Legislators arrive amid frustration of a fiscal crisis

The 40 new legislators taking office in Trenton today won't have a lot of time to settle in - they'll immediately face the most severe fiscal crisis in recent state history.

A $3 billion deficit, the nation's third largest, is just the start. A growing pension and health benefit crisis and a simmering taxpayer revolt also are expected to help quash the big dreams of grand programs that typically materialize at the start of a legislative session.

Gov. Corzine, who will give his annual State of the State address today after the 213th Legislature is sworn in, wants to fill the budget hole by raising tolls on state highways and creating a new agency to issue bonds. But he is likely to get ardent opposition, even from members of his own Democratic Party.

Despite the obstacles and controversies ahead, legislative leaders promise progress on toughening the rules for campaign contributions and official conduct; providing affordable housing and paid family leave; and cutting taxes and spending.

State Sen. Phil Haines' rookie optimism is trained on "watching every penny" the state spends, as well as writing bills that would give tax breaks and incentives to businesses wishing to relocate or expand in New Jersey. The Burlington County Republican said he's getting a seat on the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

With 40 new lawmakers, the 120-member Legislature will have its most new members since 1974. Both houses will remain under Democratic control, with a 48-32 margin in the Assembly and a 23-17 margin in the Senate.

The Assembly will have 25 new members, although three more will be starting their first full term after being sworn in during the session that expires today.

Four have previously served in the Legislature; Ralph Caputo, an Essex County Democrat, has the longest gap in service at 35 years. Another, L. Harvey Smith, a former assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and a Hudson County Democrat, briefly served in the Senate and is coming to the Assembly.

The Senate gets 15 new members today. Two of them replace Sens. Wayne Bryant (D., Camden) and Sharpe James (D., Essex), who were indicted on corruption charges.

One slightly less new member, State Sen. Sandra Cunningham, a Hudson County Democrat, took office in November to replace former Democratic State Sen. Joseph Doria, whom Corzine appointed to head the Department of Community Affairs. Cunningham begins serving her first full term today.

Cunningham and eight other women in the Senate, combined with 25 women in the Assembly, give this legislature the most women of any legislature in state history, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

In 2004, the New Jersey Legislature was ranked 43d in the country when it came to women members - "an abysmal record," according to director Debbie Walsh. Now it sits at 15th in the nation, which isn't enough for State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D., Bergen), who has long fought to promote female candidates.

"We've taken a giant step forward, but we are far from reaching the potential New Jersey has of using the talent of women," she said.

As a show of that new force in the Legislature, there are strong indications that State Sen. Barbara Buono (D., Middlesex) could be named the first female chair of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

There also will be some new faces among the leadership. Republican senators elected Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R., Union) their leader, and Democratic senators chose Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) their majority leader. Senate President Richard Codey (D., Essex) held onto his leadership role, as did Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D., Camden).

Looking ahead, Roberts said the primary issue is "the state's fiscal foundation. I can't think of anything more important in the coming year."

At the same time, though, he wants to free up about $150 million sitting in municipal accounts to seed his affordable housing program.

His Republican counterpart, Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R., Morris), believes money will dominate the session. He and others predict Corzine's toll roads plan will meet strong opposition, even after the governor swings through counties in a series of town meetings. If the plan fails, DeCroce said, "he's going to have to make hard decisions which he's been unwilling to do until this point."

Some legislators will have more than policy on their minds this session.

State Sen. John Adler (D., Camden) is running for Congress, hoping to replace retiring U.S. Rep. James Saxton (R., N.J.).

Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D., Union) and State Sen. Leonard Lance (R., Hunterdon), meanwhile, are in a crowded field of candidates for Congress to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Ferguson (R., N.J.).

State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R., Morris) also has his eyes on Washington: He wants to run against U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D., N.J.).