June 30, 2005

PENNACCHIO: AMATEUR HOUR CONTINUES IN TRENTON

BUDGET BATTLE CONTINUES AS DEADLINE APPROACHES

Echoing the words of New Jersey Congressman Robert Menendez, Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio today chastised Democrat legislators and joined Menendez in calling them “amateurs.”

“The interests of New Jersey citizens needs to be put ahead of internal Democrat political warfare,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic . “This political posturing is threatening the citizens of this state with a government shut-down of state parks and beaches just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.”

With less than 12 hours to go until the constitutional deadline for passing a balanced state budget, the Assembly Democrats and Senate Democrats remain at odds over how much spending, pork and taxes will be in this year’s budget.

After two weeks of bickering between Democrats, Republican members of the budget committee were finally handed a copy of the 275-page Assembly budget document after 9 p.m. Wednesday night and were asked to vote on that budget at 10 p.m. – just an hour later. The Senate Democrats have introduced their own competing budget.

“With both houses of the Legislature and the Governor’s office controlled by the Democrats, this budget process should have gone smoothly,” Pennacchio said. “Unfortunately, the self-serving political interests of the Democrats has brought this state to the brink of a budgetary crisis.”

Pennacchio said the Democrats have successfully demonstrated their inability to run the state government.

“If they are not willing or able to lead, perhaps they should step aside and let Republicans do this job,” he concluded. 

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June 30, 2005

PENNACCHIO: LIKE THE TALE OF THE SCORPION AND THE FROG, DEMOCRATS CAN'T HELP THEMSELVES

BUDGET SHOWS LITTLE FISCAL RESTRAINT

Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio today said the on-going budget battle between the warring Democrat factions in the State House parallels the children’s fable about a scorpion asking a frog to bring it across a stream on the frog’s back.

In the fable, the frog initially refuses saying that surely the scorpion will sting him. Eventually, however, he relents when assured that the Scorpion would not hurt the frog because doing so would kill them both.

Halfway across the stream the frog is stung by the scorpion and the frog, using his dying breath, asks the scorpion why he would sting him dooming them both. The scorpion answers “I can’t help it, I’m a scorpion.”

“This is very much like the Democrats who promised fiscal restraint, but in the end reverted to their true nature,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic . “This budget spends more, raids the unemployment insurance fund, includes pork spending and will increase taxes.”

The $28.6 billion budget increases spending by $1 billion over what the governor proposed in March, flat funds state aid to schools and municipalities, raids several state funds for extra revenue, creates a new tax on health insurance providers, grabs $300 million in health care reserve funds from Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and includes at least $40 million in pork spending.

“Like the scorpion in the story, the Democrats just can’t help themselves,” Pennacchio said.   

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June 30, 2005

ASSEMBLYMAN KEAN INTRODUCES MEASURE TO REQUIRE OFFICIALS TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES
ADDS LEGISLATION TO ETHICS REFORM BILL PACKAGE 

Assemblyman Sean Kean today introduced a measure that would require public officials who are found guilty of political corruption, in addition to any term of imprisonment, to complete 250 hours of community service.

“We need to enact bold and forceful legislation that discourages public officials from taking advantage of the power that was granted to them by the residents of New Jersey ,” said Kean, R-Monmouth.  “This legislation is meant to act as deterrent.”

The Kean measure requires any public servant convicted of corruption, in addition to serving time in prison as determined by existing law, to complete 250 hours of community service.  The legislation defines public servant as any officer or employee of the government, including legislators and judges.  If enacted into law, the bill will take effect immediately.

 “Reports of widespread corruption in government has tarnished New Jersey ’s image,” continued Kean.  “Corrupt public officials that abuse their position should be required to give back to the very community whose reputation was harmed by their criminal activity.  It is only logical that they be forced to serve the people that were adversely impacted by their corrupt activities.”   

Kean said that he is an enthusiastic champion of ethics reform and this bill is just one of many reform measures that he is pushing for in the Assembly. 

“Over the last month, I have introduced or agreed to sponsor several measures that would eliminate many of the ethical loopholes that currently exist,”  Kean said.  “I look forward to working with my Democrat counterparts to ensure these reform measures are enacted into law.” 

Assemblyman Kean’s ethics reform package includes measures that would limit the use of campaign contributions when a candidate has been charged with a crime or when the donation has come from a contributor who has been convicted of criminal wrong doing.  Kean has also signed on as a sponsor of a package of bills that seek to strengthen the Legislative Code of Ethics and conflict of interest laws.

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June 29, 2005

DeCROCE: 'DEMOCRATS INCAPABLE OF GOVERNING OR KEEPING THEIR WORD'

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement at a news conference today regarding the failure of the Democrats to produce a budget in time for public scrutiny:

“This budget is a train wreck waiting to happen, and it’s the taxpayers who will suffer in the end. The Democrats have demonstrated, once again, that they are incapable of governing and that their word can’t be trusted.

“Three years ago the Democrats asked the people of New Jersey to trust them. They promised the people lower property taxes. They promised them open government. They promised ethics reform. They promised a budget that would lower debt, control spending and be free of gimmicks.

“Look at the record. Today, the state faces a possible shutdown. Property taxes are out of control. Political corruption has made New Jersey a national joke. The taxpayers are about to be punished by a budget that relies on higher taxes. And the final indignity is that the Democrats won’t even let the public know how bad the pain will be until it’s too late to do anything about it.

“Forty-eight hours ago, Assembly Democrats were boasting how they were going to fully restore the property tax rebates and pass a budget that contains no new taxes. Today it is abundantly clear that new budget will contain hundreds of millions of dollars in new and higher taxes...and the rebates will be cut. By how much? Who knows.

“The sin is, this budget impasse really isn’t about rebates or taxes. It’s about which faction of the democratic party will rule the roost. This is  a political turf war. North Jersey Democrats versus South Jersey Democrats over who will control the spoils. And as far as they’re concerned, the public be damned.

“If the Democrats truly cared about fiscal responsibility and the public interest, then this budget would have been settled weeks ago. But this isn’t about the public. And it’s certainly not about policy. It’s about politics, pure and simple.

“The public has never been treated as shabbily during the budget process as they have been this year. They don’t know what to expect.

“They don’t know if they will be able to picnic at a state park on July 4th because of a government shutdown.

“They don’t know if higher corporate taxes will chase their businesses - and jobs - to another state or another country.

“They don’t know if they will have to pay higher health and car premiums because the Democrats feel the need to raid Horizon’s assets and squeeze the insurance industry in general.

“The only thing they can be certain about is that their property taxes will be going up and their standard of living will suffer, courtesy of the gross mismanagement of the state’s finances by the Democrats.”  

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June 29, 2005

REPUBLICAN BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS STUNNED BY LACK OF OPEN DISCUSSION AND 
DELIBERATION ON $28.5 BILLION BUDGET

DEMOCRATS REFUSE TO ALLOW QUESTIONS ON BUDGET AND VOTE ON THE MEASURE LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER IT IS PRINTED  

Republican members of the Assembly Budget Committee today said they were stunned that the Democrat members of the committee rushed through a $28.5 billion spending plan giving the committee just 45 minutes to review the 270-plus page bill and then refused to allow Republican committee members to ask any questions about the proposal.

“Last week we sent a letter to Chairman Greenwald asking for ample time to study and ask questions about this budget,” said Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joe Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “The process tonight simply highlighted the chaotic and secretive nature of this entire budget process.”

Republican members of the budget committee were finally handed a copy of the budget document after 9 p.m. and were asked to vote on that budget at 10 p.m. , less than an hour later. Malone was told by the committee chairman that committee members could not ask questions about the budget bill.

“The budget is arguably the single most important piece of legislation we vote on each year,” said Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen . “For us to have less than an hour to review this proposal and then to be prohibited from asking questions about it, is a disgrace. This is no way for a legislative body to operate.”

“The manner in which this process has been conducted is unfair to the members of this committee, and to the taxpayers,” said Assemblyman Frank Blee, R-Atlantic. “Not only did we have no time to study and debate this proposal, but the taxpaying public literally never had a chance to even see this budget before it was voted on in committee.”

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, who gave birth to her newborn daughter Molly just 9 days ago, said she was insulted by the process.

“I traveled to Trenton today and spent 12 hours here with a nine-day old daughter at home so that I could play a meaningful role in the discussion on this budget,” said Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose. “It is insulting and unacceptable that I was told I could not comment or ask questions about this budget before it was called for a vote. This budget spends $28.5 billion of taxpayer money and is far too important to be approved without review or comment.”

All four Republicans on the budget committee voted “No” on the budget, which apparently increases spending by more than a billion dollars over the budget that Acting Governor Richard Codey proposed in March.

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce also expressed his disappointment in the ongoing budget battle between warring Democrat factions.

“In all my years in the Legislature, I have never seen a more disorganized handling of the budget process,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic . “It is clear the Senate and Assembly Democrats can’t get their act together to effectively govern this state.”  

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June 24, 2005

DeCROCE AND BUCCO: DEMOCRATS PARTY IN ATLANTIC CITY WHILE BUDGET CRISIS LOOMS

CALL ON DEMOCRATS TO SKIP WEEKEND POLITICAL GET-TOGETHER AND FOCUS ON BUDGET AGREEMENT  

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Senator Anthony Bucco today said it is unacceptable that with the state on the brink of a major budget crisis, Senate and Assembly Democrats will spend the weekend partying with Jon Corzine in Atlantic City at a Democrat State Committee-sponsored political get-together.

“The leadership of the Democrat Party should be engaged in serious negotiations to reach a budget agreement before next week’s deadline,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic . “I think the taxpayers would be disgusted to learn that Democrats are cavorting in Atlantic City while a government shut-down for the Fourth of July weekend looms.”

Newspaper reports today indicate that the Senate and Assembly Democrat leadership are still at odds over more than a billion dollars in spending in the FY2006 budget, and are yet to reach any agreement on property tax relief, spending cuts and whether there will be any political pork in this year’s budget.

Instead of working on the budget, party leaders will spend this weekend in Atlantic City at the 11th Annual state party conference where they will tackle important issues like “The Corzine Connection,” described as, “An intensive training that will cover everything from message to targeting to on the ground organizing.”

“It is unconscionable that the Senate and Assembly Democrats would risk a government shut down by conducting campaign strategy meetings in Atlantic City rather than trying to resolve the state’s budget crisis,” Bucco stated.  “Instead of trying to help Jon Corzine get elected governor in Atlantic City the Democrat’s should be in Trenton trying to fix the budget problems that they created.

“We expect that when they return from the shore on Monday that a budget will be introduced allowing the press and the public three full days for a proper review.  In my entire legislative career I have never seen a budget proposal introduced with less than a week until the constitutionally imposed deadline.”  

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June 24, 2005

MALONE: LEGISLATORS FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH JERSEY SHOULD OPPOSE SPECIAL FUNDING LEGISLATION FOR ABBOTT ‘NEIGHBORS’

BILL PROVIDING ADDITIONAL AID TO FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEXT TO ABBOTTS IS UNFAIR TO CHILDREN IN OTHER DISTRICTS  

Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today said that Democrat legislators in Central and Southern New Jersey should join with Republicans Monday to oppose special legislation that would provide state funds to just five North Jersey school districts.

“This legislation is just another example of the state taking money away from school districts like Hamilton, South Brunswick , Washington Township, Lakewood , Howell, Jackson and many others, and sending it to North Jersey schools,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “At a time when suburban school districts are being under-funded this bill sends special aid to just five districts.

“That is an insult to the children, parents and teachers in every other school district in the state who are seeing programs at their schools cut or scaled back.”

The legislation, approved by the Assembly Budget Committee on Wednesday, would provide additional state funds to five North Jersey school districts – North Bergen, Bayonne, Clifton, Hillside, and Weehawkin – that are each adjacent to three Abbott Districts.

“Linda Greenstein, Mike Panter, Robert Morgan, John Burzichelli, Doug Fisher and their South and Central Jersey colleagues would be crazy to support this legislation,” Malone said. “Their school districts would continue to get the short end of the stick while we send tax dollars from those districts to five select school districts in North Jersey .”

Malone said that Republican and Democrat legislators representing under-funded school districts should join together to oppose this bill during Monday’s General Assembly voting session.  

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June 23, 2005

DeCROCE: ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS CONSIDER FILING LAWSUIT ON DEMOCRAT ‘PORK’ DISTRIBUTION

WOULD CHALLENGE POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS AND CALL FOR OPEN AND FAIR PROCESS FOR GRANT AWARDS

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman Sean Kean today said they were considering filing a lawsuit to challenge Democrats on the politically motivated distribution of state grant monies.

“The numbers do not lie and it is apparent that in recent years the Democrats have handled these programs with no regard for the actual merit of these applications,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic . “We are contemplating a lawsuit that would force this process to be more open and less political.”

A review of the $9 million in “livable communities” grants distributed by the Department of Community Affairs indicated that only $600,000 – less than 7 percent of the total – went to municipalities in Republican legislative districts and that some districts represented by Republicans got no grant money.

These grants are used to support municipal needs, capital projects, and community programs benefiting seniors, children, and families living in these towns.

An analysis of the distribution of Domestic Preparedness Grants by the Department of Law and Public Safety indicated that 180 towns in 12 Republican-represented districts that applied for funds received no grant money.

Of  40 towns that applied in Districts 9, 25, and 30, only three received any grant money. By contrast, 19 towns in District 5 applied for funds and 16 of those towns received grant money.

“Playing politics with the DCA grant funds is bad enough to warrant the reform of this system,” said Kean, R-Monmouth. “But when we see homeland security grants being dispersed for political reasons, the consequences could be deadly.”

The lawsuit would target the distribution process and would charge state officials with unconstitutionally allowing legislators to distribute funds intended to be dispersed by the executive branch. This is based on communications from legislators to department heads explaining where the grant money should go.

“The towns that apply for these grants spend a great deal of time, money and effort crafting their applications,” said Kean. “Those applications deserve fair consideration – not to be shoved aside so that money can go to a town that will benefit a legislator from the political party in power.”

Kean represents a legislative district that received no grant money through these programs.

“These grants are designed to benefit the taxpayers and they should not be used just to benefit the political fortunes of certain lawmakers,” DeCroce said. “If we file this lawsuit it will restore a level of fairness and merit to this process.”  

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June 23, 2005

BERGEN RAIL DISTRICT LEGISLATION = MORE TAXES, MORE DEBT, MORE OF THE SAME FROM DEMOCRATS

GREGG SAYS BENEFITS OF RAIL EXPANSION MAY NOT JUSTIFY THE DEBT AND TAX IMPACTS OF THE PROGRAM  

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Guy Gregg today said that legislation creating new “Rail special transportation districts,” in Bergen County is yet another example of the Democrats’ inability to control their spending, taxing and borrowing habits.

“Once again we see the Democrats proposing legislation to benefit their districts that will lead to tax increases and more debt,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “This administration has talked about fiscal responsibility, but it is more concerned with advancing pet projects than with exercising fiscal discipline.”

Gregg was responding to the General Assembly’s approval of legislation, A-4136 that will create “Rail special transportation districts,” for contiguous municipalities in Bergen County that wish to expand commuter rail service using existing freight rail lines.

Under this bill, the special rail districts can be created by municipal ordinance and can be funded by imposing a special property tax assessment on non-residential properties in the district and borrowing through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). Only towns in Bergen County are eligible to participate under this bill in the first three years, but thereafter municipalities in other counties will become eligible.

“Ultimately, if these bonds are financed through the New Jersey EDA, it is state taxpayers who will be responsible for backing this debt,” said Gregg. “And as has become common-place with this administration, there will be no chance for voter approval of this borrowing.”

Gregg said that ultimately the debt incurred through these projects and the impact of the new tax assessments may be more detrimental than the benefits of expanding the rail service.

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June 23, 2005

MUNOZ BILL PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM BAD DOCTORS CLEARS ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATION WOULD PROTECT PATIENTS FROM DOCTORS WHOSE LICENSES WERE REVOKED IN OTHER STATES  

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D. that would require the State Board of Medical Examiners to suspend the license of a physician whose license has been revoked by another state, agency or authority was approved by the General Assembly today.

“It is our responsibility to protect patients from doctors who would continue to practice in New Jersey after having their licenses revoked in another state,” explained Munoz, R-Union, Morris, Somerset , Essex . “We must protect the citizens of New Jersey from the bad doctors.”

Assembly Bill A-1698 requires The Board of Medical Examiners to provide written notification to the physician whose license is suspended and must also conduct a hearing within 60-days  of the date of the mailing or personal service of the notice.

The Munoz bill was spurred by the story of Angel Prado, a New York doctor who was banned from practicing in NY. “He simply moved to NJ and continued performing plastic surgery. One of the cases that lead to his suspension in New York ended in the death of patient Carmen Berrios. There were 10 recorded incidents of negligence by New York Authorities when his license to practice there was finally revoked.”

“Prado moved to New Jersey and  continued his practice for months as if nothing had happened until his license here was finally revoked as well,” Munoz said. “My bill will ensure that no one else has to run the risks that these doctors were willing to take.

“This bill is an important advancement in patient protection and will go far to ensure that individuals receive quality treatment from competent physicians,” concluded Munoz. “It  will help provide immediate protection for New Jersey patients.”

A-1698 was approved 77-0 by the General Assembly today and will now head to the State Senate for consideration.  

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June 23, 2005

O’TOOLE: ANOTHER DEMOCRAT ETHICS FAILURE

DEMOCRATS FAIL TO MEET EXPECTATIONS SET BY THEIR OWN PARTY LEADERS

Assembly Democrats blocked a motion made today by Deputy Assembly Republican Leader Kevin O’Toole that would have released his pay-to-play reform measure from committee where it has been bottled up for months.

“In good faith, Republicans earlier this week reached out to our colleagues from across the aisle and asked them to finally lend their support on an unequivocal ban on pay-to-play,” said O’Toole, R-Bergen, Essex , and Passaic .  “Democrats stood in the way of reform by failing to take action to curb the tide of corruption.  When it comes to ending a system that benefits self-serving politicians, the Democrats have proven they are insincere.”

On Monday, Assemblyman O’Toole provided the General Assembly with 24-hour notice of his intention to have his legislation that would ban pay-to-play at all levels of government and would end the practice of “wheeling” relieved from the Assembly State Government Committee.  The Democrats approved a less comprehensive bill last spring and have been successful in blocking any attempt by Assembly Republicans to have a true reform bill brought before the full Assembly for a vote.  

“Senator Karcher, speaking on behalf of the Democrat leaders, issued a challenge to have us expand our bill to include developers,” added O’Toole.  “We gladly accepted their challenge and even had a floor substitute drawn up.  I find it astonishing that we were not even given the opportunity to discuss a bill that has the support of top Democrats.”

O’Toole said he is very disappointed that he did not get more support from the Democrats but intends to continue to fight to have his bill heard.

“Today, Democrats sent a very clear message that they are content to allow corruption to thrive in New Jersey ,” O’Toole concluded.  “Republicans are serious about reform, sadly my Democrat counterparts cannot say the same.”

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June 23, 2005

BARONI: CULTURE OF CORRUPTION WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT STRONG BAN ON PAY-TO-PLAY

Assemblyman Bill Baroni today said that he was disappointed that Assembly Democrats failed to support a motion made by Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole that would have released a more comprehensive pay-to-play reform measure from committee.

“It is my belief New Jersey ’s culture of corruption will continue to flourish if we fail to pass a more comprehensive ban on pay-to-play,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex.  “It is a shame that a bill that will have such a positive impact and will truly reform our broken system is prevented from ever reaching the floor for a vote.”

On Monday, Assembly Republicans provided the General Assembly with 24-hour notice of their intention to have their legislation relieved from the Assembly State Government Committee.  The O’Toole/Baroni measure would ban pay-to-play at all levels of government and would end the practice of “wheeling” where campaign dollars are funneled from political committees in one county to candidates in other counties.

Last spring, the Democrats approved a less comprehensive bill and have repeatedly failed to support measures that would strengthen their loophole ridden bill. 

Baroni said he is very disappointed that a majority of Democrats failed to join with Republicans in calling for an unequivocal ban on pay-to-play.

Baroni said that he hopes his Democrat colleagues will rethink their position on pay-to-play and agree to hear his bill before the Legislature leaves for the summer.

“The truth is that if the Legislature acted quickly we could pass top-to-bottom pay-to-play reform before we leave for summer break,” concluded Baroni.  “If we are truly committed to ethics reform there is no reason to delay taking action.” 

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June 23, 2005

RUSSO: REFORM MEASURES WILL DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF HEALTHCARE

Today, a package of bills sponsored by Assemblyman David Russo which would make healthcare more accessible and affordable passed the New Jersey General Assembly.

“Over the last several years we have seen a dramatic increase in the cost of health insurance for coverage of vital healthcare services,” said Russo, R-40.  “Ensuring that the residents of New Jersey have affordable healthcare is one of my primary concerns as a legislator.”

Assemblyman Russo said the healthcare reform measures would increase access and affordability, especially for small businesses and young, healthy adults.   

The reform package includes:

A-3440: Provides for the establishment of health savings accounts.  This measure brings New Jersey into compliance with federal legislation by requiring that non-preventive care under health insurance contracts and policies be provided without the application of a deductible.

A-3359: Restructures New Jersey ’s insurance marketplace in order to control the costs of individual health benefits.  This legislation permits insurance companies to vary rates up to 200 percent for younger and healthier individuals.

A-3379: Credits coverage under Medicaid and NJ Family Care towards an employer’s minimum participation rate under the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program.  This bill makes it easier for small businesses to provide insurance for their employees by allowing them to count employees under other government insurance programs towards their minimum participation rates.  

“People should be allowed to save for routine medical expenses without fear of being penalized,” Russo said.  “Establishing health savings accounts is a way to encourage people to plan for their future.

“This is really just a matter of common sense,” added Russo.  “Health insurance companies should be able to provide lower rates to their younger and healthier customers. Lowering the threshold for small business to participate in the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program is also another way to combat the soaring cost of healthcare.”

Russo said this legislation allows more people to participate in traditional health benefit plans and will help lower charity care costs.

“The more people with insurance, the less dependent they are on government sponsored programs like charity care,” said Russo.  “This legislation will help contain costs in New Jersey ’s charity care system, costs that impact every resident of this state.”

Russo said these measures benefit both the employer and employees by giving both parties more flexibility.

“This package is really about giving people more options,” Russo concluded.  “Giving people more flexibility and choices over their health insurance coverage is a way to drive down the exploding cost of healthcare.” 

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June 22, 2005

GREGG: STATE WILL NOT MISS BASS LEVIN’S SKILL AT POLITICALLY MANIPULATING TAXPAYER FUNDS

SAYS HE HOPES NEW DCA COMMISSIONER WILL TAKE POLITICS OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STATE GRANT PROGRAMS  

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Guy Gregg today said that state taxpayers will not miss Department of Community Affairs Commissioner (DCA) Susan Bass Levin and her habit of making politically motivated decisions with respect to grant distributions as she leaves to go to work for U.S. Senator Jon Corzine.

“Under Susan Bass Levin’s leadership we saw the unprecedented politicization of the grant process,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “The taxpayers of New Jersey will be more than happy to send Ms. Levin off to her new job with Senator Corzine.”

A review of the $9 million in “livable communities” grants distributed by the DCA indicated that only $600,000 – less than 7 percent of the total – went to municipalities in Republican legislative districts and that some districts represented by Republicans got no grant money.

These grants are used to support municipal needs, capital projects, and community programs benefiting seniors, children, and families living in these towns. The DCA is supposed to follow a grant approval process that steers the grants toward worthwhile projects.

“These grants are supposed to help towns with legitimate needs, but it appeared they were being directed for political purposes to towns represented by Democrat legislators,” Gregg said.

It appears that $1.2 million of the grant money – 14 percent – went to towns where the Democrat lawmaker representing that legislative district is also the mayor of the town.

“In many ways Ms. Levin will be doing a similar job for Senator Corzine to that which she did at DCA – in trying to help Democrats get elected,” Gregg said. “But at least the taxpayers won’t be footing the bill this time.”

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June 22, 2005

BARONI SAYS TAX ON HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIPS IS BAD PUBLIC POLICY

SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR EFFORTS TO KEEP FIT AND IN GOOD HEALTH

Assemblyman Bill Baroni , a leading advocate for programs aimed at combating childhood obesity and promoting physical fitness, today criticized an effort by Democrats in the Legislature to impose a tax on health club memberships in this year’s budget.

“At a time when we as a nation are stepping up efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles and move attention to physical fitness this proposal is counterproductive,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex. “We should not be punishing people who are simply trying to stay in shape and in good health.”

Democrats have proposed a series of tax and fee increases, many of which were approved by the Senate Budget Committee this week. Under their proposal, Democrats have expanded the state’s 6 percent sales tax to cover new items and activities such as messenger services, tattoo parlors and internet downloads.

One service that would be subject to the newly expanded sales tax would be health and fitness clubs.

“As someone who has battled with weight loss my entire life, I know how important it is to make these health club facilities affordable and accessible,” Baroni said. “This tax will have just the opposite effect.”

“Increasing taxes on these health and fitness clubs will place another financial burden on New Jersey ’s already overtaxed citizens,” Baroni said. “Why would we want to discourage people from gaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? This tax is simply a bad idea.”

Baroni said he would oppose this tax if it comes up for a vote in the General Assembly next week.

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June 21, 2005

REPUBLICANS CALL ON DEMOCRATS TO ALLOW TIME FOR PUBLIC TO REVIEW BUDGET DOCUMENTS

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