Monday, February 19, 2007
Mazel tov!
Today is the first day for same-sex couples in New Jersey to legalize their relationship under the State's new civil union law. The first civil union performed was just after the stroke of midnight between Steven Goldstein and Daniel Gross of Teaneck. (We've mentioned Goldstein before on this blog, he is the head of Garden State Equality, New Jersey's largest gay rights organization).
Asbury Park, which opened their clerk's office at midnight for an hour and then for four additional hours today (despite the holiday), had five couples arive just after midnight.
We're glad to see this day come.
Congratulations!
Asbury Park, which opened their clerk's office at midnight for an hour and then for four additional hours today (despite the holiday), had five couples arive just after midnight.
We're glad to see this day come.
Congratulations!
Labels: Asbury Park, civil unions, Garden State Equality, new jersey
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
New NJ Quinnipiac poll
Some interesting bits from a Quinnipiac University poll released today:
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has an evenly split 42 - 42 percent overall approval and a negative 30 - 51 percent approval on his handling of the property tax issue. The State Legislature gets a negative 27 - 54 percent overall approval and an even bigger negative 16 - 62 percent approval for its handling of the property tax issue.
There is a 46 - 46 percent split among voters on whether public employees should be required to pay more into their health insurance plans and to accept a reduction in retirement benefits.
Most people asked -- by a 53 - 34 percent margin -- oppose the Governor's proposal to sell or lease the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway as a way to reduce state debt and provide money for property tax relief.
Civil unions for same sex couples are ok, by a 54 - 41 percent margin. But most voters (49 - 45 percent), don't think mayors, county clerks and judges should be legally required to perform civil union ceremonies.
And as for the proposed repeal of the death penalty . . . voters oppose that by a 53 - 41 percent margin.
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine has an evenly split 42 - 42 percent overall approval and a negative 30 - 51 percent approval on his handling of the property tax issue. The State Legislature gets a negative 27 - 54 percent overall approval and an even bigger negative 16 - 62 percent approval for its handling of the property tax issue.
"New Jersey voters are clearly skeptical that Gov. Corzine and the State Legislature will provide meaningful property tax relief this year. Despite apparent agreement on a plan, only about a third of voters say property tax reform is likely this year and a majority disapprove of the way both the Governor and Legislature are handling the issue," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
There is a 46 - 46 percent split among voters on whether public employees should be required to pay more into their health insurance plans and to accept a reduction in retirement benefits.
Most people asked -- by a 53 - 34 percent margin -- oppose the Governor's proposal to sell or lease the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway as a way to reduce state debt and provide money for property tax relief.
Civil unions for same sex couples are ok, by a 54 - 41 percent margin. But most voters (49 - 45 percent), don't think mayors, county clerks and judges should be legally required to perform civil union ceremonies.
And as for the proposed repeal of the death penalty . . . voters oppose that by a 53 - 41 percent margin.
Labels: civil unions, death penalty, Jon Corzine, property tax reform, Quinnipiac Poll
