decroce and o'toole say impact of mcgreeve's anti-suburban budget already hitting communities

August 9, 2002

DeCROCE: NEWS STORY SHOWS DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN OFF-BASE IN BLAMING E-ZPASS FAILURES ON PRIOR ADMINISTRATION

Assemblyman Alex DeCroce said Thursday that despite Democrat attempts to lay the blame for all of the problems with E-ZPass at the feet of former Governor Whitman, there is new evidence that some problems with the system were technical failures clearly beyond the Whitman administration’s control.

"While the Democrats have been seeking solely to play the blame-game, others have been out looking for actual solutions to the problems the E-ZPass system has encountered," DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, said. "If we take the time to stop playing politics and start looking at the actual reasons behind the system’s shortcomings, we might find that there are solutions available to fix many problems that frankly no administration could have foreseen."

DeCroce cited a recent Philadelphia Inquirer story stating that the reason why many of the E-ZPass transponders have been failing, is that certain digital cellphones are draining battery power from the devices. The problem has since been fixed by the manufacturer in the newer tags being produced.

"Here is an example of an unforseen manufacturing problem, that is affecting E-ZPass tags in every state where they are used, that has now been corrected by the manufacturer," DeCroce, the former Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, said. "With any new complex system such as E-ZPass, there are bound to be some problems that could not be prevented. Our focus should be on fixing these problems as they arise."

DeCroce and the Republican members of the committee issued a minority report in which they acknowledged that there have been problems with the automated toll collection system and laid out a series of possible remedies for those problems.

Copies of the minority report issued last month following the conclusion of the Assembly Transportation Committee’s hearings on the E-ZPass system can be obtained from the Assembly Republican Office in Trenton.

# # # # #

August 8, 2002

RUSSO TO INTRODUCE RESOLUTION REBUKING TORRICELLI FOR ETHICS VIOLATIONS; ASKS SPEAKER FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

Assemblyman David Russo, R-40, Thursday said that he plans to introduce a Joint Resolution in the General Assembly condemning U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli for being found to have committed serious ethical violations according to the bipartisan U.S. Senate Ethics Committee.

"A public office is a public trust. When electing representatives, the citizens of New Jersey are placing their trust in us," Russo, the former Chairman of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, said. "Any unethical behavior by an elected official in this state serves to diminish the level of trust that New Jerseyans have for all of their public officials and tarnishes our state’s reputation."

Last week the bipartisan U.S. Senate Ethics Committee issued a three-page letter admonishing Senator Torricelli for actions that, "led to violations of Senate rules – and related statutes – and created at least the appearance of impropriety."

The Committee concluded that Senator Torricelli committed repeated violations of the federal Ethics in Government act; committed repeated violations of the Senate Gift Rules; displayed a lack of due regard for the Senate ethics rules; and, showed poor judgment.

"If there is one thing Republicans and Democrats can agree on, it is that the public trust must be protected at all cost. That is why I will be asking all Assembly members – Democrats and Republicans – to co-sponsor this resolution," Russo said. "As the lawmakers of this state, it is important for us to make clear that we condemn the actions of any elected official that violate the trust the voters have placed in us."

Russo added that he intends to send a letter to Assembly Speaker Albio Sires asking that the resolution be considered at the first Assembly voting session this Fall, and a letter to each member of the Assembly asking them to join as a co-sponsor of the resolution.

# # # # #

August 6, 2002

GREGG SAYS McGREEVEY=S MASSIVE CIGARETTE TAX HIKE WILL SEND STATE REVENUES UP IN SMOKE

Assembly Republican Appropriations Officer Guy R. Gregg today said Governor McGreevey=s massive cigarette tax hike may wind up stripping the state coffers of even more revenue as residents look to the Internet and other less expensive avenues to purchase cigarettes.

Gregg said the increased response to bargain shopping for cigarettes are a natural reaction to excessive taxation.

"If taxes on any product become outrageous enough, consumers will naturally look for less expensive way to purchase them," said Gregg, R-Sussex, Hunterdon, Morris. "In my opinion, we are seeing that trend starting to develop with regard to cigarette sales. In the end, I am convinced New Jersey will start to see a decline in the amount of cigarette tax revenue it collects.

"Burdensome taxes, whether they are income, sales or excise, may produce a short-term revenue benefit to the state, but in the long run in will result in net loss of revenue," Gregg added. "The McGreevey Administration=s decision to increase taxes as a means of addressing a revenue shortfall is the same faulty logic that plunged the state into economic despair during the early 1990s."

Gregg said recent newspaper articles indicate that Internet cigarette sales have increased as a result of states increasing taxes on cigarettes. Eighteen states have increased their sales tax since the start of the year. New Jersey=s tax was raised 70 cents to $1.50, tying New York for the second highest in the nation.

"The McGreevey Administration is determined to steam full speed ahead with a tax and spend agenda even though they see the iceberg looming on the horizon waiting to sink our economy," Gregg said. "The Governor better start realizing that taxpayers will eventually stage a revolt against oppressive taxation. If he is doubtful about that fact, he should talk to Jim Florio."

# # # # #

July 24, 2002

CAMDEN SCHOOL BOARD NEED NOT FILE LEGAL ACTION

AID BILL STILL DOESN’T APPLY TO CAMDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Members of the Camden Board of Education may want to save the legal fees they are incurring by bringing suit to block Governor McGreevey from taking over the Camden school district.

In fact, they may not need to be concerned at all about a takeover, because the language of the law signed by the Governor Monday appears to give him control of the school districts adjacent to the city of Camden, not the Camden school board itself.

In the $175 million Camden aid bill signed Monday, sections 67 and 68 deal with a supposed state takeover of the Camden school board. However, because those sections use the word ‘contiguous’ instead of ‘coterminous’ the bill would appear to actually give the Governor control of the Pennsauken, Gloucester City, Woodlynne and Collingswood school districts, rather than Camden’s.

Despite earlier attempts by the Assembly Democrats to dismiss this point, a review of all existing statutes confirms that the word ‘contiguous’ is used to refer to adjacent towns or districts, and the word ‘coterminous’ is used when referring to a place that lies within identical boundaries, such as the city of Camden and its school district.

Despite the fact that this legislation was revised several times, this change was never made. And on the day the Camden aid bill was approved, Assemblyman Joseph Pennacchio offered an amendment that would have made this simple change, but the Democrats chose to reject the proposal. This repeated rejection of opportunities to change the language would likely lead the courts to the obvious conclusion that the intent of the sponsors was for the bill to apply to the adjacent school districts.

So what is the Camden school board worried about? On the other hand, perhaps it is the school boards in Pennsauken, Woodlyne, Collingswood, and Gloucester City that should be retaining legal counsel.

#####

July 19, 2002

GREGG SAYS HE HOPES McGREEVEY ISN’T ANGLING FOR MORE POLITICAL HAND-OUTS WITH PENSION SYSTEM REVIEW

Assembly Republican Appropriations Officer Guy Gregg said Friday that he hopes the McGreevey administration has not hired a consultant to study the management of the state’s pension fund simply as a prelude to turning the management of that fund over to his political allies.

"It is very disturbing that Commerce Bank and George Norcross have been lobbying to take control of the state’s investments for years, and now suddenly Governor McGreevey thinks a consultant needs to study whether the pension system should be turned over to ‘private’ management," Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hutnerdon, said. "I hope he has not hired this consultant simply to lay the groundwork for handing out another plum to his political allies."

Former State Treasurer Roland Machold stated in today’s newspapers that Commerce had been on a "crusade" to take over the management of the funds, but had been rejected because they "weren’t up to the task."

"Mr. Machold, who is one of the most respected public pension fund managers in the nation is raising these issues, and that is enough to make me concerned," Gregg said. "Our pension fund has done remarkably well for decades, and I can’t see why a two-year slide during a general downturn in the market would generate the need for this study."

Gregg also pointed out that there is some irony in what the McGreevey administration is doing, given its strong opposition to privatization of an state services.

"Here is an administration that has criticized the privatization of state services such as the management of the Division of Motor Vehicles, yet they are hiring outside consultants to study the government’s management of its pension fund with a possible eye toward privatizing the management of that fund," Gregg said. "I guess they only think privatization is a good thing if it might benefit their political allies."

# # # # #

July 19, 2002

VAN DREW DECEIVES PUBLIC IN CLAIMING CREDIT FOR AQUACULTURE FUNDING

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew this week attempted to take credit for providing $125,000 in funding for the Cumberland County College aquaculture program, money that was actually provided by last year’s budget thanks to the work of Assemblyman Nick Asselta, Senator James Cafiero, former Assembly Speaker Jack Collins and former Assemblyman John Gibson.

It is exceptionally disingenuous for Assemblyman Van Drew to claim responsibility for providing this funding. This is money that Collins, Cafiero, Asselta and Gibson successfully placed in last year’s budget, only to have that funding frozen in February by Governor McGreevey.

Here is the chronology of events: Last year’s District One legislative team placed the $250,000 for the Cumberland County College Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center in the FY2002 budget; McGreevey froze that funding in February, reportedly to close a budget shortfall; Finally, as the FY2002 budget year came to a close June 30, McGreevey released half of those funds.

But even though that funding was placed in the budget by Collins, Asselta, Cafiero and Gibson, it was Van Drew who was in the newspaper today saying he was responsible for funding the program.

The dollars that Assemblyman Van Drew is taking credit for, are the exact same funds those legislators put in the budget. It appears that Assemblyman Van Drew and Governor McGreevey have collaborated in a budgetary shell game for political gain.

We’re sure there must be some other substantive accomplishments for which Assemblyman Van Drew can take credit. Whatever those accomplishments may be, he should stick to them.

#####

July 12, 2002

GREGG EXPRESSES OUTRAGE AT DMV PLANS TO STOP TESTING AT ONLY SUSSEX COUNTY FACILITY

Assembly Republican Appropriations Officer Guy Gregg today slammed Governor McGreevey and officials from the Division of Motor Vehicles for a plan that would halt drivers tests at the Newton DMV facility – the ONLY testing center in Sussex County.

News reports today state that the DMV will halt driver testing at 8 facilities throughout the state, including the DMV facility in Newton. People seeking drivers licenses from those areas will have to schedule appointments at other facilities where testing is still administered.

"To the people living in the areas affected by this plan it is worse than a slap in the face: It is a punch in the nose," Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon, said. "This is essentially the McGreevey administration saying to the people of Sussex County, ‘your concerns don’t matter to me, so go take a hike,’ literally."

Gregg pointed out that the waiting list for appointments at other facilities can be as long as two months, and that for some residents of Sussex County, the nearest testing facility will be more than a two-and-a-half hour drive. In fact, according to one news report, the next available date for a road test at the nearest facility in Randolph is March 3, 2003.

"There is no acceptable excuse for this action," Gregg said. "This is just a bad policy that places an extreme burden on the residents of Sussex County. If the concern is about preventing license fraud, which is a weak excuse for this action to begin with, the state should move forward with digitized licenses."

Gregg said that the timing is particularly poor because summer is a season when traditionally many young people are seeking their drivers licenses.

"The only reason the McGreevey administration is doing this is because he has decided that as Governor he only has to represent those areas of the state that traditionally support Democrats," Gregg said. "Clearly he has decided that he is not the Governor of all the people, just those who can offer him something."

"If the Governor has even a shred of respect for the people of Sussex County I would urge him to order DMV to reverse this decision immediately."

# # # # #

July 10, 2002

O’TOOLE AND GREGG CALL FOR REPEAL OF BUSINESS TAX INCREASE

-- Urge McGreevey Administration to End Hostilities with Business Community --

Assemblymen Kevin J. O’Toole and Assemblyman Guy R. Gregg today called for the repeal of the Democrats’ one billion dollar business tax increase in an attempt to avoid a potential avalanche of job losses throughout the state.

O’Toole and Gregg said they were concerned about predictions made by the chairman and chief executive officer of Federated Department Stores, Inc. regarding possible workforce reductions and store closures due to the newly enacted tax hike. Federated Department Stores, Inc. is the parent company of Macy’s and Bloomingdales.

"My concern is that this sentiment is not limited to just a few businesses or corporations throughout the state," said O’Toole, R-Bergen, Passaic, Essex, who serves on the Assembly Budget Committee. "When the Governor first decided to ram this tax increase through, he went out of his way to basically accuse many New Jersey businesses of being tax cheats.

"His public relations campaign to sell this ill-advised tax increase was based on pitting New Jersey taxpayers against the state’s business community," O’Toole added. "Now that this massive tax increase has been implemented, we are starting to see businesses respond in a way that will cost people their jobs and adversely impact our economy."

Gregg said the tax increase, coupled with the administration’s harsh rhetoric aimed at companies such as Federated Department Stores, Inc., is sending a chilling message to the business community.

"The Democrats’ strategy to make business an evil villain in this tax debate is not beneficial to our economy," said Gregg, the Assembly Republican Appropriations Officer. "It’s time for the Democrats to stop the ‘us against them’ approach to dealing with the business community. They can start by halting the verbal attacks and then focus on repealing this onerous tax increase.

"We need to make the business community a partner in the effort to get our economy moving again," Gregg stated. "Pursuing an adversarial relationship with business is a no-win situation. My concern is that many New Jersey workers will pay a hefty price in some way for this tax increase."

Gregg said he will formally introduce legislation repealing the business tax increase when the Assembly reconvenes.

O’Toole and Gregg said McGreevey could accommodate the repeal of the business tax increase by simply cutting the budget’s $2 billion spending increase in half.

"Despite the administration’s claims, there is nothing fair and equitable about a one billion dollar tax increase on businesses when the state’s economic climate is lukewarm at best," Gregg said. "It was no secret our economy has been treading water for a while, but instead of finding a way to help it recover, the administration tossed it an anchor with this tax increase."

"The red flags are beginning to pop up and we should take action as soon as possible before irreparable harm is done to our economy," O’Toole stated. "If the Democrats do not believe businesses will leave our state in search of a more favorable tax climate then they are delusional. I just hope they wake up before it is too late."

# # # # #

July 9, 2002

D’AMATO STANDS BY CAPE MAY 
GASOLINE CONSUMERS

Assemblyman Paul D’Amato said he will support all efforts to bring relief to Cape May county drivers who are paying more money for gasoline.

D’Amato made his comments at the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee meeting held today in Cape May Courthouse.

On average, consumers in Cape May County pay 10 to 20 cents more per gallon on gasoline than other communities around the state, and the meeting served to investigate the reasons for this occurrence as well as present possible solutions.

"I believe in the power of consumerism," said D’Amato, R-Atlantic. "While the rest of New Jerseyans are gassing up at substantially lower prices, Cape May residents are being short-changed, and ultimately the consumer must be protected."

"The hearing really brought out the inequity that those living in Cape May are paying higher prices for gasoline than the rest of New Jersey residents, and this is unacceptable." D’Amato added.

Because Cape May County has a significant senior population, D’Amato met with AARP representative Rudy Callender after the meeting to further discuss the problem with regard to seniors in Cape May.

"We are committed to finding a solution for all residents, but seniors, who are usually on a fixed income, need our help," D’Amato said. "Many seniors come to retire in Cape May, but their wallets are being stretched at the gas pump."

# # # # #

July 9, 2002

DeCROCE AND O’TOOLE SAY IMPACT OF McGREEVEY’S ANTI-SUBURBAN BUDGET ALREADY HITTING COMMUNITIES

-- Cite Elimination of Watershed Aid to Northwestern Towns --

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman Kevin J. O’Toole today said some of New Jersey’s suburban and rural communities are already beginning to pay the price for what they called Governor Jim McGreevey’s anti-suburban budget.

DeCroce said the Governor’s decision to cut $3.4 million in state aid to municipalities that protect critical watershed lands was an example of the Governor’s lack of sensitivity to the state’s suburban and rural communities.

"The Governor said the elimination of these critical funds was needed to close a budget shortfall, yet his budget increases state spending by $2 billion," said DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic. "I would think providing state aid to help these communities protect vital watershed properties would be a budget priority, but the Governor is more focused on building sports arenas in Newark, Hudson County and Camden County."

"When we debated this budget on the Assembly floor, I said then this was a spending plan that would benefit New Jersey’s cities and urban centers at the expense of suburban and rural communities," said O’Toole, R- Bergen, Passaic, Essex. "The Governor can find hundreds of millions of dollars in municipal and education aid for urban communities. He can find hundreds of millions of dollars to help bail out the City of Camden. He can find hundred of millions of dollars to finance new sports facilities in urban areas. But he can’t find $3.4 million to help these suburban communities protect watershed properties. I think that says it all about this Governor’s priorities."

DeCroce and O’Toole said suburban and rural communities would continue to feel the ripple effects from the budget during the next year. DeCroce said the watershed aid cuts affected municipalities in Morris, Sussex, Warren and Passaic counties.

"This is only the beginning of the hardship that will be inflicted on communities throughout the state," O’Toole said. "If you live in a city or an urban area, this is a great budget. But if you live in a suburban or rural community, this budget is going to cost you dearly.

"The Governor said his budget was about fairness and equity," O’Toole continued. "Maybe he should explain those terms more clearly to the citizens living in these communities because they are getting the short end of the stick."

"It was clear during the budget process that the Governor was more concerned with rewarding his urban political allies than he was with striking a budget that benefitted all of New Jersey," DeCroce said. "On a day when the state budget and interests of state taxpayers should have taken center stage, the Governor’s focus was on appeasing Newark Mayor Sharpe James and Democrat power broker George Norcross by trying to gain approval for a Newark Arena deal. The Governor really needs to focus his attention on the issues and challenges facing municipalities in all regions of the state."

# # # # #