Robert Littell

LITTELL: OLS LEGAL OPINION SUPPORTS BEAR HUNT
Commissioner’s Decision Arbitrary and Capricious

Senator Robert E. Littell, (R-24), issued the following statement regarding a legal opinion issued by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) which states that the withdrawal of support by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection of the comprehensive black bear management policy authorizing a hunt to control the bear population adopted by the Fish and Game Council and approved by the prior commissioner, was done in an arbitrary and capricious manner. The opinion is attached.

The OLS legal opinion clearly states that the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection acted outside of her authority, to halt a bear hunt that had already been reviewed and approved by her department in accordance with a New Jersey State Supreme Court mandate. This is a matter of protecting the public safety with the best wildlife management policies based on sound science. Hoping for unproven and ineffective bear mitigation strategies to protect children waiting for the school bus is both foolish and irresponsible. We all have a duty and an obligation as public officials to protect the public. I would hope that this non-partisan legal opinion compels Commissioner Jackson to reverse her decision and allow the hunt.

Winner: Jim Saxton, who backed John Boehner for House Minority Leader. Boehner's victory might help Saxton become the Ranking Minority Member of the House Armed Services or Natural Resources Committee, which could put the Burlington County Republican in line to chair a full committee if the GOP regains the House in 2008.

Loser: Bill Pascrell, who backed John Murtha for House Majority Leader. The Passaic County Democrat was actively involved in the campaign of Murtha, one of his closest allies in the House. This makes it less likely that Pascrell will gain a key role in a Democratic-controlled Congress.

Winners: Albio Sires and Frank Pallone, who backed the new House Majority Leader, Steny Hoyer.

Loser: Scott Garrett, who was one of 27 House Republicans who backed Indiana's Mike Pence for Minority Leader.

Hunters Deserve Support in Corzine-Inspired Bear Hunt Fiasco
Governor Should Drop Delaying Tactics Now

Senator Robert E. Littell (R-Sussex/Morris/Hunterdon) issued the following statement in support of a lawsuit filed by sportsmen to compel the State to issue permits for the 2006 bear hunt:

LITTELL LETTER ASKS GOVERNOR TO APPROVE BEAR HUNT
Deer And Small Game Hunting Seasons May Be Threatened by Governor’s Position On Bears

Senator Robert Littell, (R-24), has sent a letter to Governor Corzine stating his opposition to the Governor’s position on the bear hunt. The letter is attached.

“In addition to the attached letter which reiterates my opposition to the cancellation of the bear hunt I have asked the non partisan Office of Legislative Services for a legal opinion on the Governor’s refusal to sign off on the Fish and Game regulations. It is my fear that his refusal to approve the regulations may jeopardize other scheduled hunts including the deer and small game seasons. Without approved regulations governing other hunting seasons new permits may not be available and issued permits may not be valid. �

GOVERNOR FLOUTS THE LAW & IMPERILS PUBLIC SAFETY
Ignores Science, Law and Common Sense to Block Bear Hunt

Senator Robert E. Littell and Assemblywoman Alison McHose representing
Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon counties in northwestern New Jersey issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s refusal to permit the bear hunt authorized in the 2006 Fish and Game Code.

LITTELL, BUCCO & MCHOSE BLAST CANCELLATION OF BEAR HUNT
Governor Acts In Defiance Of The Law

Senators Robert Littell, (R-24), Anthony Bucco, (R-25), and Assemblywoman Alison McHose, (R-24) issued the following joint statement regarding Governor Corzine's refusal to permit the routine re-approval of regulations re-authorizing the fish and game code.

LITTELL & McHOSE ASK GOVERNOR TO EXPEDITE BEAR HUNTING PERMIT PROCESS

Senator Robert Littell and Assemblywoman Alison McHose R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon released the following statement in conjunction with a letter they sent today to Governor Corzine asking his office to approve the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s readoption of its regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act. The letter is attached.

The population level of black bears in this part of the state is at a critical level and their numbers must be controlled to protect people, property and domestic animals. Hunting is the most efficient method to control the bear population and is an important tool in wildlife management, and we urge the Governor to take all necessary steps to expedite the permitting process. He must act now to make bear hunting permit applications available to the public so that the bear hunt scheduled for early December can proceed without delay.

LITTELL & BUCCO: GOVERNOR WRONG ON NEW LOCAL TAXES
Corzine Proposes Authorizing Municipalities to Implement New Taxes on NJ 101.5 Broadcast

State Senators Anthony Bucco, R-25), and Robert Littell, (R-24), issued the following statements regarding Governor Jon Corzine’s statement that he would not be opposed to allowing local cities and towns to impose new taxes including a sales tax.

< AMENDMENT TO KILL TAXPAYER FUNDED NEEDLES DEFEATED
Appropriation Should Be Dedicated To Addicts Care, Treatment & Recovery

Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee issued the following joint statement regarding the rejection of an amendment which would have barred the use of any federal or state taxpayers monies, for the purchase or distribution of syringes under the provisions of Senate bill 494. The amendment to Senate bill 494, offered by Senator Anthony Bucco, (R-25), Senator Leonard Lance, (R-23), Senator Robert Littell, (R-24), Senator Walter Kavanaugh, (R-16) and Senator Martha Bark, (R-8), would require any governmental monies, either federal or state, to be dedicated to addiction treatment and recovery rather than being spent on the purchase or distribution of needles.

LITTELL: HOLD HEARINGS ON HEDGE FUND DEBACLE
$16 Million In Public Employees' Pension Monies Lost In Less That A Month

Senator Robert Littell, (R-24), the Senate Republican budget officer will call on Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman, Senator Bernard Kenny, to hold hearings on the collapse of the Aramanth hedge fund.