Perhaps it was inevitable. Either way, it’s likely a good thing for the GOP.
Anyone with basic mathematical skill could figure out that the wind industry bailout working its way through Trenton this week is an expensive raw deal for New Jersey taxpayers and ratepayers, Save Jerseyans.
A slightly amended version cleared the Senate committee stage on Tuesday evening with the support of Steven Oroho, the GOP minority leader whose caucus remains overwhelmingly opposed to the deal that’s cost was originally estimated at $2 billion… all to save an industry that kills whales/dolphins, raises electric bills, and would destroy our scenic coastline?
Ex-NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhart of Warren County abstained, as did Andrew Zwicker (who could be vulnerable this fall) and the turncoat Sam Thompson who switched parties this year in the face of a Republican primary challenge.
What happened? I have my suspicions.
We do know that Oroho was already retiring in January 2024 (Parker Space is his presumptive successor), but growing angst over his weak leadership leading into the 2023 cycle led many to wonder why he didn’t just make it official and depart the top post early. Apparently, Oroho’s disgraceful sellout to Big Wind was the final straw, and the New Jersey Globe reported on Wednesday morning that he would surrender his leadership post on Saturday in favor of the incoming minority leader Anthony Bucco of Morris County (a fierce opponent of the Murphy “green new deal” agenda).
Yours truly called on him to resign his post last night. Did he listen? Don’t care; the end result is what matters.
I think Oroho’s downfall provides an important reminder for ALL Republican legislators and candidates at an important juncture in the cycle:
Don’t waste our time if you’re not interested in shaking things up.
A trained chimp can wear a pin, press buttons, and act in its own narrow self interests. We need intelligent, articulate reformers in our ranks who are committed to changing the way Trenton does business. All others need not apply and no longer deserve our support simply because the other side is insane.
