newjerseynewsroom.com

In an unusual action Monday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on Gov. Chris Christie's nomination of former Jersey City mayor Bret Schundler as state education commissioner.

After less than two hours of testimony and over the objections of Republican committee members, Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), the chairman, ended the hearing saying he and the other Democratic members of the panel had to attend a caucus meeting.

Scutari said the hearing would be rescheduled, possibly as early as next week.

Schundler has been serving as acting education commissioner since Jan. 19.

Earlier in the hearing, the committee approved the nomination of state Superior Court Judge Lee Solomon as chief of the state Board of Public Utilities. His nomination also must be approved by the full Senate.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM