Standing on Principle
Lessons Learned in Public Life
Published on 7. May 2018
Book
Hardback
302 pages
978-0-8135-9429-3 (ISBN)
Description
James J. Florio is best known as governor of New Jersey from 1990 to 1994. But his career in local, state, and national government is far more varied, and his achievements as a progressive reformer are more substantial than most realize.
This political memoir tells the remarkable story of how Florio, a high school dropout who left to join the Navy as a teenager, went on to become an attorney, a state assemblyman, a congressman, and a governor. A passionate defender of the environment, Florio played a crucial role in the enactment of 1980s-era Superfund laws, which helped to clean up toxic waste sites in New Jersey and around the country. As governor, he fought for the groundbreaking Clean Water Enforcement Act. But his reforms quite literally came at a cost, as he raised New Jersey sales taxes and income taxes to balance the state budget. Florio reflects upon the challenges of meeting the state's budgetary needs while keeping his tax-averse constituents happy.
Standing on Principle reveals a politician who has never been afraid to take a progressive stand-including a firm stance against semiautomatic weapons that led gun lobbyists to bankroll his opponent. His story is sure to inspire readers from New Jersey and across the nation.
Published in cooperation with the Center on the American Governor, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University
This political memoir tells the remarkable story of how Florio, a high school dropout who left to join the Navy as a teenager, went on to become an attorney, a state assemblyman, a congressman, and a governor. A passionate defender of the environment, Florio played a crucial role in the enactment of 1980s-era Superfund laws, which helped to clean up toxic waste sites in New Jersey and around the country. As governor, he fought for the groundbreaking Clean Water Enforcement Act. But his reforms quite literally came at a cost, as he raised New Jersey sales taxes and income taxes to balance the state budget. Florio reflects upon the challenges of meeting the state's budgetary needs while keeping his tax-averse constituents happy.
Standing on Principle reveals a politician who has never been afraid to take a progressive stand-including a firm stance against semiautomatic weapons that led gun lobbyists to bankroll his opponent. His story is sure to inspire readers from New Jersey and across the nation.
Published in cooperation with the Center on the American Governor, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University
Reviews / Votes
"For decades, Jim Florio has been at the center of New Jersey public life, courageously fighting for people over special interests and working to bridge the divides that separate us. His life-vividly captured in this memoir-is an important and fascinating narrative of battles won, battles lost, and what it means to serve." - Cory A. Booker (U.S. Senator) "I met Jim Florio when he was in Congress and was stunned by his wealth of knowledge and his steely resolve to do the right thing. He displayed the same traits as governor even at his own peril. This book describes how he confronted the challenges he faced and how he overcame them with a self-described 'policy wonk's' intelligence and courage. A must-read for those who believe that good people can't succeed in politics."- Edward G. Rendell (45th governor of Pennsylvania) "GOP Attacks on Jim Florio are Strategically Foolish" by Alan Steinberg (Insider NJ) "Former NJ Governor Florio Reflects on Public Life" (WNYC's "Brian Lehrer Show") "LEGISLATIVE LEADERS still silent on MURPHY budget - MORAN: where are the cuts? - More bad GATEWAY news" by Matt Friedman (Politico) "Florio Reflects" by Steve Adubato, PhD. (New Jersey Monthly) "News Closeup: Former NJ Gov. James Florio on the state's biggest issues today" (Pix 11 "News Closeup with Marvin Scott") NJTV "On the Record with Michael Aron" interview (NJTV "On the Record with Michael Aron") "Former New Jersey governor stops by Rutgers, talks gun control, the cost of higher education and time in office" by D'Erica Costa (Daily Targum) "Former NJ Gov. Jim Florio's message to Gov. Phil Murphy on raising taxes: Just do it" by Mike Kelley mention of Standing on Principle (North Jersey.com) "Jim Florio: Lessons from a life in politics and a fight over N.J.'s assault weapon ban" by Jan Hefler mention of Standing on Principle (Philadelphia Inquirer) "LOOSE ENDS: Jim Florio's new book, edited by Princeton resident Rick Sinding, offers a message of hope" by Pat Hersh (CentralJersey.com) "Former Governor Jim Florio Talks About His Political Career" by Anne Levin (Town Topics) "An impressively informative and ultimately inspiring read that is especially recommended to the attention of anyone considering a life in public service as either an elected official or a social activist." (Midwest Book Review) "The Trenton mayor's race," Times of Trenton opinion piece by Irwin S. Stoolmacher (NJ.com) "Former Gov. James J. Florio to discuss memoir in appearance at Rowan" (Insider NJ) "Power Politics," News 12 New Jersey interview with Governor Florio (News 12 New Jersey) "Summer Reading 2018: The Hard-Won Battle to Ban Assault Weapons in NJ" excerpt of Standing on Principle (Philly.com) "Loose Ends 8/31 William Schluter is fondly remembered" (Central New Jersey.com) "A Governor's Life in Politics Took Root in Camden," by Sam Starnes (Rutgers Camden Magazine) "My Five Leading New Jersey Political Intellectuals," by Alan Steinberg (Insider NJ) "Florio highlights his autobiography 'Standing on Principle'" by Michael Aron (NJTV) "Former Gov. Jim Florio Urges Stockton Students to Become Engaged and Informed." (Insider NJ)
More details
Edition
Foreword by Senator Bill Bradley
Language
English
Place of publication
New Brunswick NJ
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
28 b-w and 15 color photographs
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
590 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8135-9429-3 (9780813594293)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2018
1st Edition
Rutgers University Press
€42.99
Available for download
E-Book
05/2018
1st Edition
Rutgers University Press
€42.99
Available for download
Persons
JAMES J. FLORIO was the forty-ninth governor of New Jersey. Since leaving office, he has worked as an activist, attorney, teacher, and speaker specializing in public policy, health care, and environmental issues.
Content
Contents
Foreword
Prologue
1 The Assault Weapons Ban
2 From Red Hook to Camden
3 Bitten by the Political Bug
4 The Congressional Years
5 If At First You Don't Succeed ...
6 Lucinda
7 The Third Time is a Charm
8 Meeting the Challenges in Trenton
9 Bridging the Partisan Divide
10 From Public Life to Private Citizen
11 The Issues I Still Care About
Foreword
Prologue
1 The Assault Weapons Ban
2 From Red Hook to Camden
3 Bitten by the Political Bug
4 The Congressional Years
5 If At First You Don't Succeed ...
6 Lucinda
7 The Third Time is a Charm
8 Meeting the Challenges in Trenton
9 Bridging the Partisan Divide
10 From Public Life to Private Citizen
11 The Issues I Still Care About