Tensions flare in Senate over dual office-holding
The Senate president rebuked a Republican trying to force a vote banning the practice.
TRENTON - Tensions flared in the Senate yesterday amid partisan bickering over financial aid for cities and allowing some legislators to continue holding more than one elected office.
In a rare instance, Democratic Senate President Richard J. Codey publicly rebuked Republican Sen. Jennifer Beck.
He did so as Beck continued to discuss her bid to bar everyone from holding more than one elected office, even though her bid to force a vote on her bill had already failed and senators were debating another matter - whether to give workers paid leave to care for a sick relative.
"I respect your right to speak," Codey told Beck. "However, respect the chamber."
Codey (D., Essex) grimaced and shook his head in dismay.
This came after Republicans asked the Senate to give the Senate Budget Committee subpoena power to investigate a special state aid program that mainly benefits cities. Sen. Steve Oroho (R., Sussex) said legislative staff told him his request was in order.
But when Codey said the request had to be proposed as formal legislation in a Senate committee, Oroho asked the full Senate to overrule Codey.
His request surprised Democrats who control the Senate, 23-17.
"This is a procedure that's unheard of in this house," said Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D., Union).
The Senate voted, 23-14, to defeat Oroho's request.
The special state aid program started with three municipalities in 1998 at $32 million but now has seven getting $153 million.
The law creating the program stated it was meant to provide "short-term" financial assistance to cities facing severe fiscal problems, but Camden has been in the program for 10 years, Paterson for nine and Union City and Harrison for six.
Gov. Corzine has proposed giving the program $145.4 million next fiscal year, but some legislators contend the administration hasn't explained procedures it follows in making grants. They've also questioned the program as Corzine proposes cuts in aid to smaller towns.
Joseph Doria, the state Community Affairs commissioner, said cities in the program must lodge monthly reports and submit to regular inspections and can neither hire nor promote unless they get state permission. He said a new application will also tighten the program.