Sharon Harrington

Two Republican Assemblymen from Atlantic County said Sharon Harrington should remain with the Motor Vehicle Commission and save taxpayers money because the Casino Control Commission can "operate effectively" with three members.

John Amodeo (R-Linwood) and Vincent Polistina (R-Egg Harbor Township) criticized Gov. Jon Corzine's decision to fill a vacancy on the Casino Control Commission and described the move as "business as usual."  

There is no need to fill this vacancy on the commission nor will there be a need to fill the vacancy which will open up in August," said Amodeo.  "The Casino Control Commission can operate effectively with three members.  And as far as I know, there is no need for Sharon Harrington to leave the Motor Vehicle Commission."

Polistina says that Corzine has missed an opportunity to downsize government.

"It's political patronage appointment pure and simple," said Polistina.  He does not have to make the appointment, but, I guess he could not resist filling a $125,000 a year appointment.  It's just business as usual in Trenton."

Gov. Jon Corzine today named Sharon Harrington, the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC), to the Casino Control Commission.  Harrington is a former State Director for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, and was Deputy Campaign Manager for Jim Florio's campaign for Governor.  There is still one open seat on the Casino Control Commission.

It used to be that New Jersey had 120 legislators – forty from the Senate and eighty in the General Assembly.  Then Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll brought the number up to 127 – his critical argument was that the seven Justices of the New Jersey Supreme Court were acting like legislators.  Now The Inside Edge can increase the total to 128.