2007: Year in Review
Posted December 28, 2007

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

Granted, New Jersey politics is hardly a scene from a Dickens novel.  Nevertheless, 2007 offered up a mix of victories and ongoing battles in the fight to strengthen families here in the Garden State.  Here are just a few of the highlights.

The Good

• In a major dual-front triumph for life and for fiscal responsibility, New Jersey voters resoundingly rejected a $450 million ballot initiative to fund unproven and unethical embryonic stem cell research.  Proponents of the measure no doubt were surprised to say the least when the state’s citizenry mobilized to send Trenton a clear and distinct message: No more frivolous spending on the backs of hardworking taxpayers.

• Voters also handed Trenton a second ballot initiative defeat, opposing a measure to designate half a penny of sales tax to property tax “relief.”  This measure not only offered no real property tax reform but also would have used the rest of last year’s sales tax increase (the first half penny of “relief” was approved last year) as a tool for bureaucratic redistribution of taxpayer money.

The defeat of both of these initiatives marked the first time in 17 years that a statewide question had failed at the ballot box.

• Also this year, Governor Corzine signed into law the Sex Offender Monitoring Act, which establishes a sex offender tracking program in the state. The program uses GPS (global positioning system) technology to track and locate convicted sex offenders and share this information with law enforcement.  Under the Act, law enforcement will be able both to ensure that convicted sex offenders are living at their registered locations and quickly to determine if a convicted sex offender was in the area of a crime at the time it occurred.

• And just this week, Acting Governor Dick Codey signed into law a bill requiring HIV testing for pregnant women in the state.  Detection and treatment of HIV can drastically reduce the mother-to-child transmission rate, and this bill marks a significant step towards protecting the lives of innocent children.

The Bad

• New Jersey continues to lead the nation in property tax rates and to rank among the top states in overall tax burden.  A study by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University confirmed that residents are leaving the state in high numbers, and a Monmouth University Poll found that, among those wanting to leave the Garden State, property taxes and high cost of living are the top reasons.

• While the state budget, which passed in June, contained no new taxes for the first time since 2001, it nevertheless marked an 8% increase over last year’s budget.  Furthermore, the $33.48 billion budget does nothing to address the state’s ballooning deficit crisis.

• After a debate lasting nearly 15 years, New Jersey succumbed to pressure and became the last state in the nation to institute a Needle Exchange Program.  Notwithstanding costs to taxpayer (which will inevitably come), increased risks of drug-related crimes, and the inability to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission through the undoubted continued sharing of needles, the state decided to side with drug addicts and offer them so-called “clean” access to illegal narcotics.

• Marriage remains in trouble in the Garden State.  Governor Corzine signed the New Jersey Civil Union law in February, after the state Supreme Court’s October 2006 ruling that the legislature must either legalize same sex “marriage” or allow unions that provide the same benefits of marriage but are called by a different name.

• Finally, as of this writing, S2975, which has passed the Senate by a wide margin, could still get a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, January 3, 2008 with passage by the full Assembly on Monday, January 7. The danger with this bill is that it adds to the list of hate crimes ‘gender identity or expression.’ Sexual orientation is already in the law. Basically, this bill is adding conditions that are listed as mental disorders by the American Psychiatric Association into the hate crime law. In addition, this bill would establish a Commission on Bullying in Schools.  This has the fingerprints of Steven Goldstein, Chairman of Garden State Equality, the state’s most aggressive homosexual rights activist group, all over it.  

The “TBD” – What We’ll Be Watching in 2008

• Paid Family Leave – The legislature thus far has been unable to reach an agreement on paid family leave, which would provide workers up to 10 weeks of paid leave per year to care for ill family members and newborn babies.  The business community has voiced strong opposition to the measure, citing the undue burden it would place on businesses – particularly small businesses.  We concur.  Not only would the bill be harmful to small businesses, but also the money to pay those on leave would come from increased payroll taxes, just what working families in New Jersey do not need.

• Same-Sex “Marriage” – After a tremendous outpouring of citizen’s outrage in the beginning of December, Senate President, Dick Codey has stated he will not move a same-sex “marriage” bill. Theoretically, the lame-duck legislature could still take up same-sex “marriage” before adjourning on January 8, but after your voices were heard, it is highly unlikely.  However, even if the issue does not come up before this legislative session ends, it will no doubt be first and foremost in the minds – and on the agendas – of many legislators going into next year’s session. We will keep monitoring this most important issue.

As we celebrate the victories and reflect on the legislative disappointments of 2007, the task ahead remains great.  Entering 2008, the NJFPC pledges to continue the fight for responsible fiscal policies, the preservation and protection of traditional marriage, the sanctity of life, and common-sense pro-family legislative initiatives so we can build the Garden State into one of the best places in the world to live, work, and raise a family. The early colonists were up against great odds and yet through determination and persistence they succeeded, and they were not alone. History is replete with small bands of people overcoming great odds to defend and protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For that reason, we are more determined than ever to stand for justice and righteousness.   

   

 

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