COURT HOUSE — Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) asked where Sen. Nick Asselta (R-1st) was during the Senate budget hearings.
Van Drew’s query was contained in a release that followed one by Asselta, seeking clarification where Van Drew stood on the state’s proposed sale of toll roads to private buyers.
Van Drew is seeking Asselta’s seat in the Senate in the November election.
Van Drew stated:
“Asselta is a member of the Senate Budget Committee and when appointed he stated that he would be a voice for South Jersey. Where was that voice during the three months he was on the committee? Where was the senator during those three months where this language he says is so horrible was right in front of him? After reviewing the transcripts from the hearings it appears that Asselta had nothing to say about this for the three months that counted the most.
“If a legislator doesn’t like something in a bill their opportunity to change it is in committee. I would like to know why the senator sat for three months in committee hearings and said nothing.
“If this wording was so offensive to him why didn’t he do anything to change it. He did nothing—he said nothing—what good is he on committee? He also said nothing on the floor of the Senate — not a word — he could have offered an amendment like his colleague Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck — but he chose to sit there and do nothing.
“In our district he acts like he is fighting for his constituents — in Trenton when it counts he says nothing — he does nothing,” said Van Drew.
“The budget document originates in the Assembly but the Senate had the monetization language for three months—the Senate also has a great deal of say in the final budget document.
“Even if you don’t think it is going to help—you should still stand up. We both agree we are against any plan to sell, lease, privatize our roads, whatever the plan may be,” said Van Drew.
“If he did not review the budget enough while on committee then shame on him for once again not doing his homework,” Van Drew concluded.
