Asbury School Board President Ordered Out Because of Past Cocaine Conviction

Asbury Park - State education officials have told city school board president Remond Palmer that he is permanently disqualified from serving on the board because of a past cocaine possession conviction in 1989.

In a letter dated Aug. 22 to Superintendent Denise Lowe, Carl H. Carabelli, manager of the state Education Department's criminal history review unit, said that Palmer had been told he cannot be on the school board and asked Lowe to let the state know what action was taken to remove him.

Palmer, 43, could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but his acknowledgement that he is off the school board could become clear by a scheduled board meeting at 7p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Superintendent Lowe said she sent the state letter to the full board Monday.

Palmer's disqualification comes under a new law signed by Gov. Chris Christie May 26 requiring all board members to comply with criminal background checks and step down if they have past conviction for a wide array of crimes, of which cocaine possession is one.

Carabelli wrote in the Aug. 22nd letter that the disqualifying offense was in Laurens County, South Carolina, where Palmer was arrested June 30, 1989.  He was convicted later that year.

Palmer's removal is the second time he has been forced to step down while a sitting president on the Asbury Park school board.  In 2004, the state removed him on an ethics code violation of interfering with hiring in the district.

Palmer came back in 2010, winning a three-year term.  By the spring of 2011, he had consolidated his power and was once again board president.  He switched board attorneys.

But this time the new board's majority's agenda to hire or fire and to challenge the superintendent's educational initiatives were met by the stronger power of a state fiscal monitor established in the district since 2007 to control all financial matters.  The new board attorneys have filed at least two lawsuits to challenge that state power.  So far, those suits have gone nowhere.

Palmer's disqualification matches a similar ban for his cocaine conviction that he encountered three years ago after he applied to be a substitute teacher at Monmouth Regional High School.

Palmer fought that disqualification in court but has yet to win.  In an unexpected development in late April, action Education Commissioner Chris Cerf agreed to reconsider an earlier commissioner's decision that Palmer was disqualified.  Specifically, Cerf was to review a pardon Palmer obtained in South Carolina.

The commissioner has not yet ruled.  In a brief dated June 28, Deputy Attorney General Jennifer L. Campbell wrote on behalf of the education department that "South Carolina pardons are not considered extraordinary relief, do not connote innocence and do not eliminate the offender's conviction."

The education department said the permanent disqualification from public school employment should stand.

Hurricane Irene - State of Emergency Declared

Governor Christie has declared a State of Emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Irene hitting New Jersey late Saturday into Sunday.  News reports indicate the storm has tracked west meaning an increased potential for a significant impact on New Jersey.  Governor Christie has requested all individuals evacuate the barrier islands of the Jersey Shore, he stated he will consider mandatory evacuations.  The Governor also stated a website http://www.njready.gov/ is available to help assist individuals with planning for the impact (Note:  loading the site is very slow as many people are likely accessing it).

The State of Emergency declaration triggers the price gouging law (N.J.S.A. 56:8-109).

Specifically, this law makes it an unlawful practice to sell merchandise at what constitutes an excessive price increase during the State of Emergency or within 30 days of the termination of the State of Emergency.  An excessive price increase is defined as:

"Excessive price increase" means a price that is excessive as compared to the price at which the consumer good or service was sold or offered for sale by the seller in the usual course of business immediately prior to the state of emergency.  A price shall be deemed excessive if:

1. The price exceeds by more than 10 percent the price at which the good or service was sold or offered for sale by the seller in the usual course of business immediately prior to the state of emergency, unless the price charged by the seller is attributable to additional costs imposed by the seller's supplier or other costs of providing the good or service during the state of emergency;
2. In those situations where the increase in price is attributable to additional costs imposed by the seller's supplier or additional costs of providing the good or service during the state of emergency, the price represents an increase of more than 10 percent in the amount of markup from cost, compared to the mark up customarily applied by the seller in the usual course of business immediately prior to the state of emergency.

A violation of the law is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 for the first offense and $20,000 for the second and subsequent offenses.  Each individual sale of merchandise is considered a separate and district event.

Riley, Coughlin & Coutinho Bill to Restore Aids Drug Program Eligibility Signed Into Law

(Trenton) - Legislation Assembly Democrats Celeste M. Riley, Craig J. Coughlin and Albert Coutinho sponsored to restore the income eligibility for New Jersey's AIDS Drug Distribution Program to the level it was at before it was slashed by Gov. Chris Christie has been signed into law.

The budget signed by the governor in June 2010 reduced eligibility for the AIDS Drug Distribution Program from 500 percent of the federal poverty level to 300 percent.  The new law (A-3286) restores income eligibility levels to 500 percent of the federal poverty level.

"Shared sacrifice has become a popular refrain in New Jersey, but to deny AIDS patients the drugs vital to their well being as a cost saving measure is simply unconscionable," said Riley (D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem).  "We must restrain spending, but not at the expense of people's lives and public health.  By restoring eligibility, this law aims to rectify this reckless cut by the governor."

"This program means life or death for many people," said Coughlin (D-Middlesex).  "Spending cuts are needed, but we cannot be inhumane in the decisions we make when lives are on the line.  We also shouldn't be making decisions that lead to higher medical costs when AIDS patients who lose their drugs grow sicker and require more expensive treatments."

"This funding cut was, without exaggeration, a death sentence for the nearly 1,000 people who cannot afford to purchase AIDS medication on their own," said Coutinho (D-Essex).  "No one argues that we must reduce our budgetary spending, but that does not mean we can simply cut without a conscience.  As public servants, it is incumbent on us to help those who need it most."

Quigley, Prieto, Coughlin & Coutinho Bill to Expand Crime-Fighting Potential of DNA Database Signed into Law

(Trenton) - Legislation Assembly members Joan Quigley, Vincent Prieto, Craig Coughlin and Albert Coutinho sponsored to increase law enforcement's crime-fighting potential by expanding New Jersey's DNA law to require samples from individuals arrested on suspicion of certain violent crimes has been signed into law.

The bill was approved 67-4-7 by the Assembly in June.

"New Jersey is not alone in this movement.  Roughly 20 other states have expanded their laws to include anyone arrested on suspicion of these crimes.  This is an important step in bringing wanted criminals to justice," said Quigley (D-Bergen/Hudson).

Current DNA law only requires samples to be taken from individuals convicted of certain violent crimes.

The new law (S-737/A-2594) amends the state's "DNA Database and Databank Act of 1994" to require DNA samples from anyone arrested on suspicion of these crimes:  murder; manslaughter; second degree aggravated assault when the person attempts to cause or causes serious bodily injury to another or causes bodily injury while fleeing or attempting to flee a law enforcement officer; kidnapping; luring or enticing a child; engaging in sexual conduct which would impair or debauch the morals of a child; or aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, criminal sexual contact or an attempt to commit any of these offenses.

"This is a smart move given the fact that statistics show that roughly 40 percent of burglaries and other non-violent crimes are bring committed by someone who has already committed a violent crime," said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson).

"DNA is the most important 21st century crime-fighting tool we have," said Coughlin (D-Middlesex).  "It's reliability is an important factor in meting our justice both for victims and those who might be falsely accused."

"The move to expand our DNA database works on both sides of the equation.  It will increase law enforcement's ability to track down and convict otherwise elusive, and possibly violent, criminals, while also helping to exonerate anyone that may have been wrongfully accused of a crime," said Coutinho (D-Essex/Union).

The FBI uses a system called CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) to provide for the storage and exchange of DNA records on a national basis.  CODIS consists of a "forensic" index containing DNA profiles from crime scene evidence.  It also has an "offender" index, with DNA profiles of convicted offenders.  By electronically comparing DNA profiles from those indexes, analysts often are able to obtain "hits" (or matches) between DNA found at crime scenes and DNA profiles in the forensic database.

The new law also stipulates that if the charges against a perform from whom a DNA sample was collected are dismissed, or if a person is acquitted at trial, the sample would be destroyed, and all related records expunged, upon request by an individual.

In order to ensure compliance with DNA collection, the law will also make it a crime of the fourth degree for any person who knowingly refuses to submit to the collection of a blood or biological sample.  A crime of the fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine up to $10,000, or both.

Quigley has been working on the law since 2009 with Sen. Nicholas Sacco.

"I want to thank Sen. Sacco for his cooperative efforts on this important public safety concern," Quigley said.  "Together, we've worked to make New Jersey a safer place to live, and we hope this effort will continue to protect New Jerseyans for generations to come."

A Letter from Senator Frank Lautenberg

Dear Jerry,

Republicans in Washington and Trenton - these days, it's hard to say which are worse.

Governor Christie and the Tea Party extremists in Washington share the same goal:  To dismantle the gains we've made in expanding women's and workers' rights, protecting retirement security and building strong public schools.

At a time when many Americans need help from government just to get by, Governor Christie and the Republicans in Washington are slashing and burning essential programs, while asking absolutely nothing from the very wealthy.

They're throwing women, workers, and seniors under the bus so billionaires can keep riding in style - and we need to fight back in Washington and here at home.

That's why I voted against the debt deal that came before the Senate last month.  It's a travesty to place the burden on balancing the budget on those most at risk in these challenging economic times while asking nothing from those who have the most.

Yet the Republicans in Washington are willing to end Medicare as we know it so the rich can keep their tax cuts, and Governor Christie has put New Jersey children at risk by vetoing a millionaire's tax to fund our schools.

This is no time to capitulate.  The debt ceiling deal and state budget fight are just the beginning - there will be many battles ahead as the GOP continues to pander to the Tea Party while leaving most Americans out in the cold.

The progressive gains we've made are at greater risk right now than ever before.  It's time for Democrats to start standing up and speaking out, right now.

Remember, these battles are far from over.  Check my website for updates on my efforts and news on these important issues.

Sincerely,

Frank Lautenberg

Conaway Bill to Fund Grants for Historic Preservation Projects Now Law

(7th Legislative District) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Herb Conaway M.D. appropriating $10.8 million to the New Jersey Historic Trust to fund grants for historic preservation projects was signed into law Monday.

The law (A-4058) appropriates $10.2 million from the 2009 Historic Preservation Fund and the 2007 Historic Preservation Fund for grants for certain historic preservation projects, and $600,000 from the 2009 Historic Preservation Fund for associated administrative expenses.

"New Jersey has an enviable history that should be preserved and invested in for future generations," said Conaway (D-Burlington/Camden).  "Preservation creates a sense of identity, and contributions to our economy as heritage tourism draws visitors looking for unique historical and cultural travel experiences."

Of the $10.2 million, $9.3 million will be used for capital preservation grants, and $945,996 will be used for historic site management grants.

The historic site management grants support non-construction activities such as long-term planning of operations and programs including building assessments, accessibility, landscape plans, and creating educational campaigns to increase public awareness.

Historic site management grants for projects in Burlington and Camden counties include:

• $46,875 to the Mercer County Park Commission for the Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark District in Burlington and Mercer counties.
• $50,000 to the Westmont Theatre in Haddon Township
• $30,690 to the Westampton Twp Historical Society for the Rancocas Lyceum in Westampton Township
• $20,000 to the Alice Paul Institute for Destination Paulsdale:  Revealing the Hidden Gem in Mount Laurel Township.

Coughlin, Greenwald & Riley Bill to Improve Quality of Health Care for Medicaid Recipients Now Law

(Trenton) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Craig J. Coughlin, Louis D. Greenwald and Celeste Riley creating a three-year pilot program to improve health care outcomes, quality and access for Medicaid recipients at reduced costs has been signed into law.

The law (S-2443/A-3636) creates the Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Demonstration Project.  Under the program, nonprofit groups can apply to provide health care to Medicaid fee-for-service recipients residing in an area with more than 5,000 Medicaid recipients.

Providers that can deliver improved care, expand access to primary and behavioral health care services, and reduce unnecessary and inefficient costs associated with care rendered to Medicaid recipients would be entitled to gain sharing or cost savings payments from Medicaid.

"This program will provide improved health care at reduced costs for New Jersey's most vulnerable patients, many of whom have limited access to coordinated and primary care services, and tend to delay care, underutilized preventive care, and seek care in hospital emergency departments for preventable problems," said Coughlin (D-Middlesex).

"The ACO model is recognized as a mechanism that can be used to improve health care quality and health outcomes, while lowering the costs of medical care by providing incentives to coordinate care among providers throughout a region," said Greenwald (D-Camden).  "This is welcomed news for Medicaid patients and taxpayers."

"People often assume better health care means higher costs, but this program has shown the opposite," said Riley (D-Salem/Cumberland/Gloucester).  "I'm hopeful that after the trial period, it will serve as a model for achievement of improved health care at lower costs that can be replicated in other settings to the benefit of patients and taxpayers throughout New Jersey."

Johnson, Coughlin & Conners Bill to Help Families of N.J. Soldiers on Active Duty Signed Into Law

(Trenton) - Legislation Assembly Democrats Gordon Johnson, Craig J. Coughlin and Jack Conners sponsored to promote donations to a fund that helps the families of New Jersey soldiers called into active duty was signed into law on Friday.

"These families are heroes," said Johnson (D-Bergen).  "They too have sacrificed to defend our freedom, coping while a loved one ships out to faraway places and providing crucial support to our soldiers, even as they struggle financially with lost income and increased stress.  The least we can do is offer them our support, too."

The new law (A-2286) will establish the New Jersey National Guard State Family Readiness Council Fund and provide for a spot on the state's gross income tax return to permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund.  The measure was approved 77-0-1 by the Assembly in March and 38-0 by the Senate in June.

"I am confident that New Jerseyans will be generous enough to donate a few dollars here and there to help these families," said Coughlin (D-Middlesex).  "This law will make it easy to do just that, and that's a good thing for everyone involved."

"This fund will provide support to members of the New Jersey National Guard and their families," said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden).  "This support is intended to help members and their families cope during difficult times when a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.  The council provides education, counseling and financial planning so the spouses of deployed Guard members have what they need to cope."

Conners, Tucker, & Moriarty Bill to Create Peer Support Program for Veterans Now Law

(Trenton) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jack Conners, Cleopatra Tucker and Paul D. Moriarty establishing a veteran-to-veteran peer support telephone helpline was signed into law Friday.

The new law (S-1731/A-2616) makes a permanent program started by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  The 24 hour/7-day a week helpline (1-866-VETS-NJ-4) provides New Jersey veterans and their families with access to a comprehensive support network of mental health professionals who specialize in issues specific to veterans returning to civilian life.

"The helpline is a great idea that receives and responds to veterans, service members and their families," said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden), chairman of the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.  "We sadly know all too well that many of our veterans need a helping hand once they've returned home, and hopefully a peer support program like this will encourage them to seek help when they need it."

"This program provides New Jersey veterans and their families with access to a comprehensive network of mental health professionals specializing in post traumatic stress disorder and other veterans issues," said Tucker (D-Essex).  "It's a great program and I'm thrilled that it is here to stay."

"The services are free and confidential, and since its inception, the helpline has fielded more than 6,000 calls," said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden).  "It's a valuable program that has already helped thousands of veterans in need after their service, and I'm glad that it will continue to help veterans for years to come."

Wagner, Barnes & Lampitt Bill to Provide Incentives to Keep Successful New Jersey College Graduates in the State Introduced by Assembly Panel

(Trenton) - Assembly Democrats Connie Wagner, Peter J. Barnes and Pamela Lampitt on Tuesday touted new legislation to encourage New Jersey's best and brightest college graduates to stay in New Jersey to start their careers.

The bill (A-4095) would create a "Retaining Our Best and Brightest Loan Redemption Program" to provide incentives to encourage academically successful graduates of New Jersey colleges and universities to remain in the state, and academically successful New Jersey residents attending out of state colleges and universities to return to the state after graduation.

The purpose of the program is to increase New Jersey's economic competitiveness in the 21st century by increasing the percentage of educated individuals within the state's workforce, making New Jersey a more attractive place for existing and potential new businesses.

"New Jersey is only as strong as the people who keep its engine running," said Wagner (D-Bergen).  "These students have excelled at school, and through this program, would be incentivized to do the same as employees for the many businesses operating in the state."

"In an increasingly competitive market, companies are looking to bring on board the best candidates for the job," said Barnes (D-Middlesex).  "This program works to keep a viable talent pool to here in New Jersey that will help these businesses, and in turn the state's economy, thrive."

"Today, college students are graduating with increasing and alarming amounts of student loan debt, at a time when tuition rates soar and the Governor has slashed tuition aid to students," said Lampitt (D-Camden), who chairs the Assembly Higher Education Committee.  "This program will help ease those loan burdens, encouraging our best and brightest graduates to start their careers and their families in New Jersey."

Under the program, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) will redeem up to 20 percent of the required minimum monthly payment on a graduate's eligibility NJCLASS loan, provided that the participant remains compliant with the program's eligibility criteria for the duration of the previous month.

In order to be eligible to receive loan redemption, an individual must:

• be a resident of the state and a domiciliary of the state.
• work full time, or the equivalent of full time for multiple employers within the state.
• have graduated with 3.0 GPA or its equivalent.
• have an annual income of no more than $75,000, and pay a minimum of 20 percent of his other gross monthly income toward the discharge of student loans.

The student who received the NJCLASS loan must not have received more than 60 months of assistance under the program, and the loan must (1) have been issued after the program becomes operable (2) not have had 120 required monthly payments made toward it and (3) be on a repayment plan requiring at least 180 monthly payments.

The cost of providing this program to NJCLASS borrowers will be built into the interest rate charged to all NJCLASS borrowers.

The bill have been referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Green's Floor Speech for Union Rights

Albano & Milam Bill Providing Funding to Preserve New Jersey History Signed into Law

Measure Will Provide Grants for Statewide Historic Preservation Projects, Including a Number in Cape May, Atlantic & Cumberland Counties

(Trenton) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam (both D- Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland) allocating over $10 million to help preserve many historic buildings and landmarks throughout New Jersey was signed into law on Monday.

"New Jersey has played many significant roles in history since our nation's founding," said Albano.  "These grants will help ensure that many historical structures weather the test of time to continue telling the story of our state."

The new law (S-2898/A-4058) would appropriate $10,250,780 to the New Jersey Historic Trust for the purpose of providing grants for certain historic preservation projects throughout the state.

"This funding is particularly welcome in such a difficult economy because it will enable us to safeguard our history without placing a further burden on local property taxes," said Milam.  "These grants will help preserve many historical landmarks so that future generations can learn to appreciate our rich heritage."

Locally, the measure will provide capital preservation grants for the following projects in the 1st Legislative District:

CAPE MAY COUNTY

• $251,340 for Hangar No. 1 at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation in Lower Township;
• $750,000 for the Ocean City Life Saving Station in Ocean City; and

CUMBERLAND COUNTY:

• $150,000 for the Millville Bank in Millville City.

The New Jersey Historic Trust was created by law in 1967 to preserve historic resources across the state.  Under the stewardship of the trust, the Garden State Historic Trust Fund provides matching grants for preservation planning and capital projects to stabilize, repair, restore and rehabilitate historic property.

Christie's Failure of Leadership: Surrogates No Substitute As Ratings Agency Downgrades

(Trenton) - New Jersey Democratic State Committee Chairman John Wisniewski offered the following comment on the downgrade of the state bond rating by Fitch and the failure of the Governor, who sent surrogates to fight for New Jersey's financial future after lecturing others about there being no substitute for leadership.

"The most important job of any governor is ensuring the financial stability of the state," said Wisniewski.  "While the Governor can travel around the country campaigning for his Republican pals, spend days holed up leading a failed Republican redistricting effort and can even helicopter across the state for meetings with Iowa admirers, I'm shocked he couldn't make the trip to Manhattan to argue for our financial well-being.  That the governor would delegate this to staff is not only unbelievable, but could cost this state more money than any decision he has made to date. 

"In his endless search for scapegoats instead of solutions to our problems, Christie is fast becoming the most fiscally irresponsible governor in recent memory."

Pou Bill to Preserve Famed Paterson Historic Sites Signed into Law

Bill Preserves Hinchliffe Stadium, Great Falls Power Plant & Old Paterson Post Office

(35th Legislative District) - Legislation Assemblywoman Nellie Pou sponsored to preserve three key Paterson historic sites was signed into law on Monday.

The legislation (A-4508) appropriates about $10.85 million from 2009 Historic Preservation Fund and the 2007 Historic Preservation Fund to provide grants for historic preservation projects.  The funding was approved by voters during 2007 and 2009 referendums.

Among other projects, the bill provides:

• $500,000 for the efforts by Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium to preserve the former Negro League baseball field in Paterson.
• $180,000 for the S.U.M. Great Falls Power Plant in Paterson.
• $50,000 for the Old Paterson Post Office in Paterson.

"These sites are key to Paterson's vibrant history and worthy of preservation so generations to come to be able to understand and learn about our heritage," said Pou (D-Passaic/Bergen).  "Whether it be Hinchliffe Stadium and the story it tells about our national pastime and civil rights, the Great Falls Power Plant and its story of our industrial advances or the Old Paterson Post Office and its story of architecture, all these sites hold a shared history that bring us all together.  The voters have made their support for preserving projects like these clear, and I look forward to that support paying off for years to come."

Letter from Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey, Inc.

Dear Assemblyman Green,

On behalf of the Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey, Inc., the 15 centers statewide and women and children across the state, we would like to thank you for keeping our programs safe in the FY12 Governor's State Budget.  Our programs are working as hard as they can to help the women and the state of New Jersey accomplish economic success.  Some of our Displaced Homemakers Centers have been serving New Jersey women and their children for over 25 years.

Though our funding has essentially been cut over the last several years, we continue to use ingenuity and every ounce of energy and strive to help our women transition from devastating predicaments to self-sufficiency.  We help them see that there is hope when they see none.  We help them connect with other women in similar situations who become a much needed support system.  We help them by providing workshops with essential information, training and education to five them critical skills that lead to a brighter future.  We connect them with resources that help with a variety of needs.  We help them with their resumes, interview skills and job readiness and teach them networking and other job hunting skills.  For the small amount of money that New Jersey invests in our services there is a great return in revenue and success.  If we don't invest in education, job training, children and families our state will be poorly positioned for when prosperity returns.

Our programs run on very minimal funding and produce big results for Displaced Homemakers and their children.  Yes, Centers are understaffed, but in spite of this, the commitment and dedication of displaced homemaker service providers is remarkable! We "make things happen" - regardless of workload.  We empower women to "move on with their lives" ... emotionally, physically and educationally and the result is a better life for families - and "family" is what it's all about!  In addition to running cost-effective programs, statistics show that displaced homemakers become excellent employees ... employers across the State have recruitment partnerships with their local centers.  As a result, displaced homemakers become productive taxpayers who return money to the State of New Jersey.  And it usually happens quickly because of empowerment.

Please be assured that I will be monitoring the bill process on issues involving women and families.  I will remain vigilant to ensure that worthy programs such as ours receive a level of funding necessary to serve those in need.  Your understanding and support along with suggestions for best advocacy actions that we can take would be greatly appreciated.  We thank you again for your service to New Jersey during these challenging times.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  I will be glad to meet with you at your office at your convenience.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Cathi Rendfrey, Legislative Liaison
Displaced Homemakers Network of New Jersey, Inc.

NJDSC'S Week In Review

Congressional Corner


• Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menendez, Congressman Pallone and Congressman Holt slammed the Defense Department decision to close Ft. Monmouth commissary.

• Senator Lautenberg and Senator Menendez unveiled a new video calling on Americans to come together as a nation at 1 p.m. on September 11, 2011 to memorialize the September 11th terrorist attacks across the country, at the same time, w/ one minute of reflection marked by the ringing of bells, sounding of sirens & other actions to remember the lives lost that day.

• U.S. Senator Menendez and State Senator Whelan convened on the future site of the NextGen Aviation Research and Technology Park today to urge stable funding of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and denounce the recent deadlock in Washington, D.C. that left 4,000 FAA employees, including 640 working locally, on furlough and without pay.

• During National Health Center Week, Senators Lautenberg and Menendez announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $816,667 to New Jersey’s Zufall Health Center. The funding, made available through the Health Care Reform Law, will be used to open a new satellite facility in Hackettstown to provide free or low-cost health care services to low-income community members.

• Courier Post: Menendez promotes sustainability in N.J.

• President Obama’s Middle East Adviser, Dennis Ross, met with Congressman Rothman and several others on Capitol Hill for a morning briefing. Ambassador Ross brought them up to date on the latest developments on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as events in Iran, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iraq.

• Congressman Pascrell announced that sixteen agencies that help people infected with the HIV/AIDS virus in Passaic and Bergen counties will get $3.7 million in federal funds.

• Congressman Sires opposes closing the Post Office Branch on West Side Avenue and Union Street in Jersey City.

• Congressman Andrews said President Obama has a chance to build enough public support for his jobs plan to alter the political atmosphere and win passage. The policies could be included in a larger deficit deal when the bipartisan committee established under the debt-limit law issues its report on debt reduction in November.

• Congressman Rothman inserted a speech into the Congressional Record last month noting the Prudential Center in Newark, the Izod Center in East Rutherford and the New Meadowlands Stadium are suitable venues for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

• Congressman Payne joined President Obama as he honored Muslim Americans on Wednesday night at the White House’s annual Ramadan dinner.

Under the Dome


• Senate President Sweeney urged the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission to investigate the Elizabeth Board of Education to demonstrate, in Sweeney's words, that the state will not condone any political activity that threatens the delivery or education or the integrity of teachers.

• Assembly Speaker Oliver shot back at GOP claims that they have aggressively pursued ways to create better business conditions, pointing out in a statement that Christie vetoed Democratic efforts to promote women- and minority-owned businesses, create business-education partnerships and bolster job training programs.

• Senator Norcross was interviewed by Jill Horner on Comcast Newsmakers.

• Assemblywoman Quijano Commentary at NJ Newsroom: Much is being done to battle ‘food deserts’ in New Jersey.

• More support for legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Conners and Assemblyman Moriarty to help veterans.

• Hunterdon County Democratic candidates denounce closing of Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital.

• Assembly Environment Chairman McKeon called for renewed efforts to strengthen Highlands water protection and planning, on the seventh anniversary of the Highlands Act.

• Atlantic City Press: Dealing with minor crimes / Extend pre-trial program.

• Assemblywoman Wagner has reached out to Congressman Steve Rothman regarding the possible closing of the Hasbrouck Heights post office saying the elimination of the branch will be a disservice to the citizens of Hasbrouck Heights.

• Legislation to allocate voter-approved open space preservation funding to help local governments in acquiring and developing lands for recreation and conservation was signed into law.

• Legislation to create a council to oversee Veterans Haven, a state operated facility for homeless veterans serving veterans from all over New Jersey, was recently approved by the Assembly.

• State Senator Gordon and Assemblywoman Wagner presented borough of Hasbrouck Heights officials with a check Tuesday night in the amount of $17,271.90 for the borough’s continuous recycling efforts.

• The New Jersey Senate Democratic Majority unveiled a new website that uncovers the facts behind Assemblyman Vince Polistina's longstanding practice of milking taxpayers for millions of dollars in no-bid government engineering contracts – even while he earns a paycheck and benefits from public office.

• Assemblyman Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Riley helped open the 2011 Salem County Fair.

• Assemblyman Chivukula is helping collect backpacks and school supplies.

• Atlantic City Press: Paperless payroll / N.J. should opt in.

• The Record: Alzheimer's disease, the progressive illness that affects 5 million Americans, devastates so many families that state lawmakers adopted a law this summer creating the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Study Commission. The 15-member volunteer board will raise awareness, study the disease's far-reaching effects and help develop community-based services for patients and families.

Star Ledger Article, 8/12/11

N.J. to get $11.5M in Federal Funds for Housing, Community Programs

New Jersey will receive more than $11.5 million in federal funding for numerous community initiatives, with more than half going to Union County, U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez said yesterday.

The grants, awarded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be used for community development, emergency homeless shelters, housing assistance and support services for persons with HIV/AIDS, according to a statement from the Democratic senators.  The money will also be used to expand access to affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families.

Union County will receive about $6.4 million, with an additional $635,000 going directly to Union Township.  The rest will go to the city of Camden.

"These investments are revitalizing our communities while creating new opportunities for New Jersey families," said Menendez, (D-N.J.).

Writer:  Ryan Hutchins

Conners & Milam Bill Aims to Improve Oversight for Facility That Helps Homeless Veterans

(Trenton) - Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Jack Conners and Matthew W. Milam to create a council to oversee Veterans Haven, a state operated facility for homeless veterans serving veterans from all over New Jersey, was recently approved by the Assembly.

"We are indebted to veterans who served and fought for the freedoms we continue to enjoy today," said Conners (D-Burlington/Camden).  "The council will ensure that our veterans who find themselves without a home to call their own are receiving the care they need and require."

"The council will make sure that this facility is indeed a haven for veterans in need," said Milam (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland).  "They put their lives on the line for our country.  It is now time for us to return the favor at a time in their lives when they need it most."

The Veterans Haven Council will formulate policies for the coordination of services for the veterans housed at Veterans Haven located in Camden County; will consult with and advise the Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and the Director of Veterans Services with respect to the work of Veterans Haven; recommend standards and procedures for application and termination of eligibility for admission to Veterans Haven; and recommend standards of care, treatment and discipline governing the relationship between Veterans Haven and the persons admitted there.

The council will consist of seven members.  The Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs will serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member.  Each member will be appointed by the Adjutant General with the approval of the Governor.  The term of each member will be three years.  Council members are subject to removal by the Adjutant General at any time for good and sufficient cause.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Oliver on Assembly Republican Policy Committee Meeting

(Trenton) - Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) issued the following statement on the Assembly Republican Policy Committee's Wednesday business roundtable discussion:

"Today's Assembly Republican business roundtable has given me the strangest sense of deja vu.

"It was Democrats who, in October, convened a series of blue ribbon panels with legislators, business and industry leaders and members of the public to find ways to increase job creation and jumpstart New Jersey's economy.

"From those discussions, Democrats sponsored the Back To Work NJ 30-bill job creation and economic stimulus package this past December.

"When Gov. Christie used his veto pen to gut the bill package, refusing to sign measures that would help developers receive low-interest EDA loans (A-2215); attract economic development projects to the state (A-3353); create a loan redemption program for students entering fields with labor shortages (A-3513); provide on-the-job training for out-of-work residents (A-3584); expand the state's film tax credit (S-690); help urban women and minority owned businesses qualify for EDA loans (S-1216); expand the gross income tax exclusion for pension, annuities and other sources of senior income (S-2345); instruct the EDA and the Commission on Higher Education to create higher education/business partnerships (S-2398); and provide tax credits for emerging technology businesses (A-2454), it was Democrats who fought tooth and nail to override those vetoes.

"Assembly Republicans chose instead to march in lock step with their governor and let these job creating, economy stimulating bills die.

"We Democrats invested a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure that the bill package we put forth would create jobs, stimulate the economy and have the support of the state's business community.

"For the Assembly Republicans who have had a late summer deathbed conversation on the topics of job creation and the economy, I and hundreds of thousands of out of work New Jerseyans can only ask, 'Where were you in March?'"

Temporary Relief for Utility Expenses (TRUE)

In March 2011, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities selected the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) to administer the $25 million TRUE utility assistance program statewide. In just four months, $1,238,766.24 has already been awarded to 1,410 home owners and occupants from throughout New Jersey who were behind in their utility payments and qualified for the program.

The TRUE Grant assistance program is available for NJ residents on a first come, first serve basis. My district office is available to provide information and guidance for obtaining help from this program.

Who should apply?

- Customers with past due balances on their electric and gas accounts with utility service not disconnected
- That have made at least four payments of $25 or more in the last six months
- Are not eligible for the low income programs such as USF
- Meet the TRUE grant annual income cap listed on pseg.com/true_guidelines.

Income Guidelines 2011

Annual income per client household

Household Size     Minimum                         Maximum
1                             $21,672                           $57,120
2                             $29,160                           $69,853
3                             $36,636                           $85,397
4                             $44,112                           $103,034
5                             $51,600                           $109,934
6                             $59,076                           $116,834
7                             $66,552                           $123,734
8                             $74,040                           $130,634
9                             $81,516                           $137,534

Please contact my office for more information or to pick up an application (908) 561-5757.

McKeon: Governor Should Use Shore Visits to Better Understand Environmental Protection

(27th Legislative District) - Assembly Environment Chairman John McKeon (D-Essex) released the following statement Tuesday on Gov. Christie's plan for a week of shore visits:

"I hope Gov. Christie enjoys his visits to the beautiful New Jersey shore - a valuable natural resource vital to job creation, economic growth and culture in our great state.

"The shore is also, of course, a testament to our unrelenting dedication to environmental protection.

"Hopefully, once the governor finishes this tour, he will realize the importance of preventing contaminated storm water from seeping into our waterways.  That was something the governor failed to realize when he vetoed our bill (A-2606) to control storm water runoff and nonpoint source pollution in the Barnegat Bay watershed.

"And hopefully, once the governor finishes this tour, he will realize the importance of clean air to our beaches and all outdoor recreation.  That was something the governor failed to realized when he pulled New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

"I encourage everyone to visit our great shore communities, but promoting natural resources requires more than photo opportunities.  It requires real leadership that understands environmental protection is interconnected and cannot be accomplished piecemeal."

NJ State and Local Updates

NJ Spotlight: Senate Democrats launch website that takes the measure of state aid under the Christie administration.  Chairman Wisniewski congratulated Senate President Sweeney on holding the Governor accountable for his cruel cuts to education funding with the launch of the new NJ Senate Democrats Education Funding Website. From the website: http://www.schoolfundingnj.com/. While Governor Christie likes to point out that many school districts have received more aid this year than last year, he's only telling you part of the story. In many cases, districts have lost millions in State support since Governor Christie came into office, and few have been funded at the level required under the school funding formula approved in 2008.

Education Law Center: When Governor Christie took his red pen to the Democrats’ FY12 State Budget, he removed full funding of the state school aid formula for the 2011-12 school year. As a result, 550 districts are now off-formula for the second straight year. While compelled by the NJ Supreme Court to fully fund the Abbott districts under the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA), the governor vetoed most of the additional aid the Democrats’ budget allocated to non-Abbott districts. The bulk of the additional school aid would have gone to mostly moderate- and middle-income districts in suburban and rural areas of the state -- districts that have repeatedly been denied the funding they are entitled to under the SFRA. The final budget provides only a small increase over 2010-11 aid levels: approximately 2% of each district’s 2009-10 total budget. This is far below the amount cut in 2010-11, and provides no increase to move districts towards adequacy, as required under the SFRA.

Christie's Charm Offensive Won't Work On Seniors  Star Ledger Editorial: "Seniors are smart. They know they were better off before he was elected. They know Christie's property tax relief cuts have made it tougher for them to stay in their homes, that he has protected millionaires over fixed-income residents. And they won't be fooled by the charm. Because with age comes wisdom."

More Flights Revealed in Coptergate Courier Post: 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.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Remember Coptergate? Dems Do! Chairman Wisniewski reacted to the additional flights being revealed: “Chris Christie’s story continues to change as more information is exposed. A real straight talker would could come clean and not try to hide the truth.”

Following the latest revelations, Assemblywoman Quijano has asked Republican Assembly Minority Leader DeCroce again to sign on as a sponsor of legislation she has introduced prohibiting the use of state helicopters for personal and political events.

Assemblyman Moriarty expressed concern over the Governor's use of the helicopter.

Christie's Claims that Democrats Cut MVC Deemed FALSE: Politifact: PolitiFact New Jersey found that Christie was wrong about the budget cut -- nearly seven times wrong. In the wake of computer problems at Motor Vehicle Commission offices and other state agencies, Christie claimed the Democrats had cut $35 million for Information Technology improvements. We rate the statement False.

Chairman of the Assembly Transporation Committee Wisniewski reacted to Christie's claims: "There's more than enough money that the MVC generates every year to fund all of their technology needs so it's just a non-starter to say that we don't have the money..."

Following a hearing on the MVC delays, Senator Gordon said: “I did not hear anything that would allay the concerns of the MVC customer having to go tomorrow and not having to stand in a long line. I didn’t hear anything that would suggest that there will be an immediate fix to this. I heard about things that will be in place in September.” Gordon said he found it “hard to believe” that the $179 million the Christie administration had “diverted” from the agency’s coffers over the last two years did not have an impact on operations.

Senator Sarlo: "I don't know about all of you, but I have had no complaints from DMV until the last two years, until some of the significant budget cuts occurred. DMV was cleaned up."

Assemblyman Greenwald on Christie raiding motor vehicle funding: "If the Governor had wanted MVC to have additional funding for technology investments, he would have simply reduced the amount of the raid, rather than increasing it."

Assemblywoman Wagner: “Motorists across this state had become accustomed to brutal waits at motor vehicle agencies, until the reforms of decade ago changed that reality. Now, motor vehicle agencies are again a mess under Governor Christie."

NJDSC Women's StepUp training and Women's Equality Event  If you haven't signed up yet for this intensive, interactive one-day training for women with some of our region's leading political strategists, space is going fast. The New Jersey Democratic State Committee is proud to present our 5th Annual STEP-UP Democratic Women's Advanced Training on Saturday, August 13, 2011. StepUpNJ@njdems.org for more information.

Please join the New Jersey Democratic State Committee for our 3rd Annual Women’s Equality Event honoring County Chairs Charlotte DeFilippo, Elizabeth Muoio, Marguerite Schaffer and Lois Zarish at the home of Marcia Marley on Thursday, August 25th from 6 to 8 pm. Contributions are $91 commemorating 91 years since women received the right to vote. To purchase tickets please click here or to RSVP or for more information, please email Heather at hdejong@njdems.org or call 609-392-3367. You can view the full invitation here.

Study: Taxes Don't Make NJ Millionaires Flee  Star Ledger: In each of the last two years, Gov. Chris Christie has vetoed Democratic bills to raise taxes on incomes over $1 million, saying it would drive wealthy people from the state. As it turns out, this is another suspect piece of conservative dogma. A new study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities deals several body blows to the governor’s theory.

New Jersey Newsroom: In the study, sociologists at Stanford University looked at the effect of New Jersey's 2004 tax increase on people making more than $500,000 per year. They found that while the number of people leaving the state in this income group increased very slightly after the tax increase went into effect, the number was insignificant because people unaffected by the new tax were moving at a similar rate. The end result was that the new tax rate produced a large increase in revenue for the state without prompting people to leave.

Wagner: MVC Needs Short-Term Emergency Plan to Resolve Customer Service Woes

Telling New Jerseyans to Wait A Year for Possible Fix Not An Option

(LODI) - Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen) released the following statement Thursday after testifying at a Senate hearing into recent customer service woes at motor vehicle agencies:

"Today's testimony unfortunately makes clear that the Motor Vehicle Commission disturbingly has no short-term solution for fixing its customer service problems and long waits.  It doesn't even have a procedure in place for helping senior and disabled citizens and those who are sick who cannot wait three hours to renew their licenses.

"Meanwhile, the number of high-paid MVC employees has increased while agencies vital to the public have been closed.

"This agency has lost its focus on customer service.

"That's unacceptable, and it's something we must all work together to resolve.  Republicans can sit around claiming discussion of the MVC problems is a political event, but that attitude doesn't help New Jerseyans forced to wait in hours-long lines.

"With system upgrades at least a year away, the MVC needs a short-term emergency plan to handle its customer service problems.  Simply telling motorists not to worry because the long lines might go away in a year are not an option."

Quijano Calls on DeCroce to Join Her in Once Again Sponsoring Legislation Banning Helicopter Use for Personal, Political Events

Following New Revelations of Misuse by Christie, Quijano Hopes Bipartisan Support Will Help Ensure Swifter Passage of Measure DeCroce Once Sponsored

(Trenton) - Following the latest revelations that Governor Christie used the State Police helicopter for personal trips to the Governor's beach home, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano has asked Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce to sign on as a sponsor of legislation she has introduced prohibiting the use of state helicopters for personal and political events.

Quijano sent a letter to DeCroce today requesting that he join her in sponsoring the legislation, which is nearly identical to a bill he sponsored in 2002 and 2004, in order to help encourage swifter passage of the law through a bipartisan show of support.

"In the interest of protecting the taxpayers of this state, the prudent thing to do at this point is to put an end to the ambiguities surrounding the use of state helicopters and establish a clear set of rules governing this practice," said Quijano (D-Union).  "Safeguarding against future misuse of taxpayer money is not an issue of partisanship, but of fiscal and moral responsibility.  I urge Assemblyman DeCroce to reach across the aisle to help make our state government more diligent in its use of resources now, and through all future administrations."

The legislation (A-4184) Quijano is sponsoring is nearly identical to legislation first introduced by DeCroce in December of 2002 and reintroduced again in 2004, prior to Quijano joining the Assembly.  In addition to prohibiting helicopter use for personal and political reasons, the bill would also require quarterly reports to the Legislature on the governor's use of state helicopters.

As chair of the Assembly's Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, Quijano also held a hearing on the matter back in June after reports first surfaced that Governor Christie had used the State Police helicopter to travel to and from his son's baseball game and a private meeting with political donors.  Quijano noted that the Governor's Office later released a log of all the flights he had taken, which proved to be incomplete after the Courier Post submitted an Open Public Records request and obtained additional flight details.

Quijano noted that the helicopters in use today were purchased to replace the state's aging fleet and primarily intended for critical homeland security activities and medical emergencies and, when necessary, to transport governors safely and swiftly to important state business.

Jasey Bill to Allow Supplemental Funding for Clean, Drinking Water Projects Now Law

(27th Legislative District) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey allowing the state to provide supplemental funding for clean water and drinking water projects that have already been approved by the state was signed into law Thursday.

"Time and unforeseen circumstances can cause the expense for complex projects to exceed projections," said Jasey.  "By allowing additional funding for clean water and drinking water projects that have already been approved, we will ensure these vital (new world) projects are successfully completed and meet their purpose; to keep our water and residents safe."

The law (A-4056) directs the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, which provides low-cost financing for the construction of environmental infrastructure projects, to establish a special "Supplemental Loan Fund" for a short-term or temporary loan financing or refinancing program to be known as the "Supplemental Financing Program."

The law allows the trust to make supplemental short-term or temporary loans to local government units, public water utilities or private persons to pay for eligible costs incurred in excess of the previous loan amount, for activities specifically approved in the previous project loan that are not included on the corresponding project priority list for the ensuing fiscal year or otherwise eligible for approval under the New Jersey Environmental Trust Financing Program.

Under the law, the Supplemental Financing Program will function without regard to any other provision of the trust's enabling laws, or any other administrative or legislative approvals.

The law also modifies the Onsite Wastewater Disposal Financing Program to allow the issuance of loans to local government units on behalf of private persons.

Green and Stender Water Bill Signed Into Law

(22nd Legislative District) - Legislation Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green and Assemblywoman Linda Stender to protect clean water and ensure safe drinking water throughout the 22nd Legislative District was signed into law on Thursday.

The bill (A-4057) authorizes the New Jersey Environment Infrastructure Trust to expend up to about $648 million on environmental infrastructure projects included in the state's clean water project priority and drinking water priority project lists.

"Clean water and safe drinking water are a shared priority," said Green (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset).  "This bill is a smart investment into our communities, public health and all the benefits that come with a strong infrastructure, such as jobs and economic growth."

"This new laws benefits families, the environment and our economy," said Stender (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset).  "Clean and safe drinking water is vital to our quality-of-life and well-being, and this initiative represents another step in our commitment to healthy families and strong communities."

The bill provides $14.8 million for the Linden Roselle Sewerage Authority and $4 million for Middlesex Water Co.  The full project list can be viewed at:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A4500/4057_I1.HTM

Since its creation in 1985, the trust has provided low-cost financing for the construction of environmental infrastructure projects that enhance and protect ground and surface water resources, ensure the safety of drinking water supplies and make possible responsible and sustainable economic development.

The trust has provided more than $2 billion in loans to local government units and some private water companies to finance wastewater systems, combined sewer overflow abatement, nonpoint source pollution control and safe drinking water supplies.

Wagner: Public Payrolls Should "Go Green" to Protect Taxpayers & Environment

Bergen Assemblywoman Cites New State Audit That Shows $1 Million Annual Savings



(Paramus) - Assemblywoman Connie Wagner (D-Bergen) on Wednesday cited a recent legislative audit of the State Office of Management and Budget as further evidence for the need to act on her legislation to institute paperless payrolls for all public employees and retirees, a move that would provide substantial savings for taxpayers.

"This is a smart move, both from a cost-savings perspective and an environmentally-friendly perspective," said Wagner.  "Both the state, and our taxpayers, stand to save roughly $1 million per year by moving to an entirely paperless payroll system.  This is a move whose time has come, particularly in such a difficult economic climate."

Wagner also pointed to recent news reports citing Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff's agreement that a switch to paperless payrolls would provide substantial savings for the state as further evidence that the time is right for this move.

In November, Wagner introduced a bill (A-3503) that would require the direct deposit of net pay for all public employees of the state into a bank account designated by the employee.  This requirement would also apply to other state entities that do not use the centralized payroll system, including public institutions of higher education, as well as all county, municipal, and school district employees.

Currently, public employees only receive direct deposit if they choose to opt into it.  In addition, all information concerning net pay and any accompanying information that is typically provided to employees in paper form will be available only on the Internet with restricted access to protect the integrity and confidentiality of the information.

The bill also mandates that all recurring payments to state and locally administered retirement systems for public employees who retire on or after January 1st following the enactment of the bill be directly deposited and that all information concerning net retirement payments be made available to the recipient only on the Internet in the same manner as for public employees.

The bill would take effect on January 1st following its enactment.

A Letter From Senator Frank Lautenberg

Dear Jerry,

It's been a while since I've emailed you, and I wanted to update you in the wake of the debt ceiling battle in Washington.  Your support makes it possible for me to continue to fight in the Senate on behalf of working families and against this new wave of Tea Party extremists in Congress.

In my years in the Senate, I've never seen anything like the Republicans' recent hijacking of our country over the debt ceiling.

The Republicans held our nation's economic future hostage to their demands, and their antics are simply unforgivable.

The GOP played a very dangerous game - and American families now have to pay a costly ransom.

Rather than work with us to protect critical programs like Head Start, Medicare and Social Security, the Republicans were only interested in standing up for big corporations, millionaires, and billionaires - all at the expense of everyday families in America who are struggling right now in a tough economy.

It's simply unforgivable.

I worked hard for a reasonable solution that would prevent a catastrophic economic default.  But the "deal" Congress passed is unfair to the middle class and low income Americans, has no shared sacrifice from the wealthy and puts Medicare and Social Security at risk.  I simply could not agree to support that.

Your long-time support is deeply appreciated as I continue to fight for progressive values in the U.S. Senate.  Please don't hesitate to contact me at contact@lautenbergfornj.com with any thoughts, comments, or ideas and I also encourage you to visit my website http://www.lautenbergfornj.com/.

Frank R. Lautenberg

Star Ledger Editorial

A SOUR BARGAIN

Jersey Republicans Provided Muscle for Tea Party

In the end, President Obama had no choice but to agree to this lopsided deal.  House Republicans were prepared to wreck the economy with a default unless they got their way.  They had a hostage, and they were prepared to shoot.

Americans should remember that in November.  And it's not just the tea party that did this - mainstream Republicans, including the entire New Jersey delegation, stood firmly with the tea party and its extremist agenda.

The nation has, at least, avoided a catastrophic default.  But remember that this was a fake crisis.  The United States is not Greece.  Investors consider U.S. Treasury bonds to be a safe investment, as reflected in the consistently low interest rates.  This crisis was manufactured by Republicans who wanted to use it as leverage to force their agenda on the Senate and White House.  And for them, it worked.

As for the nation, not so much.  This is a small deal, a weak substitute for the grand bargain that could not be struck because Republicans refused to budge on taxes.

It is a puny answer to a big problem, one that shows how unready we are as a nation to face the hard choices.

It will reduce the growth of our national debt by less than $3 trillion, rather than $10 trillion.  As Matt Miller of the Washington Post put it:  "We've averted disaster only to double down on decline."

From the wealthy, this deal asks nothing.  It does not rescind the Bush tax cuts for top earners, as Obama had hoped.  It ends none of the special privileges that weigh down the nation's tax code.  Hedge fund managers will still pay taxes at a lower rate than their secretaries, and subsidies for everything from corporate jets to ethanol are so far undisturbed.

Tax hikes are still possible.  The first phase includes roughly $1 trillion in spending cuts and no tax hikes.  But in the second phase, a bipartisan commission can recommend a more balanced approach to achieve $1.5 trillion more in savings.

If the commission stalemates, or if Congress rejects its plan, then a trigger would impose $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, half of which would land on the Pentagon.  The hope is Republicans would find those defense cuts so distasteful, they might approve a bipartisan deal with tax increases instead.

Count us among the skeptics.  It's possible Republicans might agree to close a few loopholes, but they are on fire with an ideology that regards tax hikes as poison, even though federal taxes are at a 60-year low.  Until this ideology is defeated, there is no way to contain the nation's debt without stomping the life out of programs like Medicare and Social Security, and stripping the poor and unemployed of what little support they have left.

So don't celebrate today.  Yes, Obama had to sign on.  But the 14 million Americans who are unemployed soon will be joined by many more as the economy absorbs these cuts.  History shows that's what happens when you cut spending during the middle of a slowdown.  Note, too, that this deal does not extend unemployment insurance.  Let them eat cake.

This was a blown opportunity.  The agreement will deepen the divide in a nation that is already dangerously split between the rich and everyone else.  It is not the balanced deal that Obama sought.

It is a clear victory for Republicans.  Now, let's brace ourselves for the fallout.

Star Ledger Editorial

SENIORS ARE SMART, NOT SAPS

Christie's $100 Help With Cooling Costs is Simply a Sop to Elderly Households



You wonder if he thinks they're all senile.

Gov. Chris Christie announced he will give $100 to 182,000 households with seniors or disabled residents to help with their air conditioning bills during this simmering summer. 

It's a nice gesture, the cool Benjamin, and seniors should take the money from Christie's right hand, but watch his left hand carefully.  Because it's probably reaching into their wallets. 

Again.

Christie is chasing the senior vote with a laughable charm offense - sitting at kitchen tables with them, schmoozing them at town hall meetings, and now, like Wednesday night bingo, offering cash prizes.

While announcing the bribe - uh, we mean assistance - Christie thanked seniors for "hanging in there" with him over the first 18 months of his term.  Hanging in?  Doesn't he mean hanging out... to dry?

Seniors are smart.  They know they were better off before he was elected.  They know his property tax relief cuts have made it tougher for them to stay in their homes, that he has protected millionaires over fixed-income residents.

They know he wanted to cut senior programs (prescription drug assistance and Senior Freeze, for example), was pressured by Democrats not to, then tried to take credit for every buck.  They won't be fooled by charm.

Because with age comes wisdom.

Opinion Editorial

**North Jersey's The Record**

The Assembly Judiciary Committee last week asked Governor Christie to restore funding to the state's legal aid agency.  During the governor's budget-veto rampage, Legal Services of New Jersey was the victim of a surprise $5 million slashing, an amount that will cripple the organization even further.  It already lost $10 million in state aid last year.

Legal Services President Melville Miller Jr. told legislators the new bottom line most likely will mean 100 fewer lawyers, the closure of at least three offices and 10,000 fewer people getting legal help by the end of the year.  As a result of the last cuts, Miller estimates that two out of three people seeking help are turned away.  This new round may mean three out of four people with a real need for attorneys' services are out of luck.  It's a deplorable state of affairs.

Legal aid provides free legal help to people who cannot otherwise afford it.  That includes legal representation in civil court, an invaluable service that is too often out of reach for the nation's poor.  Legal aid lawyers work on eviction cases, tenant disputes, domestic violence cases, child custody cases, consumer fraud issues and Social Security disability claims, among others.

To be poor in America means to lead a rickety life, in which one unforeseen problem or financial obstacle can cause the whole loose structure to come tumbling down.  You unfairly lose a job so you're kicked out of your apartment for not paying rent.  You have a health problem and no health insurance, so you pay the bills and forgo food, only to get sicker.  Your husband is physically abusive, you leave, he keeps the car and you are fired from your job.

Access to the judicial system is the only way to gain fair treatment.  It is also an integral part of being an American.  We are a nation of just laws, in which legal redress is a right.  By hobbling Legal Services, the state takes away that right for people without a lot of money.

The Judiciary Committee is asking Christie to restore $10 million to Legal Services.  It may not be enough, but it's a good start.  Legal Services expected this year's aid to remain level to last year's, at $19.9 million, and even that was a hardship.  Then came the additional $5 million gash.

The funding cut was just one in a series dealt to the poor and disadvantaged in this year's state budget.  Christie refuses to restore the earned income tax credit to its previous level.  Nor will he put back money taken from a child advocacy agency that offers legal representation and treatment for children who have been physically or sexually abused.  Forget the $7.5 million for family planning centers that allow the poor to receive basic health care.  Or money for an AIDS drug distribution program.  Or even funding for a successful after-school program.

When one social-services thread after another is pulled out, the safety net unravels.  While top-tier earners are saved from any tax increase, those at the bottom are left with nowhere to turn.  The message they get from the state is, "We don't care."

Restore the funding.