June 30, 2006
GREGG: INEPT AND BICKERING DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP BRINGS STATE TO THE BRINK OF SHUTDOWN
Assemblyman Guy Gregg is on the offensive today addressing Democrat leaders who are far from agreement on how to balance the budget. Gregg said with less than 9 hours left before the constitutional deadline and no solution in sight, Democrats have demonstrated a complete lack of leadership.
“The constitutional deadline is looming as we face a historic state shutdown,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “While my colleagues and I have worked very hard to present the Governor and Legislature with sensible and judicious alternatives, the Democrat leadership has squabbled away the precious little time left and engaged in senseless power struggles. At the end of the day, there is nothing to show for it: there is no budget, no cooperation and no end in sight.”
Gregg believes the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey deserve better.
“It’s like the budget is a major term paper due on the last day of class and the Democrat majority procrastinated until the last week to get started,” Gregg added. “Well, the term paper was due today and they don’t even have a draft. Now, they are left begging for an extension. By all standards, their lack of planning and accord is an unacceptable failure.”
Gregg asked, “How can we expect our public to trust government when its leaders consistently fail to perform their most essential duties?”
“This process could have been finished weeks ago,” Gregg said. “Instead, the taxpayers are now held hostage by a demagogic few who are intent on raising taxes, increase spending and growing the size of government without accountability or effective oversight.”
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June 30, 2006
GREGG CALLS FOR PROBE INTO
ATTORNEY GENERAL FARBER’S INTERFERENCE
WITH BOYFRIEND’S TRAFFIC STOP
Assemblyman Guy Gregg today expressed outrage over reports that state Attorney General Zulima Farber pressured police officers to void vehicle citations that were issued to her live-in boyfriend, Hamlet Goore. Gregg called on the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to agree to launch an investigation into this matter within the next 48 hours.
“These are very serious allegations and if they are found to be true the entire credibility of the Attorney General’s Office will have been jeopardized,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “This type of behaviour sends a horrible message to the public that government officials can easily manipulate New Jersey’s justice system. No one is above the law.”
Several newspapers reported today that the Fairview police in Bergen County wrote Hamlet Goore tickets for driving with a suspended license and driving an uninsured vehicle. The citations were apparently thrown out after Attorney General Zulima Farber, Goore’s girlfriend, showed up at the scene.
Gregg said given the gravity of the matter the SCI should launch an investigation at once.
“The SCI needs to commence an immediate inquiry into these charges to ensure the integrity of the process is protected,” Gregg said. “Bergen County is a heavily Democratic area and I am not confident the county prosecutor’s office will be able to conduct an impartial investigation. It’s not unheard of to have political and personal considerations influence these types of probes.”
Gregg said Attorney General Farber’s conduct as our state’s top law enforcement officer has been abysmal.
“Sadly, in New Jersey, the abuse of power by political figures has become commonplace,” declared Gregg. “It appears Attorney General Farber allowed a personal relationship to interfere with her position as a law enforcement official. She, once again, failed to satisfactorily execute the duties of her office.”
Gregg said the SCI should not only look into allegations that Farber improperly influenced police action but the reasons why Goore’s vehicle was not registered.
“Why was the vehicle not registered?” questioned Gregg. “Why didn’t the Attorney General press her boyfriend to rectify this situation sooner? For what purposes did Mr. Goore use this vehicle? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered.”
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June 29, 2006
MERKT TO NEW JERSEY DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP: GROW UP, OR STEP ASIDE
Assemblyman Richard Merkt today criticized Governor Jon Corzine and Democrat leaders in the Assembly and Senate calling it a dereliction of their duties that with just 24 hours until the constitutional deadline for a new state budget, the Democrat majority is yet to post a budget for consideration.
"The Democrats control both the Legislature and the Governor's Office and instead of reaching an agreement on a budget they are engaged in juvenile squabbling," said Merkt, R-Morris. "It is simply unacceptable that the state is now on the brink of a government shutdown because of an internal power struggle within the Democrat Party."
With the constitutional deadline for a state budget looming, the Corzine administration remains locked in a battle with a portion of the Assembly Democrat caucus and with Senate Democrats over whether there will be a sales tax hike, and if so, how that money will be used.
Wednesday, the State Treasurer ignored a request by Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald that he come to the budget hearing and explain Governor Corzine's threat to veto any budget that doesn't contain his proposed sales tax hike. This was a direct challenge to the statement by Speaker Joseph Roberts that the General Assembly will not support a sales tax hike.
During the hearing the Democrat State Chairman, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, publicly chastised Greenwald for attempting to embarrass the Governor, before leaving the committee room.
Republicans have put $2.2 billion in possible spending cuts on the table and have said that they are willing to work with Speaker Roberts towards a budget that cuts spending eliminates all of Governor Corzine's tax hike proposals.
"While the stakes may be high in terms of who controls the Democrat Party going forward, the needs of the taxpayers should take precedence over that political battle," Merkt said. "The Democrats should be taking a serious look at our proposal as a way to end this budget dispute."
Merkt said that some in the Democrat Party appear unwilling to even consider the idea that the state could avoid tax increases by simply reining-in wasteful spending. He noted that in New York City a budget agreement was already reached and a spending plan was enacted despite the fact that the city has a Republican mayor and a Democrat council.
"If New Jersey Democrats don't care about the constitution, the taxpayers, or about the already tattered reputation of our state, what other than tax hikes do they care about?" Merkt asked. "If they can't agree to put aside their bickering for the good of the state, maybe it is time that they step aside and let someone else lead."
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June 29, 2006
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS DELIVER THOUSANDS OF ANTI-TAX PETITIONS TO CORZINE
DeCROCE SAYS PUBLIC DESIRE IS CLEAR: DON'T RAISE TAXES, CUT SPENDING
In less than three months, Assembly Republicans collected the signatures of more than 4,000 New Jersey residents who have a clear message for Governor Jon Corzine and the Democrat-controlled Legislature: don't raise taxes, cut state spending.
The petitions were delivered to the governor's office today. The anti-tax petition drive was launched on April 5th.
"We have repeatedly heard the governor and Democrats in the Legislature say with straight faces how they have not heard a peep from the public at large about the proposed increase in the sales tax or many of the other $1.5 billion in new taxes embedded in their proposed budget," noted Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic.
"I don't know who they're talking to because all we have heard from people attending our town meetings over the past three months is that they are taxed to the max and can't afford to live in New Jersey any longer," DeCroce said. "Every poll has confirmed that the public is fed up with high taxes and thinks government should cut spending - just as they have had to do - to survive.
"Over 4,000 taxpayers took the time to go to our website or attended town meetings just to voice their anger and sign our petition. I am convinced these taxpayers represent the tip of the iceberg. More than 57,000 residents have signaled their frustration with the tax climate in New Jersey by moving out of state in just the past year. Unless the governor and the Democrats in Trenton get the message, tens of thousands more will join the exodus."
The message on the petition addressed to the governor and Legislature states: To Governor Jon Corzine and the New Jersey Legislature: High state and local property taxes are making New Jersey an unaffordable place in which to live. A state budget that boosts the sales tax by a full percent and forces property taxes to rise even higher will push many families beyond their financial breaking point. Do not pass a state budget that raises taxes by $1.5 billion and allows spending to grow 10 percent! Find more ways to cut spending and eliminate waste, frills, fraud and abuse from the budget!
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June 28, 2006
DeCROCE AND BIONDI SAY DEMOCRAT FIXATION ON RAISING TAXES IS DEPLORABLE
DEMOCRAT POWER STRUGGLE IS JUST MORE BAD NEWS FOR TAXPAYERS
With time dwindling before the FY 2007 budget must be approved, Assemblyman Bill Baroni said Governor Corzine and legislative leadership should stop their squabbling and conduct around the clock budget negotiations.
“Governor Corzine presented his budget proposal to the Legislature more than 100 days ago,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex. “Despite having sufficient time to iron out their differences, the Governor and legislative leaders have yet to present the public with a finalized budget. This situation is unacceptable.”
With the budget process dragging on and the constitutional deadline for a new spending plan rapidly approaching, Governor Corzine met this morning with cabinet officials to discuss plans for a possible government shutdown.
“The Governor and legislative leaders need to take their constitutional responsibility to produce a balanced budget by July 1 more seriously,” continued Baroni. “There is no justification for Governor Corzine and leaders from his party to continue in this power struggle and risk a government shutdown. Failing to meet the budget deadline and forcing a government closure will have real and lasting consequences.”
Baroni noted that a session of the General Assembly is scheduled for this Friday and thus far no budget bills have been put up for discussion.
“With less than three days to go until the budget deadline, the Governor and Democrat leaders should be using every opportunity to work out their differences,” Baroni said. “There is absolutely no reason why the Governor and Legislature cannot pass a budget by Friday’s deadline.”
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June 28, 2006
GREGG: DEMOCRATS TAKE ANOTHER GRAB AT TAXPAYERS' WALLETS
Assemblyman Guy Gregg today challenged Governor Corzine and Democrat leaders to propose a budget that is fiscally responsible and doesn't continue their five-year record of piling on more spending and more taxes.
"The Democrats have never had an honest debate on this budget," said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. "They never considered the possibility of proposing a budget that doesn't raise taxes. From the very beginning, they have been hooked on the idea of piling on more taxes to fuel runaway government spending."
For last several years, Democrat leaders have sparred over the budget and accused one another of political grandstanding.
"It's tremendously disappointing that Governor Corzine and Democrat legislative leaders have brought us to this juncture," Gregg declared. "Here we are again on the brink of a government shutdown because the Democrats can't come to an agreement on the budget. The people of New Jersey have been repeatedly used as pawns in this budget showdown. The Democrats' continual flirtation with a shutdown will have long-term consequences."
Gregg said the current budget fiasco is just further proof that the Democrats are not fit to run state government.
"Republican efforts to cut spending to avoid an increase in taxes has been met with partisan brinkmanship," said Gregg. "Democrats never seem to exercise any amount of fiscal restraint. For the past five years, businesses and families have taken the brunt of the Democrats' failed fiscal policies. This is no way to lead the state."
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June 27, 2006
BARONI: BUDGET STALEMATE IS UNACCEPTABLE
With time dwindling before the FY 2007 budget must be approved, Assemblyman Bill Baroni said Governor Corzine and legislative leadership should stop their squabbling and conduct around the clock budget negotiations.
“Governor Corzine presented his budget proposal to the Legislature more than 100 days ago,” said Baroni, R-Mercer and Middlesex. “Despite having sufficient time to iron out their differences, the Governor and legislative leaders have yet to present the public with a finalized budget. This situation is unacceptable.”
With the budget process dragging on and the constitutional deadline for a new spending plan rapidly approaching, Governor Corzine met this morning with cabinet officials to discuss plans for a possible government shutdown.
“The Governor and legislative leaders need to take their constitutional responsibility to produce a balanced budget by July 1 more seriously,” continued Baroni. “There is no justification for Governor Corzine and leaders from his party to continue in this power struggle and risk a government shutdown. Failing to meet the budget deadline and forcing a government closure will have real and lasting consequences.”
Baroni noted that a session of the General Assembly is scheduled for this Friday and thus far no budget bills have been put up for discussion.
“With less than three days to go until the budget deadline, the Governor and Democrat leaders should be using every opportunity to work out their differences,” Baroni said. “There is absolutely no reason why the Governor and Legislature cannot pass a budget by Friday’s deadline.”
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June 26, 2006
GREGG BILL SEEKING TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT REGULATION ADVANCES
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Guy Gregg which expands the scope of the New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act when dealing with the impact of rules on small businesses today unanimously passed the New Jersey General Assembly.
“One size does not fit all,” said Gregg, R- Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “This reform measure increases the flexibility and responsiveness of state agencies that regulate small businesses. Administrative rules governing small business need to be clear-cut and workable.”
The Gregg measure, A-2327, requires state agencies to streamline procedures in promulgating regulations and rules impacting small businesses. Additionally, the bill simplifies the process for businesses to appeal burdensome regulations.
Gregg said regulatory costs have a disproportionately onerous impact on small businesses.
“The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that small businesses with fewer than 20 employees face regulatory costs of almost $7,000 per employee per year,” Gregg added. “This is a burden that many businesses just cannot bear. The bottom line is that the regulatory system, in its current form, is hurting our business community.”
Gregg said excessive government regulation has hindered economic growth in New Jersey.
“New Jersey has steadily grown to become one of the worst states in the nation to do business,” Gregg said. “Never-ending tax hikes and excessive regulation are definitely the cause of this frightening trend. We need to cut the red tape and get a grip on runaway regulatory measures.”
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June 26, 2006
MUNOZ: DEMOCRAT’S ACCUSATIONS THAT GOP SPENDING CUT PROPOSAL IS RACIALLY-MOTIVATED IS OFFENSIVE
Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D., today said he is offended by comments made by Democrats suggesting that the $2.2 billion Republican spending cuts the Assembly proposed last week were racially motivated.
“I am offended and deeply disappointed that the Democrats would resort to such tactics,” said Munoz, R-Essex, Morris and Somerset. “When Governor Corzine proposed his budget in March, he invited the Legislature to bring him alternatives to his tax and spend budget. And that’s exactly what we did when the Assembly Republican leadership presented him with our budget alternative last Friday.
“Instead of receiving our budget in the light of true bipartisanship - in which it was developed - some Democrats chose to accuse us of purposely and intentionally targeting minorities and people in urban areas. That cannot be further from the truth. The cuts we proposed are based on necessity and waste. They are by all means, fair. Their accusations are an insult to our party.”
Assembly Republicans on Friday announced $2.2 billion in spending cuts to Governor Corzine’s budget proposal. The cuts would eliminate the need for any tax increases while leaving money available to be used for property tax relief programs.
Following the announcement, Assemblymen William Payne, D-Essex, and Joe Cyran,
D-Union, accused Republicans of targeting minorities for the cuts. Payne was quoted on NJN News as stating, “I think that whoever put that document together, the kinds of charges they are making, seem to me perhaps to have a deeper meaning to them, not just that they are urban areas, but that they are people that are the least fortunate in our society or who happen to be predominantly people of color, African Americans or other minorities.”
Cryan said, “There are cuts to the poorest of the poor...There are cuts that lack a heart. It seem to me that it’s just more convenient to polarize things on a city issue...you can read the underlying tones into that.”
Munoz noted that there never was any consideration given to whose legislative districts the cuts would affect. The only factor considered was whether or not the spending was absolutely necessary at this time. He explained that if it seems the cuts are the deepest in urban areas that’s because those are the locales that receive the most state aid. It stands to reason, therefore, that the bulk of cuts would come from those areas.
“The Democrats in question should show the same outrage toward the corrupt officials in many urban areas who are wasting money that could be used to help residents in those towns as they do about this cut list.”
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June 26, 2006
DeCROCE AND MALONE TO DEMOCRATS:
BUDGET DELAY IS UNFAIR TO TAXPAYERS
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today cautioned Democrat leaders against passing the budget without providing the public adequate time to review the proposal and give feedback.
“The Democrats are coming dangerously close to missing the constitutional deadline,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “This seems to be a problem the Democrats run up against every budget season. There is no legitimate reason why the Democrats routinely fail to present their budget to the public in a timely manner.”
DeCroce and Malone said the public should be given an opportunity to comment on the budget so legislators will be in a position to cast an informed, thoughtful vote on the measure.
“It is doubtful that at this late date the Democrats will provide their legislative colleagues and the public sufficient time to review their budget proposal,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth, and Mercer. “How are we as legislators supposed to make informed decisions about this $31 billion spending plan, if we aren’t given adequate time to review this extensive and detailed document?”
“The devil is always in the details,” added DeCroce. “Unfortunately, this delay means the public will not have a satisfactory opportunity to comment on what will surely be a controversial measure.”
The legislators said the manner in which the budget process has been conducted is unfair to the taxpayers.
“There is definitely a shroud of mystery surrounding the Democrat plan to raise taxes,” Malone said. “New Jersey taxpayers shouldn’t be blindsided by any last minute budget deals. They have a right to know exactly what taxes the Democrats intend to raise. They should also be given ample time to have their voice heard on the matter.”
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June 23, 2006
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS PRESENT GOVERNOR CORZINE WITH
MORE THAN $2.2 BILLION IN SPENDING CUTS
SPENDING CUTS WOULD ELIMINATE NEED FOR TAX HIKES AND PROVIDE MONEY FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF
With the constitutional deadline for passing a state budget just one week away, Assembly Republicans today presented Governor Corzine with more than $2.2 billion in proposed spending cuts to his $30.8 billion budget proposal and urged him to drop plans for any tax increases.
“Since Day One of the Corzine budget, Assembly Republicans have insisted that there is no need for more taxes,” said Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “This morning, we hand-delivered a plan to the Corzine Administration that shows exactly how the proposed budget can be balanced without any new taxes and still provide for additional property tax relief immediately.”
Republicans presented Corzine with a detailed list of spending cuts that could be made to his Fiscal Year 2007 budget proposal. The proposal was the result of months of work by Republican budget committee members Assemblymen Joseph Malone, Kevin O’Toole, Frank Blee and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose.
Among the $2.2 billion in cuts presented to the Governor are adjustments to salaries and benefits, suspension of non-essential programs, elimination of low-priority programs, elimination of politicized spending, consolidation of departments and programs, and deferral of some new spending initiatives.
Republican Budget Officer Malone and fellow budget committee member O’Toole said that this cut list has been the product of a deliberative, bipartisan five-month long budget process.
“Our budget committee met for five months and both Democrats and Republicans have meticulously studied the Corzine spending proposal,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “As a result of that process we have been able to identify areas where we can achieve legitimate savings in this budget.”
“Republicans and Democrats on the budget committee have utilized the budget process to uncover waste and to determine what programs we can cut,” said Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic, and Bergen. “These cuts reflect the hard work of the budget committee toward making responsible, thoughtful spending reductions.”
Corzine’s current budget proposal calls for an increase of nearly $1.8 billion in taxes while cutting funding for higher education and freezing aid to school districts. It also manages to increase state spending by $2.8 billion and contains few significant changes to the bureaucratic structure of state government.
“Every year we hear about living within your means, but while the government spending machine keeps churning, it is the taxpayers who end up paying more,” Malone said. “This isn’t about just getting rid of unpopular or clearly wasteful programs. Some of these programs are well-intentioned and many of these decisions were tough, but we simply cannot afford to keep spending money we do not have.”
The Republican leaders suggested that the tax increases are a direct result of the administration’s unwillingness to make serious changes to the state bureaucracy and that if Governor Corzine adopts these cuts, he will be able to eliminate those tax hikes.
“If we streamline state government, eliminate the political abuse of our pension system and cut the rampant waste and abuse of tax dollars, we won’t need any of these tax hikes,” O’Toole said. “We need to be more responsive to the realities of our current fiscal condition and stop turning to higher taxes as a way to avoid making hard decisions.”
The budget cuts include some of the following:
- $340 million in cuts to salaries and benefits including pension reforms, overtime reduction, reduction in the state vehicle fleet and salary cuts to the judicial and legislative accounts;
- $109 million in suspension of non-essential programs such as the Henry Raimondo Legislative Fellowship, the Intergovernmental Relations Commission, the Teacher Quality Mentoring program, and funding reductions for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Arts Council Grants, and Historical Commission Grants;
- $38 million in the elimination of low-priority programs such as the Life Skills Academy, Children’s Garden, the Motor Vehicle advertising budget, and the New Jersey Network (NJN);
- $26 million in savings from the consolidation of economic programs and offices including the Department of Personnel, the Department of State and the Office of Public Advocate;
DeCroce praised the work of Malone, Blee, O’Toole and McHose on the budget committee.
“I am proud of the work done over the past few months by the four Republican members of the budget committee,” DeCroce said. “Our budget committee members and staff have done an excellent job analyzing this budget and making suggestions for how it can be improved.
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June 22, 2006
GREGG: EMINENT DOMAIN REFORM
DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH
Assemblyman Guy Gregg said today that the Democrat eminent domain reform proposal does not go far enough to address greedy government land grabs.
“A report issued on Tuesday stated New Jersey has the fourth largest number of properties in the United States threatened by eminent domain,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “This is a clear indication that we need to arm property owners with a powerful tool to fight against government abuse of eminent domain. Unfortunately, this bill will not give land owners the protection they need.”
The bill, A-3257, has several glaring loopholes, including vague language that does not properly define terms like “lack of proper utilization” and “not fully productive”. The bill also fails to adequately address concerns that pay-to-play and nepotism could influence development decisions.
“Under this measure, commercial property deemed ‘not fully productive’ can be seized and redeveloped,” Gregg added. “This term is not satisfactorily defined and will effectively provide government with an excuse to force businesses from their locations.”
Additionally, the bill only protects agricultural developments and not commercial farms from eminent domain.
“This is yet another measure that would have a devastating impact on New Jersey’s farming community,” Gregg said. “Snatching up precious farmland for private developers is perhaps the most insidious use of eminent domain.”
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Guy Gregg and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll greatly limits the use of eminent domain. The Gregg/Carroll measure, ACR-161, proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the use condemnation for traditional public purposes. The bill also repeals the constitutional provision which permits condemnation for redevelopment projects.
“Eminent domain should only be exercised for public use, such as to build schools or roadways,” said Gregg. “Our fundamental constitutional rights to own property have been trampled on and we need to pursue legislation that limits the use of eminent domain to traditional public purposes.”
Gregg, once again, praised Assembly Commerce & Economic Development Committee Chairman John Burzichelli for holding hearings on the eminent domain issue and for opening the process to input from people of all viewpoints.
“While well intentioned, the reforms included in the bill do not go far enough,” Gregg concluded. “I do, however, appreciate the manner in which Assemblyman Burzichelli handled this matter. He conducted a very thorough review of the issue. Unfortunately, we just did not come to the same conclusions.”
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June 22, 2006
MALONE AND KEAN: NOT EVERY STATE WORKER CAN AFFORD TO TAKE A PAY CUT
SAY FOCUS NEEDS TO BE ON INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE EXTRAVAGANT SALARIES
Assemblymen Joe Malone and Sean Kean said today that State Senator Stephen Sweeney’s proposed 15% cut in employee salaries and benefit costs is too drastic.
“Sadly, hard working state employees are being caught in the crossfire of a very charged budget battle,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean. “Senator Sweeney’s conclusion that all state workers need to take a 15 percent pay cut seems to have been reached in a very unsystematic manner. This plan fails to take into account the vast majority of state employees who do not receive exorbitant salaries.”
Malone and Kean said the pay cut would be devastating to state workers on the lower end of the pay scale.
“We need to consider that some middle-class workers and their families cannot get by with smaller paychecks,” said Kean, R-Monmouth. “A family making $25,000 who is forced to take a 15 percent pay cut could very well end up on food stamps. During dire financial times everyone needs to be held accountable, but it is unfair to balance the state budget on the backs of struggling state workers.”
The legislators said savings could be achieved by cutting employee benefits for individuals in higher salary brackets. They also said the budget could be balanced through other substantial spending cuts.
“There are definitely some employees who can afford a cut in their benefits package,” added Kean. “Workers who make an excessive amount need to shoulder their share of the burden. It is time they ante up and join in efforts to make New Jersey more affordable.”
“New Jersey is taking on water and about to sink,” Malone said. “If immediate action isn’t taken businesses and families will be forced to relocate to another state. New Jersey has a spending addiction that is spiraling out of control. To alleviate this problem we need to significantly reduce state spending.”
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June 22, 2006
PENNACCHIO CONDEMNS “KELO LIGHT”
Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic, released the following statement today following the passage of legislation by the Assembly that allows municipalities to seize a resident’s private property for private redevelopment. The bill allows this if the inclusion of the property is found necessary, and as long as the non-blighted property is no more than 20 percent of the land mass being designated as needing redevelopment. The legislation does not contain any real safeguards to ensure that a good faith effort has been given in order to save those properties from eminent domain:
“This bill, A-3257, codifies the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision, “Kelo v. City of New London,” which allows a municipality to use eminent domain powers for private development purposes. While the legislation that was passed today by the state Assembly is less onerous than the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, it still permits the state to seize a citizen’s private property and give it to a private entity. This is not the America I grew up in.
“This bill gives new meaning to the term ‘Big Brother.’ It gives government the right to take what does not belong to it. It is my belief that no government, whether it be local, state or federal, has any inherent rights. Whatever rights government thinks it has is derived from ‘We The People.’ With passage of today’s eminent domain legislation or ‘Kelo Light,’ ‘We The People’ continue to lose more of our guaranteed and God-given rights.”
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June 22, 2006
PENNACCHIO: STATE WRONG TO BUY OUT KNOX’S CONTRACT;
SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD REIMBURSE NJ
Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio said today that embattled Camden Schools Superintendent Annette Knox, who resigned her $185,000 position amid allegations of unapproved bonuses, mismanagement of school district funds, and suspiciously high test scores, should have been fired by the Corzine administration which instead bought out her current contract.
Following two days of negotiations, Knox, who resigned yesterday, will receive one year’s salary, partial reimbursement of unused vacation time and health benefits for a year at a cost to the state of $199,000.
The state Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating how Knox received nearly $18,000 in unapproved performance bonuses in 2004 and 2005. The state is also investigating allegations of misuse and abuse of school district funds for excessive travel, food and parties, and reports that high-ranking school officials pressured school principals into rigging test scores so the district could demonstrate academic achievement. The state has oversight of the Camden school district.
“What was there to negotiate?” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic. “Knox should have been fired. Instead, the state is forking out nearly $200,000 to someone who misused thousands of taxpayer dollars and is an alleged cheater to boot. This is absolutely incredulous. If anything, Knox should be forced to reimburse the state for the money she wasted on excessive travel, food and parties.”
In February 2005, the Camden Courier-Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer both reported that Camden City School officials hosted a $15,000 invitation-only party to celebrate their ccomplishments and spent another $5,200 on a color two-page newspaper ad touting the
district’s accomplishments during Knox’s then four-year tenure.
It’s also been reported that Knox appears to have flown to San Antonio that same month. Total cost of airfare and hotel for a three-night stay cost the state nearly $2,000. Prior to that, in January 2005, she enjoyed a “Lobzilla” dinner at the Pod Restaurant in Philadelphia that came with a $141 price tag.
“This is just unbelievable,” Pennacchio said. “We are currently in a budget battle because Trenton is bleeding and the state is handing out money to someone who clearly used taxpayer funds for her own pleasure.”
The Morris County Assemblyman noted that not only have taxpayers suffered as a result of Knox’s actions, but Camden’s children have been hurt as well.
“Those being hurt the most by the mismanagement and corruption in this school district are the children,” said Pennacchio. “These kids are not getting the education they deserve – and it isn’t because of a lack of state funds. These adults are supposed to be supervising the children. Perhaps we would be better off having the children supervise the adults.
“Is it any wonder New Jersey is in financial dire straights?” he continued. “We pour billions of dollars into Abbott School districts like Camden without any oversight whatsoever. And then, when we do investigate alleged mismanagement, instead of punishing the parties involved, Trenton politicians send them on their merry way with financial rewards. Our taxpayers should be outraged. I know I am.”
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June 22, 2006
ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN CAUCUS SENDS LETTER TO CORZINE URGING
HIM TO DROP SALES TAX HIKE PROPOSAL
LETTER POINTS OUT THAT ASSSEMBLY DEMOCRATS NOW HAVE JOINED REPUBLICANS
IN OPPOSING SALES TAX HIKE
The Assembly Republican caucus today sent a letter to Governor Corzine letting him know that the Republicans in the General Assembly will stand united with Assembly Democrats in opposing a proposed sales tax hike and insisting on substantial spending cuts to the $30.8 billion Corzine budget proposal.
“The Assembly Democrats have now joined Republicans in agreeing that the proposed tax hikes must be eliminated from this budget,” said Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “We hope the Democrats will stick with us in opposing these tax hikes and in working to make substantial spending cuts to this budget.”
Assembly Republicans have been urging Corzine to cut more spending and eliminate his sales tax proposal since the beginning of the budget process. The Assembly Democrat leadership has now agreed that the sales tax proposal is dead in the General Assembly, but leaders in the State Senate say the sales tax proposal is still on the table.
The letter sent from the entire Assembly Republican caucus urges Corzine to join with Republicans and Democrats in the Assembly in making substantial cuts to this spending proposal so that these new taxes can be removed from the budget.
The letter goes on to say that, “If we are able to cut spending now, not only will we eliminate the need for new taxes, but we can also begin to put aside money that can be used toward property tax relief this summer.”
A copy of the letter is below:
Dear Governor Corzine:
This letter is to inform you that as members of the Assembly Republican caucus we are united in opposition to the proposed tax increases in your budget.
As we have read in recent newspaper accounts, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts has informed you that his Democrat caucus in the General Assembly is also united in opposition to your proposal that the state sales tax be increased from 6 percent to 7 percent.
We are glad that the Assembly Democrats have now joined Republicans in agreeing that the proposed sales tax hike in your budget would have a devastating impact on our state. We join with Speaker Roberts and the Democrat caucus in opposing this proposal and intend to stick with them in voting against any sales tax hike.
Trenton’s budget problems are not the result of insufficient revenue, they are the result of the state bureaucracy’s insatiable appetite for spending. The only way to solve that problem is through adopting substantial spending cuts.
Your budget currently proposes a $2.8 billion increase in spending and nearly $1.8 billion in new taxes. We are urging you to join with us in making substantial cuts to this spending proposal so that these new taxes can be removed from the budget. If we are able to cut spending now, not only will we eliminate the need for new taxes, but we can also begin to put aside money that can be used toward property tax relief this summer.
We appreciate the difficult task you are facing and are willing to work closely with you toward reducing the size of the state budget. The citizens of New Jersey simply cannot afford to continue paying higher taxes every year. This sales tax hike will be just one more burden on our already overtaxed residents. The taxpayers deserve relief and we owe it to them to cut as much waste and unnecessary spending from this budget as possible.
Please join us in this effort.
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June 21, 2006
DeCROCE AND McHOSE: POLL SHOWS TAXPAYERS
REJECT
CORZINE'S DISASTROUS BUDGET
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose said the Rutgers-Eagleton poll released today showing that a majority of New Jersey residents favor further spending cuts over tax increases, is just more proof that Governor Corzine and Democrat leaders are out of touch with New Jersey taxpayers.
“This poll reiterates the point Republicans have been making, New Jersey taxpayers are at their breaking point,” said DeCroce, Morris and Passaic. “The more people learn about this budget the more they realize Trenton Democrats are determined to make it unaffordable to live here in New Jersey.”
A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll released today finds that New Jersey residents reject Governor Corzine’s plan to raise taxes as a way to balance the state budget.
As a member of the Budget Committee, Assemblywoman McHose is responsible for evaluating Governor Corzine’s budget plan. Her participation on the Budget Committee has included hearing public testimony regarding Governor Corzine’s budget proposal.
“I am not at all shocked by these latest poll results,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “Even back before Governor Corzine gave his budget address in March, the public was demanding that he cut government spending instead of raising taxes. My experience on the Assembly Budget Committee has only solidified my belief that there is no public support for this fiscally burdensome budget.”
McHose said Governor Corzine still has time to dump budget plans that saddle families and businesses with higher taxes.
“Governor Corzine should listen to the pleas of New Jersey taxpayers and rein in runaway state spending rather than increase taxes,” McHose said. “I hope Governor Corzine gives serious consideration to this poll and changes his course. Republicans are willing to work with Governor Corzine to put an end to tax increases, eliminate wasteful government spending, and make New Jersey more affordable.”
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June 20, 2006
O’TOOLE-MALONE GLAD ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS AGREE WITH REPUBLICANS ON OPPOSING SALES TAX HIKE
ATTENTION SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON CUTTING SPENDING
Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole and Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today said they are glad that Assembly Democrats agree with Republicans that tax hikes are not the best way to close the budget gap and they urged the Democrat caucus to continue its new focus on spending cuts and opposing tax hikes.
“The Assembly Democrats have now joined Republicans in agreeing that the proposed tax hikes in the Corzine budget would have a devastating impact on our state,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic, and Bergen. “It is important that Democrats in the Assembly not back-track on this pledge and that they sincerely work toward cutting enough spending to eliminate all of the $1.8 billion in tax hikes proposed in this budget.”
The Assembly Democrat leadership has said that the sales tax proposal is dead in the General Assembly, but leaders in the State Senate say the sales tax proposal is still on the table. At a joint press conference Monday, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and Senate President Richard Codey said other tax proposals are still being discussed.
O’Toole today appeared on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show with Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kenny who said that he believes the sales tax is still a viable alternative and one that the Democrats believe they, “can sell politically.” Kenny seemed to be holding out hope that the Assembly Democrats will come back to supporting the tax hike.
“I hope that Speaker Roberts does not have second thoughts about the decision by his caucus to oppose this sales tax increase,” O’Toole said. “If they believe the sales tax hike is wrong today, they should agree that all tax hikes are wrong today, and still will be next week.”
“The time has come to accept that New Jersey does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem,” Malone said. “The only way to solve that problem is through substantial spending cuts.”
“If we continue spending at this rate, with a $2.8 billion increase in this budget, it will only make it more difficult to identify funding for property tax relief this summer,” Malone said. “If we don’t cut spending now, it will create an even larger financial hurdle this summer as we attempt to find the funding to give relief to property taxpayers.”
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June 20, 2006
DeCROCE: CORZINE'S THREAT TO SHUT DOWN
GOVERNMENT
OVER A TAX INCREASE IS APPALLING
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today issued the following statement regarding Governor Corzine’s call for the development of a contingency plan in the event of a state government shutdown:
“The non-stop bickering between the Democrats regarding the state budget is unacceptable. Democrat leadership seems more interested in which taxes they can raise rather than developing a budget that doesn’t place an unfair burden upon New Jersey taxpayers. Democrats would rather potentially endanger the welfare of the public by shutting down government than work hard towards crafting a fiscally responsible budget. Instead of arguing about which tax to increase, the Democrats should be discussing ways to make New Jersey more affordable without a tax hike.
“There is a real and serious constitutional deadline that must be met. However, Governor Corzine seems more interested in developing contingency plans for a potential government shutdown than hammering out the details of a solid and affordable budget proposal.
“Governor Corzine threatening a government shutdown as a way to garner support for a tax increase is appalling. Governor Corzine should stop talking about the closure of state government and get to work on eliminating the sales tax and all other tax hikes from his budget plan by cutting wasteful government spending.
“Any talk of a government shutdown is premature. However, if in fact the Democrats are unable to resolve their differences and New Jersey’s government does come to a grinding halt it will be because of the Democrats’ failure of leadership. Enough of the scare tactics! Governor Corzine and Democrat legislative leaders should be using their positions and energy to draft a budget that doesn’t rely on raising taxes.”
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June 20, 2006
BARONI SAYS GYM TAX COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
NEW HEALTH STUDY SHOWS NEED FOR DAILY EXERCISE
In light of the American Heart Association’s new Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations, Assemblyman Bill Baroni said today that the Governor’s proposal to tax health and fitness club memberships is the wrong prescription for trying to fix the state’s budget gap.
“At a time when we as a nation are stepping up efforts to encourage healthier lifestyles and focus attention to the importance of physical fitness, this new tax 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.”
A leading advocate for programs aimed at combating child obesity and promoting physical fitness, Baroni noted that recent studies show that both U.S. children and adults are overweight and lack exercise.
Baroni said the gym tax flies in the face of the 2006 Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations released yesterday by the American Heart Association which suggests:
- Knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight
- Not eating more calories than you know you can burn everyday
- Increasing the amount and intensity of your physical activity to match the number of calories you take in
- 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise at least several days, if not every day, each week
For a full list of the new recommendations, visit www.americanheart.org.
Baroni said that if anything, residents need incentives to get them to exercise, not obstacles to make it more difficult. “According to the experts, regular physical activity can help
you maintain your weight, keep off weight you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. Starting a regular exercise program is very difficult for many people and this tax will make it even harder.”
Baroni noted that the gym tax will result in a drop in health club memberships, particularly among senior citizens and those on fixed incomes, an increase in state healthcare costs and a higher increase in the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart problems.
“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,” he said. “This tax will have the opposite effect.
“Increasing taxes on these health and fitness clubs will place another financial burden on New Jersey’s already overtaxed citizens,” Baroni continued. “Why would we want to discourage people from achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle? This tax is simply a bad idea.”
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June 20, 2006
CHATZIDAKIS BILL REQUIRING NOTICE ON NURSING HOME CLOSINGS APPROVED BY SENATE
NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Larry Chatzidakis that would require assisted living facilities to provide at least 60 days notice before closing was approved Monday by the State Senate.
“If you are going to force nursing home residents to find new homes you have to give them adequate time to do so,” said Chatzidakis, R-Burlington. “It is simply unfair to ask seniors, or those who are responsible for their care, to relocate on just a few days notice.”
The bill, A-386, requires 60-day notice of closing or relocation of nursing homes and assisted living residences to residents and their representatives and provides for waiver of notice in emergency.
The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services may waive the 60-day notice requirement if the commissioner determines that an emergency situation warrants a more immediate closure or relocation of the facility.
Chatzidakis introduced the legislation in response to a situation last August where seniors at the Crossing of Riverside assisted living facility were told they might need to find new homes on just days notice when the nursing facility ran into financial difficulty.
“These situations could be disastrous for the residents of these facilities, particularly those who require special care,” Chatzidakis said. “This bill will ensure that when a facility that is responsible for the care of seniors closes, it provides the time necessary to relocate those residents.”
The bill was approved by the General Assembly 78-0 in February and now heads to the Governor’s desk.
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June 20, 2006
BODINE-CHATZIDAKIS MEASURE GIVING STATE AUDITOR THE POWER TO DO REAL AUDITS CLEARS SENATE
PROVIDES FOR PERFORMANCE AUDITS OF STATE PROGRAMS
The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Francis Bodine and Larry Chatzidakis that calls for the State Auditor to conduct regular performance audits of state programs.
“The current structure may have been fine back when State Budgets were small and had little impact on taxpayers,” said Assemblyman Bodine. “But with today’s almost $30 Billion budget and a structural deficit around $4 Billion, we can no longer govern a modern State with tools from the horse and buggy era. Our State Auditor needs real power to identify programs in the budget that are no longer providing the services that they were charged to provide.”
“A performance audit will allow the State Auditor to identify inefficient program and make suggestion on how to bring them back into line,” said Assemblyman Chatzidakis. “Over the last four years the State budget has ballooned with very little oversight in how this spending is done. The time has come to put our fiscal house in order. Without real audits we will never know how much money is being wasted.”
The Bodine-Chatzidakis bill, A-2037, was merged with a similar bill, A-2827, sponsored by Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald and Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone earlier this year. The bill is similar to S-862, which is sponsored by Senator Martha Bark in the state Senate.
“While many have called for an elected State Auditor who would root out waste, fraud and abuse, there is a better way,” said Senator Bark. “We currently have a State Auditor, who provides many of the functions of an elected Auditor, but is missing the crucial duty of doing performance audits. Under current law the State Auditor is a bean counter, making sure that the money that goes into a program goes out in a legal manner.”
The bill now returns to the General Assembly for concurrence with technical amendments.
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June 19, 2006
DeCROCE: CORZINE ACKNOWLEDGES REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN RIGHT ON NEED FOR REAL SPENDING CUTS
GOVERNOR GOES ON THE RADIO AND BLASTS DEMOCRAT
FISCAL GIMMICKS OF THE PAST FOUR YEARS
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today said that Governor Jon Corzine’s comments this morning on New Jersey 101.5 radio’s “Jim Gearhart Show” confirm what Republicans have been saying for four years about Democrat reliance on fiscal gimmicks to balance the budget.
“Governor Corzine today made clear that our current budget mess is the result of the poor fiscal practices utilized in recent years by the Democrat majority in Trenton,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “The Governor is right that we cannot continue to dig a deeper fiscal hole for our state by ignoring the structural budget problem created by the runaway spending of the past four years.”
Corzine appeared on the “Jim Gearhart Show” this morning and said that the budget alternative offered by the Assembly Democrat leadership offers “more of the same” fiscal gimmicks of recent years.
The Governor criticized the alternative offered by his fellow Democrats saying that while the Assembly Democrats had some good suggestions, overall the proposal “looks to me like more of the same that we’ve seen over the years.”
DeCroce said that while Corzine is right to reject the use of fiscal gimmicks and one-shot revenues, his budget proposal which increases spending by $2.8 billion will exacerbate the problem. He added that Assembly Republicans want Corzine to remove his proposed tax hikes from the budget and instead focus on real spending cuts and the elimination of waste.
“The Governor is right that resorting to fiscal gimmicks will only make matters worse,” DeCroce said. “That is why we believe the Legislature and the Governor should be working on a real alternative plan that includes substantial spending cuts, rather than more taxes.”
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June 16, 2006
DeCROCE AND MALONE CALL ON DEMOCRATS TO GIVE ADEQUATE TIME FOR REVIEW OF BUDGET DOCUMENT
CALL FOR LEGISLATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO HAVE AT LEAST FIVE DAYS TO REVIEW THE BUDGET BEFORE JULY 1st DEADLINE
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today called on the Democrat leadership in the Assembly and Senate, along with Governor Corzine, to ensure that the public has at least five days to review a final budget document before the constitutional July 1 deadline for passing a new appropriations act.
“Too often in recent years legislators have been handed a 100-plus page budget fresh off the printer in the middle of the night and been asked to vote with no time to properly review the document,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “This is not the way government should operate.
“The public, and legislators in both parties, deserve ample opportunity to review the budget document before there is a final vote.”
With the July 1 deadline for passing a budget fast approaching, newspaper reports indicate that Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Corzine are still far apart on reaching a compromise on a proposed spending plan.
In recent years it has been common for the budget negotiations to go to the final days of June – or beyond – and for budgets to be voted on in the middle of the night after the Democrats reached last minute agreements.
“I do not want to be put in a position where I am asked to vote on a one-hundred page budget document after only having a few hours to review the details,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “It is not fair to legislators who must vote on the budget and it is not fair to the public who have no time to comment on the final proposal.”
DeCroce and Malone said that once the Democrats reach an agreement on how the final budget proposal will look, they should allow five days for legislators and the public to review the details and to comment on the plan.
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June 15, 2006
REPUBLICANS ASK FOR RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBPOENA OF
BPU CLEAN ENERGY AUDIT
REITERATE CALL FOR U.S. ATTORNEY TO INVESTIGATE PROGRAM
Assemblywomen Alison Littell McHose and Amy Handlin today reiterated their call for a resolution granting the Assembly Budget Committee subpoena power to access a Treasury Department audit of the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) investigating the misuse of nearly $100 million in clean energy program funding and for the U.S. Attorney to look into the matter.
In a letter to the Speaker Joseph Roberts two weeks ago, McHose and Handlin announced that they will be introducing a resolution granting the Assembly Budget Committee subpoena power over this matter and calling for action.
“As legislators who must review a budget that includes numerous tax increases and a cut to higher education funding we have a right to see the details of a highly critical audit of the BPU’s spending practices,” said Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “The BPU appears to be so ripe with waste, patronage and abuse that a shake-up of the agency’s budget could save our citizens a significant amount of money.”
A copy of the Treasury Department audit of the clean energy program has not been made available to the budget committee despite a May 24 Assembly Republican Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for a copy of that report. Fox testified at the June 1 meeting of the budget committee that the report cannot be released because it is not complete and it is therefore “under protective order.”
Today the Attorney General Zulima Farber testified before a Senate panel that the audit cannot be released because it is not completed.
“If there is a legitimate reason why this audit cannot be made public because of an on-going investigation we are willing to address that issue,” said Handlin, R-Monmouth and Middlesex. “Aside from legitimate concerns about jeopardizing an investigation, we as members of the Legislature have every right to see the details of this audit which has apparently already been presented to the BPU.”
According to newspaper reports, an audit by the Treasury Department of the BPU’s clean energy program found the clean energy program to be rife with abuse. Investigators from the Attorney General’s Office have been questioning agency officials about irregularities at BPU.
Among the problems alleged in the audit according to a memorandum obtained by The Star-Ledger were:
- The depositing of program funds in a bank account outside the state’s financial systems with no controls;
- Funds being wasted on unnecessary bank fees;
- Program staff awarding funds through grants to friends and neighbors;
- Contracts being awarded with no competitive bidding or review process;
As a result of these problems, a career BPU employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging retaliation by BPU officials for his role in disclosing these questionable practices. That lawsuit has led to BPU and the state hiring four private law firms to defend the agency and its officials.
McHose and Handlin sent a letter two weeks ago to U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, requesting that his office look into the possible misappropriation of utility ratepayer dollars by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities through a clean energy program.
“In light of past connections of our own Attorney General to beneficiaries of programs that benefited from BPU contracts, we strongly feel your involvement is essential to ensure that a fair and impartial investigation is conducted,” McHose and Handlin write in the letter.
Attorney General Farber served as an advisor to the Center for Energy, Economic, and Environmental Policy – one of the vendors that reportedly received funding from the BPU through the unusual account.
Just last week BPU President Fox announced that rates for all four major electric companies will go up anywhere from 12 to about 13 and a half percent - increasing from about 10 to 13 dollars a month for the average residential customer.
Handlin and McHose have introduced a bill, A-3031, establishing a permanent “State Authorities Review Commission” to review on a periodic basis the operation of State authorities and to report on December 1 of each year its findings and recommendations, if any, to the Governor and the Legislature.
McHose and Handlin said the abuse at the BPU is exactly the type of waste that this legislation seeks to eliminate, and they also asked Roberts to post A-3031 for a vote.
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June 15, 2006
PENNACCHIO ON NEWARK HOCKEY ARENA: I TOLD YOU SO
TEAM, BUILDER FAIL TO NEGOTIATE FINAL PRICE; COST EXPECTED TO INCREASE
While he finds no satisfaction in saying, “I told you so,” Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio said he is not at all surprised by today’s Star Ledger report that the New Jersey Devils hockey team dismissed the builder of its new multi-million dollar Newark arena when the two sides failed to negotiate a final price tag.
“I have said all along that not only would the final cost of this facility exceed the projected $310 million, but that taxpayers from the entire state would somehow end up footing the entire bill,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic.
According to the article, the professional hockey team parted ways with BovisHunt, a leading builder of professional sports venues, nearly two weeks ago after they failed to negotiate a final price tag for the 18,000-seat arena. In 2003, the City of Newark reached a lease deal with the Port Authority for Newark Liberty International Airport in which Newark received a $210 million payment to be used for construction costs for the hockey arena; the Devils will pay the remainder. As part of the deal, the franchise will keep most of the ticket and concession revenue.
Pennacchio pointed out that in February the team attempted to renege on its promised share of revenue for the project. “Several months ago, the Devils told taxpayers they would provide one percent of their $60 million payroll toward the cost of the facility, however, they actively sought to reduce their payroll with a $40 million cap which is only two-thirds of what was previously promised,” he explained. “It’s obvious they can’t be trusted to uphold their end of the deal. Unfortunately, the New Jersey taxpayer will again be on the losing team.”
A long-time outspoken critic of the arena, Pennacchio also questioned Newark’s decision to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a hockey facility when the city relies on state monies to help provide basic city services such as public education and police and fire protection.
“If the City of Newark has the extra money to waste on a sports arena, they certainly don’t need help from the rest of the state’s taxpayers for basic city services and education costs,” noted Pennacchio. “Yet, whether it be directly or indirectly, it won’t be long before the added costs of this project gets passed on to the state’s taxpayers as well.”
The Assemblyman also applauded Newark Mayor-Elect Cory Booker who said in today’s article that he may “pull the plug on the project.” Booker said the final cost could run much higher and that the arena is a “poorly conceived,” “unnecessarily rushed” and “not the best use of land and city resources.”
“I applaud Mayor-elect Booker for having the wisdom and insight to see this project for what it is – a waste of taxpayer money,” said Pennacchio. “I hope he will take the high road and finally put an end to this debacle which would clearly be in the best interest of the kids in Newark and all of New Jersey’s taxpayers.”
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June 15, 2006
O’TOOLE PRAISES ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE FOR PRESCHOOL THEFT INVESTIGATION AND INDICTMENTS
HOPES IT IS THE FIRST IN A STRING OF INDICTMENTS AND CONVICTIONS ON CORRUPTION CHARGES
Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole today praised Division of Criminal Justice Director Gregory Paw and Attorney General Zulima Farber for securing indictments of three preschool administrators in connection with the recent scandal involving the misappropriation of preschool funds.
“The Attorney General’s Office is to be commended for this investigation and these indictments,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic, and Bergen. “Hopefully this is just the start of an aggressive crack-down on public corruption, particularly as it relates to the misuse of public funds in the state’s preschool funding program.”
A grand jury indicted three leaders of the New Africa Day Care Center preschool for needy children for allegedly using more than $200,000 in taxpayer funds for their personal use.
The nine-count indictment alleges that the director, her son, and ex-husband used public funds to buy two Jaguars as well as vacations in Chicago and Hyannis Port. According to The Record of Hackensack, New Africa received about $1.8 million in public funds from January 2001 to March 2004.
The Record published a report in April detailing numerous examples of waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars in New Jersey’s preschool program for low-income children.
The story cited a Jersey City preschool owner who charged state taxpayers for a Caribbean time share two years in a row and a Hoboken center that collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funds without telling New Jersey that the federal government had already paid for the same preschoolers.
Other examples of waste and abuse include payments for luxury car leases, Omaha steaks, shrimp, Godiva chocolates, wedding gifts, and motorcycle insurance. Even cat food purchases were buried in the books along with inflated rents, six-figure salaries and $900,000 in personal loans.
According to the story, one administrator, Regina Okafor, gave herself a $291,000 salary, and has defiantly kept state-funded computers, books and furniture since her contract expired.
“Given the information that has come to light about these preschool programs, this is just the first in what should be a parade of indictments and convictions,” O’Toole said. “And, just as importantly, at some point I want to hear from officials in the Department of Education to find out why nobody was minding the store while these taxpayer dollars were being misspent.”
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June 15, 2006
PENNACCHIO LEGISLATION WOULD ELIMINATE VETERANS’ DISCHARGE PAPER FEE
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio that would eliminate the $6 fee imposed by county clerks for a certified copy of a veteran’s discharge paper was approved today by the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee by a 5-0 vote.
Under current New Jersey law, county clerks charge $6 for a certified copy of a veteran’s discharge paper. Of this amount, $5 is paid to the State and $1 is retained by the counties. Bill
A-341 would allow veterans to obtain a copy of their discharge papers free of charge.
“Eliminating this fee is the very least we can do for all the men and women who put their lives on the line to serve our country,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic. “Certainly the State and our counties can forego this fee without any fiscal impact whatsoever. Besides, you can’t put a price on their service. When our country asked them to serve, they unselfishly took up the mantle to defend freedom here and around the world, whether it was during the two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War or in our current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“They served their country with honor and courage and we should do everything we can to assist them,” he continued. “Eliminating this fee is one small step in that direction.”
Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall added, “I agree with Assemblyman Pennacchio that removing this fee is a small token of our appreciation to our veterans for their great service to this county.”
Last session, Pennacchio introduced the same legislation, A-1382. It was referred to the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee where it did not receive further consideration.
“This is just the right thing to do,” he said. “Just as our veterans stepped forward to do the right thing, I encourage my fellow legislators to step up to the plate on their behalf.”
The bill heads to the full General Assembly for consideration.
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June 15, 2006
DeCROCE SAYS CORZINE NEEDS A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE TO PURSUE HIS REFORM AGENDA
Reacting to Governor Jon Corzine’s decision to throw in the towel and settle for an appointed state comptroller to oversee state spending, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce says one of the first actions the Assembly will take when Republicans regain control is to put the question of whether New Jersey should have an elected, independent spending watchdog to the voters.
“It’s beginning to seem the best chance Governor Corzine has to implement sweeping ethics and fiscal reform is to deal with a Legislature controlled by Republicans because the leaders of his own party keep standing in his way,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “First they wanted to gut the pay-to-play law, instead of strengthening it. Now it appears the prospect of a strong independent financial auditor is too much for them to swallow.”
The governor confirmed yesterday that will consider creating an appointed comptroller because Democrat legislative leaders are opposed to forming a new elected state office. As a candidate for governor, Corzine said he supported an amendment to the state constitution to create an elected comptroller who would investigate state finances and corruption. But, according to published reports, Assembly and Senate Democrats have blocked the proposal.
The Associated Press reported that Senate President Richard J. Codey is among those who contend an elected comptroller position could evolve into a political post and be used as a stepping stone to higher office.
“That’s the whole point of electing a non-partisan comptroller,” DeCroce said. “An appointed comptroller would be a political appointee. The public could never be sure such a person would not be influenced by party bosses or pull punches when dealing with the same administration he or she has to thank for a job.”
DeCroce said a diligent comptroller who earns a reputation for cutting waste and fighting corruption could run for governor some day whether or not the person is elected or appointed. “And why not?” DeCroce asked. “The taxpayers want results. Anyone who earns their respect and confidence should consider higher office.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the school construction program became such a debacle and billions of tax dollars were squandered during the McGreevey administration because overseers did not want to embarrass the governor by exposing waste, fraud and abuse,” DeCroce asserted. “We can’t afford to turn a blind eye to the problem any longer.”
The idea of an independent, elected state comptroller/auditor was advanced two years ago in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for Property Tax Reform.
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June 13, 2006
BODINE-CHATZIDAKIS BILL CREATING EMERGENCY INSPECTION TEAMS TO BE ACTIVATED IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTER CLEARS ASSEMBLY
BILL WAS INTRODUCED FOLLOWING SEVERE BURLINGTONCOUNTY 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 General Assembly last week.
“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 last Thursday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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June 12, 2006
MERKT APPALLED BY DEMOCRAT EFFORTS TO WEAKEN PAY-TO-PLAY RULES
Assemblyman Richard Merkt called Assemblyman Joe Cryan’s plan to introduce legislation which permits government contractors to make political donations a step in the wrong direction.
“It took us forever to even get this far and now just as the pay-to-play law is beginning to have some impact, the Democrats are looking to make it easier for contractors to contribute,” said Merkt, R-Morris. “This goes to show that the Democrats’ efforts to enact ethics reform were insincere and meant only to temporarily silence their critics.
“The passage of this legislation would be a giant setback in the fight against corruption,” added Merkt. “The exploitive practice of pay-to-play is one of the major reasons the public’s trust in the integrity of government is at an all time low. Any law making it easier to engage in pay-to-play is a threat to true ethics reform.”
In a recent article in The Star-Ledger, Democrat State Committee Chairman Joe Cryan announced he is proposing legislation that would make it easier for government contractors to donate to political campaigns. Cryan’s bill would also permit regulated industries such as banks and insurance companies to contribute.
In stark contrast, Assemblyman Merkt, a leader in the movement against pay-to-play and wheeling, has sponsored legislation which bans pay-to-play at the local level.
“Sadly, with this announcement, the Democrats are sending a clear message that they are more than happy to allow corruption to flourish here in New Jersey,” said Merkt. “It appears the Democrats are more concerned with winning elections than working to eliminate government corruption. This news is merely the Democrats’ public acknowledgement that while they are in control pay-to-play is here to stay. A ban eliminating pay-to-play at all levels of government is needed now more than ever.”
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June 12, 2006
GREGG TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION GRANTING VETERANS FREE ADMISSION INTO HIGH POINT STATE PARK
Assemblyman Guy Gregg will be introducing legislation which permits veterans free entrance into High Point State Park any time of year.
“High Point State Park monument was built as a memorial to honor all war veterans,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “The monument is a lasting tribute to our veterans’ bravery and sacrifice. It is only right that all veterans have free access to it.”
The bill would allow all veterans free entrance into High Point State Park any time during the year and waives all fees for any veterans groups holding a veterans’ related event in the park.
The introduction of the Gregg measure stems from an incident between the Division of Parks and Forestry and the American Legion Post 213. Historically, the Division of Parks and Forestry granted people free passes to participate in the American Legion Post 213 Memorial Day celebration in High Point State Park. However, this year, administration officials had originally indicated they would no longer provide free entrance passes for the event, scheduled for June 25.
“Thankfully, after lengthy discussions with my office, the Division took the necessary steps to rectify this situation,” Gregg said. “However, to avoid any future conflicts, I have introduced legislation that would allow veterans to enter the park free of charge.
“High Point State Park is one of the few areas in New Jersey dedicated to those who have selflessly served our nation,” Gregg added. “Allowing veterans to enter the park without paying a fee is a small gesture of our appreciation.”
Gregg said it is an honor and a responsibility to take time to remember the soldiers who have so courageously served our country.
“The men and women of the armed forces risk their lives for our freedom,” Gregg said. “This sacrifice is truly a debt we can never repay. It is only fitting that we take every opportunity to remember and honor our nation’s heroes.”
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June 8, 2006
MERKT AND CORODEMUS CALL FOR ACTION ON PROPOSAL FOR ELECTED COMPTROLLER
CITE MISUSE OF FEDERAL MEDICAID DOLLARS BY DOE AS EXAMPLE OF THE NEED FOR INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT
Assemblymen Richard Merkt and Steve Corodemus today said the recent dispute over how the Department of Education spent $52 million in special education funding is just one more example of why the state needs an elected state comptroller – a proposal supported by Governor Corzine.
“I am serious about eliminating waste from this state budget and I believe the best way to accomplish that goal is with an independently elected state comptroller,” said Merkt, R-Morris. “My proposal to create an elected state comptroller would help to save taxpayer dollars by putting someone in charge of state finances who would be directly accountable to the electorate.”
Today’s New York Times reported on the on-going dispute over $52 million improperly billed to Medicaid for special education programs according to a federal audit. The audit accuses officials of doing too little to monitor how local school districts sought funds, and also says $1 million in transportation costs were billed but could not be verified.
Merkt is the sponsor of, ACR-162, which creates an elected comptroller to replace the State Auditor and the State Treasurer and carry out their duties with more independence. The comptroller would serve a four-year term and would be limited to two consecutive terms.
The Star-Ledger today reported that Governor Corzine is continuing to push for the new position, but that Senate President Richard Codey is opposed to the idea of an elected comptroller and that Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts would only say he is open to the idea, but needs more details.
“If Governor Corzine really wants to move this idea forward, he should support my proposal and try to win over the Democrat votes needed to put the measure over the top,” said Merkt.
Corodemus, co-sponsor of ACR-86 which would create an elected state auditor, said that an independent elected state comptroller or auditor would be a big help in the battle to control skyrocketing property tax bills.
“A key component of any proposal to reduce property taxes is that we must eliminate wasteful government spending,” said Corodemus, R-Monmouth. “I can think of no better way to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being wasted than to have an official, specifically charged with that duty, who is directly accountable to the taxpayers.”
Merkt and Corodemus have offered to work closely with Corzine and Roberts to win approval for the measure.
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June 8, 2006
GREGG APPLAUDS ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION NOT TO CHARGE ATTENDEES TO ENTER MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
Assemblyman Guy Gregg today applauded the decision by Jose Fernandez, Director of New Jersey’s Division of Parks and Forestry, a sub-division of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, not to charge American Legion members | 
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