SWEENEY: GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN RECKLESS DISREGARD FOR THE LAW

TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement today regarding the governor’s appointment of Martin Perez to the Rutgers Board of Governors:

"The governor has shown a reckless disregard for the law, the Rutgers Board of Governors and the people of the state of New Jersey. The legislation clearly states the additional appointments to the board need to be from Camden and Essex counties. The action he announced today is in direct violation of the law.

"This is a governor who every year has done more and more to hurt Latinos, as reflected in many of his actions from budget cuts, including vetoing millions of dollars for the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development, to opposing tying the CPI to minimum wage or failing to make appointments that reflect the state's diversity. He has made five nominations to the Supreme Court, none of which represent the largest minority group in New Jersey, despite numerous highly qualified candidates.

"His attempt to illegally appoint this individual is merely cover for the harm he has caused. We won't stand for it and neither will the Latino community.

"Leading statewide Hispanic organizations directly denounced Mr. Perez for his redistricting map proposal, which would have packed minorities into districts, resulting in their underrepresentation in government and apparently this is his reward. The governor's attempt to curry favor with Latinos through backroom deal making is wrong and his inability to name qualified candidates to critical positions is absurd in a state as diverse as New Jersey."