BRAD BLOG: After Koch: NJ Bill Introduced to Require Gov to Notify Legis. Leaders When Leaving State

[highplainsdem]

http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8765

By Brad Friedman on 9/19/2011 10:33am
After Koch: NJ Bill Introduced to Require Governor to Notify Legislative Leaders When Leaving State

"We know that this was not a family vacation to Disney World, but a political fundraiser designed to further the governor's national political aspirations," NJ state Sen. Loretta Weinberg said on Friday, in announcing her plan to introduce new legislation today requiring the Governor to alert state legislators when he's traveling out of state.

As mentioned on Friday, more new developments continue to follow in the wake of our Mother Jones exclusive on NJ Gov. Chris Christie's secret appearance (at least until we revealed it) and keynote speech at the billionaire Koch brother's ultra-confidential (at least until we ruined that too) political strategy and fund raising soiree near Vail, Colorado late last June.

"No man is an island, and the governor needs to recognize that he has a responsibility to the people of New Jersey to at least assure for the orderly transfer of power if he does decide to leave the state in search of right-wing campaign donations," Weinberg told New Jersey Newsroom's Tom Hester, Sr. "If an emergency situation had occurred while he was away, the members of the Legislature would have had to scramble to figure out who they're supposed to be working with in the front office."

As Hester reports, "Christie traveled with a state police escort to Vail to give the keynote address at a political fundraiser hosted by David and Charles Koch, oil billionaires and conservative Republican powerbrokers. It was at least the fourth time Christie left the state since taking office without notifying legislators, the public or the media."

-snip-

[Frustratedlady]

1. Well, at least they know he isn't hiking the Appalachian trails. EOM

[MrNJ]

2. chuckle-worthy

[malaise]

3. No limos allowed on that trail

and he can't walk 100 yards

[Overseas]

4. Yes please! And hooray for Brad Blog!

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Kochs could always hold court for Christie in Bernardsville.

While well intentioned, this bill won't slow down corruption.