Publication: The New Jersey Herald  
Pub. Date: 9/28/03  
Pub. Page: 1 A  

Reposted with permission
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Senate race: Old school vs. new

By LYNN OLANOFF

Herald Staff Writer

The Republican incumbent in the 24th District state Senate race has more years of legislative experience than his Democratic challenger has lived.

Challenger Jim Morrison, 32, does not see this as a disadvantage in his race against state Sen. Robert Littell, R-Sussex, a 35-year veteran.

"I don't have the political experience, but I don't have the debts to repay," Morrison said. "We all know Littell is captive to the McGreevey administration."

Littell, 67, has received heat for supporting budgetary items of Democratic Gov. James E. McGreevey in the past.

Littell contests the legislature does not run on debts between politicians.

"I don't do it on a quid pro quo basis," he said. "I do it on the fact they have respect for my district and I have respect for theirs."

Morrison also questions the local trend of state legislators being appointed by party committees and not elected by district residents. The trend has been true for Littell as a senator, his daughter, Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R-Sussex, and Assemblyman Guy Gregg, R-Sussex.

"For their first term, they're not publicly elected, they're selected. It shouldn't be that way," Morrison said.

He called the Littell succession in office ‹ which includes Littell's father, former state Sen. Alfred Littell ‹ a "dynasty" and said the contentious Republican primary this year demonstrated that residents are frustrated by their rule.

Littell scoffed at the claim of a dynasty.

"A lot of people follow in the same footsteps," he said. "His father and mother are lawyers and so is he. Is that as dynasty?"

As for party committees selected candidates, Littell said special elections have proven unpopular in the past and pointed out that committee selection is a collaborative process.

Littell cites his experience and connections as a clear advantage in the race. He currently serves as the Senate Budget and Appropriations co-chairman, which has been beneficial to the district.

Even if the Democrats take over the Senate and Littell loses his chairmanship, he said he will have still have advantages.

"It doesn't mean they (Democrats) wouldn't give us any help," he said. "I've helped them bring money to their districts and I would expect the same in return."

Littell said his seniority will help bring property tax relief, his top issue in the campaign. His plan includes restoring funding to rebate programs cut in this year's state budget. He said he would fund the rebates with money saved through a proposed bill to lessen education funding to urban schools.

"If the Republicans take over, it can happen," he said.

Gaining property tax relief without a Republican-controlled Legislature would be more difficult, Littell added.

Morrison questions Littell's commitment to property tax relief.

"If he hasn't done anything by now, he probably isn't going to do anything," Morrison said.

He is a supporter of the SMART Bill, which shifts 90 percent of educational funding from property taxes to income taxes.

"The system should be based on ability to pay," he said. He also opposes cutting funding to urban schools.

Morrison and Littell also differ some on development attitudes. Littell supports the county's Strategic Growth Plan, which he says balances environmental and business interests.

"We're going to control what's goes on, not the bureaucrats," he said.

Morrison is more cautious about development. He said big businesses hurt local stores and ruin the landscape.

"We can turn into Parsippany or Ledgewood, but once we do that, you can never go back," he said.

He said ratables bring only minor tax relief to citizens.