Statement on the Confirmation Hearing for Ron Gravino

January 10, 2011

Contact: Adam Bauer / (609) 847-3600
Senator Christopher Bateman, Senator Gerald Cardinale, Senator Jennifer Beck, Senator Joe Kyrillos, Senator Kevin J. O'Toole

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Statement on the Confirmation Hearing for Ron Gravino

Senators Gerald Cardinale, Kevin O’Toole, Kip Bateman, Jennifer Beck, and Joe Kyrillos, Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s confirmation hearing for Ron Gravino, nominated by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority:

“Ron Gravino is an exceptionally qualified nominee for the Turnpike Authority who possesses both the experience in transportation policy and strong moral character the agency needs. He previously served for six years on the New Jersey Highway Authority, the Turnpike Authority’s predecessor. His nomination should pass the Senate overwhelmingly if our Democrat colleagues consider merit and merit alone.

“Unfortunately, today’s hearing was used by some as a sideshow aimed at scoring political points on the Governor. Unregulated political advocacy by non-profit organizations such as the Sierra Club, NJ Citizen Action, the League of Women Voters, and public employee unions have never been questioned or objected to by our Democrat colleagues. It seems their outrage is only inspired by those groups that hold different views than their own. Democrat calls for pay to play reform cannot be considered serious or credible unless they are willing to include public employee unions, the largest government contractors in New Jersey, in their plans.

“Judiciary Committee Democrats used today’s hearing to talk about their plans to intimidate non-profit civic organizations that wish to engage in political dialogue rather than legitimate business. The Committee has become dysfunctional, stalling record numbers of Gubernatorial appointments and abdicating its responsibility to consider and vote on a well-qualified nominee to the Supreme Court. We urge our colleagues to stop using the Judiciary Committee for short term political gain and join us in doing the work of the people who elected us to serve.”