--January 12, 2012--

Leading Democrats made marriage equality the first order of business of the new legislative session this week, introducing a bill to fully recognize same-sex unions as “marriage” under state law.

--January 10, 2012--

For a guy who's had problems with women in the past, Chris Christie sure doesn't choose his words too carefully.

--August 27, 2011--

A busy week with the work we're engaged in on the special committee on the economy and the deficit, and obviously right now all of us up and down the east coast are buttoning up and getting ready for Irene's arrival this weekend. Still, I wanted to take a few minutes to post something that has nothing to do with politics, it just has to do with the spirit and memory of a very good friend of mine, former Congressman John Adler.

--August 04, 2011--

State Police Aviation Unit records obtained late last week via a Courier-Post Open Public Records Act request show Christie actually flew on state helicopters 37 times between January 2010 and May 31, 2011, including a few trips to the governor's shore house. That's four more flights than the office released on June 2.

--July 24, 2011--

Whatever is going on here, this much is clear: These budget games the governor is playing are evidence of a disturbingly cavalier attitude toward the lives his decisions - and his ambitions - affect.

--July 24, 2011--

Time for a reality check. In many ways, seniors were better off before Christie took office. It’s gotten only harder for people on fixed incomes to stay in their own homes, thanks to cuts Christie made to property tax relief programs for seniors and people with disabilities.

--July 13, 2011--

Six New Jersey cities including the capital, Trenton, have their credit ratings under review for possible downgrade by Moody’s Investors Service after losing aid in Governor Chris Christie $29.7 billion budget.

--July 05, 2011--

The League of Municipalities says cuts totaling $240 million will adversely impact the ability of municipalities to provide much-needed property tax relief in their towns.

--March 21, 2012--

(Trenton) Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, released the following statement on the results of the Illinois GOP primary:

--March 21, 2012--

(Trenton) Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, released the following statement on the newly released Republican budget plan offered by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI):

--March 16, 2012--

Christie and Romney Unite In Illinois to Continue War on Women

(Trenton) Alicia D'Alessandro, Communications Director for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee issued the following statement regarding Governor Christie’s upcoming campaign trip to Illinois on behalf of Mitt Romney:

“Governor Christie and Governor Romney are two peas in a pod when it comes to undermining healthcare access for working and middle class women. In his own first year in office, Governor Christie slashed $7.5 million in funding for women’s health services, including Planned Parenthood. Now, as Christie joins Mitt Romney in Illinois to campaign, Romney is stepping up his own war on women. Following Christie’s lead this week, Mitt Romney told supporters, ‘Planned Parenthood: We’re going to get rid of that.’ Women and men across the country are rejecting politicians who care more about appeasing right-wing extremists than respecting American women. Women in New Jersey, Illinois, and throughout the United States deserve better than the Christie-Romney War on Women.”

###

--March 09, 2012--

(Trenton) Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee issued the following statement regarding Governor Christie's most recent name calling incident:

"At a time when we should be having an adult conversation about the issues facing working families in New Jersey, Governor Christie again resorted to childish name calling when challenged on his policies. He should be ashamed of himself. Instead of taking the high ground with a veteran that disagrees with him, he stooped to name calling. If the Governor cannot defend his positions without resorting to personal insults, he should seriously reassess his priorities."

The full article is below.

The Christie Chronicles: Debating Rutgers merger, Christie gets into shouting match with an 'idiot'

By Matt Katz

Published: Mar 8, 2012 6:26 PM

FLORENCE — Gov. Christie told a Rutgers-Camden law student Thursday that his school will definitely merge with Rowan University, sparking a yelling match that led the governor to dismiss him as an “idiot.”

At a town hall meeting in front of hundreds of people at the Roebling firehouse, Christie said current Rutgers-Camden students would be able to graduate with Rutgers degrees. But that did not placate William Brown, 34, a former Navy SEAL and second-year Rutgers-Camden law student, who asked about the future.

“What about my son? What about my neighbors? What about my friends?” Brown asked.

Christie tried to explain why he was going to make sure the merger happened despite what has become an increasingly mobilized and vocal opposition. But Brown repeatedly interrupted the Republican governor.

“Listen, pal, I sat here and listened to your story and your position...and if you decide what you want to do is put on a show today, let me tell you something, I can go back and forth with you as much as you want,” Christie said.

Christie said not everyone at Rutgers is against the merger, and he was “providing opportunities for a bigger and better university.”

Brown yelled: “Nobody at Rutgers wants it, nobody in South Jersey!”

Then Christie stopped trying to explain his position, and called for the next question.

“And let me tell you something,” Christie said, his voice rising. “If after you graduate from law school you conduct yourself like that in a courtroom, your rear end’s going to be thrown in jail, idiot.”

Brown, who was wearing a Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America t-shirt, was then removed from the firehouse by Florence police officers and spoken to outside by a plain-clothed police officer for several minutes.

“It’s freedom of expression,” he told the officers. “This is America.”

Brown gave the officers his contact information and was not arrested.

A Democrat, Brown is a former candidate for state Assembly who served in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, he said after the encounter. He worries that veterans and other non-traditional students won’t get the same kind of educational opportunities once the merger goes through.

And he added that he thought both Christie’s response and the police reaction was “inappropriate.”

“I think he’s a bully sometimes,” Brown said of Christie. “I was disappointed the governor couldn’t have a debate.”

Like the chancellor of Rutgers-Camden and the vocal majority of the student population, Brown opposes the plan. Christie and South Jersey Democratic officials disagree — they say folding the Rutgers campus into Glassboro’s Rowan University will lead to a more robust research institution.

Although students have asked for some sort of compromise in which Rutgers would keep its name and identity, Christie has said he is not considering any compromises.

It is unclear how Christie will enact his plan — through legislation, for example, or executive order — or when it will go into effect.

At the end of the town hall meeting, Christie was reflective. He brought up the incident, and acknowledged getting heated.

“Now it’s going to be on YouTube somewhere with me calling him an idiot,” he said.

Then he referenced Glenn Paulsen, former powerful chairman of the Burlington County Republicans, who was sitting near the governor.

“I was going to turn there and say to Glenn Paulsen: ‘Damn, Glenn, were we that arrogant in our second year in law school?”

He added: “I cannot imagine standing up in the back of the room saying, 'Shut up, Gov. [Tom] Kean!’”

Christie said the audience might have wondered after witnessing the confrontation: “Where’s this come from?”

And from there, he launched into the story that ends all of his town halls, about visiting his mother — a fiery, tell-it-like-it-is Sicilian — on her death bed.

“We’re all products of our parents,” he said.

--March 06, 2012--

(Trenton) Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, issued the following statement regarding the passing of Congressman Donald Payne:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Representative Donald Payne. New Jersey and America have lost a genuine pioneer. Donald Payne lived a life dedicated to his community and was a tireless voice for oppressed people throughout the world, regardless of rank. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the many people whose lives he touched and who are mourning his passing today."

--March 01, 2012--

(Trenton) – Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, Chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, announced the establishment of a political campaign resume bank housed at the NJDSC. This resume bank will be a single clearinghouse for Democratic campaigns looking for staff members. “As State Party Chairman, I strive to connect Democratic campaigns with qualified applicants to serve in a variety of campaign positions. The resume bank is a vehicle to accomplish that goal.” Applicants looking to connect with a New Jersey based campaign should send their resume to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please indicate in the body of the email if there is a specific area for consideration – management, fundraising, research, outreach, political, field or internship.

--February 22, 2012--

(Trenton) New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski issued the following statement regarding Governor Christie’s comments on Piers Morgan Tonight about Warren Buffett’s plan to ensure tax fairness:

"Governor Christie's comment that he was tired of hearing about Warren Buffett may have suprised national viewers but for New Jersey residents it's just the latest example of the Governor's intolerance for anyone who disagrees with him. In this case, he's dismissive of Mr. Buffett because of his call for tax equity and his record of creating wealth by investing in American companies and American jobs. Instead, Governor Christie prefers tax policies favoring the wealthy and a presidential candidate who made millions by destroying American companies and sending American jobs overseas."

--February 17, 2012--

New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski issued the following statement regarding today's Star Ledger story, which detailed accounts of members of Chris Christie’s New Jersey GOP “lurking outside their [NJEA's] offices in hooded sweatshirts and knit caps.” These operatives included a former member of Christie’s administration.