FYI

From: Joan Hervey
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:43 PM
To: 'kryzewicz@MyCentralJersey.com
'Cc: 'pgrzella@MyCentralJersey.com'
Subject: Letter to the Editor (sent before 5 pm, Thursday 10/22)Importance: High


New Jersey has its challenges, but we are among the most progressive states in the US.

Let me say this to all the good folks who celebrate our new president and the new era of hopefulness that we are so blessed to have ushered in: Don’t let New Jersey fall into the hands of the party that brought you the Iraq war, tax breaks for the richest of the rich, the Medicare drug donut hole, repressive anti-woman, anti-middle-class, anti-poor people, anti-gay, anti-worker, anti-everything-America-SHOULD-stand-for policies, destructive environmental and education programs, and aggressive and arrogant foreign policy… I could go on but you get my point.

Yes, you and I and everyone we know are in the midst of a Global economic crisis! Our Governor, Jon Corzine, believes that State government has a responsibility to provide a helping hand to those who have been hit the hardest. It is during these times that we must ensure that all families are receiving the support they need. Jon Corzine, with the support of a majority Democratic Assembly and Senate, has enacted family-friendly programs such as: the historic Family Leave insurance: the expanded Earned Income tax credit; and he has expanded health care for children and families through the New Jersey Family Care program. He has prioritized high quality early education initiatives which have resulted in measurable improvement in test scores in cities and towns like Plainfield, where our elementary schools are now testing on a par with Scotch Plains. His education initiatives have helped to narrow the gap between African American and white students. New Jersey is one of only three states to narrow the achievement gap in fourth grade reading and one of only fifteen states to narrow the gap in fourth grade math. Chris Christie has called the early education initiative “baby sitting,” and would eliminate it-- with devastating consequences.

Even before our economy began to crumble, Governor Corzine established strong and wide programs for economic growth in New Jersey. These initiatives have positively impacted the business community in New Jersey by eliminating the “S-corporation” tax which has saved $275 million for NJ businesses; allowed full deductibility of net operating losses; and created “Invest NJ” and “Main Street Business Assistance” providing $50 Million in financing for small and mid-sized businesses. As a result of these forward-thinking, progressive business friendly policies, New Jersey is poised to rebound from the global recession stronger and more supportive of business than ever before.

During the last four years, Governor Corzine has re-prioritized the state budget and proved that government can do more with less. He is the only governor in over 60 years to cut the budget two years in a row, cutting $4 Billion this year alone by streamlining government, reducing the state workforce by 8,200 positions, and signing a 2010 budget that is $1.8 Billion less than his first budget. He has ended reliance on gimmicks like raiding the state pension fund and the unemployment insurance fund, and eliminated “Christmas tree” spending on pet projects.

Most important to me personally, Governor Corzine is supporting full Marriage Equality and has promised to sign a Marriage Equality bill when it reaches his desk. Chris Christie has vowed NOT to sign a Marriage Equality bill. The difference is stark and undeniable. If you are a gay or lesbian citizen of New Jersey, PLEASE think before you consider voting for any Republican candidates!

In the 22nd Assembly District, which includes Clark, Dunellen, Fanwood, Green Brook, Linden, Middlesex, North Plainfield, Plainfield, Rahway, Scotch Plains, and Winfield, there are two Republican challengers running against Assemblyman Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender. Those Republican candidates have both publicly announced that they do not support Marriage Equality. They have said that if elected they would put forth a ballot referendum to “let the people decide.” This would bring California’s Proposition 8 fiasco to New Jersey! Is this something that ANY gay person would support? In this country, the majority does not (or should not) decide on the rights of a minority! If there were ballot referenda on slavery or voting rights for African Americans in the South, our country would be very different to this day.

Assemblypersons Green and Stender have been very supportive of equal rights for gay citizens, and Assemblyman Green has been an outspoken advocate for equality, both in his position in the Assembly leadership and his public statements. They have both publicly stated that they will support a Marriage Equality bill.

The national Republican Party has been focusing on New Jersey as one of the only two states with Governor’s races this year. There has been a dizzying influx of money and operatives working for Republican candidates in local and state elections.

Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric! Don’t be taken in by the window dressing! Don’t be blinded by smoke and mirrors! Chris Christie and his Republican cohorts DO NOT BELONG in New Jersey’s State House! Re-elect Governor Jon Corzine and Assemblypersons Jerry Green and Linda Stender in the 22nd legislative district!

Joan Hervey is a founding member and former Deputy Executive Director of Garden State Equality, Communications Director of NJ Stonewall Democrats, and founder of Plainfield Area Equality.