They hear it on the streets of Newark.

But on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, members of the City Council can be sure to receive a barrage of complaints from residents who are worried not only about the murders and gangs but about the cost of living and the threat of corporate interests upending local concerns.

"You're supposed to be standing up and fighting for us," the poet Amiri Baraka cried during the public comment forum of a meeting. "Until I see you fighting, then you're not a good council."

"You're giving tax abatements to developers," cried resident Frank Hertz. "You'd better justify this tax abatement."

And always there is the complaint about the scarcity of jobs.

Addressing 150 people at an Obama campaign event Saturday in Newark's Masonic Temple, Councilman Ron Rice, Jr., says the naysayers have dismissed his presidential candidate at each juncture of Obama's campaign - only to be proved wrong.

Longtime Obama supporter Newark Councilman Ron Rice, Jr., says good performances in early primary states will expand the interest of New Jersey voters to another level.

VITALE-RICE BILL TO EXPAND CHILDREN’S CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS SAFETY NET APPROVED IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Ronald L. Rice which would provide additional revenue to the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today by a vote of 8-0.

Hillary Clinton's New Jersey campaign co-chair, John F.X. GrahamI walked into Pal's Cabin, that West Orange watering hole where the Irishmen who run the state go when they want to tie one on.

On this particular summer night, John F. X. Graham was at the front of a room full of heavyweight Hillary Clinton supporters, some of whom, however weighed down with gold bars, were evidently still in the throes of John Kerry fatigue.

"Hillary's a winner," Graham assured the group. "She's a centrist, and the Democratic Party wins with centrists."

RICE TO RECONVENE GANGLAND SECURITY TASK FORCE

TRENTON - In response to escalating gang violence in Newark, where four children were shot, execution-style, last week, Senator Ronald L. Rice announced today that he would be reconvening the Gangland Security Task Force, to provide necessary intelligence to deal with New Jersey's growing gang problem.

While state Senator Ron Rice, Sr. is not supporting the Democratic candidate for the 29th district state Senate seat, Dick Codey is not fuming about it.

“I understand the dynamics involved. I understand the feelings,” said the state Senate President.

Already through the assembly, a bill banning dual office holding passed in the state senate on Thursday, 33-2.

Upset that the bill grandfathers legislators who currently hold two or more offices, the GOP was circling in the senate chamber, taking bites at the bill when an infuriated Sen. Ron Rice let them have it.

Katz talks to New York Post, the thorn in Booker’s side, Talarico’s resignation, Devereaux pleads guilty, Cape May County Republicans lead charge to oust Wilson, Giuliani fundraiser in Passaic County, Stack won’t make peace just yet, Vega faces potential recall, Cunningham gets big numbers in Ward F, Oroho’s victory attributed partly to geography, most female nominees ever.

LARRY CASHA FOR ASSEMBLY
WWW.CASHAFORASSEMBLY.ORG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Larry Casha
December 13, 2006 973-263-1114

Needle Exchange Wrong for New Jersey
Republicans and Democrats agree; passage will do more harm than good

Kinnelon – 26th District Assembly candidate Larry Casha issued the following statement concerning the recent vote to approve a pilot needle exchange program:

“Tuesday’s vote to approve a needle exchange program highlights how out of touch the state legislature has become. Supporters of the bill cite scientific studies that show blood transmitted diseases such as HIV can be prevented by the government acting as middle man for illicit drug users. Instead of more scientific studies, we need more common sense.

“Those people that are addicted to illegal drugs need counseling and treatment to escape from the clutches of drugs. They do not need their own government acting as an enabler. Senator Ron Rice from Newark and many other Legislators – both Republican and Democrat - spoke out and voted against this bill because they understand that it will do more harm than good.

“An equally surprising part of the legislation gives the user a “get out of jail free card,� in that someone who is in the exchange program cannot be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia for syringes in their possession even if that person had a heroine-laced needle in a school parking lot. How will law enforcement be able to do their jobs – keeping drugs off the street – if our legislature has allowed drug users to get fresh needles with taxpayer’s dollars?

“What’s next, the Department of Health providing the drugs for the users to make sure they are top quality? The absurdity of this legislation is clear: government should do more to help get people OFF of drugs, not give them the tools to continue into the abyss.�

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