TRENTON – We broke out some fuzzy math for the holidays to bring our readers the Twelve Days of Trenton Christmas, and in lame duck fashion we’re cramming it into just five days. Prefer the Dozen Days of Drumthwacket? Fine, but note that it would have been easier to opt for the Seven Branches of the Capital Menorah. State Street Wire went the extra mile, just for you.
Day 12 – In this case, Room 12, where the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee will meet on Monday to discuss cyber terrorism. The panel will hear testimony regarding vulnerability to cyber terrorism and cyber attacks, current precautions, and ways to increase security. They will also vote on a bill, A4369, which establishes a Cyber Security Bureau within the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, and appoints a Chief Cyber Security Officer.
Day 11 – As in the 11 Essex County judges who aren’t being nominated by Gov. Chris Christie. The governor said he’s not budging until state Sen. Ron Rice (D-28), of Newark, releases his hold on Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf. Notably, Christie said last Thursday regarding the Essex standoff, “I’m not going to nominate anyone until we have an agreement on everything,” but hours later submitted the nomination of Essex County resident and former Livingston Mayor Joe Fiordaliso to the Board of Public Utilities. Note: this is not a sign that there is an “agreement on everything.”
Day 10 – This represents the 10 interviewees in Monday’s Senate Judiciary Committee, including outgoing BPU President Lee Solomon, who is moving back to the bench.
The list includes several other judges, and nominations for Gregory Lalevee (Transportation Trust Fund Authority), Michael Sebetich (Highlands
Day 9 – It took roughly nine minutes (estimated to fit in this slot) for Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), of Plainfield, to zoom through testimony last week on A4422. The controversial, but bipartisan bill further extends permits already extended in 2008. Under the bill, rather than expiring on December 31, 2012, government building approvals, including in smart growth areas, will be extended to December 31, 2014.
Day 8 – Simply, the eight committee meetings on Monday. Among the many bills to be handled by panels from both chambers, the Assembly Judiciary Committee will discuss and vote on ACR81, which proposes a constitutional amendment removing the gubernatorial power of appointment for certain municipal court judges. In its second reading in the lower chamber, the bipartisan bill is sponsored by Assemblymen John Wisniewski (D-19), of Sayreville, and Joe Malone (R-30), of Bordentown.
Day 7 – Which refers to the 7-0 vote by the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards to “take jurisdiction” over a complaint against state Sen. Brian Stack (D-33), of Union City. On Tuesday, the board will consider the complaint, lodged by Joseph Blaettler, a former Union City cop and vocal critic of Stack, and take action. The complaint alleges that Stack aide Mark Albiez is illegitimately doing city work in a city office while collecting a $75,000 state paycheck as legislative aide to Stack and Assemblyman Ruben Ramos (D-33), of Hoboken.
Day 6 – Which according to this article, is the number of ways former Gov. Jon Corzine said he was sorry in last week’s Congressional hearing about the collapse of MF Global and the disappearance of investor funds. The hearings continue this week, and the veracity of Corzine’s expectation that “the money will be recovered” may be pressed by the D.C. lawmakers.
Day 5 – Rather, this one is for Nicky Fifth and T-Bone, fictional children’s book characters, who state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1), of Cape May, wants honored as Official Junior Ambassadors of New Jersey. His resolution will be heard in the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation, one of two committee hearings on Thursday, noting that in the latest volume of the book series, at the request of the governor, the characters Nicky Fifth and T-Bone travel to places of interest throughout the state as “Unofficial Junior Ambassadors,” which Van Drew is trying to codify in real life.
Day 4 – Which is a curious look-back at four bills that Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19), of Sayreville, was forced to hold last week during the Assembly voting session. Of the eight bills he was pressing for, only half made their way onto the board list. The new Deputy Majority Leader seemed quite agitated as he exited caucus and disappeared just as the lengthy session was underway. Among the measures held for further examination were A3285, which requires certain public contract bid advertisements to contain certified cost estimates or estimate ranges of projected contract costs and specifies grounds for rejections of all bids, and A3309, which expands education and practice requirements for special learner’s and examination permits.
Day 3 – This is a nod to the three years during which Superintendents of Elections could also disappear, under a bill revived by state Sen. Donald Norcross (D-5), of Camden. The bill, A3919, is in committee on Monday, and would establish a pilot program suspending operations of the superintendent and deputy superintendent of elections in certain counties that opt into the program. Several superintendents told State Street this year that the measure would erode electoral checks and balances, but Norcross is pushing ahead.
Day 2 – These are the two voting sessions coming on Thursday, one which is announced for the Senate and one which is not yet announced for the Assembly. Neither has released their bill list, but some insiders said the main objective is to complete the restoration of Transitional Aid before the end of the calendar year.
Day 1 – …And a former prosecutor in a pear tree. As they say, you need 41, 21, and one to get it done. This day is for the one, Christie, who is quiet about his plans, but always has something to say. Next week should be no exception.
Weekly schedule:
Monday
Senate Environment and Energy Committee, 10 a.m., Rm. 10, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Senate Judiciary Committee, 1 p.m., Rm. 4, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Assembly Judiciary Committee, 10 a.m., Rm. 12, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, 10 a.m., Rm. 13, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Assembly Education Committee, 1 p.m., Rm. 11, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee, 2 p.m., Rm. 12, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Assembly State Government Committee, 2 p.m., Rm. 13, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Joint State Leasing and Space Utilization Committee, 3 p.m., Rm. 6, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Tuesday
N.J. Business and Industry Association, 1 p.m., keynote address at 2011 Public Policy Forum, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin
Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards, 1 p.m., Rm. 7, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
N.J. Noise Control Council, 9:30 a.m., Rutgers University, Labor Education Building, 50 Labor Center, Cook College Campus, New Brunswick
N.J. Redevelopment Authority, 10 a.m., 150 W. State St., second floor, Trenton
Fish and Game Council, 10 a.m., Central Region Office, Assunpink WMA, One Eldridge Road, Robbinsville
Economic Development Authority, 10 a.m., 36 W. State St., Trenton
N.J. Commission on Brain Injury Research, 10 a.m., Department of Health and Senior Services, first-floor boardroom, Market and Warren streets, Trenton
Motor Vehicles Commission, 2 p.m., MVC headquarters, Training Room A, 8thfloor, 225 E. State St., Trenton
College and Career Readiness Task Force, 5 p.m., Department of Education, Student Community Center, Davidson Room, County College of Morris
N.J. Business and Industry Association, 8 a.m., Public Policy Forum, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 515 Route 1 South, Iselin
Wednesday
Local Finance Board, 9 a.m., 101 S. Broad St., Trenton
N.J. Turnpike Authority, 9:30 a.m., 581 Main St., Woodbridge
N.J. Commission on Environmental Education and Interagency Work Group, 9:30 a.m., Department of Environmental Protection, 401 E. State St., first floor, public hearing room, Trenton
Board of Public Utilities, 10 a.m., 44 S. Clinton Ave., Trenton
Historic Trust Board, 10 a.m., Location TBA
Casino Control Commission, 10:30 a.m., Lordi Public Meeting Room, first floor, Tennessee Avenue and Boardwalk, Atlantic City
Thursday
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, 10 a.m., Rm. 4, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee, 10 a.m., Rm. 7, Statehouse Annex, Trenton
Senate Voting Session, 2 p.m., Senate chambers, Statehouse, Trenton
Health Care Administration Board, 9:15 a.m., Department of Health and Senior Services, Health and Agriculture Building, first-floor auditorium, Market and Warren streets, Trenton
Public Employment Relations Commission, 10 a.m., 495 W. State St., Trenton
4 p.m., Highlands Council, 100 North Road, Chester
College and Career Readiness Task Force, 5 p.m., Department of Education, New Campus Center, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Friday
N.J. Chamber of Commerce, 8:30 a.m., Breakfast with NJ Transit and DRPA: What are the State’s Plans To Keep Business Moving?, Forsgate Country Club, Monroe
