McKEON: GOOD GOVERNANCE ABOUT STRIKING A BALANCELAWMAKER STUMPS FOR CORZINE AT NJ LAWSUIT REFORM ALLIANCE MEET Assemblyman John F. McKeon today told an audience of business executives and attorneys that good governance is about striking a balance and that is what Governor Jon S. Corzine has been doing to shephard New Jersey on the path of recovery through one of the most challenging times in the nation's history. Stumping for Corzine, McKeon an attorney and partner in a law firm, told a meeting of the New Jersey Lawsuit Reform Alliance (NJLRA) that while Governor Corzine has been fighting to keep the costs down of doing business in New Jersey, he has also been striving to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable. The NJLRA is a statewide, bipartisan group of businesses, individuals and organizations committed to improving the state's civil justice system by advocating for legal reforms in the legislature and in the courts. "Our Governor understands legal costs place a burden on business and that it is important to keep them down. That is why he vetoed legislation that could drive up costs for the medical community and insurance companies in New Jersey," McKeon (D-Essex) said. McKeon was referring to legislation Corzine vetoed in 2008 that would have provided for unlimited damages in wrongful death cases. The measure could also have had a significant impact on state and local budgets since government entities are often named as defendants in wrongful death suits. The NJLRA had commended Corzine for vetoing the wrongful death act. In a news release issued on Jan. 15, 2008, the Alliance wrote, "The Governor's actions today demonstrate support for New Jersey's employers and its citizens alike. Promoting fairness in our courts helps improve our economy, which makes New Jersey a better place to live and work."McKeon reminded the audience of their support of Corzine's good governance. "You recognized then that our Governor's sound public policy strikes a balance between the interests of various constituencies such as employers and citizens. And that is what I call upon you to support now. Our Governor has stayed the course on good governance even when it has not been the popular thing to do. He deserves our support in November so he can continue to steer us on the path of recovery." McKeon told members of the NJLRA that Governor Corzine shared their concern of having the highest quality jurists on the bench and has made it a point to seek out and appoint well-qualified individuals to the judiciary. "It was thanks to your suggestion that the Governor is about to sign an Executive Order that will codify the procedures of the Attorney General's office for contracting out legal work by issuing RFPs and awarding contracts on an evaluation of the proposals submitted. This will help increase transparency and accountability in government," McKeon said. "The fact that Governor Corzine holds the NJRLA in high esteem was evident when he handpicked a member of your leadership team, Taysen Van Itallie, for a senior post in his administration." Itallie, founding member and Chairman of the Board of the NJRLA and a previous associate counsel at Johnson & Johnson was appointed by Gov. Corzine as Director of New Jersey's Division of Law. "Gov. Corzine looks forward to continuing to work with you to steer our state on the path of recovery," McKeon concluded.