December 21, 2006

REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS EXPRESS OUTRAGE AT PROPOSED EXPANSION OF SCC STAFF, SPENDING

BLOATED PROGRAM THAT WASTED A BILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY GEARS UP TO SPEND EVEN MORE IN THE NEW YEAR

Republican legislators today expressed outrage at a report in The Star-Ledger that the School Constructions Corporation (SCC) – a program that wasted a billion dollars in taxpayer money and spent most of the past two years under investigation for gross mismanagement – is planning to adopt an operating budget that will expand its staff by 20 percent and increase overall administrative spending by almost 50 percent in 2007.

Assembly Education Committee members David Wolfe, Bill Baroni and Joseph Malone were joined by Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck, who is a member of the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, in questioning the SCC’s plans for an apparent spending spree.

“It is somewhat baffling that an organization that has been criticized for waste and abuse of tax dollars emerges from two years of investigation looking to expand its budget,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean and Monmouth. “If anything the administration of the SCC could probably stand to be pared down in the wake of these scandals – not expanded.”

The Star-Ledger today reported that the new SCC budget anticipates almost $1.4 billion in school project expenditures next year, compared with just over $1 billion in the current year. Administrative spending would rise from $32 million this year to $47.4 million with 53 new employees to be hired.

Less than two years ago a 15-page report issued today by the state Inspector General found the SCC to be “vulnerable to mismanagement, fiscal malfeasance, conflicts of interest and waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.” Subsequent investigations found more evidence of waste, fraud and abuse in the organization.

“How can the state even fathom spending one penny more on this program until someone has been held criminally accountable for this waste of dollars?” asked Malone, R-Burlington, Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer. “Someone needs to be held accountable for what happened to the billion dollars that were wasted, and we should not spend more money until some criminal investigatory agency has fully resolved this matter.”

“It is disheartening that before we have even laid to rest concerns about whether the massive waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars at SCC crossed any legal lines, the agency is looking to spend more money,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex. “It shows shockingly bad judgment that the board of the SCC would choose to spend millions more while they have yet to explain where the billion that was misspent has gone. The only new job they should create is an outside auditor to explain where the taxpayers dollars went.”

“Instead of expanding an agency that grossly failed to do its job the first time around resulting in a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars, we should be looking at whether there is a better way to build new schools,” said Beck, R-Monmouth, Mercer. “Perhaps a patronage filled state bureaucracy isn’t the best way to handle the construction of schools in local districts.”

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December 21, 2006

BECK RENEWS CALL FOR GOVERNOR TO RELEASE REPORT ON PROPOSED TURNPIKE SALE

MAKES SECOND REQUEST FOR REPORT AS PROPOSED SALE/LEASE OF TURNPIKE GAINS STEAM

With news reports indicating that Governor Corzine sees the sale or lease of the New Jersey Turnpike as a key revenue source for next year’s budget, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck today reiterated her request that the administration of Governor Corzine release a report studying the impact of the proposed sale.

“My three colleagues on the Transportation Committee and I have requested a copy of this report so that we can begin our analysis of this proposal,” said Beck, R-Monmouth. “Because we did not receive the report after our initial request, I am again asking the Governor and the Treasurer to share the UBS report.  If we are going to move forward with what could be a very risky financial strategy, lawmakers should have all the information at their disposal that the administration is looking at in making its decision.”

Earlier this week state Sen. Raymond Lesniak announced plans to introduce legislation authorizing a Turnpike deal, and yesterday Governor Corzine told reporters the sale was a critical element of Democrat plans to provide property tax relief next year.

Beck, along with fellow Assembly Transportation Committee members Assemblymen Francis Bodine, Kevin O’Toole and Sean Kean, have already sent one letter to Governor Corzine requesting that he provide them with a copy of the report prepared by UBS Financial Services on the possible sale or lease of the Turnpike and other state assets.

“There are a wide range of concerns about this plan ranging from its potential impact on motorists to its impact on the state’s financial picture,” Beck said. “All of these concerns must be taken seriously.”

Despite the earlier request from Beck, Bodine, O’Toole and Kean, the Governor has not yet provided a copy of this report to the lawmakers.

“New Jersey’s toll roads are of critical importance to the state and any decision on whether to move forward with a sale or lease must be made based on all available information,” Beck said. “Surely as members of the transportation committee we are entitled to see this report and to analyze its findings.”

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December 19, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...MORE R&R FOR LAWMAKERS

Editorial, Asbury Park Press, December 19, 2006

The Legislature, which adjourned last week after coming up empty on most property tax reforms, will now be taking three weeks off. It won't reconvene until Jan. 8. It's hard to conceive of any group of people less deserving of time off.

After failing to meet the state deadline for having an approved budget by the end of June, Trenton lawmakers — who are paid $49,000 a year — basically took most of the summer and fall off. While the property tax committees met on a quasi-regular basis, and other legislative committees met from time to time, there were no full voting sessions for six months.

Not enough to do? Not enough problems to solve? Hardly.

The Legislature over the past few years has distinguished itself by its inability to get anything done — at least anything of substance. It might be able to improve on its record if its members spent more time on the job.

That should be a New Year's resolution for the leadership — effective Jan. 1, not Jan. 8.

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December 19, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...PROPERTY TAX REFORM: SOUND AND FURY

Editorial, The Press of Atlantic City, December 19, 2006

“... Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Shakespeare wasn't speaking of property-tax reform when he wrote those famous lines, but he might well have been.

Four months of public hearings, gaggles of public officials squawking about grand plans, all the talk about bringing true, sustainable relief to New Jersey's beleaguered property-taxpayers ... it all boiled down in the end to a few, mostly diluted bills that failed to make it to the Legislature's floor by lawmakers' self-imposed Jan. 1 deadline.

Some of those measures will be back after the recess. But at this point, the Legislature has given taxpayers no indication it has the stomach for the kind of bold reforms needed to bring down the cost of government and pay for real, long-lasting tax relief. In the face of opposition from local officials and the teachers union, for example, lawmakers pulled bills aimed at municipal consolidation and pilot programs to give counties more control of school spending.

But nowhere have lawmakers, aided by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, failed more than in the very area in which the most savings could be realized in the future - public employee benefits and pensions, which are wildly out of whack with the private sector.
 
The measures the Legislature was set to consider would have had only a small effect on the current workforce. Yes, they would have required current public employees to pay something toward their health care. Who doesn't, today?

But all of the pension-reform measures, such as raising the retirement age from 55 to 62, would have affected only future workers.

Still, Corzine wrote a letter to lawmakers asking them not to include anything in the bill regarding pension and benefits for union members, but to let him negotiate those changes instead.

We've generally given Corzine high marks for his first year in office, but public-employee unions appear to be his weak spot. We're not confident that Corzine will be willing or able to wrest at the bargaining table the kinds of pension and benefit reforms the state needs.

Importantly, Corzine is bargaining only with state workers - and the bills the Legislature was to consider would have affected county and local government workers as well.

Public-employee unions made it clear who is in control. They are. Even when the legislation was gutted, unions rallied at the Statehouse demanding that any change to pensions and benefits happen at the bargaining table, not legislatively. How odd: Those unions didn't make that same complaint when the Legislature passed many of those pension enhancements legislatively, rather than at the bargaining table.

As a final slap to taxpayers, the legislation was stripped of even the little that was left: a provision that took away the pensions of officials convicted of corruption and a “one job, one pension” rule for future employees and officials.

Come now. Trenton can't even summon the spine to pass that?

Remember the line from “MacBeth” that preceded the one above: “Tis a tale told by an idiot ...”

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December 19, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...WHAT'S THE DEBATE? TAKE PENSIONS FROM CROOKS

Editorial, The Courier News, December 19, 2006

Those grand tax reform plans being bandied about the Statehouse are continuing to bog down, thanks to a murky combination of political cowardice, legal complexities and simple apathy. While plenty of legislators say they're gung ho for change, actions speak louder than words. And there remains plenty of reluctance to act aggressively, especially on those proposals that might hit a little too close to home for comfort.

That helps to explain why legislators still won't move on a proposal to require corrupt public officials to forfeit their pensions.

No debate is needed on mandated forfeiture. The need for it should be obvious to anyone who doesn't worry that their pensions could be threatened by their own misdeeds.

Senate President Richard Codey, among others, insists the mandate will be put in place -- eventually. The supposed problem is that the state needs the same rules for officials and public employees. And Gov. Jon Corzine wants to negotiate benefit changes directly with unions rather than having the Legislature order the reforms.

We agree with the governor to a point. It is reasonable, for instance, to want to try working cooperatively with unions for more contributions toward health insurance premiums -- so long as those contributions end up in the final deal.

But what's to negotiate about taking pensions away from crooks? That's something legislators should require of everyone earning taxpayer money, officials and workers alike. And there's no reason not to begin with the public officials right now in getting those mandates in place.

Yet the forfeiture requirement was taken out of the pension reform bill being considered by lawmakers last week. Instead we're still left with a pension board that decides if a corrupt official should lose the pension. In other words, the board provides another layer of bureaucracy to protect the criminals.

Among former Attorney General Zulima Farber's many missteps while in office were her statements that veteran legislators who turn dirty after many years of clean service should keep their pensions. So after so many years a legislator can earn a free crime? It is as if Farber considers it unrealistic for politicians to keep their noses clean for too long, that at some point most anyone would crack and we shouldn't be too hard on those that do. And she's not alone in thinking that way.

That's exactly the kind of corruption-comes-with-the-territory philosophy that has earned New Jersey its unsavory political reputation.

Corzine last week counseled patience on the reform process, suggesting that judgment now would be akin to deciding the outcome of a horse race at the first turn. He could be right -- but at this point our leaders are trailing the field, drifting off the track chasing butterflies and not terribly interested in keeping pace.

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December 18, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...LAWMAKERS FINISH WIDE OF THE MARK

Editorial, December 17, 2006

Despite the pratfalls they took last summer in trying to adopt a budget -- state government was shut down for a week -- lawmakers confidently set a new goal for themselves for the fall term: comprehensive property tax reform. Somehow they came out of that bitter budget dispute with the bold expectation that they'd be able resolve in quick order an issue that has haunted lawmakers and governors for decades.

Restructuring property taxes wasn't the only issue they vowed to resolve by Dec. 31. Same-sex marriages, needle ex changes, stem-cell research money and divorce laws were all on an aggressive agenda. More than a few New Jerseyans were skeptical, but legislative leaders were confident.

Of course, the state's well-being wasn't the only reason for the demanding legislative schedule. Getting tax issues worked out by the end of the year had political implications. If the August and November property tax bills -- those that come out before the elections -- were to reflect the 20 percent reduction, the changes would have to be made early in the new year.

The last legislative session of the year was Thursday, so it's time to review what was done and issue final grades. The bottom line: This is a report card that ought to be hidden from the grown-ups.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT CARD:

School funding: There's been a lot of talk but not much else on this one. Promises of more aid -- up to $800 million -- and new programs -- all-day kindergarten -- have been bandied about, but no new formula or revenue source has been put forth. Lawmakers now have given themselves until the end of January or sometime in February. There's no reason to think the added time will make a difference. Give them a solid F on this one.

Property tax cuts: They've settled on a figure -- a 20 percent reduction for most homeowners. They decided that early on and repeated it often. But ask them how to pay for it, not just next year but in subsequent ones, and suddenly they're silent. Without a stable, recurring revenue source, this promise will never be anything more than that. This one too has been pushed back a month or two. Give them another solid F.

Spending caps: Like the tax cuts, there's been much unfocused talk but little concrete discussion. They can't even agree on whether the caps should be placed on revenue or spending. Previous budget caps came with a slew of exceptions that made them meaningless. So far there's been nothing to suggest that won't happen again. Neither unions nor municipal leaders like this idea. Is there a grade lower than F?

Public employee perks: During committee hearings on future spending, everyone wanted a get-tough approach, demanding that workers contribute more to health care and that pension benefits reflect the real world. A retirement age of 62 was pushed. Reining in generous benefits seemed to be a sure thing until Gov. Jon Corzine short- circuited the whole effort. He wants to deal with those is sues in contract negotiations. Trust him, he says. Now nothing is sure. No grade above F for anyone involved.

Super superintendents: Efforts to give county education superintendents enhanced power to control spending by local districts and coordinate services earned Assembly passage. But then the education lobby cranked up its machine and the Senate backed off. This one, too, is slated for January consideration, giving opponents more time to redouble their efforts. Give lawmakers a D on this one.

Sharing services: The idea of saving money by requiring neighboring municipalities to share services makes so much sense that legislators haven't been able to agree on how it should work. Typical. This one was put on hold. Can there be any question this deserves an F?

Mergers: Creating a commission to recommend which towns or school districts should merge is a logical way to attack high property taxes. In a state with 566 municipalities and 610 school districts, the overlap of services contributes significantly to government costs. So far this one has more appeal in theory than in practical application. It hasn't gotten serious consideration. Can this grade be anything but an F?

Civil unions: Directed by the state Supreme Court to guarantee same-sex couples and traditional couples identi cal rights, lawmakers came up with legislation and passed it within 50 days of the court decision. But they couldn't bring themselves to call it marriage. Summoning up that courage may take them a few more years. For now, this will have to do. They could easily have gotten an A, but give them a C.

Needle exchange: After years of frustration, backers convinced New Jersey's legislators to do what their colleagues in the other 49 states have done and allow needle exchanges. But it's all voluntary and limited to just six towns. Still, it's better than nothing. They get a C.

Divorce: Rather than make couples go through rancorous divorces, the new law recognizes there are times when things just don't work out. It's all due to irreconcilable differences -- a new grounds for di vorce. Give them an A.

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December 18, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...LEGISLATURE BATS .000 ON REFORMS

Editorial, Asbury Park Press, December 17, 2006

Back in the summer, the two most powerful men in the Legislature, Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., pledged to enact "significant" property tax reforms by Jan. 1. Gov. Corzine pledged to call a citizens' convention if action wasn't taken by year's end.

Well, the Legislature held its last voting session of the year Thursday, and nothing of any substance took place — again. No pension or health benefit reforms for public employees. No revised school funding formula. No action on even voluntary school or municipal consolidation. No concrete plan for tax relief. No property tax cap.

"The people have gotten coal in their Christmas stockings," Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance, R-Hunterdon, aptly observed.

The four special legislative committees formed to study property tax reform came up with 98 recommendations. The year will end with none of them having been implemented. Five key reforms first posted Monday went nowhere in the Senate. Three of the proposals advanced in the Assembly. But there was no further action in either house Thursday. Among the casualties: a bill that would have forced politicians convicted of corruption to give up their public pensions.

"It's clear today the majority doesn't want to produce reform," said Sen. Joseph Kyrillos Jr., R-Monmouth.

Corzine, who last week put the kibosh on any attempts by the Legislature to enact significant pension and benefit reforms, has now reneged on his promise to hold lawmakers to his year-end deadline to get something major done.

Corzine said Thursday that the Legislature had made a "good-faith effort" on reform and warned against judging the reform process until it is complete. "People are calling the horse race when they have rounded the first bend, as far as I can see," Corzine said.

Corzine needs to get his vision checked. And when it comes to horse races, don't put your money on the Legislature or Corzine to cross the finish line. Odds are, you'll lose it.

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December 18, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...WHY CORRUPTION PERSISTS

Editorial, The Record of Hackensack, December 17, 2006

New Jersey merits a mention in the venerable Harper's Index in the newest issue of Harper's magazine. It is not a flattering reference.

"Minimum number of New Jersey public officials who have been indicted since 2002: 104."

The Harper's Index tries to surprise readers with its list of statistics from around the world. But in this case, it may have shot too low. The Associated Press reports that the number of New Jersey government officials indicted on either state or federal charges since 2002 is about 200. That number might surprise even the hardened residents of this state: 200 indictments in four years averages 50 a year, or four a month.

Indictments of New Jersey public officials have become as regular as rain. Even when we go through an occasional dry period, we know they will come again. To understand why, one need only look at what happened in Trenton last week.

A provision that would have barred elected officials convicted of corruption from receiving public pensions was deleted from a pension-reform measure.

It is a no-brainer that public officials convicted of malfeasance should lose their pensions. Taxpayers should not have to support the retirement of officials who abused their trust. But the sponsors of the pension bill, Senate President Richard Codey, D-Essex, and Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, D-Paterson, say the provision was removed temporarily because of concerns about fairness: If corrupt elected officials stand to lose pensions, should government employees found guilty of corruption forfeit their retirement pay as well?

Fair question. But the answer is obvious: Both corrupt government employees and elected officials should lose pensions.

Codey says legislators are also weighing whether a convicted official with more than one pension should lose them all or just the one for the position that was abused. Say a former teacher elected as a legislator is found guilty of taking kickbacks. Should this official keep the teacher's pension because the corruption didn't pertain to that job?

Codey says yes. He should reconsider.

Allowing convicted public servants to keep government pensions unrelated to the corruption means some will suffer no significant reduction in retirement pay. They might even make out better than they do now.

An example is former Hudson County Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto, convicted last year of theft and criminal corruption. Two months after his conviction, Impreveduto began collecting a public pension.

Under current law, pension boards have the power to reduce or eliminate retirement pay. Impreveduto had amassed his pension from 33 years working in public schools. A month after he began collecting it, the teachers' pension board reduced it from about $55,000 to $40,000 because of his conviction. The board didn't go far enough.

Corruption flourishes in New Jersey because the public and government do not take necessary steps to stop it. One crucial step is stiff punishment. Senators should reinsert in the pension bill the provision on convicted officials forfeiting retirement pay. It should apply to government workers too, and it should require the elimination of all of an individual's public pensions.

The measure also originally called for mandatory jail time for convicted officials. That should be restored. Too many convicted officials escape jail through plea deals. Impreveduto did.

With 200 officials indicted in the past four years, now is not the time to go easy on corruption. Who knows, maybe strict pension forfeiture rules would cause officials to think twice before accepting bribes.

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December 18, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...PROPERTY TAX BILLS GO THROUGH ROOF YET ANOTHER YEAR

By John P. McAlpin and Dave Sheingold
The Record of Hackensack, December 17, 2006

North Jersey homeowners paid more than ever -- on average 7.3 percent over last year -- in property taxes while lawmakers stumbled on their promise to cut the bills.

The total tax bill to finance local government -- public schools, police, fire, road crews and other costs -- is now $4 billion, according to The Record's analysis of this year's tax records for 94 North Jersey towns. Over the past decade that figure has grown by 62 percent, or $1.6 billion.

For homeowners, that means another bigger tax bill.

The median property tax bill for North Jersey homeowners is now $7,169, the analysis shows. That's up $488, an increase of 7.3 percent from the 2005 median.

Bergen County homeowners are paying more. The median residential bill there is now $7,554, a jump of 7.3 percent from the median bill of $7,037 the year before.

Passaic County bills are slightly lower. The median this year is $6,679. Still, the increase from 2005 averaged 7 percent. Statewide property tax figures were not available.

Reasons for the higher rates vary. Eleven towns saw their homeowner taxes climb because of a revaluation of their properties. Voters in other communities have approved costly expansions of school buildings and programs, while officials in some towns have complained that cuts in municipal and school aid from Trenton have forced them to raise taxes. In Pompton Lakes, where the median property tax bill climbed by 8.6 percent, officials blamed rising health insurance costs.

In Wyckoff, the combination of a local budget increase and a revaluation was a double whammy for homeowners like 69-year-old Donald White.

White, a retired Garden State Parkway toll collector, has started to wonder how long he can afford to live in the township after his taxes increased by about 17 percent, to $6,880 a year. That figure is still below the median residential tax bill in Wyckoff, which is $9,413.

"I can bear it, but I don't know what the future's going to bring," White said.

Wyckoff Mayor Joseph Fiorenzo said the township council has tried to keep hikes in the municipal budget close to cost-of-living increases. But the township's police and employee pension obligations have increased to $250,000, and he believes the system is skewed against the municipalities and toward public employee unions.

"Unless that's dealt with, it will be impossible to get any long-term property tax relief," Fiorenzo said.

In Little Ferry, where the typical homeowner pays 8.5 percent more than last year, for an average of $6,600, Business Administrator Kenneth Gabbert said many factors, including rising health-care costs, have affected the budget.

Gabbert said borough officials are waiting for reforms in Trenton, but past experience has taught them not to be too hopeful.

New Jersey's property taxes are twice the national average, and the North Jersey data are a stark reminder of the difficulty lawmakers have had over the past three decades in curtailing the levy. Governor Corzine and the Democratic-controlled Legislature launched the latest effort, ordering legislators to get working on ways to restructure the system during a summer-long special session.

Legislators responded with a 98-point package of reform measures; votes on some of those came last week. But it's unlikely that many of those proposals will yield any savings for towns and school boards in the coming year or in the near future.

Proposals either send crucial issues to commissions for further study or ask voters to agree to cost-cutting measures, such as consolidating school districts, that have routinely been rejected. A plan to trim public employee costs -- a major cost-driver for towns and schools -- was scuttled by lawmakers after Corzine said that should be dealt with at the bargaining table with unions.

But three of the biggest promised reforms -- a new formula for public school aid, a 4 percent cap on property taxes and a 20 percent property-tax credit -- are still being worked out, leaving many to question just how much property owners eventually will save.

Corzine promises that next year will be better for property taxpayers, as long as legislators agree to his plan to cap property taxes at 4 percent and continue their plan to develop a 20 percent property-tax credit.

"This really isn't the way to express it, but we've been getting screwed for so long that nobody expects the money to come this way," said Richard Snyder, executive director of Dollars and Sense, a citizen activist group fighting to reform the property tax system and public education funding.

Residents have gotten used to annual increases of 7 percent or more in their tax bills, Snyder said, but local politicians can do more to cut costs without compromising services.

What has many taxpayers angry is not the yearly increases, but the Trenton politics that appears to have scuttled any chance that things will change, said Snyder, a Ramsey resident.

"Legislators should be on notice that voters are expecting more from them," Snyder said, adding that many in his group have pressed their ideas for reform with legislators. "This is an opportunity to build something that's really meaningful and no one's willing to do the work that will make it meaningful," he said.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, D-Camden, said he understands people's frustration with lawmakers.

"The average New Jerseyan has lost faith in state government's ability to confront this issue, and their attitude is "Show me the money," and that is completely understandable," Roberts said. "We will win their confidence."

For Corzine, the proposed 4 percent cap and the tax credit will be strong financial help to beleaguered homeowners.

"We would expect to see a cap in the growth of individual property taxes. That would be a major break with the last 20 years of history," Corzine said last week.

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December 18, 2006

DeCROCE SAYS PROPERTY TAX EXPLOSION JUSTIFIES A 30% TAX CREDIT FOR MOST HOMEOWNERS

Proposes 30% Tax Credit For Seniors And Households Earning $200,000 Or Less; Everyone Else Would See A 20% Reduction in 2007

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce says a published report on Sunday that confirmed property taxes jumped an average of 7.3 percent for New Jersey homeowners in 2006 demands an immediate legislative response and one that will provide significant property tax relief in the coming year.

DeCroce said the report by The Record of Hackensack proves the tax relief proposals that have been bandied about by the Democrats who control the Legislature will not do enough to ease the crushing financial burden that has made New Jersey an unaffordable place to live for middle class families.

“New Jersey taxpayers are being bled dry,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “Democrats are responsible for a 35 percent rise in property taxes, $6 billion in new state taxes, $10 billion in increased spending and $37.5 billion in new debt in just five years. They promised property tax relief and reform by the end of 2006 and utterly failed to deliver on that promise. Is it any wonder thousands of New Jersey families are fleeing the state each year for more tax-friendly environments? It’s time to end the exodus.”

DeCroce called on Democrats, in the spirit of bipartisanship, to consider a major tax relief effort that includes:

1. A permanent 30 percent property tax cut for all primary residences with a combined household income at or below $200,000.
2. A permanent 20 percent tax cut for all other households.
3. A guarantee that senior citizens on fixed incomes get a 30 percent or $2,000 property tax credit, whichever is higher.
4. A $5,000 cap on any tax credit.
5. Doubling the size of renter rebates.

It is estimated that the total cost of this program would be about $3 billion. DeCroce said it would be funded by the $1.2 billion now earmarked for rebates and $2.2 billion in recurring savings identified by Republican members of the Assembly Budget Committee this year.

DeCroce said his proposal is a variation of the Assembly Republican Blueprint for Property Tax Reform that, based on the fiscal realities prevailing in 2005, recommended a 30 percent permanent property tax credit phased in  over thee years. The blueprint also contains more than 50 proposals all aimed at lowering and controlling property taxes.

“If the Assembly Republican plan had been adopted in 2005, a 20 percent property tax credit would have been in effect for 2006 and a 30 percent credit would be applied in 2007,” DeCroce noted.

DeCroce said data provided by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services confirms that his proposal would provide greater relief to all senior citizens and more relief to a greater number of middle class homeowners than the latest Democrat plan.

Under the Democrat plan, all 513,282 senior citizen households would receive essentially the same level of property tax relief they do now. Under the Republican alternative, all 513,282 senior citizen households would receive higher levels of property tax relief.

Under the Democrat plan, only 810,464 non-senior households would receive a full 20 percent property tax credit (based on a $100,000 household income limit). Under the Republican alternative, 1,171,728 non-senior households would receive a 30 percent property tax credit (based on a $200,000 household income limit). An additional 110,439 non-senior households (those with an income exceeding $200,000) would get a 20 percent property tax credit, up to a maximum of $5,000.

“Many homeowners have seen their property taxes escalate by thousands of dollars over the past five years,” DeCroce said. “For them, the Democrat plan simply does not provide enough relief. And it’s not sustainable because the Democrats refuse to fund it by cutting waste and controlling state spending. The best way to achieve property tax relief is to stop the waste and impose a constitutional cap limiting the growth of the state budget.

“We can provide real property tax relief now, without any new state taxes or new toll roads. It just takes fiscal discipline. Unfortunately, this is a commodity that has been sorely lacking over the past five years.”

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December 18, 2006

BIONDI: HARPER’S INDEX IS YET ANOTHER BLACK EYE FOR NEW JERSEY ON ETHICS

MAGAZINE CITES NUMBER OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS INDICTED AS SHOCKING STATISTIC – AND ACTUALLY UNDERCOUNTS

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi pointed to the recent inclusion in Harper’s Index of the shocking number of public officials indicted in our state during the past five years as just the latest eye opening evidence of how bad the culture of corruption has become in New Jersey.

“While the indictments of these public officials demonstrate that law enforcement is doing a good job of cracking down on corruption, it also shows that our ethics laws are doing little to discourage this behavior,” said Biondi, R-Somerset. “We need to enact tough ethics laws that will send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated and that will eliminate the incentive for officials to push the envelope.”

According to an editorial this weekend in The Record of Hackensack, not only did Harper’s choose to include the number of public officials indicted in New Jersey as a surprising statistic – it actually undercounted the number of indicted officials by nearly 100 indictments.

“Minimum number of New Jersey public officials who have been indicted since 2002: 104,” read the entry in the Index. But as The Record points out in its editorial, the real number as reported by the Associated Press is around 200 public officials.

“It’s pretty sad when outsiders look at our state as a stunning example of public corruption, even as they are underestimating the extent of that corruption by half.” Biondi said. “It is time for the Legislature to make ethics reform a top priority and to pass tough ethics measures, including a comprehensive ban on pay-to-play and a pension forfeiture law for corrupt officials.”

Biondi noted that Democrat legislators promised to fast track sweeping ethics reforms by the end of the year, but it never happened. He again called on Democrats to act on a bipartisan “Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey,” proposed by Republicans earlier this year.

That proposal included a number of reforms including:

• Requiring mandatory jail time for public officials who break the law.
• Suspending pay for public officials who are indicted.
• Suspending pension and health benefits for convicted public officials.
• Giving private citizens full control of the Legislative Ethics Committee.
• Making the ethics complaint process user-friendly.
• Strengthening the Legislative Code of Ethics
• Stopping pension boosting and tacking by public officials.
• Expanding and toughen anti-nepotism laws.
• Ending dual office holding.
• Reforming campaign finance laws.
• Banning pay-to-play at all levels of government.
• Banning the wheeling of campaign dollars.

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December 15, 2006

BIONDI LEGISLATION WOULD INCREASE PENALITIES FOR DRUG POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION IN DRUG-FREE SCHOOL ZONES

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi has introduced legislation that would impose increased jail time and fines for possession or distribution of drugs throughout the state’s designated drug-free school zones.

The bill, A-3851, would upgrade the crime of distributing, dispensing or possessing a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) on or within 1,000 feet of school property from a crime of the third degree to a crime of the second degree.

Biondi, R-Somerset and Morris, said it’s the responsibility of the state to take the necessary actions to protect its children from drug dealers and users.

“This legislation is putting drug dealers and anyone else who may attempt to sell or distribute illegal drugs in or around school property on notice that we are serious about keeping them and their influence away from our children,” said Biondi. “Illegal drugs are serious business and we in New Jersey will do whatever is necessary to severely punish those who would attempt to harm our children with illegal drugs.”

Currently, drug possession and distribution within a designated drug free school zone is a third degree crime which generally carries a three-to-five year prison term and a fine up to $15,000. It requires the imposition of a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one-third to one-half of the sentence, or three years, whichever is greater, for all CDS crimes other than those involving less than one ounce of marijuana which carries a  mandatory one-year prison term as well as a fine up to $15,000.

Biondi’s legislation would carry stiffer penalties for distribution and/or possession of controlled dangerous substances. As a second degree crime, violators would face a five-to-10-year prison term and a fine of up to $150,000 or both. CDS crimes involving less than one ounce of marijuana would remain a crime of the third degree, but with a three-to-five-year prison term, a fine of up to $15,000 or both.

“This legislation is another step in protecting our children,” said Biondi. “Our children should not have to worry about being subjected to drugs when they go off to school each day. It’s the responsibility of this Legislature to provide them with as safe an environment as possible while they are in the classroom or on school property. I strongly encourage my fellow legislators to support this effort.”

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December 14, 2006

THOMPSON BILL EXTENDING HIGHER EDUCATION TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS APPROVED BY FULL LEGISLATURE

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Sam Thompson that would allow National Guard members who are called into active duty to utilize state tuition assistance credits after their enlistment expires was approved Monday by the full General Assembly and the State Senate.

“This bill will correct an injustice,” said Thompson, R-Middlesex and Monmouth. “No longer will members of the New Jersey National Guard lose their tuition assistance credits because they were sent overseas to serve their country.”

Under current law, active members of the New Jersey National Guard may receive up to 15 credits per semester tuition free from public institutions of higher education in the State.  Similarly, the child or surviving spouse of a National Guard member killed in the performance of his duties may also receive this benefit.

This bill, A-2542, amends the current law to extend eligibility for this higher education tuition benefit to members of the New Jersey National Guard whose use of the free tuition benefit is interrupted by a deployment to active duty. The change would permit these soldiers to receive their earned educational benefits should their enlistment expire, or should they be medically discharged, prior to completing their studies.

Lauren Pecoraro of East Brunswick and Tony Rispoli of Old Bridge testified at a hearing earlier this year in favor of Thompson’s bill. Both were placed on active duty and deployed to Iraq for a year, in addition to six months training leading up to their deployment.

“This bill will allow New Jersey National Guard members like Lauren and Tony, who were unable to take advantage of the tuition credit program because of their deployment, to do so when they return,” Thompson said. “It would be the ultimate irony if they were to lose this benefit that they earned through their service, because they missed out on the opportunity to use these credits when called upon to serve active duty. They have earned this tuition assistance and they should not be denied access to these funds.”

The bill also increases the number of credits eligible for funding under this program from 15 to 16 per semester.

The bill cleared both houses of the Legislature Monday and will now head to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.

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December 14, 2006

MERKT AND PENNACCHIO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION CREATING INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM IN NJ

WOULD ALLOW CITIZENS TO PLACE REFERENDUMS REGARDING STATE FISCAL ISSUES ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

Assemblymen Richard Merkt and Joseph Pennacchio today introduced legislation to create and initiative and referendum procedure in New Jersey whereby citizens could place public questions regarding state fiscal issues on the November ballot each year after gathering a sufficient number of signatures.

“This proposal would give New Jersey citizens direct control over state tax, spending and borrowing decisions,” said Merkt, R-Morris. “Trenton has failed the taxpayers of New Jersey and it is time that we put decision-making power back in the hands of the people.”

Under this proposal, ACR-226, citizen initiatives would require the signatures of 25 percent of a county’s registered voters from a minimum of 14 counties in order to be placed on the ballot for consideration.

Once approved by the voters, the initiatives would then become law within 60 days of the election, unless a two-thirds majority of both houses of the Legislature veto the voters approval of the initiative.

“Never again should Trenton think they can indiscriminately tax, borrow and spend without consequences,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic. “Under this proposal the people will be empowered to do what the leadership in Trenton has failed to do and that is to get New Jersey’s fiscal house in order.”

Merkt and Pennacchio said that they will push for legislative approval of the I&R proposal in the coming year.

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December 13, 2006

BIONDI AND CORODEMUS ASK ETHICS CHAIRMAN TO COOPERATE WITH EFFORT TO GATHER INFO ON GRANTS

WILL MAKE A MOTION REQUESTING DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO EFFORTS BY LEGISLATORS TO OBTAIN GRANTS FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi and Assemblyman Steve Corodemus today sent a letter to the chairman of the Legislative Joint Committee on Ethical Standards requesting that he support a motion they intend to make at Thursday’s meeting allowing the committee to obtain information  needed to investigate complaints where legislators allegedly used the power of their office to obtain grants for their employers.

“Obtaining information, including documentation unavailable to the public, from those involved in the grant decision-making process will allow us to determine which legislators were responsible for steering certain grants and would allow us to dismiss certain complaints and clear the names of legislators who have done nothing improper,” Biondi and Corodemus write in their letter.

Specifically, Biondi and Corodemus will make a motion on Thursday to direct the nonpartisan staff of the committee to contact those involved in the process of awarding grants and obtain a copy of any and all documents that may exist which shed light on the legislators who advocated, supported, or directed particular grants that are referred to in the complaints that have been filed with the committee.

A copy of the letter is below:

Dear Chairman Bramucci:

We are writing to ask for your support of a motion we intend to make at Thursday’s meeting of the Joint Committee on Ethical Standards that will allow us to obtain important information that is needed help us focus our attention on complaints where legislators actually used the power of their office to obtain grants for their employers.  The information will help us to verify certain legislators’ statements (including statements by Senators Kenney and Martin, and Assemblymen Cohen and Caraballo) that they played no part in steering money to their respective employers. 

Obtaining information, including documentation unavailable to the public, from those involved in the grant decision-making process will allow us to determine which legislators were responsible for steering certain grants and would allow us to dismiss certain complaints and clear the names of legislators who have done nothing improper.  This will allow us to focus on those remaining complaints where legislators had a role in steering funds to their employers.      

Specifically, we will make a motion on Thursday to direct the nonpartisan staff of the committee to contact those involved in the process of awarding grants and obtain a copy of any and all documents that may exist which shed light on the legislators who advocated, supported, or directed particular grants that are referred to in the complaints that have been filed with the committee. 

It is incumbent on this committee to request this information because the grant process occurred behind closed doors and documentation identifying grant advocates is not otherwise available to the public.

Sincerely,

Peter Biondi
Assemblyman, District 16                                             

Steve Corodemus
Assemblyman, District 11

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December 12, 2006

GREGG: COLLEGE SHOULD REMOVE COP-KILLER’S NAME FROM BUILDING OR LOSE PUBLIC FUNDS

SAYS THAT STATE OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK SHOULD NOT PROVIDE TAX DOLLARS TO HONOR WOMAN WHO MURDERED NJ TROOPER

Assemblyman Guy Gregg today expressed outrage at news reports that the City College of New York has allowed a community center on its Manhattan campus to carry the name of convicted cop killer and domestic terrorist Joanne Deborah Chesimard who took the life of a New Jersey State Trooper in 1973.

“How far as a society have we sunk when we even need to debate whether a cold-blooded murderer who took the life of a police officer should be honored with a building named after her at a publicly funded college,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “I would urge state and local officials in New York to take immediate steps to have this killer’s name removed from this building – or else to pull any taxpayer funding for the college.”

Chesimard, aka Assata Shakur, was convicted of the 1973 murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a routine traffic stop. In 1979 she escaped from a New Jersey prison and is now believed to be living in Cuba.

The New York Daily News today reported that Chesimard’s latest alias enshrines the “Guillermo Morales/Assata Shakur Community Center” on the City University of New York’s campus.

“The arrogance of school officials who operate an institution subsidized by the taxpayers to allow this to happen is staggering,” said Gregg. “This woman is a terrorist and a murder who took the life of a New Jersey law enforcement officer. She is not worthy of having her name on a building or even on an outhouse. She is worthy of nothing but contempt.”

Gregg said that he would be pursuing a resolution in the Legislature condemning officials at the City College of New York for allowing this building to be named for Chesimard.

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December 12, 2006

BIONDI AND CORODEMUS ASK THAT JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE MEETINGS BE AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC

REQUEST THAT MEETINGS BE BROADCAST ON THE INTERNET,
AS IS DONE WITH VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi and Assemblyman Steve Corodemus today sent a letter to the chairman of the Legislative Joint Committee on Ethical Standards asking that the panel’s next meeting, and all subsequent meetings, be available to the public via the internet.

“It is our strong belief that the opportunity for the public to listen to our proceedings is a healthy check on the committee,” Biondi and Corodemus write in their letter. “Furthermore, publicly available recordings of the committee will serve the dual function of educating the public and preserving a record that complements summary meeting minutes.”

While virtually all legislative committee meetings are currently broadcast over the internet on the Legislature’s website, the last two meetings of the Legislative Joint Committee on Ethical Standards were not made available by broadcast.

Biondi and Corodemus noted that steps have been taken in the past to broadcast other legislative committee meetings from a variety of settings, and therefore excuses, “that the committee room is too small or that necessary equipment is unavailable are simply unacceptable with the technology that is available today.”

A copy of the letter is below:

Dear Chairman Bramucci:

We are writing this letter to request that the public be permitted to listen to the December 14th meeting of the  Joint Committee on Ethical Standards.  As you know, the public is afforded an opportunity to listen, via the internet, to practically every meeting of every committee of the Legislature, no matter how trite the subject matter may be.  But for whatever reason, the public has never been afforded an opportunity to have access to the live proceedings of the Joint Committee on Ethical Standards.  Furthermore, meetings have not been recorded and placed on the Legislature’s internet website as is standard practice with every other committee. 

It is our strong belief that the opportunity for the public to listen to our proceedings is a healthy check on the committee.  Furthermore, publicly available recordings of the committee will serve the dual function of educating the public and preserving a record that complements summary meeting minutes.

Surely we can figure out a way to ensure that the public can listen in to the workings of the Joint Committee on Ethical Standards.  We note that just last week extraordinary simulcasting and recording accommodations were made for the Assembly Judiciary Committee which utilized two committee rooms.  Excuses that the committee room is too small or that necessary equipment is unavailable are simply unacceptable with the technology that is available today. 

Sincerely,
                                   
Peter Biondi
Assemblyman, District 16

Steve Corodemus
Assemblyman, District 11

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December 11, 2006

DOHERTY INTRODUCES PENSION CAP LEGISLATION TO COMBAT PENSION BOOSTING ABUSES

BILL WOULD PLACE LIMIT ON AMOUNT OF INCOME TO BE INCLUDED IN STATE PENSION CALCULATIONS

In an attempt to control excessive pension costs that are bankrupting the state pension system and driving up property taxes for New Jersey families, Assemblyman Michael Doherty today introduced legislation that would place a cap on the amount of income that can be used in calculating pension benefits.

“There is no question that the ever-expanding cost of the state pension system is one of the driving forces behind New Jersey’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes,” said Doherty R- Warren and Hunterdon. “This legislation is a common-sense effort to control those costs and restore some fiscal sanity to the system.”

Under Doherty’s legislation, the cap on pension contributions would be the same as that on Social Security, limiting the calculation of future pension benefits to $97,500. Any salary earned above and beyond the $97,500 level would not count toward pension calculations.

Currently pension benefits are determined by the average of a state worker’s three highest salary years with no cap. The cap under this bill would  be adjusted annually for inflation based on the CPI.

One of the four property tax special session committees that recently convened looked at the idea of controlling pension costs and cited as a key source of the problem individuals who seek to boost their pension at the end of their careers by taking high-salaried jobs in state government, overburdening the pension system relied upon by state workers and funded by taxpayers.

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December 11, 2006

McHOSE-LITTELL BILL OFFERS SAFETY AND FREEDOM OF TRAVEL TO CHILDREN WITH MOBILITY-RELATED DISABILITIES

Legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Senator Bob Littell, which allows those with a mobility-related disability to use public roads and lands while riding a motorized scooter, was approved today by the full General Assembly.

“Giving children with disabilities the opportunity to grow up in a setting where they can hang out and play with their friends is essential to each child's confidence and well being as they meet the daily challenges of their circumstance,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris. “Allowing these children to accompany their bike-riding friends on scooters while they play around the neighborhood ensures that they are permitted to participate in everyday childhood pastimes and allows them to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, healthy manner.”

The Assembly and Senate measures, A-2069 and S-1074 respectively, enable minors who are bound to wheelchairs or motorized scooters to use local and county roads with 25-35 mph speed limits, sidewalks and public property for transportation. The measure requires the scooter to stay below 15 mph, be equipped with a brake, and the rider to wear a helmet.

In addition, a sticker or placard, which indicates that the person may operate a motorized scooter in public places, will be issued by the Motor Vehicle Commission to holders of a handicapped person identification card. Insurance will be required as a condition for registration. Currently, the law prohibits all individuals from riding motorized scooters in such places.

“People with disabilities deserve every opportunity to fully participate in life,” said Littell, R-Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris. “This bill will allow many people the mobility they need to enjoy many recreational and educational facilities.”

“This bill is an important step toward making sure disabled people have the chance to spend time with anyone, wherever it may be,” said McHose. “The law shouldn’t prevent children from socializing with others just because they're not allowed to ride a scooter on the street.”

McHose added that this bill is in honor of Matthew Tempe, 14, of Hamburg who has muscular dystrophy that confines him to a motorized scooter. "I was riding the scooter with my friends when a police officer pulled me over and told me about the law," said Matthew. "I didn't know that it's illegal."

“It basically took family recreation away from us. We couldn't even go to parks or Wildwood to enjoy the boardwalk,” said Karl Tempe, Matthew’s father.

“(The law) basically confined him to a wheel chair,” said Matthew’s mother, Jeannette Tempe. “The change would help people with similar disabilities who want to ride their bicycle,” she noted while linking a disabled person's scooter to a walking person’s bicycle.

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December 11, 2006

CHATZIDAKIS-BODINE BILL INTRODUCED TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT EXPANSION, PROMOTE MERGERS

Assemblymen Larry Chatzidakis and Francis Bodine have introduced a constitutional amendment prohibiting the establishment of any new municipality or other taxing district such as school districts or fire districts.

“Assemblyman Bodine and I have introduced this measure to cap the size of government and put the brakes on the soaring property taxes,” said Chatzidakis, R-Burlington. “Furthermore, it will prevent any expansion of our already fragmented local government structure that might drive up the cost of government.”

“Since supporting individual towns and their services is very expensive and contributes to the highest-in-the-nation property taxes, the importance of preventing the establishment of new taxing districts and towns is very high,” added Bodine, R-Burlington.

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December 11, 2006

ASSEMBLY AND SENATE HONORS PEQUANNOCK LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM

RESOLUTION TO BE PRESENTED FOR PLACING SECOND AT LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

The Pequannock Little League Girls Softball Team will receive praise today by the New Jersey Legislature for a brilliant performance during their 2006 national title campaign. District 26 legislators Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio and Senator Robert Martin will present the team with a resolution in tribute to their performance at the General Assembly voting session today.

“It is my sincere pleasure to honor these fine young women for playing a fantastic season of softball,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “They have demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship on the national stage while playing for the championship in Portland. All New Jerseyans are proud of you!”

The softball team made an incredible run, winning the District, Section, State and Regional Championships with an undefeated record. Their accomplishments gave them the opportunity to play in the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon. The all-star softball team went all the way up to the finals where the stunning streak unfortunately ended in a 6-2 defeat to the girls of the Michigan Little League from Mattawan, MI. The championships were nationally televised on ESPN.

“What an amazing season! I commend the remarkable players, coaches and parents for their hard work and spectacular talents,” Pennacchio commented, R-Morris and Passaic. “We all hope that next year they will surpass this year’s outstanding feats and succeed in winning the World Series.”

“I am very happy to officially congratulate the entire team and its supporters at the State House,” remarked Martin, R-Morris and Passaic. “Their accomplishments have been renowned by New Jersey and the national audience and they deserve our full gratitude.”

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December 7, 2006

O'TOOLE TO DEMOCRATS: IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT REFORM, POST THIS BILL

AFTER BILL LANGUISHES FOR MONTHS, CONNERS AND PANTER TODAY ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR A-1491

Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole today said he was pleased to hear that Democrat Assemblymen Jack Conners and Michael Panter support his legislation restricting public entities from entering into a contract for the services of governmental affairs agents, and said that if Democrats are serious they’ll post the bill for a vote.

“This bill was introduced at the start of this session in January and there has been no action in our house because it has been blocked from advancing by Democrat leadership,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen. “One need not be a cynic to suggest that this sudden support for the bill may simply be an attempt to garner some headlines and score political points.”

At a press conference today where Conners and Panter used a recent scandal involving a Trenton lobbyist to take political shots at the Republican State Chairman, the two Democrat legislators said they would support A-1491 as a way to reform the use of lobbyists by public entities.

That bill is sponsored in the General Assembly by Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole and Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck and was introduced at the start of the current legislative session back in January. The Democrat leadership is yet to schedule any action on the bill.

“It is nice that after ignoring our bill for this entire year the Democrats have finally discovered it – and held a press conference to announce their support no less,” said O’Toole. “If today’s press conference and this sudden desire for reform was sincere then I’m sure this bill will be posted for a vote at the next Assembly voting session.”

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December 7, 2006

CHATZIDAKIS SAYS ADDING TO PROPERTY TAX BURDEN IS NO WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM

OPPOSES FEE IN BILL SHIFTING ASSESSMENT FUNCTIONS TO STATE

Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis today said that while modernizing and streamlining the state’s property tax assessment procedures is a good idea, he is concerned about a provision in Assembly Bill A-14 that might actually add to the property tax burden for many homeowners.

“If the goal of this bill is to reduce costs and save taxpayer money, why levy an additional fee on county assessments?” Chatzidakis, R-Burlington, asked. “It seems to me that this bill will boost the property tax burden for some homeowners which seems counterproductive.”

The bill, A-14 creates a State Board of Property Tax Appraisal to establish and oversee the reforms and establishes a Division of Property Assessment in the Department of Treasury to create a more streamlined and uniform system for tracking assessment changes and dealing with a variety of assessment issues. The bill comes out of the work of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services.

The new boards will, in part, be funded by levying a statewide administrative fee to be assessed as part of county property tax bills, to be apportioned based on the equalized values in each county.

Chatzidakis, who served on a Republican subcommittee of that panel, said he supports the idea of reducing costs through a more modern and efficient assessment structure, he does not think it makes sense to pay for these functions by adding to the property tax burden.

“If there is a cost associated with this new system it should be paid for by eliminating government waste and unnecessary spending,” Chatzidakis said. “It should not be funded by adding to the property tax bills of overburdened homeowners.

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December 6, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED...OTHER VIEWS ON THE FAIRNESS OF THE DEMOCRAT TAX PLAN

“The $100,000 threshold may not be optimal a family with two adult wage earners and a teen who works part-time could reach it easily without being ‘rich’ but it covers many middle-class households. They now need this relief more than any other group, since low-income senior citizens will still be able to opt for up to $1,200 a year from the state's traditional tax rebates. It's important that the credits be broad-based, and that homeowners with family incomes above $100,000 see at least some reduction in onerous property taxes, even if less than 20 percent.”

- Editorial, Gloucester County Times
December 6, 2006

“(A) ceiling of $100,000 excludes from full benefits many households that are by no means rich.”

- Fred Snowflack, Columnist
The Daily Record
December 6, 2006

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December 5, 2006

BIONDI LEGISLATION WOULD CHANGE AIR AMBULANCE DISPATCH PROTOCOLS

Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter Biondi has introduced legislation that will allow the closest available licensed air ambulance service to respond to medical emergencies regardless of whether it is a State Police aircraft or a licensed private operator.

Biondi, R-Somerset and Morris, said the bill, A-3786, which will direct the Department of Heath and Senior Services (DHSS) to establish certain dispatch guidelines and create a registry of  air medical unit (AMU) first responders,” is necessary to ensure that people receive the quickest and best emergency medical services available.

“This is a literal life and death issue,” said Biondi. “Those first few minutes following an accident are crucial for those needing emergency medical care. It only makes sense that the closet available air medical team respond in an effort to increase the chances of survival for the victim.”

Biondi’s legislation would authorize State-licensed, nationally-accredited and department-certified air ambulance services to operate in New Jersey as AMU first responders to the scene of an accident or trauma. Currently, the state’s emergency dispatch system for air ambulance service limits immediate AMU first responder dispatch to one of two State-designated air ambulance units – NorthSTAR and SouthSTAR. If the State-designated units are unavailable, only then is a commercial or private operator called, regardless of proximity to the accident/trauma site.

The legislation is the result of an incident that occurred in September when ground paramedics responding to a motorcycle accident called for a private air ambulance that was located nine miles away. Instead, the dispatcher sent a State Police medivac helicopter which required nearly 16 more minutes of flight time. The victim was flown to a local hospital where he died a week later.

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December 5, 2006

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

Here is what major newspapers had to say when Cryan floated his idea to repeal the pay-to-play ban earlier this year:

• “Assemblyman Cryan seems to be unclear about the purpose of that reform, and why it should be strengthened, not weakened. It’s not to stigmatize the giving of money to political candidates or parties. It’s to break the linkage in practice and perception between giving money and winning government favors.”

- The Trenton Times, Editorial, June 18, 2006

• “Cryan needs to stop looking out for himself and his political party and begin putting New Jersey residents first.”

- The Courier-Post, Editorial, June 13, 2006

• “Joe Cryan, the Democratic state committee chairman, says the pay-to-play reforms enacted in 2004 aren’t working. They’re making it too tough for political candidates to raise money from people doing business with the state. Hey, Joe! That was the whole point: To prevent contractors from making political contributions to candidates in exchange for government contracts.”

- The Asbury Park Press, Editorial, June 13, 2006

• “Arguing that the loss of pay-to-play money wipes out the little guy’s chances against the rich is not only ridiculously simplistic, but wrong...New Jerseyans should be insulted by any effort to scuttle these effective reforms.”

- The Courier-News, Editorial, June 13, 2006

• “Cryan’s idea should be dismissed – quickly...Those serious about ethics reform should be exploring more limits on contributions, not fewer.”

- The Star-Ledger, Editorial, June 13, 2006

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December 5, 2006

O'TOOLE AND BARONI: DEMOCRATS CLEARLY MOVING IN WRONG DIRECTION ON PAY-TO-PLAY REFORM

CRYAN LEGISLATION REPEALS PAY-TO-PLAY REFORMS

Assemblymen Kevin O’Toole and Bill Baroni today said that they will vigorously oppose a new effort by the Democrat majority to repeal the pay-to-play reforms enacted two years ago and will instead step-up their ongoing battle to make those reforms stronger through a comprehensive ban on pay-to-play and wheeling.

“After learning that the loopholes in the current pay-to-play ban have been exploited by candidates I would have expected a bipartisan effort to eliminate those loopholes,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen. “What I didn’t expect was an effort to go in the opposite direction and eliminate the entire ban. The Legislature should be working to make this law tougher, not to snuff it out.”

Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, the State Democrat Party chairman, introduced legislation this week, A-3774, that will repeal the pay-to-play restrictions on donations from state contractors enacted by the Legislature just two years ago.

When Cryan first suggested the idea in June he was quoted in The Star-Ledger as saying the law has “hurt us quite a lot.” Cryan complained in a Trenton Times story that the law had cut too deeply into the ability of politicians to raise money.

“We simply cannot allow New Jersey to move backward in the fight against the culture of corruption.,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex. “Pay-to-play reform is designed to end the influence of special interest money in politics and, if that has hurt fund-raising by stopping those seeking taxpayer-funded contracts from contributing, that’s a good thing. If anything we should be acting to make this law stronger.”      

In 2004 the Democrats approved a less comprehensive bill that allows “wheeling” to continue and does not impact pay-to-play at the local level. A recent report from the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) demonstrated that political parties and contributors have been very effective at using the loopholes to get around the law’s restrictions.

O’Toole and Baroni have sponsored legislation that would ban pay-to-play at all levels of government and would end the practice of “wheeling” where campaign dollars are shipped from political committees in one county to candidates in other counties. The O’Toole-Baroni bill has been languishing in the Assembly State Government Committee for months.

Baroni and O’Toole called on Governor Corzine to pledge that he will veto the Cryan bill if it reaches his desk.

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December 4, 2006

BODINE-CHATZIDAKIS BILL CREATING EMERGENCY INSPECTION TEAMS TO BE ACTIVATED IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER CLEARS SENATE

BILL WAS INTRODUCED FOLLOWING SEVERE BURLINGTON COUNTY FLOOD DAMAGE CAUSED BY STORMS IN JULY 2004

Legislation introduced by Assemblymen Francis Bodine and Larry Chatzidakis in the wake of severe flooding that hit Burlington County in 2004 that would create emergency building inspection teams to be deployed in the wake of a natural or manmade disaster was approved by the State Senate 39-0 today.

“One lesson we learned from the flooding in 2004 was that there is a pressing need for inspectors to look at damaged properties in the wake of a disaster,” said Bodine, R-Burlington. “This needs to be done quickly so that the owners can determine whether it is safe to return to those properties, and if not, what must be done to make those structures safe.”

The bill, A-409, directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the code advisory board, to establish a list of volunteer emergency building inspectors to be deployed to assist municipal housing inspectors in the evaluation of buildings and structures affected by a natural or man-made disaster or emergency.

The volunteer emergency inspectors shall assist in assessing possible damage to the structural design and life-safety systems of buildings, and to facilitate rapid decisions regarding the closure or re-occupancy of buildings, in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

“By creating these teams we can act quickly following any type of disaster to assess the extent of damage and to begin the process of returning people to their homes and businesses,” said Chatzidakis, R-Burlington. “This bill will provide for a more orderly, and less time-consuming inspection process, following these types of tragedies.”

Bodine and Chatzidakis introduced the bill after the severe flooding that hit parts of Burlington County in July 2004.

In the wake of the flooding, which was sparked by torrential rain and the failure or damage to dozens of dams, local building inspectors were hard-pressed to meet the overwhelming demand for damage assessments of homes and businesses in the region.

The bill was approved by 79-0 by the General Assembly in June and now heads to the Governor for his signature.

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December 4, 2006

MERKT CHIDES DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP FOR INCONSISTENCIES IN PROPERTY TAX RECOMMENDATIONS

Earlier today, the Democrat members of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee introduced a bill which would authorize county and municipal governing bodies to establish a local tax to fund redevelopment purposes.

The problem, however, says Assemblyman Richard Merkt is that the Democrat members of the Joint Committee on Constitutional Reform (JCCR), one of four committees established to study property tax reform, recently issued a report stating that the Legislature should not authorize additional general local option taxes.

“So which is it?” asked Merkt, R-Morris, who explained that while he understands that the bill, A-1926, was pre-filed long before the JCCR was formed, he does not understand why Democrat leadership is allowing the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee to consider the legislation now.

“For the committee to take this bill up now, after the JCCR has recommended not to enact new local taxes, points to just how empty and meaningless the joint committee’s recommendations really are,” he said. “Either the recommendations mean something or they don’t. This action strongly suggests that the latter is the case.”

Earlier this month, the four Democrat members of the Joint Committee on Constitutional Reform signed off on the group’s list of recommendations, one of which stated, “The Joint Committee received no proposals from the public or local government for local option taxes. This lack of enthusiasm for local taxes is shared by the Joint Committee which believes that property tax relief and reform can be achieved without resorting to further increases in other taxes.”

“Apparently, the Democrats are speaking out both sides of their mouth,” said Merkt, one of two Republican members of the JCCR. “This has been typical Democrat behavior throughout the entire Special Session on property tax reform.

“It is becoming clearer by the day that the ‘Special Session’ on property tax reform was just a pre-election year ploy by the Democrats’ legislative leadership to trick the public into believing they were actually doing something about the most serious issue facing the people of New Jersey,” he continued. “However, I strongly suspect that when taxpayers get their next property tax bill, they will no longer be fooled by the Democrats’ claims that they ‘fixed’ the state’s property tax crisis.”

Merkt said that Democrat leaders are merely looking to shift the tax burden and not reform the system.

“By allowing this bill to be introduced today it’s quite apparent they are seriously considering creating new taxes as a way of providing property tax relief despite the fact that a joint committee that they controlled warned them not to do it.  This isn’t a game. This is a very serious issue that affects every homeowner and further erodes confidence in state leaders.

“It’s this kind of wavering, inconsistent and flat-out hypocritical behavior that justifiably leads so many of our residents to distrust the Democrat-controlled Legislature,” stated Merkt.

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December 4, 2006

GREGG: REVIEW OF HIGHLANDS MASTER PLAN SHOWS PLAN IS MORE ALARMING THAN FIRST THOUGHT

As state officials and members of the public begin the arduous task of reading through the 251-page recently released Highlands Regional Master Plan, Assemblyman Guy Gregg said today that the more they read, the more alarming they find the plan to be.

“In an article in Friday’s Star Ledger, Highlands Council Executive Director Dante DiPirro called the plan a ‘living, breathing and growing document.’ He’s right about that. It is living and breathing, but it’s out of control. As we comb through the report, it’s plain to see that it has become a Frankenstein’s monster,” said Gregg, who noted that the plan will severely restrict development in more than 80 percent of the 860,00-acre region which stretches from Bergen to Hunterdon counties.

Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon, vehemently opposed the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act that banned major development in the core preservation area which encompasses 557,507 acres - more than two-thirds of the region. The master plan, released Thursday is a follow-up to that legislation. It prohibits major development and infrastructure expansions in the protection or preservation zone; limits development in the conservation zone, and permits limited growth with restrictions in the planned community zone.

The state intends to buy lands or development rights in most of the area, but Gregg said the original Act and its ensuing master plan are nothing more than a land grab by public officials as it infringes on the rights of land owners to develop their own property and fails to provide proper compensation for property value losses.

“Hard-working people paid good money for this land only to have a group of self-serving politicians from both parties abuse their legislative powers to grab the land for themselves,” said Gregg. “This piece of legislation and its proposed master plan are another example of why people are not moving into New Jersey. In fact, many are leaving due to the unbearable tax  burden. For years, these fine folks have been paying outrageous property taxes on land public officials are now making worthless. Where does it stop?”

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December 4, 2006

McHOSE: CHEAP LAND DEALS IN NEWARK ARE IRONIC

CITY WHERE MILLIONS WERE SPENT ON LAND TO BUILD SCHOOLS WAS GIVING LAND AT A DISCOUNT TO THE POLITICALLY CONNECTED

Assemblywomen Alison Littell McHose today said she is disgusted by reports that in the final days of the administration of former Mayor Sharpe James the city engaged in a flurry of real estate deals to sell municipal property at as little as a one-seventh of its market value to politically-connected developers.

“The irony here is that one of the things that broke the back of the School Construction Corporation was the inflated land acquisition costs that made schools more costly to build,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “This included a $36