Over the objection of Republicans, the Senate Judiciary Committee gave Education Commissioner Nominee Bret Schundler ninety minutes before cutting off debate on his appointment so that Democrats could attend a caucus luncheon. Reports in the Star-Ledger and The Record note that questions centered on Schundler’s opinion on prayer in schools (he doesn’t endorse it), abstinence-only sex education (he’d leave it up to individual districts), school aid, and school choice. Debate may continue next week.

New Jersey Newsroom calls the postponement on the vote “an unusual action.”