On February 27, five members of the New Jersey Convention of States Team traveled to Trenton, our state capital, for the opportunity to speak with our Assembly Members about the COS Resolution and Bill A4907, commonly known as 34 Ready.
Per the New Jersey Legislature's website, this bill “establishes [the] process for selection, instruction, and oversight of commissioners to [an] Article V convention for proposing amendments to [the] United States Constitution; [and] establishes criminal penalties for certain violations” per the New Jersey Legislature’s website.
Team members Jim Collinsworth, Andy Deitch, Don Myer, Gary Rodgers and Al Toczydlowski staffed an information table in the hallway between the Statehouse Annex and the Capitol Building. Jim Collinsworth reports that more than half of our 80 Assembly members (47 to be exact) stopped by to discuss the objectives of the NJ COS Team in supporting an Article V Convention of States for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the Federal Government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the Federal Government and limit the terms of office for Federal Officials and Members of Congress.
Primary sponsors of our resolution, Assemblymen Robert Auth and Erik Peterson, stopped by to thank the team and offer their encouragement. Many newer Assembly members asked to learn more. Special thanks go to Event Coordinator Robyn Hoy for arranging this outreach opportunity. Our team members felt it was a positive and productive experience.
Andy Deitch enjoyed working with his fellow COS volunteers to “raise our visibility with the NJ legislature.” He appreciates the time spent by our Assembly sponsors and co-sponsors to thank the team for its work. Gary Rodgers said the event went well. He observed that there was constant activity at the table and that “there seemed to always be a conversation going on.” Al Toczydlowski described the day as “a target rich environment….well worth the effort….[to] reinforce our presence and our message.”
Plans are being considered for a table in the Fall to reach out to our NJ State Senators in a similar manner. Gary Rodgers suggests that District Captains be asked either to visit their Senators in person or to contact them via mail with information prior to the event. Don Myer felt that the first Table Day was a success and that all the team members “represented the organization well.” He says that ideas on how the team can do even better next time are valuable.
The New Jersey team is ramping up its efforts to join the other States who have approved the COS Resolution. Join us by signing the petition below.
