Bonnie Watson Coleman

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS WATSON COLEMAN/ROBERTS BILL ESTABLISHING TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION REFORM

(TRENTON) -- Legislation Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. sponsored to establish a task force to study potential reforms to the state's education system was released today from an Assembly panel.

BURZICHELLI/QUIGLEY/WATSON COLEMAN BILL CREATING EMERGENCY PLANS FOR ANIMALS ADVANCES
Would Require Provisions to Care for Animals in Emergency Situations

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli and Assemblywomen Joan M. Quigley and Bonnie Watson Coleman sponsored to require state, county and local offices of emergency management (OEM) to include plans and provisions to support pets and animals in emergency situations was released today from an Assembly committee.

‘BAD CONTRACTOR’ BILL PASSES COMMITTEE
Measure Would Protect Towns from Lowest Irresponsible Bidders

Democratic sources say they expect Governor Jon Corzine to name Assemblyman Joseph Cryan as the Democratic State Chairman. Cryan's appointment, expected last month, was delayed after the Star-Ledger reported on disgruntled developer's allegation that Cryan did not report a cash contribution to his 2001 campaign. Corzine, the sources said, is convinced that the person who made the charges against Cryan, Carol Segal, is not credible. Cryan, the Union County Undersheriff and Chairman of the Assembly Human Services Committee, will replace Bonnie Watson Coleman, who became Assembly Majority Leader in January.

There is considerable buzz among Democrats today is that Assemblyman Joseph Cryan is being confronted with allegations that could derail his election as Democratic State Chairman. Governor Jon Corzine has delayed his pick of Cryan, and early Friday afternoon, several key Democratic leaders were on a conference call discussing Cryan's political future. "The allegations are false and outrageous," Cryan told PoliticsNJ.com. Cryan is also the Union Township Democratic Chairman and Union County Undersheriff. His selection as state party chairman had been considered virtually automatic following the election of the current chair, Bonnie Watson Coleman, as Assembly Majority Leader.

Democratic sources say that the allegations against Cryan concern a June 201 cash campaign contribution from businessman Carol Segal, who they say has a history of making false claims against public officials. Last year, he claimed that Cryan stole property from him. A tax lien investor, Segal is involved in a real estate development project in Union Township that has faced opposition from the local governing body. Last year, he claimed that Cryan stole property from him. In the late 1990's, Segal sued a Union Township dry cleaner for ruining his $165 shirt. He later filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Judge who tossed the case.

The Star-Ledger's The Auditor column on Sunday reported that Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman sought a pardon for Kiburi Tucker, the son of the late Assemblyman Donald Tucker. Kiburi Ticker was in prison from 1997 to 2001 following his conviction on charges relating to a 1996 drive-by shooting in Newark. He wants to run for Newark City Council this year and needs a gubernatorial pardon to do so. Watson Coleman, the Democratic State Chairman, reportedly called the Governor's office minutes before Richard Codey was succeeded by Jon Corzine.

WATSON COLEMAN: CORZINE ADDRESS PUTS STATE
ON PATH TO RENEWED STRENGTH, SOCIAL JUSTICE

GOVERNOR SIGNS GUSCIORA/ROBERTS/STEELE BILL HALTING EXECUTIONS
Measure Creates Study Commission To Examine Policy on Death Penalty

In the slow and deliberative transition of Governor-elect Jon Corzine, there is only one sure thing: the selection of Assemblyman Joseph Cryan as the new Democratic State Chairman. The three-term Assemblyman and Union County Undersheriff is expected to be tapped for the post within the next few weeks, after Bonnie Watson Coleman assumes her new post as Assembly Majority Leader. Cryan has been holding meetings with party leaders for the last few weeks, and several Democrats confirm that his appointment is a done deal.

Democratic Unity Expressed in Leadership Votes by Acclamation