Posted on 12/08/2004 5:35:20 AM PST by repub_phdstudent
N.J. gov. outlines his agenda for the year
By Alex Savvides / Correspondent Published: 12/8/2004
New Brunswick
Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey outlined his agenda for the next 13 months Monday evening, saying his administration would look into raising minimum wage, getting more homeland security money, and increasing the number of jobs in the state.
Codey and State Democratic Committee Chairwoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman addressed the audience of several hundred New Jersey Democrats in the Regency Ballroom of the New Brunswick Hyatt Regency hotel, promising large returns for the Democratic Party in November 2005.
Codey added that increasing minimum wage is one goal for his administration over the next 13 months. "We're going to protect minimum wages in the state because it's the right thing to do in New Jersey." Codey also set an aim to creating more new jobs for New Jersey than any other state, he said.
Codey said his agenda would make New Jersey's homeland security a priority and that New Jersey deserved more than a $4 per capita homeland security budget. Of rural states that received more money for homeland security budget per capita, Codey said, "I don't think they need to protect any sheep or cattle out there."
Codey said New Jersey, with its solidly Democratic leadership, stood a good chance of outpacing California's scientific growth. "We've got what California doesn't have. We've got a Democratic governor, and we have almost every pharmaceutical house in the country. They're going to partner with us." Codey went on to say he thought the New Jersey medical industry could use this partnership to cure life-altering ailments like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Watson-Coleman also came out in support of Codey's governorship at the event. "When we talk about leadership, you cannot not talk about the person we're going to hear right now," Watson Coleman said, introducing the acting governor.
Janice Campbell, Codey's executive director, was enthusiastic about the upcoming New Jersey elections. "I think it's clear that we're going to be very successful, that we're in a position to be successful," Campbell said. She added that seats were likely to turn Democratic on local levels, and traditionally, Republican counties were likely to be scenes for "tremendous gains" by Democrats.
Coleman echoed this message. "I'm looking forward to taking some of the states in Monmouth and other counties," Coleman said, predicting gains for the party overall.
I think the Dems in NJ ought to run on raising takes to double what they are now. That way, the state tax form would read," How much did you make last year___________?
Send it in plus another $10,000 for good measure."
not takes, taxes
The end.
"Janice Campbell, Codey's executive director, was enthusiastic about the upcoming New Jersey elections. "I think it's clear that we're going to be very successful, that we're in a position to be successful," Campbell said. She added that seats were likely to turn Democratic on local levels, and traditionally, Republican counties were likely to be scenes for "tremendous gains" by Democrats."
I honestly find her statements very funny. The counties she is talking about just saw their biggest Republican turnouts in history and President Bush easily carried all of them. In addition, he carried 2 NJ counties that he didn't have in 2000 (Monmouth, Salem). Democrats lost ground in NJ this past election, even in some of their core counties. If Ms. Campbell really thinks that Democrats are poised to make big gains in New Jersey's Republican counties then I have a bridge to sell her.
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