The Week in Review

The NJDSC Week In Review for July 13, 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!

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Politifact Finds Christie Repeating Claims Ruled Half-True, Mostly False, and False. 

• Another day, another Christie Veepstakes Audition. 
• This week, Governor Christie took some time off from his busy schedule of yelling at people to speak in Washington DC at the Brookings Institute, another speaking engagement outside of New Jersey arranged at his staff's request to get the Governor some more media exposure.
• While there, Governor Christie peppered his speech (about an imaginary Jersey Comeback that exists only in his mind) with claims that Politifact NJ had already found to be not quite truthful.

Christie's Outbursts Embarrass New Jersey

• Christie avoided any dustups at Brookings, but his too-numerous-to-count immature outbursts should start to make even Republicans realize that he's not ready for the next level.
• The Courier Post says Christie's behavior "sullies the state."
• USA Today columnnist DeWayne Wickham hopes Christie doesn't get the VP nod from Romney, writing, "to put someone who delights in using fighting words so close to the Oval Office would place a blustering bully a heartbeat away from the presidency."

The Star Ledger Highlights Another Round of Christie Out of State

• Governor Christie heads out of town to rub elbows in Sun Valley and fundraise for Mitt Romney.  Same story, different day.  Is this what we elected him to do?
• Maybe Governor Christie should stop boasting about a fictional Jersey Comeback and get back to Trenton to tackle what Ezra Klein calls "a real budget problem." 
• Christie's rosy 2012 revenue projections continue to be well above the reality and Democrats need to work with a real leader right now.  Sound bites at Romney fundraisers aren't helping us meet our obligations, and neither are swanky private gatherings in Idaho.
• So much for that Jersey Comeback... CNBC ranked New Jersey 41st in its rankings of "Best States for Business."  We dropped 11 from #30 last year.    The response from Team Christie?  There must be something wrong with CNBC's metrics.  Somehow, it is always someone else's fault, right Governor?

Countdown to the Democratic National Convention!

• 51 Days Til Charlotte!

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Congressional Corner

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• Senator Frank Lautenberg said, "Republicans will stop at nothing to block the President from creating jobs and growing the economy," after Senate Republicans blocked legislation to give tax breaks to small businesses that hire new employees, raise their wages, or purchase new equipment.
• Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced more than $900,000 in federal grants to Cooper University Hospital.
• Senator Bob Menendez chastised the U.S. Olympic Committee for having the U.S. uniforms made in China.  Menendez that the committee look to partner with American firms like those in New Jersey, who are willing and eager to produce uniforms for the athletes representing our country.
• Congressman Rob Andrews received a public service award for his work on brain disease awareness,
• Congressman Frank Pallone called upon House Republicans to start voting on jobs bills instead of attempting to repeal Affordable Healthcare for the 31st time.
• Congressman Bill Pascrell and his staff helped Congregation Beth El synagogue receive a Homeland Security grant, after it was the target of an attempted firebombing earlier this year.
• Congressman Steve Rothman says that repealing the Affordable Care Act would hurt Americans.
• Congressman Rush Holt will hold town hall meetings in Franklin Township and Old Bridge on July 21.
• Congressman Albio Sires issued a statement after his vote on two key pieces of legislation to help veterans.

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Under the Dome

• Senate President Steve Sweeney's legislation to help clean up contaminated sites was signed into law this week.
• Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has some questions about the difference between what Joe Kyrillos says and what he does.
• Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald issued a to-do list for the Governor while he continues his "Tampa Try-out" tour.
• The Senate Legislative Oversight Committee will conduct a hearing on July 26 to demand answers about the New York Times report last month regarding dangerous conditions and lax oversight at some of New Jersey's halfway houses.
• Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle is profiled on Blue Jersey for her strong anti-bullying advocacy.

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Events

• July 15
  Fundraiser for John Arvanites, Congressional Candidate NJ-11
  

  Bruschetta, 292 Passaic Avenue Fairfield, NJ
  Suggested Contributions:  $85 Individual * $55 Seniors & Students, $250 Event Sponsor, $1,000 Event Host

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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