The Fate of Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver

Much commotion in Trenton about the fate of Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver. Will she or won't she have the votes to serve another term as Speaker? She is reportedly facing a couple of serious challengers. But, after all the tumult and the shouting, this is a laugher.

First of all she double dips as Essex County Administrator, working for and under the political protection of County Boss Joe DiVincenzo ( where, oh where do these multi-dippers find all that time?) Secondly, she will get 100 percent support from minority legislators. And thirdly, she reportedly cut a deal with Governor Christie last Spring to support his pension reform legislation in return for the Governor delivering 100 percent of Assembly republicans to her side in a vote.

She kept her part of the deal. No reason to believe the Governor won't keep his side. So, why the commotion? I don't know. Guess that's just what they do. Keeps their minds off property tax relief.