Michael Doherty

DOHERTY TO CORZINE: STOP FUNDING FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT BENEFITS, NOT FOR RURAL STATE POLICE

ASSEMBLY APPROVES KARROW-DOHERTY LEGISLATION EXTENDING TIME PERIOD FOR NJ DOT TO CONSIDER NEW RULES REGULATING LARGE TRUCK TRAFFIC

The Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow and Assemblyman Michael Doherty that extends the time period for the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider and address public comment on proposed new rules governing large truck traffic on the state's roads.

The bill, ACR-184, would reduce truck traffic and prevent drivers from taking shortcuts through local communities.

DOHERTY DELAWARE RIVER JOINT TOLL BRIDGE COMMISSION BILL PASSES ASSEMBLY

MERKT AND DOHERTY PROPOSE AMENDMENT TO BAN 'LAME DUCK' TAX HIKES, PAY RAISES, AND STATE BORROWING

- BAN SUGGESTED BY RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP MAYOR ALGEIER -

Assemblymen Richard A. Merkt (R. - Morris) and Michael J. Doherty (R. - Warren, Hunterdon) teamed up yesterday to propose an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution prohibiting the Legislature from enacting any state tax hike, pay raise, or borrowing during a 'lame duck' session. 'Lame duck' refers to legislative sessions that take place between a general election and the swearing-in of the newly elected Legislature, because some legislators voting are retiring or have been defeated in their bids for re-election. Merkt and Doherty's proposal, Assembly Concurrent Resolution Number 183, was inspired by a suggestion they recently received from Randolph Township Mayor Gary Algeier.

"'Lame duck' legislative sessions are justly infamous for enacting bad laws," observed Merkt, who added, "Historically, 'lame duck' is when unpopular measures such as state tax hikes, pay raises, and new borrowing often get shoved through the system with little debate or opposition, because outgoing legislators are no longer accountable to the people. This proposal in intended to end the worst 'lame duck' legislative abuses."

Doherty agreed with Merkt that 'lame duck' legislatures should not act on important public issues such as state taxes, salaries, and debt.

"If someone wants to raise state taxes or fees, or to give state officials a pay hike, or to burden future generations with added state debt, they should have to face the people at the next election," declared Doherty. "It's unconscionable for folks who are on their way out the door to make major policy decisions that will affect the people of New Jersey for years to come."

Merkt, who noted that good legislative ideas frequently originate with local elected officials or members of the general public, complimented Algeier for suggesting a ban on 'lame duck' legislation to hike taxes, salaries or borrowing.

"I want to thank Randolph Township Mayor Gary Algeier for having brought this idea to the fore during a recent Mayors' Breakfast with us," commented Merkt. "His suggestion is a great example of how local officials often contribute some of the best ideas on how to reform the legislative process in Trenton."

Merkt and Doherty both serve on the Assembly Appropriations Committee and are in their fifth and third terms, respectively, as members of the Assembly.

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REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS REJECT MASSIVE TTF BORROWING SCHEME
ENCOURAGE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO MAKE THE PLAN MORE FISCALLY AND ETHICALLY SOUND

NEW JERSEY IS TOPS IN TAXES; DOHERTY SAYS STATE CANNOT AFFORD ADDITIONAL TAX HIKES
State Business Tax Climate Index Report Released Yesterday

Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance's vote to confirm Zulima Farber as state Attorney General has fueled speculation that he wants the next Republican seat on the New Jersey Supreme Court. Lance, who won a second term as Minority Leader in November against the more conservative Anthony Bucco, was one of four Republicans to support Farber, and has been among the few Republicans willing to extend Jon Corzine the courtesy of a traditonal honeymoon period as he settles into the governorship. Corzine will have at least two Supreme Court appointments over the next two years: the first later this year, when Chief Justice Deborah Poritz, a Republican, reaches the mandatory retirement age of seventy; and in 2007, when Justice James Zazzali, turns 70. There has been some talk that Corzine could promote one of the Democratic Associate Justices to Chief and name a Republican to Poritz's seat -- one candidate for Chief Justice is John Wallace, who was named to the Supreme Court in 2003 (he got the seat that was expected to go to Farber). Wallace, whose wife was a staffer in Corzine's Senate office, could become the state's first African American Chief Justice (not a bad move for a Governor with presidential aspirations), and the first South Jerseyan to hold the post under the current state Constitution.

If Lance were to go to the Supreme Court this year, it would spark a hotly contested race for his 23rd district Senate seat. The front runner would be Assemblyman Michael Doherty, a Warren County Republican who is among the state's most conservative legislators. But Hunterdon County, which has about 55% of the district's population, may not be eager to cede the Senate seat. In a Special Election Convention, where only County Committee vote, newly-elected Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow, a former Hunterdon County Freeholder, could take advantage of a rare opportunity to run for the Senate without giving up an Assembly seat. Former Freeholder Frank Fuzo, who lost a primary campaign for Assembly to Karrow last year, could have more strength among County Committee members than he did with rank-and-file voters. Similarly, Doherty is more popular among voters in Warren County than he is with party regulars -- perhaps the lingering effects of a bruising primary battle with former Assembly Speaker Garabed "Chuck" Haytaian in 2003.