TRENTON – A bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny Jr. to remove “Acting” from the title of Acting Governor Richard J. Codey was approved today by the Senate State Government Committee.
“The purpose of the bill, quite honestly, is to make it clear that with (Acting Governor and Senate President Richard J.) Dick Codey, the State of New Jersey got the real deal,” said Senator Kenny. “The “Acting” part of the title just isn’t necessary.”
The Kenny bill, co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, would remove the word ‘Acting’ from an Acting Governor’s title if he or she served at least six months. Retroactive to 2001, the measure also would apply to former Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco.
“In my opinion, the word ‘acting’ just has a taint of artificiality to it which hardly applies to the character of Governor Codey,” said Senator Kenny. “New Jersey had the credibility of its Governor’s Office restored when Dick Codey stepped in and we haven’t had to look back since.”
Codey replaced former Governor McGreevey who resigned on Nov. 15, 2004.
Senator Kenny said it was also fitting to honor former Acting Governor and Senate President Donald T. DiFrancesco in the same way.
“Senator DiFrancesco was at the helm when New Jersey endured the tragedy and the heartbreak of September 11th, 2001 and his leadership was outstanding throughout,” Senator Kenny said.
The measure may only apply to Codey and DiFrancesco since voters just authorized a change in the State Constitution to create an Office of Lieutenant Governor in 2009.
The measure was approved 4-1 with a dissenting vote from Republican Sen. Leonard Connors, R-Ocean. The bill now awaits action by the full Senate.
