New Jersey's Lame Duck Better Off Dead"
Posted December 18, 2009

In November's election, New Jersey voters decidedly chose Chris Christie over Jon Corzine to be our state's executive for the next four years. So why is it that Corzine might stay in power, albeit indirectly?

Chalk it up to the governor's Lame Duck appointment power. Although Governor Corzine will officially inherit the title of "Former" on inauguration day in January, until then, he can still appoint at will - and that's just what he is doing.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

In recent days, Corzine has nominated scores of people, mostly Democrats, to seats on advisory and licensing boards, as well as agencies and authorities that have influence on public policy and spending, including the Schools Development Authority, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Pinelands Commission, Rutgers University, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Corzine is making at least 100 nominations to the various bodies, with little time for the state Senate Judiciary Committee to consider them. The committee next meets Jan. 4, and the Legislature's last session is scheduled for Jan. 12.

The Inquirer notes that Republicans are criticizing the appointments as an attempt by Corzine "to reach from his political grave to affect future state policies and spending."

But according to the governor's press secretary Corzine was "elected for four years. Not three years and 10 months. The governor is still the governor."

Josh Margolin of the Star Ledger's Statehouse Bureau termed the nominations "Parting gifts (or shots)," writing, "Gov. Jon Corzine and Gov.-elect Chris Christie, though publicly committed to a 'smooth' transition of power, are locked in a behind-the-scenes battle over nominations to posts ranging from judgeships to coveted spots at state authorities."

And State Senator Philip Haines (R-Burlington County), who recently turned down a gubernatorial nomination on principle, noted in a letter to Governor Corzine, "The incoming governor should not be handcuffed with lame-duck political appointments that are not his own."

Moreover, as the Inquirer explains, "Gubernatorial nominations are a way for a party to exert influence over policy as well as reward the faithful."

Here in New Jersey, Lame Duck - the legislative session that takes place in the weeks between November's election and January's inauguration - has become an enabling tool for outgoing elected officials, from the governor to legislators, to push through policies, agendas, and appointments with little fear of voter repercussion.

In other words, goodbye accountability, hello political favors.

Perhaps that's why fewer than a dozen states even have Lame Duck sessions.  

Attempting to control future policy through last minute political appointments is a tactic unjust to voters and unbecoming to any political party.

It's high time New Jersey follow the lead of the majority of states across the union and say "no" to Lame Duck appointments. It's high time New Jersey stop its political finagling when it seems no one is watching. And it's high time New Jersey take this Lame Duck and kill it once and for all.

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