Speech to give Codey time in the spotlight

[Freddie Stubbs]

Monday, January 10, 2005
BY JOSH MARGOLIN
Star-Ledger Staff
He won't get another shot like this.

When Richard Codey goes before a joint session of the Legislature tomorrow to present his ideas for the year ahead in New Jersey, he will have a chance to deliver his message with a minimum of static.


Just two months into his stint as acting governor, Codey has done little so far to get critics sniping at him. Not (as yet) a candidate in November's election, his words won't necessarily be viewed as campaign rhetoric. And he can save any bitter medicine for his budget address next month.

After 31 years as a Democratic legislator from Essex County, Codey will go before the other 119 members of the Legislature and a statewide television audience for the first time. He has never run a statewide campaign and never gave an inaugural address when he was sworn in after Gov. James E. McGreevey's resignation.

more: http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1105336372158600.xml

[Osamasux]

1. He did well and hinted that he IS running for reelection.

My favorite line was along the lines of "I know I have not been elected to this office.... well, at least not yet."

Other points:
The Public Advocate is being restored. He bashed Whitman for that one.

Homeland Security - He addressed GW Bush directly, looking into the camera several times. Used something like Obama's "not blue states and red states but United States". Why does Wyoming get $30 per capita and NJ get $6? We have ports, chemical plants, refineries, financial centers etc to protect. We were one of only 3(?) cities on Orange Alert. Targeted before, likely again.
He then went into some plans for improvements. Predominantly aimed at protecting students. All schools to be inspected by law enforcement by year end. Teacher and school bus driver training.

Ethics. Progress and plans.

****ELECTION REFORM - EVERY ELECTRONIC VOTE MUST PRODUCE A PAPER RECEIPT****

Presidential Primary - Move up NJ's date. Stop being an ATM for the candidates and start being a player.

Mental Illness. His signature focus. His wife (his inspiration on this topic) received an embarrassing 3 minute standing ovation, which had her in tears.
- $200 million trust fund for housing for mentally handicapped
- Forgive $20,000 of student loans for college grads taking a job in a state or private mental health facility and sticking it out. To build staff retention, as most are leaving after one year.

Raise NJ's state minimum wage to $7.15 (Does that equal NY's new rate?)

[Osamasux]

2. Link to interactive speech transcript on official NJ state website

Codey's State of the State speech.
It lets us vote on the individual initiatives. Pretty cool idea.

http://www.state.nj.us/sos2005/speech_text.html

[Kire]

3. So far, a nice majority of voters agree with every question.

I wish there was as much support for the Mental Health initiatives as there is for the other ones.

So, please, DU THIS POLL!

[NNadir]

4. I like Codey. Corzine's fine, but I like Codey. He seems like a decent

man.