The Record (New Jersey)

MERCURIO IN THE 5TH DISTRICT

FOR nearly 20 years, Republican Marge Roukema has represented New Jersey's 5th District in Congress. While she has accomplished a lot during her tenure, it's time for a change.

We say this, reluctantly, for two reasons. First, Mrs. Roukema no longer seems informed on some of the major issues facing her district, including the environment and proposals for dealing with the near-gridlock that faces commuters each day. And second, for the first time in many elections, the Democrats are running a highly capable candidate against her.

The opponent is Linda Mercurio, a 35-year-old tax consultant and lawyer from Emerson who teaches legal research and writing at Seton Hall University. She is knowledgeable, articulate, and energetic.

As a moderate Republican, Mrs. Roukema, 71, has bucked her party's conservative leadership through the years to support abortion rights, gun control, and measures to protect the environment. She has firmly supported campaign finance reform and has pushed for legislation on tracking down deadbeat parents who won't pay child support. She was a sponsor of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, and last year she helped North Jersey victims of Tropical Storm Floyd secure federal emergency fundsto repair flood damage. She deserves credit for all of that.

But unfortunately, she no longer seems to be on top of a number of important issues. At a recent meeting with members of The Record's editorial board, she was asked what she would do to address traffic problems in her congressional district. She replied that she would try to get more money for highway projects, but failed to give any idea of what projects she would fund or what she wanted the money for. When asked directly whether she would seek improvements to the horrendous congestion onRoute 23 - a major route for drivers in Passaic and Sussex counties - she said she would, but again offered no details on how the money might be used.

Likewise, Mrs. Roukema exhibited no clear understanding of the pressing need to preserve land in the North Jersey Highlands, located in her own district, before it becomes developed. It's hard to picture her as a strong congressional advocate for the Highlands, and that's exactly what is needed.

And when asked if she favored legislation that granted visas to foreign high-tech workers, she said she was afraid it might take jobs away from American workers. But the measure - which is backed by Democrats and Republicans - was proposed so that high-tech companies could fill thousands of jobs that go wanting for a lack of qualified workers. Mrs. Roukema went on to say that she does not want to open the floodgates to poorly educated immigrants, and that many immigrants come here only to goonto the welfare rolls. She offered no details.

Ms. Mercurio, who ran unsuccessfully last year as an independent for an Assembly seat in the 39th Legislative District, is largely untested as a politician. However, her experience as a professor with a background in law and taxes, along with her ability to persuasively argue her positions on the issues, indicates she could be an effective member of the House. She has managed a volunteer income-tax assistance program that provided free tax preparation for low-income individuals and the elderly and is involved in a young women's leadership group that prepares them for the business world.

On many issues, Ms. Mercurio does not differ significantly from Mrs. Roukema. However, the Democratic challenger emphasizes the need for high environmental standards and wants to prevent further sprawl and traffic congestion in North Jersey. She supports the Democratic position on targeted income-tax credits rather than sweeping reductions, but she also advocates simplifying the tax code, a position argued by many Republicans, and closing some loopholes that are used for tax shelters. Like Mrs. Roukema, she opposes school vouchers.

Ms. Mercurio has pledged to stand up to the pharmaceutical companies on the issue of patent extensions, which result in high drug prices by preventing generic drugs from coming to the market. She says she would press for drug companies, many of which are located in New Jersey, to lower their prices. Mrs. Roukema takes a more cautious approach, saying in general that the high prices are needed to pay for research and development.

Green Party candidate Michael King of Phillipsburg deserves a mention for basing much of his campaign on fighting sprawl in New Jersey, an important issue for the state.

As a freshman member, Ms. Mercurio would lack the influence that automatically accrues to senior members of Congress. But there comes a time when every district would be better served by someone new, who has fresher perspectives on the issues and a stronger commitment to serve her community. We believe the election of Ms. Mercurio would be a good, long-term investment for residents of the 5th District, and that she has the ability to become an excellent member of the House.

The 5th District includes Allendale, Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, part of Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Montvale, Northvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Oradell, Paramus, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Vale, Rochelle Park, Rockleigh, Saddle River, Tenafly, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick, Washington Township, Westwood, Woodcliff Lake, and Wyckoff in Bergen County, and Hawthorne, part of North Haledon, Ringwood, Wanaque, and West Milford in Passaic County, as well as part of Sussex County and all of Warren County.