,  that while we expected a self-promoting speech from our governor, Tuesday night's speakers all talked about themselves and, other than the candidate's wife, had little praise or even mention of Mitt Romney, their own candidate for President."Their failure to find anything praiseworthy about Romney’s experience or his plans for the country made it clear to the American people that even the leaders in the Republican Party have no confidence in Romney."
• Speaking of no confidence in Romney, in another editorial (this time in the Asbury Park Press), Chairman Wisniewski makes the case that Romney's tenure at Bain should disqualifies him as a candidate for President.

Now it's our turn! 

• Staff from the Democratic State Committee have already arrived in Charlotte to get things ready for our New Jersey delegates.
• One delegate, 23-year old Jeremy Feigenbaum, blogged for Blue Jersey about why Chris Christie and Mitt Romney are wrong for young Americans.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to catch photos and updates about the trip to Charlotte.  In addition to the hashtag promoted by the DNC (#dnc2012), we'll be using #njdnc to indicate tweets about the New Jersey delegation's week at the convention.

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $18.6 million to local New Jersey airports for runway construction and rehabilitation, fire and rescue equipment, and other safety improvements.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg warned Americans not to let Christie fool them.
• Senator Bob Menendez won the endorsement of Planned Parenthood this week.
• Congressman Frank Pallone
• Congressman Bill Pascrell had a packed crowd of more than 200 at a Clifton town hall, where he answered questions on issues ranging from Syria to Medicare to voter suppression.
• Congressman Rush Holt reminded us that whether it is Romney, Ryan, or Christie, the message from Republicans to the middle class is: "You're on your own."

• He's not in Congress yet, but we hope he will be next year: Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula's campaign against Congressman Leonard Lance was named an emerging race by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney points out the irony of Christie's claim that California Jerry Brown isn't a leader because Brown has proposed a ballot measure to ask voters whether to raise taxes on the wealthy, when Christie wants to ask voters to determine whether their fellow citizens should have marriage equality.
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver will post a resolution condemning the reprehensible comments Congressman Todd Akin made about rape.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg says "women in New Jersey and around the country should be alarmed by the Republican record and agenda on women's issues. Romney's selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate increases the threat to progress for women."
  
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald said, "It’s clear that Christie’s 30-second slogans. like the ‘Jersey Comeback,’ are not putting food on the table."
• Assemblymen Herb Conaway, Jr, MD & Assemblyman Troy Singleton, with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, will host the South Jersey Job Fair on September 10 with over 40 vendors offering a wide-range of employment opportunities and services for job seekers.
• Assemblyman Tim Eustace announced plans to introduce legislation that would ban the controversial practice known as "conversion therapy" aimed at changing the sexual orientation of minors, a measure similar to one that recently passed the California State Assembly overwhelmingly.

Events

• September 5
  Atlantic County Democratic Committee Meeting
  7- 9pm
  Campaign Headquarters (400 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville)

• September 6
  New Jersey Young Democrats, Central Jersey & Middlesex County Young Democrats 2012 Convention Watch Party
  7 pm-Midnight
  George Street Ale House - Lower Level (378 George Street New Brunswick)
  Free admission - Cash Bar
  Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 

• September 6
  Atlantic County Democratic Committee Convention Watch Party
  8-10pm
  Campaign Headquarters (400 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville)

• September 8
  Prayer Breakfast for Obama, Sponsored by Black Women for Obama
  9:00 am - 10:30 am
  Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel (1000 Spring Street, Elizabeth)
  $50/person
  RSVP:  Audrey Gatling, (732) 906-2088, Dorothy White, (732) 428-7536

• September 15
  President Obama HQ Grand Opening
  Central Jersey Democratic HQ (18 Roosevelt Ave, Plainfield)
  3:00 PM- 5:00 PM
  Contact: Pamela Razo at (908) 561-5757 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

• September 16
  Sussex County Democratic Committee’s Annual Wine Tasting
  2:00 pm
  Westfall Winery (141 Clove Road, Montague)
  $40 before Sept 9, $45 after
  Mail check to SCDC, PO Box 962, Highland Lakes, NJ 07422 or contribute at http://www.sussexdems.com/

• September 19

  Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver Cocktail Reception

  6:00pm-9:00pm

  Nanina’s In the Park ( 540 Mill Street, Belleville)

  Contact Cassandra Alessio 201-457-9034 $125pp

• September 24
  2012 MCDO Campaign Kick-Off Dinner Rally
  7:00 PM
  The Pines Manor (2085 Route 27, Edison)
  $40/Person
  Contact: Everett Falt at (732) 906-3680 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for August 24, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

The Party of Akin

• On Sunday, Congressman Todd Akin, the Missouri Republican candidate for Senate competing with Senator Claire McCaskill, told a reporter that women do not get pregnant from rape, in response to a question about his opposition to abortion for victims or rape: “It seems to me, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare.  If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something: I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be of the rapist, and not attacking the child.”
• In a few short sentences, Akin, a member of the House Science Committee, managed to make scientifically inaccurate claims about the female reproductive system and insinuate that women lie about rape in order to obtain an abortion.
• Chairman Wisniewski pointed out that Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan co-sponsored legislation with Akin (written by New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith) to limit federal funding for abortion to victims of "forcible rape," as if all rape isn't forced.  PolitifactNJ ruled Chairman Wisniewski's statement TRUE.
• While Republicans raced to distance themselves from Akin, his position on women's health and reproductive freedom is the mainstream view of the Republican Party.  This week, the GOP platform committee approved the party's official position on abortion: supporting a full ban, on abortion, with no exceptions for rape or incest. 
• Christie and other Republicans tried to claim that the party platform doesn't matter... but Al Doblin at the Record says, "I do not understand then how Mitt Romney or for that matter Chris Christie can stand on a platform supported by opinions they reject. There is a complicit agreement with those views if you are willing to be literally held up by them."

Christie Won't Use His Favorite Slogan in the Biggest Speech of His Life?  Hmmm, Wonder Why?

• Governor Christie told reporters that the slogan he's touted all year, "the Jersey Comeback," will not be mentioned during his keynote speech at the Republican Convention.
• In fact, his direct quote was: “There are three words that are not in my speech on Tuesday night: The Jersey Comeback.” Now, how he plans on getting through a speech without using the words "the" or "Jersey," we don't know.  But it is clear even he no longer believes that New Jersey is in the midst of a comeback.
• He whined that he is tired of the press writing negative stories about the 9.8% unemployment New Jersey faces.  So... he'd prefer that reporters not tell the truth, just so people won't feel bad?  People who don't have a job will feel bad either way, Governor.  They don't need a newspaper to tell them that New Jersey needs jobs.
• Since he won't talk about the comeback, what will he talk about?  According to Christie: "You're going to hear a lot - a lot - about how proud I am of where I came from and the people I've grown up with and the effect that they've had on me, making me who I am and helping me lead the way I lead.”  In case you lost track, in a single sentence, he used a form of "I" five times, and "me" three times.
• So, that clears things up.  Christie will take the stage in Tampa to speak about his very favorite topic: himself.  We all know that's what his months of travel out of state for Republican candidates have been about- promoting himself on a national stage.  New Jersey needs a Governor who will promote jobs, not himself.

Romney's Energy Plan Includes Off-Shore Drilling in the Atlantic Ocean

• Clearly, the Romney campaign's proclaimed support for small businesses does not include all of the small businesses along the Jersey Shore that rely upon beach tourists.

2012 DNC Convention- 10 Days Til Charlotte!

• New Jersey's 185 delegates (and hundreds of additional New Jersey guests) are in for a wonderful trip!
• Among the speakers announced for the convention is Mayor Cory Booker, who served as chairman of the platform committee.  Mayor Booker will present the party platform, which is the set of principles we believe in as Democrats, to the Convention delegates for ratification.  We are so proud that for the first time ever, that platform will include official support for marriage equality.
• In contrast to the Party of Akin, the Democratic National Convention will feature many women who are fighting for women's rights, women's health, and all of our families.  The speakers include: Sandra Fluke, Lilly Ledbetter, Caroline Kennedy, Eva Longoria, and of course, First Lady Michelle Obama, who will speak about her husband's role as a husband, a father, and as President of the United States.

Students-Looking to learn about politics and campaigns?

• Apply to intern for the fall semester at the Democratic State Committee!  Send an email titled Fall 2012 Internship to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Interns will work with staff on communications, finance, and field organizing to help Democrats win this fall!

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced that the Hoboken and West Orange Fire Departments have received more than $2.8 million in federal funding to hire firefighters through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.
  
• Senator Frank Lautenberg called on the U.S. Department of Justice to continue its appeal of a ruling that has halted implementation of graphic cigarette warning labels.  The Senator says, "Graphic labels tell the deadly truth about smoking, and if that frightens Big Tobacco then the labels are clearly doing their job."
• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Congressman Frank Pallone joined Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson to support full funding for BEACH Act grants and push new federal legislation that would strengthen existing water quality protection programs.
  
• Senator Bob Menendez urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission to approve a proposed product safety directive that would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of small, high-powered magnet sets, which have caused internal injuries to dozens of children.
• Congressman Frank Pallone announced $250,000 in federal grants for youth substance abuse prevention efforts that will benefit his constituents in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell honored WWII combat veteran and Paterson native Seymour "Steve" Atkins by presenting him with medals he had earned while serving our nation, yet had not received following his discharge from the armed services.
• Congressman Rush Holt recognized the talented New Jersey students who served as interns in his West Windsor, NJ and Washington, DC offices this summer.

Under the Dome

• Assembly Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski published an editorial outlining the serious issues facing New Jersey's transportation infrastructure.
• Senate President Steve Sweeney sponsored legislation that would prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient on the basis of a mental or physical disability. That legislation cleared the full Senate this week.
• Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senator Fred Madden, and Senator Paul Sarlo that would provide a tax credit incentive for investment groups and individuals to provide capital to emerging technology businesses cleared the full Senate.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald points out that Christie would be more accurate if his favorite slogan was the Jersey Setback.
• Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Donald Norcross that would prohibit New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) from denying entry or use of any vehicle to a person who uses a guide or service dog cleared the full Senate.
• Assembly Environment Chairwoman L. Grace Spencer called upon Governor Christie to address his anti-environment record during his beach visit earlier this week.
• A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan which would amend the State’s “Food Bank Good Samaritan Law,” to also provide institutions of higher education with immunity from liability for any donations made to local food banks was unanimously approved by the Senate.  The same legislation was sponsored in the Assembly by Connie Wagner, Upendra Chivukula, Angel Fuentes, Thomas Giblin and Reed Gusciora.

Events

• September 5
  Atlantic County Committee Meeting
  7- 9pm
  Campaign Headquarters (400 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville)

• September 6
  New Jersey Young Democrats, Central Jersey & Middlesex County Young Democrats 2012 Convention Watch Party
  7 pm-Midnight
  George Street Ale House - Lower Level (378 George Street New Brunswick)
  Free admission - Cash Bar
  Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 

• September 6
  Atlantic County Democratic Committee Convention Watch Party
  8-10pm
  Campaign Headquarters (400 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville)

• September 8
  Prayer Breakfast for Obama, Sponsored by Black Women for Obama
  9:00 am - 10:30 am
  Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel (1000 Spring Street, Elizabeth)
  $50/person
  RSVP:  Audrey Gatling, (732) 906-2088, Dorothy White, (732) 428-7536

• September 16
  Sussex County Democratic Committee’s Annual Wine Tasting
  2:00 pm
  Westfall Winery (141 Clove Road, Montague)
  $40 before Sept 9, $45 after
  Mail check to SCDC, PO Box 962, Highland Lakes, NJ 07422 or contribute at http://www.sussexdems.com/

   

  
  
  
  

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for August 17, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Governor Christie's Hard Work Pays Off...

• For himself, that is.  Christie's months of traveling on behalf of Mitt Romney and out-of-state Republicans for fundraisers and rallies earned him a primetime role, as the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention.  The New York Times warns that we should expect little candor from Christie in his big speech.
• You can bet that while he's there, he'll tell a fairy tale about a Jersey Comeback that doesn't exist, taking credit for things he hasn't done and things that haven't happened yet.
• We know the truth though, right?  Just in case you missed it, Chairman Wisniewski laid out the facts about the real New Jersey story, complete with citations.
• Meanwhile, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times questioned whether Christie was the right pick for the Tampa podium.

New Jersey Unemployment Numbers are the Highest in 35 Years.

• New Jersey's unemployment numbers rose to disastrous new heights- 9.8%.  That's .2% up from last month, and .6% up since May. 
• It is time for the Governor to stop proclaiming this fictional Jersey Comeback and get back to work here in our state.
• Chairman Wisniewski: "Governor Christie talks about telling direct and hard truths when he gets to Tampa.  Well, here’s a direct and hard truth, Mr. Governor: New Jersey voters don’t care about whether our governor is famous and popular with his party, they care about having a job and providing for themselves and their families.  Stop caring more about your personal reputation and political successes than you do about the people of New Jersey."

Chairman Wisniewski will appear on News12 New Jersey's weekend show, Power and Politics, this weekend to discuss the Christie keynote.  The show airs on Saturdays and Sundays at 7 am, 10 am, and 3 pm.  Check local listings for channel information.

Countdown to the 2012 DNC Convention: 18 Days!

Countdown til Election Day: 80 Days!

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded New Jersey $7.5 million in transportation funding.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced more than $2.2 million in federal funds for New Jersey families impacted by HIV/AIDS.
• Congressman Rob Andrews said of Mitt Romney's choice for Vice President, "By choosing Paul Ryan as his running mate, Governor Romney has restated the basic choice we face in the election over how to bring prosperity to our country.  Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan are running a campaign based on the most conservative thinking in American politics."
  
• Congressman Frank Pallone praised Social Security on its 77th anniversary, saying  that the program enables "seniors to retire with dignity, disabled workers and their families to support themselves and families who lost a loved one to live securely."
  
• Congressman Bill Pascrell announced that NJ Transit received $8.5 million to upgrade their bus fleet.
• Congressman Steve Rothman announced a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety grant of $8,906 for the Teaneck Fire Department.
• Congressman Rush Holt visited Signum Biosciences in Monmouth Junction to highlight how the company benefits from research grants awarded through the Small Business Innovation Research program.

Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney called upon Governor Christie and his administration to deliver a solid jobs plan to the legislature following New Jersey's terrible unemployment numbers.
• Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver warned that she is seeing a rightward tilt in the National Conference of State Legislatures.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald argued that 9.8% unemployment is a setback, not a comeback.
• Senator Linda Greenstein challenged her colleague Joe Kyrillos to sign on as a cosponsor of the Millionaire's Tax, after he told a reporter that he would consider raising taxes on the wealthy.

Events

• August 18
  
  The Burlington County Democrats 2nd Annual Picnic
  
  12PM-4PM
  Green Acres Park- 851 Old York Road, Burlington  (behind the Municipal Building and Police Station)
  $10 per person and $25 for a family of four.
  Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Corn and Soft Drinks...It's a picnic, so bring something to share.
• August 20
  Essex County Democratic Committee's Annual Rent Party
  
  Nanina's In the Park- 540 Mill Street, (Belleville, NJ)
  $150 per person
• August 21
  Women for Obama presents Girls Night Out - A Night of Information, Motivation & Libation
  Nauvoo Grill Club (121 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven)
  2pm - 7pm.
  $20 per person.
  Please make check payable to MCOFA c/o Aimee Humphreys, 447 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.
  RSVP by August 15th.

• August 22
  Obama for America & PCDC Campaign Office Opening
  6:00pm-9:00pm

  668 McBride Ave., Woodland Park

  RSVP to Georgia Daniel 973-659-8676 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

  Or Ryan Yacco 973-279-4647  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

• August 23
  

  Pizza Party & Olympics Trivia Challenge Fundraiser for Corfield for Assembly
  6:00 pm
  Pizza 'n Pasta- 930 S. Main St, (Manville, NJ)
  Tickets (Gold: $150; Silver: $100; Bronze: $50) can be purchased at: https://secure.actblue.com/page/pizzanpasta
• August 23
  Democrats 2000 Annual Beach Bash
  7:00-9:00 pm
  Parker House, 1st Ave. & Beacon Blvd., Sea Girt
  Tickets- $50
  If you would like to join the host committee or sponsor the Beach Bash, please contact Erin Rice at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• August 25
  Rush Holt's Volunteer Picnic
  12:00 PM-3:00 PM
  Holt Campaign Headquarters: 14 Washington Road, Building 2, West Windsor
  RSVP by August 23rd to Matt Hall (609) 799-0800 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• August 25
  Canvass for Barack Obama, Bob Menendez and Shelly Adler
  10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  Burlington Center Mall Parking Lot -2501 Burlington-Mt. Holly Road (Rt. 541), Burlington
  RSVP - https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/canvass/gs4yk4
  
  
   
  

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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

The NJDSC Week In Review for August 10, 2012

Welcome to the latest installment of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review. 

Now, here's a look back at some of the news from this past week and some of the upcoming events around the state next week and beyond.  Please share stories that interest you with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

Romney Picks Radical Republican Congressman Paul Ryan as Running Mate

• Chairman John Wisniewski's statement:
  
  • “Mitt Romney has chosen the architect of the radical Republican budget plan as his running mate.  Paul Ryan's budget plan made it clear that under his leadership, America’s middle and working class families are on their own.  Ryan shares Romney’s commitment to cutting taxes for the wealthy while placing bigger burdens on everyone else.
    
    If you care about the women, children, and seniors in your life, you must not support Paul Ryan.  Ryan co-sponsored legislation to ban in-vitro fertilization, many forms of birth control, and all abortions, including cases of rape or incest.  He voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps women fight for equal pay for equal work.   Ryan supports deep cuts to education programs including Head Start and Pell Grants, hurting students from pre-school through college.  He wants to turn Medicare into a voucher program and has supported privatizing Social Security, which together would jeopardize the health and financial security of millions of seniors. 
    
    Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to call themselves America’s Comeback Team, but just like Chris Christie’s non-existent ‘Jersey Comeback’, their policies will just come back to haunt the middle class.”
• In the Record, Gordon McInnes, President of New Jersey Policy Perspective, elaborated on how Congressman Paul Ryan's proposed budget would hurt New Jersey.
• New Jersey Democrats reacted:
  • Senator Bob Menendez: "Mitt Romney has shown that he means business in his war against America's middle class by choosing as his running mate the architect of the budget plan that favors the nation's wealthiest people and corporations. Four years of a Romney-Ryan administration would be disastrous for New Jersey’s middle class, who have shouldered too much of the tax burden."
  • Senate President Steve Sweeney: "Whether it's making $10,000 bets or looking awkward pushing a shopping cart, just when you thought Mitt Romney couldn't be more out of touch with the American people, he selects Congressman Ryan as his running mate. Mr. Ryan not only proposed to partially privatize social security, not only proposed cuts to programs that help the middle class and working poor, but he also proposed to end Medicare as we know it.  That kind of cold, methodical calculating might have been great if Ryan was looking for a spot at Bain Capital. But it is not what the American people need in a vice president. With his selection today, Mitt Romney continues to show that he has the wrong vision for America."
  • Senator Loretta Weinberg: "It is obvious that the Romney campaign is failing but the selection of Paul Ryan will make a bad policy agenda even worse. Ryan reinforces the worst of a Republican agenda that would move the country in the wrong direction and, in the process, abandon many of the priorities and services that have served the needs of the great diversity of Americans."
    
• The Obama campaign sums up Ryan's record:

Still No Jersey Comeback!

• In the Record, Josh Henne from One New Jersey outlines why the Governor's rhetoric doesn't match his record.
• Meanwhile, two political cartoons hit Christie's credibility:
  • At Newsworks, Rob Tornoe points out that Christie seems to be using the Port Authority to dole out patronage posts.
  • At The Star-Ledger, Drew Sheneman pokes fun at Christie's frequent out of state travel, calling him a "Governor for Hire," and noting that perhaps the Jersey Comeback is simply the Governor arriving back in state after fundraising for Mitt Romney.

The Republican Assault on the Working Poor

• Congressman Bill Pascrell and Assemblyman John Wisniewski held a press conference call to discuss the Republican efforts to reduce the earned income tax credit.
  • Congressman Bill Pascrell: "The Earned Income Tax Credit helps millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of New Jersey's working poor purchase food, buy school supplies and pay the rent. Incredibly, Mitt Romney and Republicans in Congress want to gut this critical program in order to pay for billions of dollars in tax cuts for the extraordinarily wealthy.  We are living with the remnants of the last experiment in trickledown economics: a $5 trillion surplus turned into $10 trillion in debt, and 4.2% unemployment to losing 750,000 jobs a month.  Mitt Romney and his supporters in Congress just don't understand that asking the working poor and middle class to pay more so the very wealthy can pay less in taxes is bad economics and morally wrong."
  • Assemblyman Wisniewski: “The earned income tax credit is the most significant anti-poverty program this country has and Mitt Romney wants to reduce it so that people like him can get $5 trillion in additional tax breaks.  Governor Christie’s line item veto was cruel and unreasonable.  His decision reduced children living in poverty to a bargaining chip in his quest to hand the wealthy a tax cut New Jersey can’t afford right now.  Income inequality in this country is at an all-time high.  Mitt Romney and Chris Christie are fighting to give the small percentage of very wealthy Americans more and asking the working poor to make do with even less.”

Christie Weakens Key Oversight Provisions For Halfway Houses

• After an extensive investigative report from The New York Times on the deplorable state of some of New Jersey's halfway houses, the state legislature acted to provide additional oversight power to the state auditor.
• On Wednesday, Governor Christie conditionally vetoed the auditor's oversight, saying that he'll only approve the legislation if existing halfway houses are exempt... which doesn't make any sense, since existing halfway houses were the facilities with lax security, violence, drug issues, and escapes.

Assemblyman Schroeder Writes $400,000 in Bad Checks, Gets Indicted, Blames President Obama

• Assemblyman Bob Schroeder was indicted for writing $400,000 in bad checks this week.
• Schroeder's fellow district-mate, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, admits she loaned him money this year.
• Schroeder has been the subject of six lawsuits, both state and federal, for nearly $2 million in unpaid loans and bills.
• With all these issues paying his bills, he somehow still managed to donate nearly half a million dollars to New Jersey Republicans since 2001.
• It appears that Schroeder failed to disclose some business interests on his most recent financial disclosures.
• But Schroeder won't resign, and he somehow manages to blame his troubled financial dealings on President Obama?

Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg, Senator Bob Menendez, Congressman Rush Holt, and Congressman Albio Sires were among New Jersey leaders who met in Elizabeth on August 7 to call for action on gun safety regulations following the deadly shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced federal funding to rehabilitate the taxiways at the Cape May County Airport.
• Congressman Frank Pallone is concerned about one suggested management plan for the future of Sandy Hook because it includes proposed commercial development of Fort Hancock, while Pallone believes management should focus on rehabilitating and preserving Fort Hancock's historic buildings.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell is calling on Republicans to reconsider Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napalitano's report warning of the security threat posed right-wing extremists in the wake of the attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
• While not yet a Member of Congress, Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula is the subject of a profile piece on Blue Jersey.  Chivukula is challenging Congressman Leonard Lance to represent New Jersey's 7th Congressional District.

Under the Dome

• Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to help pay for much needed improvements to New Jersey's higher education facilities was signed into law.  The proposed $750 million dollar capital improvement project will repair infrastructure for buildings housing classrooms, laboratories, and other academic facilities.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg questioned her colleague Joe Kyrillos for claiming to be an advocate for women without the record to back it up.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald wrote an editorial in The Star-Ledger, calling upon Governor Christie to do more for New Jersey's middle class.
• The Senate and Assembly Environment Committees will host a joint hearing in Lavallette regarding recycling and disposal of plastic bags and other floatables and their impact on New Jersey's waterways and sea life.
• The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee released three measures aimed at streamlining the state’s processes for voter registration and voting.
• Blue Jersey has two great video interviews with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera.

Events

• August 13
  Atlantic County Headquarters Grand Opening
  4:00pm
  400 Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville
  Special Guest:  Sen. Robert Menendez
  For more info call 609-418-5887 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• August 13
  All American Day of Hot Dogs, Baseball, and Upendra Chivukula
  1 Somerset Patriots Park, Bridgewater, NJ
  Come join us for an all-American night of baseball. Watch Upendra as he throws out the first pitch. We've got hot dogs, drinks, peanuts and even crackerjacks! Tickets are free, but supplies are limited
  R.S.V.P. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• August 13
  Senator Vitale & Asm Coughlin Open House BBQ
  5:00 PM -7:00 PM
  District Office of Senator Vitale/Asm Coughlin (569 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge)
  Contact: Krista Sweeney, (732) 855-7441
• August 14
  2012 MCDO Summer Cocktail Reception
  6:00 PM -8:00 PM
  Tula Lounge (47 Easton Ave, New Brunswick)
  $1,000/Guest
  RSVP: Dana Korbman, (732) 906-3680 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• August 17
  Motown Dinner Cruise Saluting President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
  Cornucopia Cruiseline- Elizabeth Marina, Front Street and East Jersey Street, (Elizabeth, NJ)
  Hosted by "Friends" and Black Women for Obama
  Tickets $95
  RSVP: "Friends"- Kim Nesbitt Good (908-352-7078) or Mattie Smith (908-352-6172), Black Women for Obama- Audrey Gatling (732-906-2088) or Dorothy White (732-428-7536
• August 18
  
  The Burlington County Democrats 2nd Annual
  12PM-4PM
  Green Acres Park- 851 Old York Road, Burlington  (behind the Municipal Building and Police Station)
  $10 per person and $25 for a family of four.
  Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Corn and Soft Drinks...It's a picnic, so bring something to share.
• August 20
  Essex County Democratic Committee's Annual Rent Party
  
  Nanina's In the Park- 540 Mill Street, (Belleville, NJ)
  $15 per person
• August 21
  Women for Obama presents Girls Night Out - A Night of Information, Motivation & Libation
  Nauvoo Grill Club (121 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven)
  2pm - 7pm.
  $20 per person.
  Please make check payable to MCOFA c/o Aimee Humphreys, 447 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704.
  RSVP by August 15th.

• August 22
  Obama for America & PCDC Campaign Office Opening
  6:00pm-9:00pm

  668 McBride Ave., Woodland Park

  RSVP to Georgia Daniel 973-659-8676 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

  Or Ryan Yacco 973-279-4647  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

• August 23
  

  Pizza Party & Olympics Trivia Challenge Fundraiser for Corfield for Assembly
  6:00 pm
  Pizza 'n Pasta- 930 S. Main St, (Manville, NJ)
  Tickets (Gold: $150; Silver: $100; Bronze: $50) can be purchased at: https://secure.actblue.com/page/pizzanpasta
• August 23
  Democrats 2000 Annual Beach Bash
  7:00-9:00 pm
  Parker House, 1st Ave. & Beacon Blvd., Sea Girt
  Tickets- $50
  If you would like to join the host committee or sponsor the Beach Bash, please contact Erin Rice at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Support the New Jersey Democratic State Committee:

We will continue to have updates about news and events 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