The More Things Change
Here’s what’s on my mind this week. As you know, I tend to write from a local, sometimes hyper-hyper personal, hopefully not to excess. Anyway, my friend of many decades, Senator Nia H. Gill, is running for President of the New Jersey Senate, and I hope she wins. That seems as good a place to begin as any.
Last week’s election, for anyone vaguely following the news, seemed, to many, crazy and terrifying. Terrifying, because it suggested that there is a way for Donald Trump to reenter the White House. I don’t know, it’s not easy for anyone to be re-elected during a pandemic. The situation is too frightening. There is no tidy ending. And crazy, because, wow.
At best, Governor Phil Murphy ran a lackluster campaign. He failed to mention that much of the new State revenue was generated by the effectiveness of the “millionaire’s tax,” supported by most New Jerseyans, and not at the expense of the average voter. More surprising than Murphy’s narrow victory, was the resounding defeat suffered by Senator Steve Sweeney, the long-time, extremely powerful, Senate President, by a virtually unfunded political newcomer. Sweeney never saw it coming. This puts the Senate Presidency, the second most powerful job in New Jersey, up for grabs. What an opportunity to demonstrate a transparent process appropriate for modern needs and respectful of all. What an opportunity for change.
But, no, why not revert to a nineteenth century practice of a bunch of guys making decisions in a smoke-filled room. The only difference between then and now is the absence of actual smoke. Three county party chairs, the Governor and his chief of staff, sat in a room and decided which other man would be the next Senate President. The optics are terrible! Not one woman was part of that conversation. Where was the Lieutenant Governor? As former Speaker of the General Assembly she could have added a lot. How about one of the handful of county chairs who are women? More radically, what about an open process?
It is time for women to be part of every part of political process, particularly in the choice of Senate president. Women comprise most of the New Jersey voters and vote more frequently than men. Yet, the continuation of closed-door decision-making excludes women and is opaque. That must change.
Out of a total of 40, there were four women Senators in 2002 when Nia Gill was first elected. In 2021 that number will have merely doubled. Senator Gill votes her conscience and votes independently. This has sometimes made her the target of political bosses more interested in elections than in governance. Thanks to bills sponsored by Senator Gill, and her tenacity, we now have early voting in New Jersey. There is a needle exchange program in New Jersey. Human trafficking is prohibited in New Jersey. Senator Gill will fearlessly stand her ground when necessary. She is among the smartest members of the legislature and its best and most interesting Speaker. She can move New Jersey forward. She can bring fresh air into the room.
That’s it. Remember to send your submissions for the next issue of ALTE to altetogether@gmail.com. Please use the Alte email address. I simply lack the organization not to lose items that come through other addresses. The theme, again, is “suddenly.” We have extended the deadline until December 14. It’s also time to mark your calendars again. Those who attended our Zoom Hanukkah/Holiday/Whatever candle lighting event last year asked us to do it again. We heard you. Thursday, December 2. Details to follow.
Jessica