Because Gov. Jon Corzine is not accepting public financing for his re-election campaign, he is not legally obligated to participate in the two official debates sponsored by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).  That could mean a two-way debate between the Republican nominee - either Christopher Christie or Steven Lonegan - and Independent Christopher Daggett, if the former state Environmental Protection Commissioner raises the $360,000 needed to qualify for matching funds.

Refusing to debate could be an issue in the race for Governor, although it didn't seem to affect the 2008 campaign for U.S. Senate.  In that race, debates were held during the final days of the campaign.

An official debate between the candidates for Lt. Governor will not happen unless the Legislature passes a bill that requires it, and if Corzine signs it.  Some insiders think this ought to be done before the gubernatorial candidates pick their running mates, so the decision to have a debate won' be made based on whether legislators think it favors, for example, Barbara Buono or Thomas Kean, Jr.

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck says she has had no contact with Gov. Jon Corzine or his staff about running for Lt. Governor, and says becoming a candidate has "never crossed her mind."  PolitickerNJ.com's Inside Edge reported late Friday night that she was under consideration for the post, based upon information from three sources with direct links to the LG selection process.  These sources suggest that Verplanck and State Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) are the most serious contenders to become Corzine's running mate, and continue to stand behind that contention. 

"I would like to respond to the rumor that I am being considered as Governor Corzine's running mate.  I want to be clear that I have not spoken with anyone from the Governor's office regarding the position, and have no idea where this rumor came from," Verplanck said in an e-mail. "I am hopeful that the whoever the candidate is, she will be conversant in the role a vibrant business climate plays in fulfilling the vision of a fully-employed population, and that she will advocate for policies to create that climate for the good of all New Jerseyans."

"Governor Corzine has always had a great working relationship with Joan Verplank and the Chamber and he continues to be impressed with the work they do," said Sean Darcy, a spokesman for the Corzine campaign.  "We have had a great working relationship with them, and we look forward to continuing it. As for the Lieutenant Governor position, we have no comment."

Verplanck also sought to "clarify my use of the word stupid as relates to the Chamber's annual Congressional Dinner."

"In an interview with Josh Margolin, I stated that the premise that people would use the train as a vehicle to "cut deals" -- in a crowded environment crawling with journalists and cell phones that take pictures and record video -- was stupid," Verplanck wrote. "I didn't say the Republicans' decision was stupid.  I said that the premise on which they based the decision was stupid."

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Joan Verplanck is reportedly under consideration to become Jon Corzine's running mate

Democratic sources say that Gov. Jon Corzine is seriously considering Joan Verplanck, the President of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce for the last fourteen years and a Republicna, for Lt. Governor.  Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen) is also reportedly in contention to become Corzine's running mate.

Verplanck and the business advocacy group she heads have become closely allied with Corzine over the last few years.  She angered Republicans by endorsing Corzine's plan to raise tolls, causing some GOP legislators to call on local businesses to leave the group. Earlier this year, GOP gubernatorial candidates skipped the organization's annual train trip to Washington, D.C., criticizing the traditional event that offered access to the state's political leaders.  Verplanck called the GOP protest "stupid."

TRENTON – On Wednesday, May 13th, Senator Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex) was honored for her contributions to women’s healthcare at the 5th Annual Women’s Health Advocates Recognition Breakfast hosted by the New Jersey Primary Care Association (NJPCA) and the New Jersey Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).  

The breakfast took place at the Trenton Marriott during National Women’s Health Week, which is observed from May 10th (Mother’s Day) to May 16th. “The NJPCA and New Jersey’s nineteen FQHC’s work tirelessly to ensure that New Jersey’s women and families have access to the quality, affordable healthcare,” said Senator Buono. “It is truly an honor to be with them and amongst so many adamant women’s health advocates.”        

Heart disease, HIV/AIDS, stroke, breast and lung cancer continue to strike New Jersey women at alarming rates. African American and Hispanic women experience even higher rates of these diseases than the general population.

“Because New Jersey women experience high rates of many serious illnesses, it is extremely important that information about and access to methods of prevention and treatment remain readily available to New Jersey’s women” said Senator Buono. “The FQHCs have made significant progress in encouraging women to take the steps necessary to reduce these disease risk factors.”

BUONO BILL TO IMPROVE REGULATION OF HOME MORTGAGES SIGNED INTO LAW

Bill Would Rein in Behavior Which Contributed to Global Economic Crisis

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and signed into law by Governor Corzine will curb abuses in the home lending industry which contributed to its collapse and led to the most severe economic recession in a generation. The law mandates that “residential mortgage loan originators,” who act as the primary point of contact for a prospective home buyer, be licensed and subject to educational and criminal background check requirements.

“In order to practice most trades and professions in New Jersey – such as realty, accountancy, and cosmetology, among others – you must be licensed, satisfy educational requirements, and pass entrance examinations. Yet, prior to the enactment of this legislation anyone could pay a $100 fee and call themselves a loan officer,” explained Senator Buono, D-Middlesex and Chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “Purchasing a home is often the largest investment of an individual’s lifetime. Adequate safeguards are needed to ensure that the people and businesses dispensing this advice have the education, character, and financial fitness necessary to offer home mortgage services.

Senate Budget Chair Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen)

TRENTON – The glare of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) as a gubernatorial election year issue today forced state Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joe Doria to challenge Republicans asking for his help in scrapping it outright.

“You can’t kill COAH,” snapped Doria at the Senate Budget Committee hearing, wading into terrain treaded frequently by GOP Primary campaign trail candidates, the most recognizable of whom argue for the demolition of the community affairs division responsible for ensuring fair and affordable housing in New Jersey.

Bad idea, said Doria.

“You need to simplify it in a way that will meet court muster,” he argued. “If we don’t do that, we’re back at the beginning again. If we kill COAH, a builder’s remedy takes effect, and the courts come in with any development they want. They can come in and ask for a change in zoning.  COAH was created to protect the towns from builder’s remedy.”

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan on the Statehouse steps.

TRENTON – Pat Benatar’s “Hit me with your Best Shot” blared out of speakers then died – but only defiantly - as a 101.5 radio personality built up Steve Lonegan, a long coat-clad GOP gubernatorial candidate and the state’s movement conservative in chief, who came out of the rain to stand under the pillars.

Lonegan stepped up to the mike at the podium on the front steps of the State Capitol with the crowd stretching across West State Street.

“You heard them talk about ‘Yes, we can’ last year and what that turned out to mean was apologizing to Europe for the greatness of America, it meant “Yes, we can” create more government,” yelled Lonegan, who faced a rain-spattered 300 here on a 101.5 SOS to protest high taxes, even as the Senate Budget Committee crouched inside and considered Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine’s proposed $29.8 billion budget.

American flags waved.

Up the block in front of the Annex and nursing their own anti-Corzine issues, leaders of CWA Local 1033 huddled in their van behind closed doors, apparently recognizing that for the moment it would be futile to try to compete with the self-styled Tom Paines and Patrick Henrys who dominated in blue jeans, parkas and baseball caps.  

Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Bridgeton), right, and state Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Cedar Grove)

With South Jersey’s rolling ten-year headline to finally take over the state diminished somewhat by U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews’s (D-Haddon Heights) doomed run for the Senate, then redeemed when U.S. Rep. John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) won later the same year, a lot of establishment eyes turned to state Sen. Majority Leader Steve Sweeney (D-Bridgeton) as the most likely South Jersey Democrat to make a statement this year, and in the process, further embolden the South Jersey Democratic Organization. 

Amid ongoing cloakroom chatter about Sweeney – who also serves as Gloucester County freeholder director - and his South Jersey colleagues teaming across the aisle with state Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-Cedar Grove) to banish Senate President Richard Codey (D-West Orange), Sweeney today said he wouldn’t rule out running for lieutenant governor, if Gov. Jon Corzine offered him the job.     

“I would never say never,” Sweeney told PolitickerNJ.com. “I would have to consider it if it was offered. I’m not pursuing it.” 

PERTH AMBOY – Although his blue collar campaign for governor never materialized this year, Councilman Ken Balut still nurses irritation over his city’s longstanding tendency to get gypped on state and federal aid and generally outmuscled by urban behemoths like Newark and Paterson. 

Balut’s through with Democrats who associated with former Perth Amboy Mayor Joe Vas, and that includes incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine and former Gov. James McGreevey, whom he lumps in the same failed era with Vas, indicted last month on state corruption charges amid rumors of forthcoming indictments connected to the old regime. 

It was Corzine’s state Attorney General Anne Milgram who goes into the books as the one who indicted Vas on theft and bid-rigging charges but, “I’m voting for (former U.S. Attorney) Chris Christie,” the disillusioned Balut told PolitickerNJ.com. “We need somebody in the governor’s office who’s going to go after corruption.” 

Mayor Wilda Diaz, who ran on a ticket with Balut, backs Corzine. 

BUONO STATEMENT ON REVENUE ESTIMATES AND BUDGET OVERVIEW HEARING

Committee Meeting Underscores Dire State Of New Jersey Economy

TRENTON – Senator Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, Chairwoman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following remarks today at the Committee’s hearing on Office of Legislative Services (OLS) revenue estimates and Treasurer David Rousseau’s overview of the FY 2010 Budget:

“Welcome to the first of a series of budget hearings this Committee will conduct to carefully scrutinize the details of Governor Corzine’s proposed budget for FY 2010. As with every budget proposal, it is a ‘work in progress’ and there are elements that elicit praise and others criticism. But I think it is accurate to say that not one of us has ever been asked to consider a budget under such dire conditions.