Assemblywoman Nellie Pou helps Alex DeCroce on the Jump Around Frog
New Jersey lawmakers convened a special session at the Land of Make Believe in Warren County to work on the state’s mounting budget problems and ride the Frog Hopper.
“Ooooh! The Jump Around Frog!!” squealed Assemblyman Alex DeCroce as he ran toward the ride before being turned away because he didn’t meet the height requirements. He was later seen being consoled by Colonel Corn, the talking scarecrow.
Leaders of the 120-member senate and general assembly said they called the special session to try to deal with the upcoming year’s budget, which has a gap that stands at hundreds of millions of dollars. The legislative branch’s normal sessions in Trenton have led to rancor, name calling and a meltdown by Sen. Paul Sarlo after someone stole his juice box.
“When we’re doing the people’s work in our state capital, things can get pretty intense,” Senate President Richard Codey said. “So we needed to get away from there, clear our heads and really focus on the important things like spending $2 million on a fire engine and equipment museum. I thought going to the Land of Make Believe was the best option.”
The legislators started their session by taking a tractor-drawn old fashioned hay ride, then broke into committees to discuss specific areas where they could cut the budget. Members of the appropriations committee all gathered at the Red Baron Airplane Ride, with legislators climbing onto the two-seater bi-planes that gently rose and fell while moving slowly in a circle.
“The Democratic tax and spend leadership has got to stop…oh God, oh God, I think I’m gonna be sick!” Assemblyman Rick Merkt screamed before vomiting on the back of committee chair Nellie Pou, a Democrat. “This state is being held hostage by state worker unio…..BLAGHFFF!!!!”
Public records indicate the legislators spent nearly $10,000 on season passes, another $15,000 on food and snacks and $279,000 trying to win a giant red elephant in the Dog Pound arcade area. The expenditures were tacked onto the 2009 budget.
