Frelinghuysen saluted by the Army

 

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) has named Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, its “Outstanding Legislator of 2010.”

The AUSA said it cited Frelinghuysen for his  strong support of the Army, advocating veterans’ health care funding, caring for homeless veterans and working to pass the post-9/11 GI Bill of Rights. Frelinghuysen is a Vietnam War veteran.

Give Adler credit for being cunning

The congressional district of John Adler is at the other end of the state, but a recent development there has stirred up some dust in political circles. It seems like there is a third man in the race, a conservative, who has the potential to split the Republican vote and help Adler. The GOP candidate is Jon Runyan, a former NFL tackle most known for playing with the Eagles.

And the scuttlebutt is that Adler’s camp is putting up the third man in the race. If so, so what?
This type of thing is hardly unique and falls under the heading of  “Politics as usual.” It’s good politics to try to split your opponent’s support.

Herbert wants to debate Frelinghuysen

Doug Herbert, the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 11th District, thinks he can gain traction in an uphill battle by debating incumbent Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding.
 

Herbert has written Frelinghuysen a letter asking for three debates; Good for Herbert. But most incumbents do not debate. Recall that during the Republican primary, Frelinghuysen refused to appear at some events that included his opponent, Rich Luzzi, a Tea Party guy. He will probably follow the same pattern this fall, but give Herbert kudos for trying.

If nothing else, Herbert has been able to put together a letterwriting campaign; a number of his supporters have sent us letters saying Frelinghuysen should debate.

No more swimming at Split Rock

We have an interesting battle developing in Rockaway Township. The township has barricaded the parking lot at the Split Rock Reservoir, a popular boating and swimming locale.

The reservoir is owned by Jersey City and  access to it was granted a few years ago by the state DEP. But the township owns the road leading to the parking lot and it is that road that has been blockaded.

The township never wanted the reservoir open to the public; so it is not surprising it would take such pre-emptive action on the grounds that illegal (swimming) activity is taking place on the reservoir.

The town told the DEP it would blockade the parking lot 10 days in advance. But the DEP did nothing. Why? Where was the commissioner? Where was the DEP’s legal counsel? After all, blocking access to a state recreation area may not be legal.

Irvington and Morris County

There are always surprises in politics. One of the three Democratic freeholder candidates this fall is Elliot Isibor. He has a kickoff and fundraiser set for this Sunday _ in Irvington.

Go figure. Why would a man running for freeholder in Morris County stage his campaign kickoff outside of the county?

Gay Marriage: Dems must blame themselves

The state Supreme Court today in a 3-3 vote denied to consider whether gay marriage should be a right in the state. Part of the problem has to do with the fact that the court is missing a judge after the term of John Wallace expired and he was not reappointed.

But let’s not forget that Democrats could have simply approved gay marriage in N.J. last year when Jon Corzine was governor. But they wimped out. Blame them, not the court.

A veto for family planning

Gov. Chris Christie made news on a Friday afternoon in July with his veto pen.

Perhaps the most controversial veto had to do with $7.4 million added to the budget at the last minute for women’s health services; the governor said, in effect, the state does not have the money. 

Critics contend he is turning his back on women’s health issues. Here is what Planned Parenthood had to say:
“We were outraged to hear that the Governor has vetoed legislation that provided funding for women’s health care in New Jersey.  Not only did this bill have its own funding source, but it allowed the state to leverage significant federal funding for these services.”

Dems can try to override, but the votes are probably not there.

Christie and the Highlands

The governor is meeting today at Centenary College in Hackettstown with state legislators representing the Highlands region.  Do not yet know what’s up, but there may be something afoot.

 The meeting for some reason was not on the governor’s public schedule.

Christie’s transition team trashed the Highlands Council, but the governor so far has not announced his plans for the agency.

Frelinghuysen's position

 

What fiollows is Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen’s statement in regard to his no vote on extending unemployment benefits:

People need a helping hand.  Let’s extend unemployment for workers and their families in this terrible economy.  But let’s pay for it now and not ask our children and grandchildren to bear the $34 billion cost of this bill!

In an annual discretionary budget of $1.2 trillion, you mean to tell me that we cannot find $34 billion to pay for this unemployment extension? 

The argument that these extensions have not been paid for in the past is not valid in our current fiscal circumstances.  The budget deficit for the year hit $1 trillion in June.  The Administration is expanding the deficit by $4.9 billion EVERY DAY.  We now have a national public debt of over $14 trillion and we are on a path to quadruple our borrowing between now and 2020.

“The real solution here is job creation and employment opportunities in the private sector.  To accomplish this, the federal government must get out of the business community’s way, stop threatening tax increases and more stifling bureaucratic red tape and overregulation.  Consumer confidence will never be restored unless this happens!”

No friend of the unemployed

That would be Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, who was one of only three of 13 congressmen from New Jersey to oppose a bill in Washington today to extend unemployment benefits to those who have exhausted their 26 weeks of state job benefits.

The others were Scott Garrett and Leonard Lance.

With unemployment still above 9 percent, helping those who are struggling should be imperative. Once the bill is signed by the president, many of the unemployed will get retroactive checks.

A spokesman for Frelinghuysen was not immediately available.