June 22, 2015
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced the departure of three longstanding cabinet members on Monday.
The heads of the Treasury, Health, and Banking and Insurance Departments will be leaving their posts over the next couple of weeks.
Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff, who has served since 2011 after his confirmation in 2010, assisted Christie in controversial pension reform that was upheld by the New Jersey Supreme Court earlier this month. Deputy Treasurer Robert A. Romano will serves as Acting Treasurer in his place.
Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd who was in charge of efforts to assist victims of several major storms in the state, most notably Superstorm Sandy. The department's Director of Policy and Strategic Planning Cathleen Bennett will take over as acting commissioner.
Christie has nominated Richard J. Badolato to replace Banking and Insurance Commissioner Ken Kobylowski. Badolato has been working as a partner for the Connell Foley law firm in Roseland.
Another Christie appointee, Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, will be leaving her post. The New York Times reports that Anderson, who has sparred with teachers, parents, and the city mayor, announced she was resigning Monday.
Anderson's One Newark program, which implemented a citywide lottery program, proved controversial after her appointment by the governor. From The New York Times:
The plan resulted in closing many traditional schools, firing many teachers and principals, and increasing the city’s reliance on charter schools, which aggravated complaints that Ms. Anderson was a puppet of Wall Street-financed school reformers.
In addition to the three cabinet members leaving, Christie announced the nomination of Elizabeth Connolly as Commissioner of the Department of Human Services. She has served as acting commissioner of the department since February.
