Dear Editor:
Recently I came across a quotation that struck me as having unbelievable relevance in regards to our newly-elected New Jersey State Senate. It’s titled “The Essence of a New Day” by Author Unknown.
“This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, in its place is something that you have left behind…let it be something good.”
On November 6, voters throughout New Jersey elected an equal number of Republicans and Democrats to our 40 member Senate, marking the dawning of a new era in our state’s political system. This new balance of power between opposing parties in the Senate provides us with a clear definition in our efforts to attain common goals. I am fully confident that we are embarking on a period that will one day be described as one of the unprecedented cooperation.
The New Jersey State Senate’s “20/20 Vision” affords us a tremendous opportunity to work together, in a bipartisan fashion, to address the tough issues of today while confronting new challenges in the future. Over the next few months, and even years, New Jersey, along with the rest of the country, will be redefining its priorities. From homeland security to statewide economic stability to improving education, there is no doubt that we have our work cut out for us.
But make no mistake, I believe the Senate’s “20/20 Vision” gives us the unique ability to embrace the needs of the people while providing the necessary bipartisan leadership to overcome any obstacle.
The Members of the Senate have proven before that this can be done. It was just over two months ago that all of us came together, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans, and passed the September 11 Terrorism Response Package. These recent events show that we can and must unite to produce efficient and effective government.
And while our equally divided Senate will be the first in New Jersey’s history books, other states across the country have been dealing with deadlocked Legislatures for years. From Maine to Arizona to the state of Washington, leaders from both parties have come to the table and worked out acceptable power-sharing agreements in order to move forward with the business of the people.
As the elected leader of the 20-member Republican caucus, I can promise you that the Republicans are 100 percent united behind becoming equal partners in developing legislation that represents the true interests of the people throughout New Jersey.
The residents of our state deserve nothing less.
That is why I am committed to the maintaining a positive dialogue with Senate Democrat Leader Dick Codey on the direction of our State Senate. I am confident that working together, we can and will be able to rise above “politics as usual” and incorporate a “20/20 Vision” that represents the best of our state government has to offer.
Tomorrow will come and bring with it the essence of a new day; it is my hope that when tomorrow comes the New Jersey State Senate will have left behind something good.
Senator John O. Bennett