The Senator from Gregorio's plan for reform: lets have less elections and limit the interference of N.J. voters
By Wally EdgeState Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) thinks that New Jerseyans, the ones who already live in Bartelsland where 90% of the districts are general election safe, would be better served by giving voters less opportunites to decide who holds public office. Scutari wants to increase Senate terms to five years; since 1971 Senators have run for two-year terms in the election after reapportionment, followed by two four-year terms.
New Jersey voters have routinely rejected efforts to increase terms of office for elected officials. A 1956 referendum to increase the Sheriff's term from three years to five went down 65%-35%, by a margin of 449,903 votes. Supporters of the initiative tried again in 1962, losing by 195,266 votes, 59%-41%.
The State Constitution approved in 1947 increased the terms of Governors from three years without the ability to seek re-election to four years with the chance to run for a second term.
Contributors
Wally Edge
Michael Doherty. a West Point graduate and one of the state's most conservative legislators, will take his seat in the State Senate today. A ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everybody needs to start a new job with a list of priorities and Chris Christie is no exception. There might be a thousand things that need to get ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Political discourse in America contains much in the way of intellect or intellectual honesty. One considers the Federalist Papers with wistful awe: ... >
Jeff Michaels
As pundits and party leaders look to next year’s Congressional elections in NJ, it appears that freshman Democrat John Adler is the most vulnerable ... >
Richard LaRossa
When will NJ Republicans start acting like Republicans rather than Democrats. Time to stand up for your principles, assuming they have any left. >
Alan Steinberg
As in any transition, speculation is rampant as to whom Governor-elect Chris Christie will appoint as Chief of Staff, State Treasurer, and Attorney ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
Now that the dust has finally settled after the grueling campaign for governor, there are a number of lessons that we can draw from this ... >
Carla Katz
When he was growing up, Chris Christie's folks must have taught him that when he went to a new playground, he should pick a fight with the ... >
Joey Novick
I have a Blackberry device that I am not completely thrilled with. It’s clunky and not intuitive like an IPhone, which I would rather ... >
Murray Sabrin
New Jersey voters repudiated Governor Jon Corzine's policies of the past four years on November 3rd. Republican Chris Christie and Independent ... >
Poll
Hot Topics
Most Active Stories
- Christie names 19 subcommittee chairs
- Velez-Gentry would take Christie administration position if offered
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Gallery packed with Garden State Equality activists as Doherty assumes oath of office
- Hayden files Ferriero motion
- Goldstein leads 250 marriage equality activists for march on the Statehouse
- Senate Democrats back Sweeney for senate president, says Sarlo
- Wisniewski to make formal play for state party chair when Cryan makes departure official
- Bergen County prepares for the unusual: Republican Freeholders
- Milgram charges GOP consultant over robocall impersonating Rumana staffer
- Lesniak: bring gay marraige up for a vote
- Caruso says he had nothing to do with robocall
- Christie says Cryan should get out of chairman mode
- Velez-Gentry would take Christie administration position if offered
- Dem leadership teams come together after emerging from caucus meetings
- Spicuzzo nomination passes committee
- Christie names 19 subcommittee chairs
- Pou won't rule out bid for Democratic State Party chair
- Quinnipiac: Christie leads 50%-40%
- Quinnipiac poll has Christie ahead by 4 points as Corzine gets closer
- Christie, in West New York, takes questions
- Gore makes his case for Corzine
- Potential LG rivals Allen and Weinberg ally for county committee reform legislation
- Final debate schedule
- Torricelli on making perfection the enemy of good
- Autistic man seeks Assembly seat in 37th
- Jeb Bush attends Christie fundraiser
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
“A lot of blood on the floor.” - Senate President Dick Codey (D-Roseland), emerging from the caucus room after losing his leadership position to Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford)
Recent Press Releases
Syndicate
