Ralph Caputo

Gov. Jon Corzine, right, with senior policy advisor (and former 4th Congressional District candidate) Josh Zeitz

TRENTON – It’s very early, of course. 

But Gov. Jon Corzine at his full-fledged press conference on the fourth floor of the Hughes Justice Center this afternoon, where he was flanked by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and Attorney General Anne Milgram, suggested the déjà all over again feel of Gerry Ford’s defensive posture campaign against Jimmy Carter one day after Corzine’s presumptive chief rival entered the race for governor.  

In that 1976 presidential contest between Carter and Ford, Carter was out in the hinterlands while Ford tracked the sedate and somber steps of good government, immersed in all the symbolic trappings of his office. 

In this case, in the face of repeated Republican put-downs that Democrats with their overt culture of political patronage and government first ask questions afterwards approach, Corzine projected the image of an executive committed to making the engine run as he announced in the midst of a national recession the creation of a new state-supported mortgage foreclosure mediation program.

ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS RENEW CALL FOR HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE TO TRY MEDIATION PROGRAMS

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jerry Green, Ralph R. Caputo, John J. Burzichelli and Joseph Vas again today urged homeowners facing foreclosure to take advantage of mediation and counseling programs that can help keep families in their homes.

Residents facing foreclosure can visit

http://www.nj.gov/foreclosuremediation/

for more information and call a hotline at 1-888-989-5277.

WATSON COLEMAN/ GREEN/CAPUTO/JASEY/POU/RAMOS/VAS/SMITH ANTI-FORECLOSURE MEASURE NOW LAW

Bill Establishes Direct Lines of Help to Lenders, Borrowers

(TRENTON) – Legislation eight Assembly Democratic lawmakers sponsored to help homeowners facing impending foreclosure was signed into law today by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

“New Jersey’s deepening mortgage crisis makes it imperative that we provide direct assistance to ensure families can stay in their homes and out of foreclosure,” said a leading sponsor, Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer). “We need to open lines for borrowers and lenders to work together to preserve the dream of homeownership that is quickly becoming a nightmare for too many families.”

The fate of Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone (D-Bayonne) is in the hands of Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy and State Sen. Sandra Cunningham.

Twelve New Jersey legislators, all from districts that are not especially competitive in general election contests, face potential obstacles in their bid to win party support for another term.

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ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS URGE HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE TO TRY MEDIATION PROGRAMS

Programs Offers Chance to Resolve Loan Delinquencies.

(TRENTON) – Assembly members Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jerry Green, Ralph R. Caputo, John J. Burzichelli and Joseph Vas today urged homeowners facing foreclosure to take advantage of a programs that can help resolve disputes and keep families in their homes.

CAPUTO/VAINIERI HUTTLE/FISHER BILL TO INCREASE VOTING BY YOUNG PEOPLE CLOSER TO LAW

Measure Would Ensure Graduating High Schoolers Receive Voter Registration Forms

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Ralph R. Caputo, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Douglas Fisher sponsored that would require all New Jersey schools to provide voter registration materials to graduating high school students continues to advance.

Caputo, a former educator, said the law would increase the likelihood that the voter registration materials are received by young people.

“With so many key issues society, whether it be global conflicts, environmental worries, economic fears or health care concerns, it’s more important than ever that young people have their voices heard,” said Caputo (D-Essex).

Politicker.com photo

Former Assemblyman William Payne (right, with Gov. Jon Corzine) is not likely to seek his old 29th district seat, but he wants his nephew, former Assemblyman Craig Stanley, to get his old 28th district seat back next year.

Freshman Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker is in danger of losing the support of the Essex County Democratic organization if she runs for re-election to a second term in 2009, Democratic sources say.  Part of the deal to keep Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, perhaps Newark Mayor Cory Booker's closest friend in the Legislature, in her 29th district seat is to replace Tucker with former Assemblyman Craig Stanley, who lost his bid for renomination in the June 2007 primary. 

WATSON COLEMAN/GREEN/CAPUTO ANTI-FORECLOSURE
MEASURE CLEARS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
Bill Would Establish Direct Lines of Help to Lenders, Borrowers

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assemblymen Jerry Green and Ralph Caputo sponsored to provide assistance for homeowners facing impending foreclosure was released last night by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.