Sweeney pulling out of Chamber, League events

Senate President Steve Sweeney won’t attend two major events hosted by the League of Municipalities and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce until the host organizations make further steps to combat a culture of sexual harassment and assault.

“For too long, the Chamber’s ‘Walk to Washington’ and the League’s annual convention have been marred by the harassment and abuse of women and recent reports show that this behavior continues,” Sweeney said. “I can’t in good conscience continue to participate in the business as usual that allows this hostile environment to persist at these events until more decisive actions are taken to change the culture.”

Chamber of Commerce announces hard alcohol ba

A recent report by NJ Advance Media that said a culture of sexual harassment and assault still permeated New Jersey politics, lending particular focus to after-hours parties at the League’s convention and the Chamber’s chartered train to the nation’s capital.

Earlier Wednesday, the Chamber announced it would ban hard alcohol on the train to D.C. and provide further training to its employees on how to handle instances of harassment.

“The steps announced by the Chamber are not enough to bring systemic change to the pervasive culture of misogyny in New Jersey politics,” Sweeney said.

Beer and wine will continue to be available on the chartered train, and the Chamber’s reforms have so far drawn more criticism than praise.

Hearings and committee meetings to come

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg has convened an ad hoc committee to address the concerns raised in the NJ.com report, though that committee has yet to meet, and its membership has not been finalized.

Sweeney said he intended to conduct separate hearings on the matter in existing committees.

“Discussions with legislators in an environment that is safe and respectful for women, I will have existing Senate committees conduct open meetings where their issues can be heard,” he said. “This will take the interactions and discussions out of the dark rooms and crowded trains and put them in public places that are open and safe.”

It’s not clear which committees will hold hearings on the matter.

“This is a deeply-rooted problem that is not unique to these events or to New Jersey politics,” Sweeney said. “But we have to make every effort to bring about a change in culture that does not allow abusive behavior and that treats women with respect.”