Former lawmaker Bill Payne doesn’t know if he’s going to run for his old seat in the Assembly next year against Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer (D-Newark), but he appears less inclined to make a move than he was this past summer.

Payne’s longtime friend, state Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Newark), told PolitickerNJ.com that he would urge the retired legislator not to pursue a run against Spencer.

“I’m supporting the re-election of every member of the Legislative Black Caucus,” said Rice, including the Mayor Cory Booker-backed Spencer, who won Payne’s South Ward-based seat in last year’s election.

RUIZ MEASURE TO HELP HARD-HIT NEW JERSEYANS DURING RECESSION APPROVED

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senate Teresa Ruiz which would provide financial assistance to individuals and families as part of the “New Jersey Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan” was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 9-0, with 4 abstentions.

“During these tough economic times, we’ve read a lot about the plight of corporations, businesses and banks that are on the verge of collapse,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union, and a member of the Budget Committee. “While we need to do what we can to help keep these financial institutions and corporations afloat, we need to be concerned, first and foremost, with families and individuals struggling to keep their heads above water and meet the high cost of living in the Garden State. It’s important to ensure corporate viability and protect jobs in this economy, but it’s far more important to ensure that hard-hit New Jerseyans receive the safety net support they need to meet their basic human needs.”

Three women widely viewed as rising stars in the Democratic Party are likely to receive consideration for Lt. Governor next year when Jon Corzine picks a running mate: State Sens. Dana Redd (D-Camden) and Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), and Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz. 

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)

JERSEY CITY - Asked about state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) as a potential candidate for lieutenant governor, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Hoboken) said he liked the idea.

"She is one of several people in our party who would be an excellent candidate," Menendez told PolitickernJ.com at an Obama rally on Saturday. "It's the governor's decision ultimately, of course, and I do not envy him, because there are numerous qualified people."

Other potential lieutenant governor candidates among the Democrats include Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing).

LESNIAK-RUIZ RESOLUTION CELEBRATING HISPANIC AND LATINO HERITAGE MONTH APPROVED IN STATE SENATE

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Teresa Ruiz which recognizes September 15 through October 15 of each year as Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate today, receiving final legislative approval.

“New Jerseyans of Hispanic and Latino heritage have given our State and the nation at large so much, and have enriched the American tapestry,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. “It’s only fitting that we designate a month in which to officially recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in New Jersey. This resolution would ensure that each year, we take the proper time to respect and appreciate the cultural contributions of our State’s large Hispanic- and Latino-American population.”

RUIZ-VITALE BILL TO GIVE DISABLED NEW JERSEYANS MORE CONTROL ON ASSISTANCE SERVICES ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Teresa Ruiz and Joseph F. Vitale which would make changes in the “Personal Assistance Services Program” (PASP) to give disabled New Jerseyans more control over their own service plan was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“New Jersey residents who live with disability and know the challenges they face every day are the most qualified to design a service plan that meets their needs,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “However, right now, most disabled New Jersey residents enrolled in PASP are limited in who they can hire, because county agencies step in to determine the type, dollar amount and entities that will provide services. We need to have more faith in the service consumers to make the best choices for their own care, rather than have a government agency, no matter how well-intentioned, make choices for them.”

RUIZ RESOLUTION TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS TO RECEIVE COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS IN BRAILLE APPROVED

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz, the Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, which would urge textbook publishers and institutions of higher education to work together to make it easier for visually-impaired students to have access to college textbooks in Braille was unanimously approved by the Education Committee today.

“One of the basic fundamental principles of our nation is that we are all given the same opportunities to excel, no matter where you were born or what disabilities or impairments you may suffer,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “However, for many visually impaired college students, the simple higher education ritual of purchasing textbooks at the beginning of the semester can be difficult, if not impossible. Schools need to work with publishers to ensure that every student has access to the same learning materials, and is given the chance to succeed.”

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in Newark: Obama campaign photo

The Obama campaign organized two big events over the weekend, including a Friday fundraising party in Middletown with the Democratic presidential candidate, that netted his campaign $4.1 million in one night, according to party fundraiser Al DeCotiis.

"The tremendous enthusiasm and support of Jon Corzine helped make this the most successful fundraising event ever," said DeCotiis, who along with fellow former Clinton fundraisers Bill Harla, Michael Kempner, and John Graham, organized the Obama event with the governor.

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi sponsored the bash at his home.

A day later, Gov. Bill Richardson stumped for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) at the Flamboyan Manor in Newark's North Ward, making the Democratic Party’s case for an end to the Iraq War.

MINNEAPOLIS - Newarkers will welcome New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to the North Ward on Sept. 6, to campaign for presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Set to appear at the Flamboyan Manor on Saturday afternoon, Richardson will be joined by U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-West New York), state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, and other elected officials, according to Andrews Poag, spokesman for the Obama campaign.

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark): Politicker photo

DENVER - It was coming to an end in an Irish bar, only it wouldn’t actually end there. It would in another bar, a few blocks removed.

Two bars separated by one speech.

"It should be a walkover, of course," said U.S. Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark). "These guys - Obama and McCain - are neck and neck. I think it’s perhaps the trepidation about race that makes it that way, but we'll see."

In a few hours, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would take the stage and accept his party’s nomination.

Payne, and his elder brother former Assemblyman Bill Payne, mingled among a respectably large crowd of guests in this, the last big, pre-Obama speech bash in downtown Denver at the Celtic Tavern, thrown by U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch) and U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson).

The Celtic Tavern is located near the light rail line, and soon the delegates and superdelegates and other guests would pile aboard and head out to Invesco Field to see and hear Obama.

In the meantime, the hosts brought Speaker Joe Cryan up onto the stage with the folk band to take a bow. Just as they were stepping over the microphone cords and getting ready to launch into the Irish songs, the bar door swung open and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy walked in, prompting Pascrell to make a special introduction.

It almost looked staged, as if a staffer had sent Healy a text message. Healy's a good Irish tenor with a rich, well-modulated voice.

But the mayor’s stride-in would astoundingly prove a premature entrance to the main event, for on this afternoon, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-Union City) went to the front of the room.