John Rooney, the longest serving member of the New Jersey State Assembly, has not yet made a decision about seeking re-election to a fifteenth term in 2009.  The 69-year-old Bergen County Republican has been battling some health issues lately, and hinted last year that he might not run again.  Rooney also faces the threat of a contested GOP primary now that Republicans who have been at odds with him in recent years control the county organization.

Rooney was first elected to the Assembly in 1983, when he won a special election to replace Joan Wright.  Wright became Director of the state Division of Women under Governor Thomas Kean.

If Rooney retires, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts would become the senior member of the State Assembly.  Roberts won an Assembly seat in a 1987 special election following the death of Francis Gorman.

Lawyers will be the minority on the 2009 State Senate Judiciary Committee headed by engineer Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge)

For the first time since the new State Constitution was approved in 1947, a majority of members of the 2009 New Jersey State Senate Judiciary Committee -- six of eleven -- are not lawyers.  Chairman Paul Sarlo and Vice Chairman John Girgenti are not attorneys, as is fellow Democrat Loretta Weinberg.  Among the Republicans, Gerald Cardinale (who serves as the unofficial ranking Republican), Joseph Kyrillos and Jennifer Beck are not attorneys.

The lawyers on the Judiciary Committee are Democrats Raymond Lesniak, Nicholas Scutari, Robert Smith and Nia Gill, and Republican Bill Baroni. 

Senate President Richard Codey, who is responsible for the non-lawyer a majority -- a move some pols are applauding -- is one of a few non-lawyers to serve as Senate President.

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Paul Sarlo and John Girgenti, which creates the “Organized Retail Theft Task Force,” to help develop ways to address the problem of organized retail theft in New Jersey has been signed into law by Governor Corzine.

             “When these theft rings collaborate to rob stores of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, consumers suffer because they end up picking up the slack by paying higher prices for the items they buy,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic.  “With the holiday season being in full swing, consumers are looking for bargains. This task force would identify ways to put an end to these theft rings, and allow businesses to keep their prices at lower, more reasonable levels.”

            “The effects of organized retail theft are of real concern to retailers – especially small business owners,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic.  “These theft rings not only place undue strain on the pockets of consumers and store owners, but they also pose a threat to the safety and security of all who are in the store.  Through this law’s provisions, we can deter this kind of crime, and protect the physical and financial safety of our residents.”

Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic), a legislator since 1977, enjoys his chairmanship of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Sources close to state Sen. John Girgenti (D-Passaic) say the vice chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee relishes serving as chairman of the Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

For that reason, it’s unlikely he would succeed state Sen. John Adler (D-Camden) as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Having beaten Medford Mayor Chris Myers last week, Adler’s leaving the state Senate to become the 3rd district Congressman.

State Sen. Barbara Buono wants to stay focused on state budget issues

At least three State Senators want to succeed U.S. Rep.-elect John Adler (D-Cherry Hill) as chairman of the power Judiciary Committee, a decision that will be made by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex). 

Sources say state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), Sen. Nia Gill (D-Montclair), and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), want to succeed Adler, while two other senators with legal cred say they’re satisfied with their present chairmanships and don’t want to make a play for judiciary chair.

“It would be an interesting chairmanship,” admitted state Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Metuchen). “But I can’t imagine a more challenging chairmanship than the budget committee, and right now with the economy what it is, I would like to stay focused.”

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), who already serves on the judiciary committee, said he’s likewise not budging from his current chairmanship of economic development.

GIRGENTI-SACCO MEASURE TO ESTABLISH STATE GRANTS FOR YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS ADVANCES

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators John A. Girgenti and Nicholas J. Sacco which would establish a State grant program in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for youth mentoring programs was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today by a vote of 4-0, with one abstention.

“Given the almost constant exposure to violence and massive levels of peer pressure kids face growing up in today’s society, it’s not really a surprise that many kids are making bad decisions, the repercussions of which will haunt them for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Passaic and Bergen, and Chair of the Law and Public Safety Committee. “Youth mentoring programs, which direct kids to more productive and positive avenues for their talents and interests, play such an important role in encouraging kids to avoid mistakes that could lead them to prison, or worse. New Jersey must support these programs that support our kids, and help keep at-risk kids on the right track.”

There is some chatter among Passaic County Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver that veteran State Sen. John Girgenti could be in his last term.  Girgenti, a legislator since 1977, is the last white male to represent a district where minority voters represent the majority of the district.  Two years ago, Assemblywoman Nellie Pou went as far as to present her name to the Passaic Democratic screening committee as a Senate candidate, but Girgenti—rather easily – secured party support for another term.  Pou, by the way, says she’s not interested in challenging the popular Girgenti in 2011. 

The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) will conduct mass demonstrations on Friday at the offices of thirty State Senators to protest legislation they say targets teacher and school employee pensions. NJEA officials say that thousands of union members will participate.

“We stand ready to work with the Legislature to root out the real causes of pension abuse and corruption that genuinely harm the state’s finances,” said NJEA President Joyce Powell. “But we will not tolerate – not now, not ever – any attempt to scapegoat teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, crossing guards, and other school employees for sins they have never committed.

NJEA members are sending legislators a message, Powell said: “We aren’t the problem. Craft legislation that eliminates the abuse you have tolerated for so long, and don’t target innocent people who educate New Jersey’s kids and keep them safe.”

The Record has endorsed Democratic Assemblywoman Nellie Pou for re-election in the 35th district, but is supporting Republican Chauncey Brown over Pou's running mate, Assemblywoman-elect Elease Evans.  READ

Passaic County Democrats seem committed to filling Assemblyman Alfred Steele's 35th district seat with an African American candidate, with Passaic County Freeholder Director Elease Evans, Paterson City Council President Ken Morris, and Rev. James Kuykendall, who ran an unsuccessful race for Mayor against incumbent Joey Torres in 2006, heading the short list of potential candidates.