New Jersey Democratic State Committee's week in review

As New Jerseyans gather together to celebrate Independence Day, we should all remember and celebrate those who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice in order to protect that independence. We thank the American patriots, from the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration and overthrew tyranny, to the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces today. We are grateful for their service, which has protected our freedom and independence for 236 years.

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Christie Vetoes Hit Women and the Working Poor

•Governor Christie, still sulking about losing another opportunity to cut taxes for the wealthy, took his anger out on the citizens who are struggling most. In the budget sent from the legislature, Democrats had restored the Earned Income Tax Credit, which Christie had eliminated two years ago. Christie removed the tax credit with his line item veto, making it clear that unless the very rich get a tax cut too, the working poor will have to go without one.

•Planned Parenthood took note of the governor's veto of women's health care funding, making it the 4th time in 3 years that Christie has cut funding for women's health.

•Guess who else bore the brunt of his anger: a reporter last week at a press conference and a New Jersey resident this week on the Seaside Boardwalk. The way that our governor comports himself is an embarrassment to the office he holds and the people of this state.


Christie Preens for National Republicans in Special Session

•Following Christie's veto, he abused his constitutional authority on Saturday to call for a special legislative session on Monday July 2. Christie gave legislators the bare minimum 48 hour notice to call the session.

•Once the legislature convened, the Governor proceeded to lecture Democrats on why they should heed his calls to pass his tax cut, signalling that even he doesn't believe his revenue numbers will come in as optimistically as predicted. He's fine with locking our children into future debt if it means he can borrow millions to pay for a tax cut that will score him political points.

•We know the real reason Christie is pushing for a tax cut now: he wants to be able to talk about it in Tampa at the Republican National Convention.

•New Jersey Democrats aren't going to allow the governor to borrow millions of dollars for a tax cut to bolster his standing with Mitt Romney et al. We're not going to apologize for looking out for New Jersey's future instead of the governor's.


Congressional Corner

•Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Bob Menendez announced investment in transportation services for Morris County veterans.

•Senator Bob Menendez also announced more than $5.9 million in federal investments to expand access to affordable health care and bolster local public safety efforts.

•Congressman Steve Rothman helped rededicate the post office in Little Ferry, NJ to honor of the memory of Marine Sergeant Matthew J. Fenton.

•Congressman Albio Sires issued a statement in honor of Independence Day.


 Under the Dome

•Assemblyman John Wisniewski reminded New Jersey that Governor Christie has been a hypocrite on tax relief.

•Senator Richard Codey gave Governor Christie a C- on his speech this week.

•Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman criticizes the Governor for seeking the spotlight while doing little to help working class families.

•Senator Jim Beach's legislation to protect custody and parental rights for deployed service members passed the Senate last week.

•Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says that time and again Governor Christie has failed on tax relief.

•Senate President Steve Sweeney called the Governor's special session political theater to boost Christie's national profile.

•Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald released a video responding to Governor Christie's speech.

•Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg noted that the Governor continues to veto a tax on incomes above a million dollars, which would have helped offset middle class property tax relief.