Blue Jersey - Front Page

Enrollment and Aid requests continue to rise at Rutgers

Jason Springer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:21:34 GMT

The trend continues at the State University of New Jersey:

Rutgers University expects its enrollment to top 53,000 this fall.
That would be a record number and continue a trend that has seen enrollment at New Jersey's largest public university increase by more than 35 percent over the last decade.

And along with the increase in attendance, they have seen a jump in how long the students are staying and requests for assistance:

Courtney O. McAnuff, Rutgers' vice president of enrollment management, says one reason for the increase is that fewer students are dropping out. He attributes that to both the economy and university programs to improve student retention.
In another sign of the times, Rutgers says requests for financial assistance are up 29 percent. About 86 percent of its students receive financial aid.

Rutgers had 52,471 students enrolled in 2008. You can see a complete list of 2008 enrollment at all the universities in NJ, public and private, by clicking here. Over 410,000 NJ students were enrolled to attend some type of college last fall. It really is a sign of the times on all fronts, from people staying in school to people needing help to do so.

Maybe they didn't tell Steele the NJ GOP doesn't want Palin

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:57:52 GMT

Michael Steele is in town today stumping on behalf of Chris Christie, even if Blue Jersey has done more publicizing of the events than the campaign. But apparently Steele wasn't briefed well, because he's still shooting for Sarah Palin to see Russia from Trenton:

Steele afterwards said he looked forward to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin campaigning for Republicans across the country, including New Jersey and Virginia, to what best fits her schedule.
Christie, however, said he does not plan on having Palin, who has announced her resignation as governor effective July 26, campaign in New Jersey. Christie said he wants to focus his campaign on New Jersey's issues and how he would address the state's problems.

What I wouldn't give for some follow up questions. Here's just a few I would have liked to see asked by an intrepid reporter:

1. Does Michael Steele plan on bringing Palin into NJ over the objections of Christie?
2. How does Chris Christie think that keeping the focus on NJ means bringing in National figures like Steele, Rudy and Romney?
3. Athough they don't want Sarah Palin to stand on stage in this state, would they accept financial support and a check to the PAC?
4. Will she come in for a private fundraiser if they don't want her out in public?

And those are just the questions pertaining to today's quotes. What questions would you like the media to be asking?

More aid for Community Food Banks

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:00:00 GMT

A unanimous legislature recently sent a bill to the Governor for his signature that would help meet the needs of our state food pantries:

Gov. Jon S. Corzine is considering legislation that would establish a "Community Food Pantry Fund" in the state Treasury Department and allow taxpayers to donate a portion of their income tax refund to it.
The Assembly passed the bill in October 2008, and the Senate gave its approval last month. If it becomes law, money donated to the fund would be distributed to pantries through the state's food purchase program. The money would be used exclusively to buy food.

And while the demand is great, it continues to grow:

Recent state statistics estimated that 250,000 new clients are seeking help this year from food banks across the Garden State. That represents a 25 percent increase from last year, and that comes with a 20 percent decrease in food supplies and donations over the same period.

The bill also creates another fund that taxpayers can support:

The bill also allows taxpayers interested in animal population control to donate a portion of their tax refund to a cat and dog spaying and neuter fund in the Health and Senior Services Department, which funds a low-cost spaying and neutering program.

So if the Governor signs the bill, you can either support your local food pantry or as Bob Barker used to say, "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered."

Tornoe's Toons: Campaigning for Christie

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:44:48 GMT

There has been a good deal of talk about Chris Christie and the NJ GOP not wanting Sarah Palin to help their efforts here in New Jersey. At the same time, Rudy Giuliani has been a welcome requested guest. Rob Tornoe gives us this visual today:

Quote of the Day: Already hopping on one leg

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:15:00 GMT

Senator Menendez has been outspoken trying to encourage participation in the census. He wants to make sure that there are the most accurate counts so that people can have the proportional representation they deserve. Commenting on how the Republicans have been blocking the confirmation of the new census director nominee, the Senator had this to say:

"The reality is this census is already hopping on one leg," Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (N.J.) said, expressing fear that "Latinos and other minorities are going to be severely undercounted."

The population count gets underway in 8 months according to the Roll Call article. You can see more of the Senator speaking about the importance of participating in the census here.

First dibs when the First Lady comes to town

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

While the President will be here Thursday to campaign with Governor Corzine, the Washington Times lets us know that won't be the only Obama visit:

When New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine announced that President Obama would headline his re-election rally, more than 52,000 people signed up, forcing the governor to move it to a bigger location and issue Obama fans IOUs.
Corzine aides called the enthusiastic and quick response to the upcoming rally "absolutely outstanding" and promised that those turned away would have first dibs when first lady Michelle Obama and administration officials come before the November election - or if the president makes a return trip.

So if you don't get into the event on Thursday, it may not be your last chance to see the President or other members of his family in the state on behalf of the Governor. On the other side of the aisle, the GOP has Michael Steele here today, Newt Gingrich coming soon, and Sarah Palin in exile.

Marriage Equality comes up for a vote tonight in Red Bank

Rosi Efthim — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:37:49 GMT

A resolution supporting marriage equality, and other legislation supporting the rights of gay people, comes up tonight before the Red Bank Council, and councilman Ed Zipprich would love to see the room filled to capacity with supporters.

Red Bank Council meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 1st floor Borough Hall, 90 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. Public comment usually comes early in the meetings, we're told.

Tonight's resolution was rescheduled from last month, after it became apparent that not all members of council were familiar with the disparity between the rights accorded married people and the rights accorded those in civil unions. Councilman Ed Zipprich, who also serves as Development Director for NJ Stonewall Democrats and Monmouth Democracy for America (DFA) leader, says the fact his borough's council is 100% Democrat doesn't guarantee passage of tonight's resolution. He expects lively discussion, and hopes for active audience participation.

The resolution is based on one that was passed last month by the National Conference of Mayors, and also signifies support for the following pieces of federal legislation; Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), Matthew Shepard Act, Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which repeals Don't Ask, Don't Tell, about which congressmen Holt, Andrews and Pallone feel very strongly, and Uniting American Families Act. If this passes, Red Bank becomes the first city in NJ to follow the national mayors' lead on all these proposals, though Maplewood passed - unanimously - a marriage equality resolution last month, too.

Sen. Jennifer Beck lives in Red Bank. If this passes, that means the Senate Judiciary Committee member and featured player on Chris Christie's short-list for LG, will live in one of the gay-friendliest towns in America. And wouldn't that be nice?

State GOP fighting over their values too

Jason Springer — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

It appears Chris Christie isn't the only one having a problem with his values.

A spat among two new GOP state committee members, Donna Ward and Rob Eichmann, and new state chairman Jay Webber over whether to accept last year's national Republican platform has escalated.

Actually, according to the Auditor, it appears Christie could be the cause of this values struggle too:

At issue is a motion made at the GOP's organizational session June 17, where two new Republican committee members, Donna Ward and Rob Eichmann, wanted the party to accept the national Republican platform from last year's presidential race. Among other things, the platform says, "We assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life, which cannot be infringed." Such language could add potency to Gov. Jon Corzine's ongoing attack on Christie's anti-abortion stance in moderate New Jersey.

Here's what they had to say:

"Why does the Republican State Committee not want to call ourselves Republican and support the platform of the Republican National Committee?" Ward and Eichmann wrote in the missive, which they also sent to the national Republican chairman, Michael Steele. Steele is expected to appear with Christie in South Jersey tomorrow. "We want Republicans, first and foremost the New Jersey Republican State Committee, to proudly and loudly proclaim that we are Republicans!"

And they also said this:

"We hope that the committee is open to all points of view in the Republican family . . . but we came away from (the session) with some concerns," according to the letter. "Failing to adopt this resolution is tantamount to saying that the New Jersey GOP really isn't Republican at all."

Maybe they should reach out to Chris Christie's web designer and tell them to stop hiding his values behind technical difficulties. But the GOP State chair wants you to think it's all a misunderstanding due to not following the right process:

"It's inaccurate," Webber, a Morris County assemblyman, told The Auditor. "We've got two new members of the state committee, who are obviously enthusiastic but misguided. The committee would have no problems supporting the positions but they didn't follow the process."

Possibly while Michael Steele is in town with Chris Christie today pitching the virtues of Sarah Palin coming for a visit, he may also check and see whether Christie and the state party support the platform he helped the National Party put in place. If Christie does, maybe he can include that on the values page when they finally are able to resolve those "technical difficulties."

To quote Devo, let's "whip it good" on health care

clammyc — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:48:37 GMT

We're going to do what we can do to keep this issue up top, and we're going to ask your help to do that. Stay tuned .... promoted back up by Rosi

For those of you who missed the Blue Jersey Radio interview with Congressman Rush Holt a couple of weeks back, the good folks at FireDogLake took notice of the fact that he "took the pledge" to not just support a bill with a public option, but also to vote against a bill that did not have a public option.

If you didn't know, FireDogLake has been doing an outstanding job of whipping Democrats in Congress on the public option, and sadly, only two NJ Democrats are on the list of those who have committed to NOT SUPPORT a bill that did not have a public option. Those two are Holt and Donald Payne (NJ-10). Now, that is not to say that the other 6 NJ House Democrats (or the 5 House republicans - HAH!) would not only support a public option but would vote against a bill without one, but you can never be too careful or sure.

That is why we here at Blue Jersey are going to ask you - the Blue Jersey community - to help whip our fine Representatives into shape.

Stay tuned - we will be focusing on each of the six other NJ House Democrats but feel free to contact your Representative if he is a republican (other than myself, who knows that Garrett is beyond a lost cause) and let us know how you make out. We will be posting contact information for the Representatives, as well as information as to their comments and responses.

What we are looking for, as so eloquently stated on FDL, is as follows:

Progressive members of Congress need to draw a line in the sand and demand a public health insurance option -- something 76% of Americans want.

They need to Take the Pledge to vote against any health care bill that doesn't have a public plan which is:

available nationwide;

on day one

and accountable to Congress and the voters

Please call progressive members of Congress and ask them to Take the Pledge now.

At the link above ( this link), there is a space to input what you hear from the staffer or whoever else when you call.

We think this is a great way for the Blue Jersey community to come together and really take action for something that is so very important. Hopefully, we can do some great things here.

News Roundup & Open Thread for Monday, July 13, 2009

Scott Weingart — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:44:25 GMT

Campaign roundup

Things are already getting nasty in the New Jersey Governor's race.

Corzine and Christie take the campaign to Twitter.

Al Doblin notes a sense of urgency in the Corzine campaign that is seemingly absent from Christie's.

Sotomayor

Confirmation hearings for Sonia Sotomayor, Princeton Class of '76, begin today!

Shared services

Towns have found a little extra incentive to share services due to the recession.

Immigration

Businesses catering to Hispanics in South Jersey towns with significant undocumented populations are struggling to move "luxury" items.

Food banks

You may be able to donate part of your income tax refund to struggling NJ food banks, if Governor Corzine signs a law recently passed by the legislature.

Morristown

The first apartments at Morristown's transit village have been put up for sale.

Inane news

New Jerseyans participated in a nationwide skinny-dipping event.

Inmates at Hudson County jail loved figure skater Nicole Bobek.

A judge refused to let a man accused of murder get out on the excuse that one of his multiple personalities committed the crime.

Four-legged menace closes Mahwah park

The other day / I saw a bear / a great big bear / a-way up there...