|
|
"A collaborative political resource." |
[NJ] Senate OKs attorney general, community affairs picks
|
| Parent(s) |
Race
-
|
| Contributor | Scott³ |
| Last Edited | Scott³ Feb 07, 2006 04:07am |
| Category | News |
| News Date | Jan 31, 2006 04:05am |
| Description | AP newswire article in the Ocean County Observer.
An excerpt...
"State senators approved the governor's pick for attorney general yesterday, giving the job of New Jersey's top law enforcement officer to a Hispanic for the first time. Senators also gave the nod to Gov. Jon S. Corzine's choice for commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.
Neither the attorney general choice, Zulima V. Farber, nor the community affairs nominee, Susan Bass Levin, generated much argument in the Senate, where Democrats have a 22-18 edge.
Farber was confirmed 24-10 after one senator spoke in opposition, citing her checkered driving record and resistance to mandatory minimum sentences.
Levin was confirmed 26-0, with no debate. She had run Community Affairs during the administration of Gov. James E. McGreevey before leaving in July to help run Corzine's gubernatorial campaign. She was sworn in privately after the vote.
Levin has been criticized by environmentalists who believe she is too oriented toward development, but others praise her ability to work with municipalities. As head of the department, she will oversee housing, local government and women's programs, the state Planning and Meadowlands commissions, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the state Historic Trust.
During the debate on Farber, Sen. Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, questioned if many in New Jersey shared Farber's views that mandatory minimum sentences give prosecutors too much power.
Cardinale also recounted that Farber's driving record had caused McGreevey to drop Farber from consideration for a seat on the state Supreme Court.
By Cardinale's count, Farber has amassed 13 speeding tickets and four bench warrants. Farber, during testimony last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, apologized for her record but did not give specific figures." |
| Article | Read Article |
|
|
