One Democratic legislator from Bergen County, who asked not to be identified, says there are serious concerns about Paul Sarlo's ability to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee during extraordinarily difficult economic times.  The legislator questioned Sarlo's intellectual abilities and temperament in a job that often involves complex financial issues and requires some rather smooth negotiating skills.   "I fear that this job is very much over his head," the Democrat told PolitickerNJ.com. 

The incoming Republican Governor, Christopher Christie, has tapped former State Sen. Richard Bagger and former U.S. Office of Management and Budget Associate Director Robert Grady, both at the highest end of the intellectual scale, to run the budget transition team.  It's reasonable for Democrats to worry that the Senator from Sanzari won't stand a chance.

Sarlo will move from Judiciary to Appropriations next month, when Barbara Buono becomes Senate Majority Leader.

Click here to read Charlie Stile's column on Sarlo in The Record this morning.