09/11/07 21:28
Robert
Gordon won his Senate bid filling the seat vacated by
Joseph Coniglio. Gordon as you all should know, is an
anti. Joseph Vitale retained his Senate seat, anti as
well, and he HAS authored a similar bill to
reorganize the F&G Council.
Jeff Van Drew won his Senate bid in Dist 1 ousting Nick Asselta. Senator-elect Van Drew was our Sunday Bow sponsor in the Assembly, and a co-sponsor on the 450’ reduction bill.
Our “Outdoor Allies” held onto their Senate and Assembly seats, so our sector of strength hasn’t changed all that much. What remains to be seen is how our political strength will be seen, and how other non-outdoor affiliated legislators relate to the UBNJ and the outdoor community as a whole.
While holding on to Senate seats in 14 and 24, plus winning the seat in 12, the Republican party still managed to loose ground to the Democrats in the Senate; where it is a 23 – 17 with a Democrat majority. In the Assembly the split is 48 – 32 with a Democratic majority.
A change in leadership for both parties has happened as well. In the Senate Democratic Caucus Steven Sweeney (Sunday Bow sponsor) is now the Majority Leader, with Richard Codey remaining the Senate President. The Senate Republican Caucus sees Tom Keane Jr. installed as the Senate Minority Leader taking over from Leonard Lance.
2. Election Turnout in Dist 12
The turnout in District 12 this year was 95,223 voters, compared to 88,091 in 2003; an increase of 7,132 voters participating in ’07.
2005 was a Gubernatorial election year and cannot be factored into this equation as voter turnout is higher in these years (126,871 voters).
There are several factors that resulted in this higher voter turnout…
1. Karcher’s Farm Land Assessment issue
2. Karcher’s Trans-fat legislation
3. Panter’s “Goose liver” legislation
But the number one factor, in my opinion, was the mobilization of sportsmen in Dist 12. Sportsmen & Women in District 12 are the heros of this race!
3. No Net-Loss
The UBNJ has submitted “No Net-Loss” legislation to the DF&W and to Assemblywoman McHose for their review.
For those that don’t know what No Net-Loss is…It is legislation that basically says; if 1000 acres at Assunpink WMA is closed to hunting that was open last year, then 1000 state owned acres would have to be made available for hunting somewhere else.
4. NJOA
The UBNJ was represented at the NJOA meeting on Thursday 11/15. The main purpose of this meeting was to set up an “Advisory Committee” that would give the NJOA direction as to legislation/legislators to support or oppose. Each major outdoor organization will have representation (UBNJ, NJFSC, RFA, Trappers, NJWTF, & the JCAA…ect).
Jeff Van Drew won his Senate bid in Dist 1 ousting Nick Asselta. Senator-elect Van Drew was our Sunday Bow sponsor in the Assembly, and a co-sponsor on the 450’ reduction bill.
Our “Outdoor Allies” held onto their Senate and Assembly seats, so our sector of strength hasn’t changed all that much. What remains to be seen is how our political strength will be seen, and how other non-outdoor affiliated legislators relate to the UBNJ and the outdoor community as a whole.
While holding on to Senate seats in 14 and 24, plus winning the seat in 12, the Republican party still managed to loose ground to the Democrats in the Senate; where it is a 23 – 17 with a Democrat majority. In the Assembly the split is 48 – 32 with a Democratic majority.
A change in leadership for both parties has happened as well. In the Senate Democratic Caucus Steven Sweeney (Sunday Bow sponsor) is now the Majority Leader, with Richard Codey remaining the Senate President. The Senate Republican Caucus sees Tom Keane Jr. installed as the Senate Minority Leader taking over from Leonard Lance.
2. Election Turnout in Dist 12
The turnout in District 12 this year was 95,223 voters, compared to 88,091 in 2003; an increase of 7,132 voters participating in ’07.
2005 was a Gubernatorial election year and cannot be factored into this equation as voter turnout is higher in these years (126,871 voters).
There are several factors that resulted in this higher voter turnout…
1. Karcher’s Farm Land Assessment issue
2. Karcher’s Trans-fat legislation
3. Panter’s “Goose liver” legislation
But the number one factor, in my opinion, was the mobilization of sportsmen in Dist 12. Sportsmen & Women in District 12 are the heros of this race!
3. No Net-Loss
The UBNJ has submitted “No Net-Loss” legislation to the DF&W and to Assemblywoman McHose for their review.
For those that don’t know what No Net-Loss is…It is legislation that basically says; if 1000 acres at Assunpink WMA is closed to hunting that was open last year, then 1000 state owned acres would have to be made available for hunting somewhere else.
4. NJOA
The UBNJ was represented at the NJOA meeting on Thursday 11/15. The main purpose of this meeting was to set up an “Advisory Committee” that would give the NJOA direction as to legislation/legislators to support or oppose. Each major outdoor organization will have representation (UBNJ, NJFSC, RFA, Trappers, NJWTF, & the JCAA…ect).