This summer NJEA Government Relations Committee members from around the state worked with their county associations to form screening committees of local leaders to forward recommendations to the NJEA PAC Operating Committee. In August, NJEA PAC carefully considered the recommendations of the screening committees and voted to endorse 69 candidates statewide, and in eleven Legislative Districts, NJEA made no endorsements. GR committee members are now working with NJEA Headquarters staff, UniServ staff, county associations, and local Legislative Action Teams to elect only those deserving candidates.
Why does political action matter? We have all witnessed what has taken place in Trenton since the 2009 election of Governor Christie. NJEA is under attack, state funding to public education has been slashed, student programs have been cut, thousands of school employees have lost their jobs, and our members are facing severe reductions to their paychecks, pensions, and health benefits. Furthermore, we can expect future legislative battles concerning merit pay, seniority, evaluation, and tenure. The current hostile administration in Trenton demands that school employees be politically active.
Your voice needs to be heard. Tuesday, November 8, 2011, is Election Day. Members need to commit their time and energy between now and Election Day working for NJEA endorsed candidates. If you live in a district where there is no endorsement, then you need to volunteer to help our candidates in another district. Sitting back and doing nothing is not an option if we are to protect our future.
Redistricting has carved Morris County into six Legislative Districts, but MCCEA members live all over northern and central New Jersey. Please read the October issue of the NJEA Reporter for a complete list of all endorsed candidates. The NJEA Reporter can be read online at www.njea.org. Here in Morris County we are proud to announce the following endorsements:
LD 24 Senate: Ed Selby; Assembly: Leslie Huhn and Jim Nye
LD 25 Senate: Rick Thoeni; Assembly: Gale Heiss-Colucci and George Stafford
LD 27 Senate: Richard Codey; Assembly: Mila Jasey and John McKeon
LD 40 Assembly: Cassandra Lazzara
These fine candidates have found time in their busy schedules to attend several MCCEA functions. You may have met them at our Legislative Reception in May, at the screenings this summer, or at one of our LAT meetings held this fall. Now you can help them in their effort to represent you in Trenton. Talk to your colleagues, encourage your family members to cast votes for them, participate in phone banking, send postcards, go to their campaign headquarters to volunteer, and contribute to NJEA PAC. They deserve your support and you deserve better representation in Trenton.