News (Noticias) for New Jersey

Assemblywoman-select Annette Quijano will be sworn-in Thursday as the first woman and minority representing the 20th Legislative District in the General Assembly.

The swearing-in will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 at the State House in the Assembly Chambers.

Quijano was appointed in August to fill a vacancy. She will represent the 20th Legislative District, which includes Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle and Union Township – all in Union County.

Quijano is an attorney who recently served as assistant counsel to three governors. She also has extensive experience in the corporate arena, government and as a community activist.

“It will be a great privilege to serve the people of the 20th Legislative District and I look forward to working hard to improve the lives of my fellow New Jerseyans,” Quijano said.

She will serve on the Assembly Labor Committee and the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee for the 2008-09 legislative session. “

Assemblywoman-select Annette Quijano today was named to the Assembly Labor Committee and the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee for the 2008-09 legislative session.

Quijano’s appointments were announced by Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., who said the selections were prompted by Quijano’s community service record.

“Annette Quijano possesses a unique blend of experience from her legal expertise to her first-hand knowledge of local and state government,” said Roberts (D-Camden). “Her understanding of challenges facing working families will prove invaluable to ensuring the rights of working New Jerseyans as she strives to protect families from escalating energy and utility bills.”

Quijano is an attorney who recently served as assistant counsel to three governors. She also has extensive experience in the corporate arena, government and as a private attorney.

She was previously involved with the Governor’s Working Group for Hispanic Affairs and the United Way Advisory Council of Union County, and remains active in Puerto Ricans in Management and Executive Roles. She’s also served as a New Jersey Redistricting Commissioner.

Quijano also previously worked as a manager for Prudential Healthcare/Aetna U.S. Healthcare and as chief of staff to Senator Raymond Lesniak

“It will be a privilege to work on the Labor Committee upholding the rights of every working New Jerseyan,” said Quijano (D-Elizabeth). “I also look forward to the challenge of being on the Telecommunications and Utility panel, which must support the state’s economic expansion while protecting consumer rights.”

Quijano represents the 20th Legislative District, which includes Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Roselle and Union Township – all in Union County.

She was appointed in August to fill a vacancy and will be sworn-in later this month.

On the Labor Committee, Quijano will review legislation dealing with unemployment, workers’ compensation and disability benefits, workplace safety, employee training programs, family leave and the minimum wage. On the Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, she will help oversee issues involving cable television, the Internet, public utilities, telecommunications technologies and the energy industry. “

The Spanish-language music from Our Lady of Providence Church could be heard down Ridge Avenue.

Then, once on church grounds, there was the food: yellow rice with chicken, fried plantain, tamale, tortilla, sopes, chicharrone and bunuelos.”*

Nearly two dozen minority state troopers have filed a race discrimination lawsuit against the New Jersey State Police.

The plaintiffs, 23 black and Hispanic troopers, accuse the state police of bias in promotions, training, special assignments and discipline. “*

Except, it appears, in New Jersey. Or if there is any excitement, the invitation to Latinos to join the party appears to have gotten lost in the mail.

One high-profile Latino delegate who was in heavy demand when Hillary was still in the picture is puzzled that the phone has been silent since the New York senator dropped out of the race. Not one call from the Democratic party asking if perchance there’s any interest in switching allegiance to the Obama camp.

You think there’s an assumption that New Jersey’s Latinos will toe the line?”*