N.J. Dems elect new legislative leaders
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
By: Phil Gregory
philgregorynews@gmail.com
Democrats in New Jersey legislature elected their new leaders today. The new legislative leaders will have to work with a Republican administration when Chris Christie is sworn in as governor in January.
Sheila Oliver will be the first African American woman to be Speaker of the Assembly. She has some priorities when she takes over for the retiring Joe Roberts in January.
Oliver: Economic repair, lowering of property taxes and business expansion and the creation of jobs in this state.
Steve Sweeney will replace Dick Codey as Senate President. Sweeney says the the Democratic leadership is prepared to work with Governor-elect Christie to reduce government costs and taxes
Sweeney: Our responsibility is find a way to make connections on issues to get the state moving forward.
The Democratic leaders say they anticipate differences with Christie on social issues and say they remain committed to protecting the most needy and vulnerable people in the state.