Democrats need to move on appointments
More than 50 nominations awaiting action in state Senate
By Senator Joe Kyrillos
The failure of the Democratic majority in the state Senate to even consider, much less vote on, many of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominees started as ridiculous and is now verging on a constitutionally dangerous level of dysfunction. The state constitution states clearly that the governor is to make appointments to the courts and various agencies, and the Senate is to consider them and render its approval or disapproval.There are about 53 nominations ready to be heard by the Senate, including the director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, who regulates doctors, nurses and pharmacists; four members of the state Board of Education; and most importantly, a nominee for the state Supreme Court.
In addition, millions of dollars are being appropriated by important bodies such as the Turnpike Authority, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Sports and Exposition Authority by members whose terms have expired despite new appointments to these posts having been submitted long ago.
When I brought this subject up on the floor of the Senate, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee responded that the current situation with regard to gubernatorial appointments pending before the Senate is completely normal. With all due respect to my colleague, that is not true.
The Democrats’ inaction on appointments is unprecedented. Roughly 68 percent of the nominations submitted to the Senate this year have been stalled. In 2009, just 18 percent of Gov. Jon Corzine’s nominations were held up. In 2002, under Gov. James McGreevey, only 8 percent were delayed.
The blatant partisanship on display by Senate Democrats is more than irresponsible, especially with regard to the appointment of Anne Patterson to the state Supreme Court. That nomination has languished in the Senate since May, all because the Democratic Senate president wanted someone else for the job.
Refusing to even consider an extremely well-qualified nominee is a reprehensible dereliction of duty that will allow the chief justice of the Supreme Court to appoint an interim justice himself.
Allowing the court to choose its own members sets a dangerous precedent. Doing so circumvents the separation of powers between the branches of government and weakens checks and balances on an unelected judiciary. The chief justice will be able to appoint a member who is accountable to nobody but himself, with no check on his or her power by the public or the Legislature.
Unfortunately, should the Senate not act on these nominations before the middle of January, the nominations will expire. This will cause an additional delay in filling these vital offices. The clock is ticking on nominations to courts, boards, commissions and agencies that affect the daily lives of New Jersey residents.
Playing politics with the appointment process is more than a blemish on the institution of the Senate; it is a finger in the eye of the public that elected us to go to Trenton and get to work.
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Not to be too cynical..but c’mon man!
Why Is Obama Still Waiting to Fill His Staff?Dec 14, 2010 – 2:00 PM
Indeed, by the midterm elections, nearly one in five key policymaking slots in the Obama administration were still unfilled, and most still remain that way. The problem is particularly acute for Obama’s judicial appointees. The Huffington Post points out today that only 39.8 percent of his judges have been confirmed, compared to 76 percent for George W. Bush and 89 percent for Bill Clinton at the same juncture in their presidencies.
I think Senator Kyrillos should really stop whining.
The Dumbs have had a majority in both
chambers and control of the Red House
for two years now. Any failures to move
their agenda is THEIR FAULT,
Meanwhile, here in reality, the Dumbs
are blocking the REPUBLICAN gov’s
appointments.
After 1/5 when the good guys have the majority in the House, YOUR whining
would at least have some credence.
ps Good job by the Dumbs passing a
budget this year—cowards.
I wouldn’t be talking about “dumbs” if I were you, since you don’t know what you’re talking about Brian. Any Senator can fillibuster an appointment, or more importantly, can a put a secret “hold” on any appointment, which the Republicans have done extensively. So, to your dumb comment, it doesn’t matter who has the majority. Also, idiot, the Senate is the body that gives “Advise and Consent” to a Presidential appointment and the House has nothing to do with it. Maybe you should try reading instead of having your information spoon fed to you by the propoganda department of the Tea Party.
[…] To assess the alarming situation we need to consider the following possibilities which are asking for World’s attention for strong action and emergency operation to secure any future theft of Uranium and the technology. The vulnerability of Indian Nuclear Assets shows that it is providing an easy opportunity of making Nuclear Bombs to Also you can check out this related blog post: http://www.moremonmouthmusings.net/2010/12/15/democrats-need-to-move-on-appointments/ […]