Blue Jersey - Front Page

Democratic Assembly Members Urge Christie to Open His Mouth

deciminyan — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:03:23 GMT

No, that's not a typo in the headline. Today, Assembly members L. Grace Spencer and Peter Barnes III urged Governor Christie to speak out against offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.

Along with Jeff Tittel, the Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, Spencer and Barnes urged Governor Christie to fulfill the promises he made during his election campaign and protect New Jersey's multi-billion dollar tourist industry from an Exxon-Valdez disaster.

Republicans such as Congressman Jon Runyan are trying to placate their constituents by opposing drilling off the Jersey Shore while at the same time kowtowing to their Koch Brothers sponsors by promoting drilling off of other states. Christie's current position is similar. Of course, this position is untenable because an oil spill off of Virginia would have a devastating impact on our shores and on our tourist industry. Tillel contends that it would take true leadership from Governor Christie to urge his fellow Republicans to support a complete ban on offshore exploitation.

Barnes and Spencer joined Tittel at a press conference on this topic today, and Tittel unveiled a new radio advertisement from the Sierra Club that urges the Governor to speak out.

The Sierra Club also issued a comprehensive report on offshore drilling. Here's the link.

We Need to Hold them Both to their Word

War Horse — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:54:00 GMT

Interesting that the future of the 5th came up as a call to commitment from the candidates in the 9th. And it's a more constructive for the 5th to come up than some of what we've heard in this race. - promoted by Rosi
Cross Posted from Retire Garrett

Last night was the third and likely final debate between Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman. The debate was hosted by Bergen Grassroots and the Ethical Culture Society of Teaneck.

As I mentioned yesterday, there was reason for residents of the 5th Congressional District to pay attention to what was said by both candidates last evening. News was made, and we may improved our odds at defeating Scott Garrett.
Before either candidate got too comfortable, the moderator of the debate, Professor Alain Sanders posed the following question to the candidates:

Win or lose on June 5th will you commit to not only supporting your opponent but also assisting our neighbors in the 5th District in their efforts to defeat Scott Garrett? If your answer is "yes" please provide specific things you will commit to doing.

I've been following their race as closely as anyone without a "dog in the fight" and I've never heard that question put to either candidate let alone have it raised as an issue during a debate.

I'm pleased to report that both candidates said the right things. Steve Rothman and Bill Pascrell both committed to doing everything within their power to assist us in getting rid of Scott Garrett. They committed to raising money, hosting fundraisers and making appearances no matter which of them won or lost their own race on June 5th.

Candidates and residents of the 5th District need to hold both of these men to their words. I'm in no way saying I don't believe they will not live up to their promise; I believe they will. However, this matter is far too important to leave anything to chance. News 12 covered the entire debate and I've made arrangements with them to get a copy of the event sent directly to me. When I get it, I'll post the relevant portion of the debate at Retire Garrett.

As a side note, both candidates did themselves and New Jersey proud last night. Whoever prevails on June 5th, I have no doubt they will continue to represent their constituents with the same passion and commitment they've both demonstrated throughout their tenure in Congress.

Will Christie Defend Menendez Against Kyrillos Backer's Accusation of Corruption?

huntsu — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:37:00 GMT

West New York Mayor Felix Roque was arrested today by the FBI for computer hacking against an anti-Roque website. Since it was a political act that makes it political corruption.

Back when Chris Christie was US Attorney this kind of thing was right in his wheelhouse. He loved nailing elected officials, and in particular Democrats like Roque, for official misconduct.

The difference here is that Roque has been a Christie supporter and endorsed Republican State Senator Joe Kyrillos against Democratic US Senator Robert Menendez. Kyrillos is a long-time supporter of Christie's who as the state GOP leader helped Christie get his job as US Attorney after Christie and his family donated close to a million dollars to various Republican organs. Including ~$100,000 to the state GOP Kyrillos led.

According to PolitickerNJ.com, Roque is blaming the investigation on "political payback for his defiance of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO)."

That means Roque has accused the FBI officers who work with the US Attorney's office of a politically motivated investigation at the behest of Senator Menendez.

Christie regularly claimed that he did not target Democrats and his proof was the apolitical staff of the US Attorney's office and the FBI. He was adamant that he was incapable of using his office for political gain because of the integrity and honesty of these professional staff. This is despite the large quantity of smoke that suggested he was able to work around them.

Now that Christie and Kyrillos supporter Roque has accused these same professionals of political misconduct, will Chris Christie stand up and state categorically that this is not politically motivated payback by Bob Menendez?

Or will Christie let the FBI and US Attorney staff twist in the wind under these allegations just so that Bob Menedez can be smeared again.

Christie's own past dropping a subpoena on Menendez during an election six years ago indicates he will let the staff twist.

News Roundup & Open Thread for Thursday, May 24, 2012

Rosi Efthim — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:54:00 GMT

Christie invents some new math

Yesterday, talking to transportation officials, Christie implied his capital transportation plan would put New Jerseyans to work and improve infrastructure. But just hours ago, his Treasurer told Assembly Budget a big chunk of that will be diverted to close his budget gap, requiring the state to borrow that same amount.

Christie going back on his promise to cut back on transportation borrowing, and still says the state can afford his income tax cut scheme.

Same speech: New Christie name-calling, including "Dr. Kevorkian".

Star-Ledger: Christie bully routine getting old.

Stile: Democrats bow to Christie's plan to cut income taxes

Democrats had enough ammunition Wednesday to blast a crater-sized pothole in the "Jersey Comeback" narrative, Governor Christie's boast of a state that is fast on the road to recovery. Instead, they lay down and let Christie roll right over them.

"Big Boy" & other revelations from Christie bio

The right wing Daily Caller picks up an advance copy of Bob Ingle & Michael Symons book on Christie, listing George W. Bush's pet name for your Governor

And newjerseynewsroom.com picks up that he was almost fired from his prosecutor job. Gee, I wonder where I first read that?

Bruce Harris

State Bar Association is OK with Christie's high court picks.

High court pick 'has his work cut out for him'.

The Impact of Cory Booker

Thinking about himself, not so much Obama, on Meet the Press, says Michael Tomasky at Daily Beast.

Lautenberg makes Booker suffer.

Booker to discuss his political future on Oprah's network.

Stroller Brigade Descends on D.C.

Moms, Dads and cancer survivors from all over the country rolled their kids up to Capitol Hill in support of Frank Lautenberg's Safe Chemicals Act and getting toxic chemicals out of kids' products.

Public hearing next week

Rutgers-UMDNJ merger.

Trentonia

Assembly to vote on rejoining NJ to RGGI.

Marijuana decriminalization bill is up for full Assembly vote.

Minimum wage increase bill could advance today.

Jerseynomics

Fewer North Jersey towns seem interested in merging police forces.

Power struggle continues over NJ backing for new plants.

Campaign 2012

NJ Spotlight Voter Guides: CD10, CD8 & Assembly 16.

CD9: 3rd & final debate between Rothman and Pascrell kinder, gentler.

A poll, robocalls and presidential politics.

Dial Up the Bombast: Your Tax Dollars at Work

Rosi Efthim — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:48:50 GMT

More tough talk. More bluster. This little slice of video, paid for with your tax dollars, but pitched to increase your governor's profile, isn't marked as to time and place but it looks like the NJ Alliance for Action's Transportation Conference where he spoke this morning. Christie wants you to frame Lou Greenwald and Paul Sarlo, Assembly Majority Leader and Senate Budget chair respectively, as the "representatives of Washington, D.C. politics in Trenton"[snip] They want to be obstructionists, they want to be pessimists, they want to talk down our state. I'm not going to let them do it. [snip] I'm not going to let them talk down the comeback the state's in the middle of."

This is just more of what we've already had from Christie, who talks about Washington politics as though obstruction isn't the middle name of his GOP brethren in the House, as though he can make it be because he says it. And who can't really answer the questions of the Greenwalds and Sarlos of NJ's legislative branch. So he just dials up the bombast.

Watch the video, and then for a more adult and reality-based antidote, read the statement from New Jersey Policy Perspective's new president - both after the jump.

For a dose of something more reasonable, less simplistic, less reliant on empty NJ exceptionalism, and considerably more adult, here is Gordon MacInnes' statement about the Treasurer's testimony today before Assembly Budget:

"New Jersey earned the third lowest credit rating in the nation by relying on accounting gimmicks, borrowing for operations, and one-shot revenues. We were told that those days were over; that the state had made a "Comeback." Today the treasurer outlined the administration's response to disappointing revenues and continued high unemployment: accounting gimmicks, borrowing for operations, and one-shot revenues. Forceful leadership would put the fiscal house in order before pursuing politically appealing tax cuts. We should hope that the legislature will provide that leadership. It's our only hope."
- Gordon MacInnis, President
New Jersey Policy Perspective

For Chris Christie, the Buck Stops ... Somewhere Else

Rosi Efthim — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:40:43 GMT

UPDATE 1:46pm Hearing has begun. See below for media covering the NJ Treasurer's testimony live.

Gov. Christie is still wrapped up in propagandizing how ~~his constituents~~ national Republicans view the screwed up core GOP value system he instituted here. He still wants to project #WINNING. But he's teetering out there on that ledge. That premature victory lap he's invested himself in even has a theme name - "Jersey Comeback" - and a big old banner for him to do his star-turns on for the cameras.

Governors who puff themselves in front of banners reading "Jersey Comeback" should remember presidents who puffed themselves in front of banners reading "Mission Accomplished".

Now that there are hard figures, even previously dazzled reporters are questioning where the Emperor's clothes have suddenly disappeared to. But Christie, true forever to his own bluster even when the jig is up, isn't about to take responsibility. The buck for this governor stops ... somewhere else.

This morning, as a non-partisan budget analyst was telling the Assembly Budget Committee that the Governor's budget will come up $668 million short this current fiscal year, requiring possible last-minute cuts or the loss of surplus funds, Christie called that budget analyst Dr. Kevorkian. Good one, Gov. That sure makes it all go away.

Christie's position is that the Democrats manipulated the OLS revenue projection. OLS, responsible to both parties and both houses of the legislative branch, he calls "the handmaid of the majority" party.

Next up before the committee, any minute now, is Christie's Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff. He's got a difficult job today, explaining to 12 intelligent people (some of whom are Republicans and likely to accept whatever their master's emissary has been sent to say) that Christie knows what he's doing. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Christie won't be ridiculing him with his tiresome name-calling.

As Bill Orr mentioned this morning) NJTV is broadcasting live (or will be, when the hearing's 2nd part begins shortly). Or you can watch here.

Explains the "Jersey Comeback" in Handy Cartoon Form

Rosi Efthim — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:50:54 GMT

- From our friend Rob Tornoe.

News Roundup & Open Thread for Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Rosi Efthim — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:36:49 GMT

If you're watching the Today Show at 7:40am and spot a familiar face, yes that will be Senator Weinberg talking about her legislation that came after Crazy Tanning Lady (my words, not hers).

Assorted Christie

Wisniewski on Christie: Out of state 54 days in 8 months, more concerned about the presidential race & national politics, his 'Jersey Comeback' a "fiction".

Cory Booker Gets Hist 12 Minutes on Maddow

Maybe the least uncritical 18 minutes (total) her show has ever done.

Booker's complicated relationship with the Democratic Party.

Booker has crossed the aisle before - on school reform.

Christie says NJ shortfall is $676M, not $1.3B

But what's a few hundred million among friends?

NJ Budget Forecast: Christie goes Pinocchio.

Star-Ledger blames both parties for our poor fiscal prospects.

Bruce Harris

Not even going to get out of Senate Judiciary, says Star-Ledger.

Perth Amboy dispute between Superintendent Caffrey & Board of Ed may head to the courts

Chris Cerf still backing Caffrey.

Words Chris Christie should never use

Esquire Magazine calls him a show pony.

Christie helps deliver $5M to Romney campaign coffers in NYC

In prep for an education speech he'll give today in D.C. Romney tried out some Christie-style union-bashing.

Clean Ocean Initiative Would Strengthen Bans on Polluting Coastal Waters

Tour for the Shore - Canoes, bikes, and close-up look at the environment.

Campaign 2012

CD10: Ron Rice on Pelosi endorsement of Payne: "We would have expected better."

CD9: Pascrell internal poll shows dead heat.

CD9: Rothman's Paterson strategy.

NJ Spotlight Voter Guides: CD9, CD2 & CD1.

NJ Budget Forecast: "When You Wish Upon a Star..."

Bill Orr — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:09:14 GMT

"Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you."
- Pinocchio

In the Disney adaptation young Pinocchio's nose grows longer when he lies, but with help from the blue fairy all ends well for him. The State of New Jersey however is not a Disney movie, and wishing upon a star is not enough to create a sound budget forecast. It may even make one's nose grow longer.

In March the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimated that for the current fiscal year ending in June 2012 the Governor's tax revenue budget was off $145 million and for the new year ending in 2013 it was off by $392 million - a total of $537 million. Then a week ago Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo estimated Christie administration and the OLS were about $850 million apart on revenue projections. Now with more data on April results, OLS Director David Rosen in an email to legislators is predicting revenues will fall $1.3 billion short of the Christie administration's projections. By any standards that is a lot money. It exceeds what is in the 2013 $32.4 billion budget for the tax cut, fund balance (surplus), plus, several entire departments.

The administration's forecast was initially called into question in February by an S&P analyst who said the budget was "structurally unbalanced because it is built on "optimistic" economic-growth projections." Just yesterday Moody's said, "New Jersey's fiscal 2013 revenue growth will likely remain muted given recent tax revenue trends and our expectation that the state's economic recovery will lag the U.S." For more about the problem go here.

Today (Wednesday May 23) before the Assembly Budget Committee at 10 AM OLS Director David Rosen and at 1:00 PM State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff will present their separate budget revenue updates. The event will be broadcast live here or you can watch it on NJTV.

Cory Booker Gets His 12 Minutes on Maddow

Rosi Efthim — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:07:33 GMT

Rachel Maddow graciously provided cover for Cory Booker's defense of hedge funders and the vulture capitalist set last night. It was his first interview after a headscratcher Meet the Press appearance during which Booker both criticized the campaign for spotlighting Romney's history at Bain Capital, and equated it with right-wing fringe attempts to saddle Obama with whatever Jeremiah Wright might say or do on any day in the calendar, past, future or made-up.

Booker only agreed to do the Maddow show after a full day of Republican glee over his remarks, complete with its own Twitter hashtag and invitations like the one at Save Jersey to jump to the GOP. Even Barbara Buono got into the action.

No doubt that Mayor Booker stepped in it (intentionally? you tell me ... wait he gets it). But after Meet the Press there was the hostage video, talked up on Morning Joe and given juice by right-wing Twitter.

Last night Maddow played it straight with Booker. No criticism. Chided the GOP for widely-pumped messaging of "Stand with Cory Booker" in defense of free enterprise. Even called Booker "progressive," which is certainly true in compartments, but is not true in toto. Booker after Bookergate was a good get for any show watching this made me wonder if Maddow agreed to go gently on him, in exchange for the appearance (in fact, fellow NBC'er Andrea Mitchell high-fives Maddow for scoring Booker here at 3:55). Maddow's 6-minute set-up was about all the other people who have gone off message on both sides this year. And one was Christie who either exposed that he thinks Romney's going to lose this year, or doesn't care (mark 3:53).

Nothing more than damage control at its slipperiest, Steve Kornacki calls it in Salon. A free throw. 12 minutes of it.

Did you miss Booker on Maddow? Video's below the fold.

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