New Jersey Assembly Republicans

Press release — Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon commended New Jersey’s commitment to provide access to health care for uninsured and low-insured New Jerseyans.

Declan O'Scanlon

“Any practical examination of New Jersey’s compassion and commitment to provide healthcare to vulnerable residents would conclude that our health safety net has been performing admirably,” O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said. “All of the wildly outrageous claims Trenton Democrats have made about health care over the years have been thoroughly and thankfully proven wrong.”

According to Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd, there has been a 28 percent increase in the number of people being treated at family planning and community health centers in New Jersey – including an 18 percent increase in women.

“More are using community health care than ever before,” O’Scanlon said. “We have heard from the Health Commissioner and we have heard from independent health officials who all agree that our state’s health care system is working exceptionally well.”

The proposed FY 2014 budget contains a record-level $50 million to fund community health centers, which served more than 450,000 people in 105 centers last year – may of whom are women and children. The budget also provides $12 million to fund cancer screenings and education for the uninsured.

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Jon Bramnick

Press release — Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, issued the following statement commending Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande’s work to strengthen the state’s economy by improving opportunities for working women and families:

            “Assemblywoman Casagrande is concentrating on issues relating to women in the workplace. Her work is making New Jersey a model that the rest of the nation can follow. I commend her leadership and support her effort.”

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Press release – Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande challenged Trenton politicians to stop politicizing women and work with her in a bipartisan effort to boost New Jersey’s economy by making it the most parent-friendly state in the nation.

Caroline Casagrande

“Mothers and fathers who struggle every day at work and at home deserve more consideration than sound bites and pandering press releases,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “A major component of the wage gap is the fact that many parents are forced to choose between their career and their children. Our plan will allow mothers and fathers to balance a healthy and stable home life with productive careers in a way that will grow the state’s economy and create jobs.”

Strengthening the economy by improving the workplace for women and families has been a priority for Casagrande, who conducted a year-long study of the issue and recently proposed a plan to provide tax incentives for businesses that provide child care benefits to employees and create a state program recognizing “Family First” employers that embrace family-friendly policies.

“Trenton’s incessant politicization of women is insulting and tiresome,” Casagrande said. “I invite our Democratic colleagues to join our effort to help New Jersey families and our economy. Let’s do something that will make a real difference for our state.”

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Caroline Casagrande

PRESS RELEASE — Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande is now accepting applications for the third Young Women’s Leadership Institute – a program to mentor and guide young women to be leaders.

“This program is a great way to prepare young women in New Jersey to be tomorrow’s leaders,” says Casagrande, R-Monmouth. “Everyone in public life has an obligation to help the next generation take control of their own future to make themselves and our society a better place.”

The nonpartisan program will run through spring and is open to 10 high school junior girls from the 11th Legislative District of Monmouth County. They will work with a female leader in a mentorship and develop a community service project.

“This year I am excited to announce a partnership with Glamour Gals, an organization that works with teens to provide companionship and beauty makeovers to women living in senior homes” says Casagrande. “The program fosters self-esteem and mutual respect among two generations.”

Applicants must be submitted by April 15 and include an essay answering “What would I like to do as a future woman leader?” in fewer than 1,000 words, two letters of recommendation and a list of extra-curricular activities. Applications should be sent to Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, 35 West Main Street, Freehold, N.J. 07728, or emailed to AswCasagrande@njleg.org. Anyone with questions may call (732) 866-1695.

Mia O’Brien, a sophomore at Ithaca College, is a past participant of the program. “The Young Women’s Leadership Institute was unlike any program I have ever been involved with,” O’Brien said. “The opportunities – including meeting and becoming friendly with some of the biggest names in New Jersey politics today – and skills taught are invaluable. Although I have taken on many leadership roles before, the Young Women’s Leadership Institute has prepared me for even more challenging opportunities in my future.”

Cornell student Athena Rampino had this to say about what the program meant to her. “The Women’s Leadership Institute further developed my passion for public service and allowed me to make connections with influential women in the industry. I believe I am where I am today based on the principles and guidance I gained from Assemblywoman Casagrande and her program.”

“Each year we have been impressed with the young women who have come through our program,” says Casagrande. “I look forward to working with a new group of participants as we begin their journey to become the future leaders of tomorrow!”

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Watch Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, R-Monmouth, discuss her Family First initiative on NJTV:

Watch Asw Casagrande Wants to Make NJ Best State for Working Women on PBS. See more from NJToday.

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BettyLou DeCroce, Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini

Improving the workplace in New Jersey for women and families is the impetus behind a two-bill package that has been announced by Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande.

The first bill would provide a 50 percent tax credit to companies that offer childcare assistance.

“The credit can be earned in a number of ways. It can be earned by operating an on-site child care facility, by contracting with outside childcare providers, by paying for employees individualized childcare. It also applies to home-based providers,” said Casagrande. “Companies will get decreased turnover and increased production. It’ll reduce missed workdays and will make employees more likely to stay with the companies.”

From: NJ 101.5 FM w/audio

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BettyLou DeCroce

Running and Winning, a one-day workshop on politics for high-school girls conducted by the League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes, was held Friday at the high school. Sixty girls from Mountain Lakes, Boonton Twp. and Paterson attended the day long interactive workshop, which provided an opportunity to engage with women in the political arena.

Nancy Muñoz

Among those in attendance were state Sen. Linda R. Greenstein, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach and Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz .

From: Daily Record

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Caroline Casagrande

The Assembly’s Republican women are putting forth a plan they say would aid working parents while also growing the state’s economy.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-Freehold) was joined by her legislative colleagues and members of the business community Thursday as she announced a pair of bills designed to make the state’s businesses more family friendly.

“We know these proposals are great for the New Jersey economy,” Casagrande said. “When we increase the productivity of our employees, when we increase the ability for businesses to keep their best employees, when we decrease turnover but we increase wages, it’s going to help grow the GDP in New Jersey, and we’re thrilled about that.”

From: NJBIZ

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A group of Republican women lawmakers unveiled legislation today designed to keep women in the workplace, help them balance families and careers, and reward companies that contribute to that effort.

Caroline Casagrande

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, R-11, Freehold, was joined by six other GOP legislators as she announced a bill that would provide a 50 percent tax credit for companies that offer child care assistance, and another measure that would honor and recognize businesses that join a so-called Family First initiative to encourage working women.

In reference to the struggle working mothers face in raising families and earning a living, Casagrande said that “If we keep that talent we will absolutely grow the GDP, this is a growth bill.’’

They said they would welcome support of female Democratic lawmakers to make this a bipartisan effort.

Standing alongside Casagrande in announcing the bills were Assembly members Donna Simon, R-16, Flemington; Nancy Muñoz, R-21, Summit; BettyLou DeCroce, R-26, Parsippany; Mary Pat Angelini, R-11, Ocean; Holly Schepisi, R-39, Westwood; and DiAnne Gove, R-9, Forked River.

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Caroline Casagrande, Mary Pat Angelini and Nancy Muñoz

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande says she wants state tax credits to be given to businesses that provide child care benefits to workers, saying the economy can be strengthened by improving the workplace for women and families.

A 50 percent tax credit to companies that operate or contract for child care services or reimburse employees for expenses “will benefit families, will benefit employers and will benefit our state economy,’’ Casagrande said.

Casagrande, joined by running mate Mary Pat Angelini and four other female Republican Assembly members, said she wants to also establish a “Family First’’ program that recognizes employers that adhere to a set of best practices such as giving workers scheduling or location flexibility.

From: Gannett

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