|
Senator relents on
chief-justice nominee
Essex Democrat
maintains silence on prior concerns over Rabner
By TOM BALDWIN
thnt.com Online, June 20, 2007
TRENTON -- Gov. Jon S.
Corzine's choice for Supreme Court chief justice, along with his replacement as
attorney general, will finally receive a hearing in the state Senate Thursday,
following a private meeting Tuesday between the senator who set off gales of
anger by standing in the way.
"Jon Corzine has always believed (Attorney General) Stuart Rabner has the
qualifications, character and intellect to lead New Jersey's Supreme Court,"
said Corzine spokeswoman Lilo Stainton, adding that Corzine is "pleased that the
full Senate will now have an opportunity to learn more about this nomination."
Word that the long impasse had burst open came late Tuesday afternoon from
Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, hours after Rabner met with Sen. Nia
Gill, D-Essex, the lawmaker who has mysteriously blocked Rabner's ascent.
"I'm pleased that these nominations are moving forward," Codey said. "We
expect that they'll be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
We intend to seek an emergency vote later in the day so that we can confirm
their nominations. These are two fine nominees, and I look forward to
working with them in the future."
Codey was speaking of Rabner and the nominee to take his current job, First
Assistant Attorney General Anne Milgram.
Tuesday morning, Rabner met Gill at her legislative office in Montclair, saying
nothing afterward. Gill had used "senatorial courtesy," an unwritten
tradition that allows senators to block gubernatorial appointees from their home
county for any or no reason at all. Rabner resides in Caldwell, Gill in
Montclair.
Gill's delay — and her lack of public explanation as to why — brought cascades
of anger from U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, who used to employ Rabner, and
frustrated Corzine, who said Monday he expected the nomination to be wrapped up
this week.
There is currently a vacancy for Supreme Court chief justice. James
Zazzali, who became chief justice in October, reached the mandatory retirement
age of 70 Sunday.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must approve
Rabner and Milgram in confirmation hearings before their nominations go to the
Senate, announced a new schedule that included their bookings.
The Senate and Assembly hope to recess after Thursday's session until the fall.
Rabner is a former federal prosecutor who served as Corzine's first
gubernatorial chief counsel. He is an honors graduate of Princeton
University and the Harvard Law School.
In a related development, former state Sen. Bill Schluter, R-Mercer, unveiled a
plan to tinker with the state Constitution to scrap the unwritten practice of
allowing senators to block appointments made by a governor.
"It has no redeeming value," said Schluter's group, Citizens for the Public
Good.
Leaders of the group acknowledged senators would not give up this tactical
option unless voters pressured them.
Michael Rispoli:
mrispol@gannett.com
Tom Baldwin:
tbaldwi@gannett.com
|
