“The governor has opened the door to corruption by refusing to let the sale of the prison property be conducted by public auction,” Senator Cardinale said. “That he would even think that a no-bid contract is appropriate in this prison sale makes it clear he’s learned nothing from the conviction of so many political bosses and elected officials over the last eight years.”

Read the rest of Cardinale: Corzine Opens Door to Corruption in Sale of Camden Prison (384 words)

Read the rest of Cardinale: Corzine Must Protect Taxpayers’ Interests, Not Interests of Wealthy, Pro Sports Team Owners (176 words)

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) issued the following statement regarding a report published in the Star-Ledger indicating that the New Jersey Nets are considering a move to the Prudential Center in Newark. The team currently plays at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands. In order to move to Newark, the Nets would require the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to forgive an $8 million penalty for breaking its lease.

“It would be disturbing if Governor Corzine considers allowing the Nets to move from the Meadowlands to Newark without fulfilling its contractual obligation to the Izod Center. The Nets signed the contract with the Izod Center and should be held to the terms of that contract.

Read the rest of NJ Sports and Exposition Authority Must Not Release Nets from Lease (132 words)

Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-Bergen) called on Governor Corzine to appoint a nonpartisan special investigator to review the State’s Extraordinary Aid Program. The stated purpose of the Extraordinary Aid Program, run by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), is to allow municipalities experiencing extraordinary financial problems not of their own making to compete for approximately $25 million in discretionary grants to mitigate property tax increases.

Read the rest of Senator Cardinale Calls for Investigation into Extraordinary Aid Program (359 words)

Read the rest of Cardinale and Beck Want More Time and Information When Questioning Judges (230 words)

Senators Gerald Cardinale and Joe Kyrillos, Republicans on the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, said the committee’s ”upbeat” hearing on electronic medical records appears to have been orchestrated to mask the Corzine administration’s dismal record on health care policy. The senators pointed out that 300,000 fewer people in New Jersey have health insurance than when the Democrats led by Corzine assumed power in 2002.

In contrast, the number of uninsured fell in New York State during the same period. They also noted with frustration that Corzine has put $40 million in matching stimulus funds at risk by moving agonizingly slowly to implement plans for switching to electronic records in New Jersey.

Read the rest of Cardinale, Kyrillos: Governor’s Indecisiveness Puts Stimulus Funds at Risk (259 words)

They will lose the business on Sept.1 because the state has contracted with Staples Advantage, a Massachusetts company, to supply all office supplies. Vendors who now hold the contracts say they were given no advance notice that their contracts would not be renewed, nor were they granted the opportunity to bid for the state’s business.

Read the rest of Cardinale Says Corzine Shouldn’t Have Given Local Companies the Cold Shoulder (209 words)

Legislation sponsored by Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) that would allow for the involuntary commitment of severely mentally ill patients was signed into law today.

“This law will provide the authorities with the necessary tools to safeguard individuals who are incapable of taking care of themselves due to a mental illness,” Cardinale stated. “Also, the bill is an opportunity for many individuals to live normal and productive lives by taking readily available medication.”

Read the rest of Cardinale Mental Health Care Bill Signed into Law (145 words)

From the Trenton Times article, “State Paid $89.2M to Law Firms With Political Ties,” Dec. 28, 2008

Senator Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen County, asked today whether the Corzine administration finally will take actions that match its election-year hyperbole about the evils of hiring politically connected law firms. The Times of Trenton reported in December that every law firm that received state business had an “active Democratic donor, former politician, attorney general or Supreme Court justice in its stable of lawyers.”

Read the rest of Cardinale: The Corzine Record on Hiring Politically Connected Lawyers (201 words)

Last Monday, for the first time in years, the Judiciary Committee of the state Senate spent a day rigorously and thoughtfully questioning a nominee about his qualifications to be a justice on our state Supreme Court.

This historic review came about because Republican members insisted that the committee stop rubber-stamping the governor’s nominations and meet its constitutionally mandated responsibility to thoroughly evaluate nominees to the state’s most powerful court.

Read the rest of Cardinale: My Reservations About Justice’s Reappointment (707 words)