February 26, 2007
WOLFE SAYS SCHOOL FUNDING FIGURES ARE TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE
“It’s a token increase. Governor Corzine has done nothing more than throw us a bone,” said Assemblyman David Wolfe in response to the release today of the administration’s state education aid figures for Fiscal Year 2008.
“He told us earlier this week he was going to increase school aid for non-Abbotts for the first time in five years, but after seeing the actual numbers, this isn’t anything to get excited about,” said Wolfe. “In fact, it’s quite obvious this is nothing more than an election-year gimmick. Believe me, it won’t take school districts and taxpayers long to see through the smoke and mirrors, especially when their property taxes go up again.”
The Corzine administration today released its proposed education aid figures that call for an overall increase of just over $300 million with $194 million earmarked for non-Abbott districts. As a result, most districts will receive a 3 percent increase in funding. Other districts will receive an additional increase based on a variety of factors accounted for by the Corzine administration.
Wolfe, however, noted that most districts will see little more than a token 3 percent hike in aid following five years of flat funding which cost most suburban school districts nearly $2.2 billion in state aid to education.
Towns in his legislative district, which includes parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties, will receive an increase of about $4 million or 3.2 percent over last year’s aid.
“It’s too little, too late. In relationship to all the funds we lost the past several years, it’s just a stop-gap,” said Wolfe. “What we desperately need is a new school funding formula now. I really don’t understand how the Governor developed a new state budget without a new funding formula. It’s key to providing real, sustainable property tax reform. Without it, property taxes will continue to rise despite the so-called 4 percent cap.”
Wolfe, who served as a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform during last year’s Special Session on Property Taxes, said the failure of the committee to develop a new school funding formula was a “colossal mistake. Serving on that committee and coming away without a new funding formula was extremely frustrating. As far as I’m concerned, we’re back to square one. Unfortunately it’s our students and taxpayers who will continue to suffer the most.”
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February 26, 2007
KEAN AND BECK SAY SCHOOL FUNDING FIGURES INADEQUATE TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR MOST DISTRICTS
WIDE DISPARITY IN AID NUMBERS DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR AN OVERHAUL OF SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck said that the school funding figures released today by the Corzine administration will provide too little relief too late for most school districts that have seen their school aid frozen for much of the last five years with most districts seeing little more than a token 3 percent bump in funding.
“Had school aid not been frozen for five years these numbers might have been helpful in relieving the burden on local schools and taxpayers,” said Kean, R-Monmouth. “But when districts have been forced to deal with enrollment growth and increased contractual obligations for five years with virtually no increase in aid, these slight increases cannot undo that damage.”
Most districts in the state will receive a 3 percent increase in funding, and some other districts will receive an additional increase based on a variety of factors accounted for by the Corzine administration.
Beck and Kean noted that a handful of towns in their legislative districts and others did benefit from receiving additional aid above the 3 percent statewide average, but that many of their largest towns like Wall, Ocean, Manalapan and Marlboro were held to the minimum 3 percent increases.
“This type of piecemeal approach to funding the education of our children does not represent a long-term solution,” said Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “Until we revise our school funding formula and restore equity and reliability to the school funding process, school districts and the property taxpayers who fund their budgets will continue to suffer.”
Kean and Beck said Governor Corzine deserves some credit for recognizing that schools simply could not go another year with no funding increase, but said his solution falls well short of the comprehensive school funding reform that is truly needed.
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February 26, 2007
KEAN-HANDLIN PRAISE BUDGET TRANSPARENCY, BUT URGE COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP ADDITIONAL REFORMS
ASK STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL ETHICS REFORM MEASURES STALLED SINCE LAST YEAR
Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin today supported a number of bills designed to bring greater transparency to the state budget process, but also urged the Assembly State Government Committee to take action on dozens of pending ethics reform bills that have been stalled since last year.
“These budget transparency bills will shed light on a budget process that has become a breeding ground for questionable political pork in recent years,” said Kean, R-Monmouth. “But there are other steps we can take that would help put an end to the conflicts of interests that have led to the ongoing federal investigation of the state budget process.”
Kean and Handlin are the sponsors of a number of ethics reform bills including legislation calling for the suspension and forfeiture of office for state and local officials and employees who have been indicted for certain offenses, a ban on dual office holding, and a number of campaign finance reform measures.
Additionally, Handlin moved an amendment in committee today to one of the budget transparency bills, A-4013, that would have required legislators, not just lobbyists, to disclose particular items in annual budget or supplemental appropriations acts for which they were responsible. The amendment was rejected by the Democrats on the committee.
“It is critical to hold lobbyists to a high standard of disclosure, and we should hold ourselves to the same standard,” said Handlin, R-Monmouth and Middlesex. “The only way to restore the public’s confidence in their Statehouse is to open every door and shine a light in every corner.”
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February 22, 2007
PENNACCHIO AND MERKT: CORZINE BUDGET ANOTHER REASON TO PASS INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM LEGISLATION
PROPOSED BUDGET CALLS FOR ANOTHER STATE SPENDING HIKE
Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Richard Merkt said today that Governor Jon Corzine’s proposed Fiscal Year 2008 budget which calls for more than $2.5 billion in additional state spending is yet another reason to place referendums regarding state fiscal issues on the November ballot.
“The Governor’s proposed budget is just more of the same irresponsible Democrat spend, tax and borrow game. Once again Trenton Democrats are eager to increase state spending, especially to Democrat-connected districts. New Jersey is not and should not be for sale,” said Pennacchio, R-Morris and Passaic. “I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it – it’s time to give the power back to the people.”
Merkt, R-Morris, said, “This budget is just another anti-taxpayer budget that ignores the need for spending cuts. Instead, it’s another Democrat spending spree that that relies on election-year fiscal gimmicks. It’s obvious the Democrats are incapable of facing the state’s budget problems. Government is supposed to be for and by the people. So let’s put the power back where it belongs.”
Merkt noted that under Democrat watch, state spending has increased by nearly $10 billion or 50 percent, state debt skyrocketed from $15 to $37 billion, $6 billion in new taxes have been added and property tax bills have increased 36 percent.
Last year, Pennacchio and Merkt introduced legislation, ACR-226, which proposed a constitutional amendment to provide for Statewide Initiative and Referendum for directing State fiscal restraint. The Democrat-dominated Legislature immediately discounted the legislation.
Both lawmakers said that regardless of today’s rhetoric in which the Governor attempted to paint a rather rosy picture of the state’s fiscal future, “we’ve learned from the past five years that the story will change come June.” They said that, based on the Democrat’s record of broken promises to restore fiscal integrity to the Garden State, they cannot be trusted. As a result, they are calling for their fellow lawmakers from both parties to support their proposed legislation.
“This isn’t the final product and taxpayers shouldn’t believe any of today’s rhetoric until they see what passes the Legislature in June,” cautioned Pennacchio. “The bottom line is that Trenton Democrats have failed New Jersey’s residents and it’s time they admit their mistakes and allow the people whose money they have consistently squandered to have a say as to how their hard-earned money is spent.”
“We’ve been down this road far too many times,” said Merkt. “While the Governor says this budget doesn’t contain any tax increases, this budget battle is far from over. We haven’t yet seen any details and we’re quite certain that when all is said and done, this budget will include a host of hidden tax and fee increases.
“It’s quite apparent that Democrats have a spending addiction,” he continued. “Just look at the state of this state. New Jersey is overtaxed, overregulated, buried by too much debt and overall, a fiscal disaster. That’s precisely why we need this Initiative and Referendum legislation.”
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February 22, 2007
O'TOOLE MAKES MOTION ON RESOLUTION CALLING FOR COOPERATION WITH U.S. ATTORNEY AND ETHICS REFORM
Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole today made a motion that the General Assembly pass a resolution agreeing to fully cooperate with the subpoenas served on legislative offices last week by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, and that the Assembly act immediately on a series of ethics reform proposals.
“If the events of the past two weeks, with federal agents serving subpoenas on legislative offices, haven’t been enough to scare this body into action on ethics reform, I don’t know what will,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen. “The people of New Jersey are tired of the corruption and the scandal and it is about time that we as legislators clean up this house.”
In addition to urging the Legislature to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation, the resolution would have called for consideration of a number of ethics reform bills included in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey that would:
- Impose a sweeping ban on dual office-holding;
- Stop pension boosting and tacking by public officials;
- Suspend indicted public officials without pay;
- Require jail time for convicted public officials;
- Require full pension forfeiture for convicted public officials;
- Empower the public by reforming the ethics complaint process, and turn control of the Legislature’s ethics committee over to private citizens;
- Revise the Legislative Code of Ethics, including provisions to prevent the future abuse of grant funds.
O’Toole’s motion was tabled by the Democrats on a largely party-line vote.
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February 22, 2007
DeCROCE SAYS CORZINE BUDGET FAILS TAXPAYERS
Republican Leader Warns Property Taxes Will Continue to Rise
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement today following Governor Jon Corzine’s budget address:
“The governor claims this is a ‘property tax relief budget.’ I have always believed that if something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. This budget is no exception. It fails to address the concerns of New Jersey families and senior citizens. It does nothing to make New Jersey an affordable place to live for middle class families. If the Democrats are going to try to convince people that, with this budget, they have delivered on their promise to provide significant and lasting property tax relief, I think the vast majority of taxpayers will strongly disagree with that assessment. They are going to look at their property tax bills this fall and see that their property taxes are still going up. They will see the fiscal policies of this administration and the Democrats in control of the budget process over the past five years for what they are – an unmitigated failure.
“I was disappointed that the governor failed to endorse an end to all pork in the budget. We need more than transparency. We need to staple the beast’s stomach. We intend to remind the taxpayers how nearly $2 billion that could have been used by the Democrats for property tax relief over the past five years was instead used to reward themselves, their family, their relatives, their friends and their pet special interests.
“It is embarrassing enough that New Jersey remains one of the few states in the nation to have a $2 billion structural deficit after four and a half years of national economic expansion. It’s humiliating to suggest we now have no other alternative but to have a fire sale and put state assets on the auction block.
“We do have an alternative, and it’s to cut excessive spending and government waste. We don’t have to engage huge spending sprees along the lines proposed by the governor in his address. We have demonstrated time and again that $2 billion or more could be saved on a recurring basis if the Democrats forget about pork and focus on waste.”
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February 22, 2007
MALONE: BUDGET FAILS TO ADDRESS MAJOR CONCERNS FACING NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS
PLAN DOESN’T CONTROL SPENDING, PROVIDES LITTLE TAX RELIEF
Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today issued the following statement in response to today’s budget introduction speech by Governor Jon Corzine:
“While the Governor’s presentation made this budget seem benign, it has failed to address the terminal illness affecting this state’s fiscal health. The budget fails to address the addiction to spending that has driven up taxes for five years and made this state unaffordable for middle class families. Instead this budget increases spending by nearly 8 percent from $30.8 billion to $33.3 billion. This is nearly a 10 percent spending increase in six years. That explosive growth in spending is simply unacceptable and cannot be maintained in future years.
“This budget also fails to adequately address the property tax crisis in this state. The minimal relief that suburban taxpayers will get through the Democrat tax credit plan will not offset five years and 36 percent in property tax increases. The failure of the administration to restore the school funding that has been lost as a result of the school aid freeze of the last five years will continue to drive up property taxes nearly negating any relief taxpayers will receive.
“We have four months to work on this budget proposal. Unfortunately, given the recent history of the budget process I fear that this budget will get worse by the time it is adopted in June – not better.”
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February 22, 2007
MALONE, O’TOOLE AND KARROW CALL FOR ASSEMBLY ACTION ON BUDGET TRANSPARENCY PROPOSALS
LAWMAKERS INTRODUCING LEGISLATION EMBRACING AND EXPANDING ON CODEY TRANSPARENCY PROPOSALS
Assembly Republican Budget Committee members Joseph Malone, Kevin O’Toole and Assemblywoman Marcia Karrow today introduced legislation in the General Assembly that will incorporate and expand on the proposals for budget transparency offered by Senate President Richard Codey, while also going a step further and proposing a constitutional amendment requiring a 7-day review period before the enactment of the state budget.
“The most effective way to stop legislators from placing pork into the budget may be to force them do so in the light of day rather than under the cloak of darkness,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen. “If we enact these transparency measures, the entire public will be aware that specific legislators are seeking to place pork in the budget, and those legislators can then be held accountable for their actions.”
Federal investigators have issued a number of subpoenas in recent weeks to legislative offices in Trenton and this follows a subpoena served on the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) that was the subject of a recent court hearing. According to the media this investigation centers on the use of funds from a number of state grant programs.
Last year more than $400 million of pork was put into the budget at the last minute by lawmakers and that budget was passed well after midnight. Due to the government shutdown, Governor Corzine signed the budget just hours later that afternoon.
“Not only would greater transparency serve as a huge disincentive for lawmakers looking to place pork in the budget, it would also make it easier for the governor to eliminate this waste,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “I am proposing that a budget be constitutionally required to sit on lawmakers’ desks for seven days prior to enactment. This will give lawmakers, the governor and the public plenty of time to identify pork and to take steps to remove it from the budget.”
O’Toole, Malone and Karrow introduced legislation to incorporate and expand on the budget transparency proposals made by Senate President Codey, including:
- Requiring that legislators’ names be attached to any line items they are requesting to be placed in the budget;
- Requiring public disclosure of budget revisions by mandating that all legislators and officials seeking modifications to the Governor’s proposed budget submit a written request to the budget committees at least 10 to 14 days before the committee is scheduled to take action;
- Requiring lobbyists to include information in their ELEC reports about the budget modifications they are seeking on behalf of their clients;
“The state budget is not a personal checking account for the legislators’ and lobbyists’ friends, family and clients,” said Karrow, R-Hunterdon and Warren. “The time has come to restore accountability and responsibility to the state budget process and these bills will help to accomplish those goals.”
They also introduced legislation calling for a constitutional amendment requiring the seven-day layover for state budgets before the Legislature acts. Malone noted that between FY1993 and FY2002, under Republican control, seven days passed between introduction and final legislative action on the state budget in all but two years.
“We know that Senate President Codey supports these proposals and it appears that Governor Corzine does as well,” said O’Toole. “Now we need to know where Speaker Roberts stands.”
“Speaker Roberts should step forward and agree to these changes,” Malone said. “Right now it appears there is a consensus that we expand transparency in the budget process and the time to move forward with these proposals is now so that they can be in place before this June.”
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February 21, 2007
MALONE AND O’TOOLE ASK GOVERNOR NOT TO SPEND ANY REMAINING PORK OR GRANT DOLLARS
MAKE REQUEST AT BUDGET BRIEFING IN LIGHT OF FEDS PROBE
In light of the ongoing federal investigation into legislative pork, Assembly Republican Budget Committee members Joseph Malone and Kevin O’Toole today made a direct plea to Governor Corzine and Treasurer Bradley Abelow that the administration not expend any money remaining in a number of grant programs nor any unspent pork dollars placed in last year’s budget at the last minute by lawmakers.
“While this dark cloud is hanging over these grant programs it would certainly seem imprudent to continue spending these funds,” said Malone, R-Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth and Mercer. “We have been trying to get the administration to cut back on spending since last year and there probably is no better place to start than pork funds currently being examined in a pending federal investigation.”
Federal investigators have issued a number of subpoenas in recent weeks to legislative offices in Trenton and this follows a subpoena served on the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) that was the subject of a recent court hearing. According to the media this investigation centers on the use of funds from a number of state grant programs.
“Trenton right now is swept up in a whirlwind of rumor an innuendo regarding this investigation and until we have some answers, these funds should be frozen,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Passaic and Bergen. “These dollars were nothing more than wasteful pork when put into the budget, and worse yet, it now appears that they may be at the center of a criminal controversy.”
Malone and O’Toole made their request of Corzine at a budget briefing this afternoon held at the Governor’s mansion. They followed that meeting with a formal written request which is attached.
February 21, 2007
Honorable Jon Corzine
Governor, State of New Jersey
State House
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Dear Governor Corzine:
This is to follow-up on our request that you halt certain politicized spending included in the current year’s budget. This spending has been criticized from the outset and it is no more worthy today than it was last July.
The Fiscal Year 2007 budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars of what is more commonly known as pork or Christmas tree items. While this description might not appropriately describe each and every item, it does represent spending that is unnecessary in light of the state’s current fiscal situation and the priority that has been placed on providing property tax relief. By freezing this spending, more dollars will be available for balancing the budget and lowering taxes.
In addition, stopping this money from being spent will send a clear message that the Legislature and the Administration are not for sale; a belief held by many in light of the current investigations that are underway.
We look forward to working with you on constructing a budget for Fiscal Year 2008 and hope that this will be the first of many instances in which we share the common goals of restoring both the state’s fiscal health and the people’s trust in government.
Sincerely,
Joseph R. Malone, Assemblyman, District 30
Kevin O’Toole, Assemblyman, District 40
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February 21, 2007
GREGG PRAISES APPROVAL OF SUSSEX COUNTY REGIONAL GROWTH PLAN BY STATE PLANNING BOARD
SHOWS SUSSEX COUNTY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
Assemblyman Guy Gregg today praised the decision by the New Jersey State Planning Commission to approve the Sussex County Regional Growth Plan – a proposal that Gregg said demonstrates the county is moving forward in the right direction even as proponents of the Highlands plan are struggling to finalize that proposal.
“The county and local officials in Sussex County put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into this proposal and I am glad the commission decided to move forward,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “This is an excellent example of how local officials working closely with local residents are better able to manage development issues than bureaucrats in Trenton.”
Gregg said that Sussex officials had created a plan that will preserve the rural character of the county while effectively managing development pressure. Under this proposal future development would be concentrated in designated areas in order to reduce sprawl and protect surrounding areas.
“Today was a victory because we were able to convince commission members to move ahead now with this plan rather than waiting for a final proposal from the Highlands Council,” Gregg said. “This plan protects the natural resources and beauty of our region while allowing for controlled and beneficial economic development. This is exactly the type of balance that can best be achieved through a cooperative, thoughtful process – as opposed to a process driven by mandates from Trenton.”
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February 21, 2007
DeCROCE CALLS ON CODEY TO RELEASE ALL DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PORK HE APPROVED AS GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said today if Richard J. Codey is sincere when he says the process of awarding grants to favored legislators for pet projects should be “transparent,” then he should publicly release all documents relating to the hundreds of millions of dollars in pork he sanctioned as Governor and Senate President immediately.
“Codey says he wants to remove the negative stigma from pork,” said DeCroce, referring to a story in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. In it, Codey is quoted as saying he supports an “open dialogue on these things.”
“We said, ‘Let’s make it transparent, put it out in the open,’” Codey said in the news story.
“I couldn’t agree more,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “Let’s put it out in the open – all of it – and let’s do it now. Before Codey wraps himself with the robe of ‘reformer,’ let’s see what his role has been.”
Although the state faces a budget deficit that could be as high as $2 billion, DeCroce said he is stunned that Codey wants to defend political pork instead of advocating its abolition.
“In the five years that he has served as either Senate President or Governor, Democrats have diverted between one billion and two billion dollars from the state budget to enrich themselves, their friends, their relatives and the special interests,” DeCroce said. “They call it pork. I believe most taxpayers would consider it theft. Is there any wonder why the FBI is in the building?”
DeCroce said Codey’s accusation that Republicans are “hypocritical” for criticizing the Democrat “pig roast” over the past five years smacks of desperation.
Codey, in a 2001 press release, called “Christmas Tree” pork projects “ill-advised” because they squander tax dollars that could be used for “debt relief, tuition grants...and health care coverage for uninsured families.”
“So why did he as Senate President and Acting Governor tolerate the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars on pork projects and bogus ‘grants’ to legislators in Democratic legislative districts?” DeCroce asked. “If it was bad then, why isn’t it bad now? Will the real Dick Codey please stand up?”
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February 20, 2007
DeCROCE CALLS ON GOVERNOR CORZINE TO LINE UP DEMOCRAT SUPPORT FOR ETHICS REFORM PUSH AT THURSDAY’S ASSEMBLY SESSION
TAX RELIEF MUST BEGIN WITH THE ELIMINATION OF THE CORRUPTION TAX
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today sent a letter to Governor Jon Corzine urging him to line up the ten Democrat votes needed to pass a number of ethics reforms bills contained in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey – a reform agenda that Republicans will seek to move forward at the General Assembly voting session this Thursday.
“Governor Corzine deserves credit for agreeing with Republicans that the Legislature must fully cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation including turning over all subpoenaed documents,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “Now is his opportunity to use his leverage as Governor to line up votes among Democrat lawmakers for the types of reforms that will stop these scandals in the future.”
DeCroce’s request of the Governor comes on the heels of news that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has served subpoenas on members of the Legislature in connection with a continuing investigation into political corruption. DeCroce noted that the abuse of government resources creates a corruption tax that ends up taking more money out of the pockets of New Jersey residents.
Yesterday DeCroce announced that Assembly Republicans will be pushing for their ethics reform program as well as offering a resolution calling on all members of the General Assembly to comply fully with every request for information made by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie.
“As a result of this scandal, all eyes are on the Legislature right now and by passing comprehensive ethics reform we can send a message to the public that we are as appalled as they are by these allegations of corruption,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “I am hoping to have strong bipartisan support for this effort and I believe the Governor can help us to achieve that goal.”
In addition to urging the Legislature to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation, Republicans will push for a floor vote on bills included in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey that would:
- Impose a sweeping ban on dual office-holding;
- Stop pension boosting and tacking by public officials;
- Suspend indicted public officials without pay;
- Require jail time for convicted public officials;
- Require full pension forfeiture for convicted public officials;
- Empower the public by reforming the ethics complaint process, and
- Turn control of the Legislature’s ethics committee over to private citizens.
- Revisions to the Legislative Code of Ethics, including provisions to prevent the future abuse of grant funds.
DeCroce said Assembly Republicans have tried repeatedly to get the Assembly to act on these initiatives only to see their efforts thwarted by Democrats.
“I hope the events of the past several days will finally convince our Democrat colleagues that the ethics reform issue must be taken seriously,” he said. “All we need are ten Democrats to join us to prove to the public that we can clean up our own house.”
A copy of DeCroce’s letter to Corzine is below:
Dear Governor Corzine:
I am sure that you are as troubled as I am by the news that the U.S. Attorney has subpoenaed legislative records as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation into the activities of the Legislature.
Since taking office you have repeatedly stated your desire to put an end to the corruption that has plagued both state and local government here in New Jersey. I was pleased that two weeks ago you joined with my Republican colleagues and I in urging the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) to comply with a federal subpoena it had received as part of the U.S. Attorney’s investigation.
It is the opinion of the members of the Assembly Republican caucus that the Legislature must fully and expeditiously comply with the subpoenas that were served by the U.S. Attorney last Friday. It is also our belief that the time has come for the Legislature to take definitive action to put an end to these perpetual corruption scandals.
On Thursday, February 22, the 31 members of my Assembly Republican caucus intend to push for a resolution calling on all members of the Legislature to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation. We also will be asking the Assembly to vote for taking action on a package of comprehensive ethics reform bills that could prevent similar scandals in the future.
These measures include revising the code of ethics, stopping pension boosting and tacking by public officials, suspending indicted public officials without pay, requiring full pension forfeiture for convicted public officials, and turning control of the Legislature’s ethics committee over to private citizens.
These important reform measures were proposed by my caucus last year as part of an 11-point reform program that we called the Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey.
If we had the support of just ten Democrats, we could win approval in the General Assembly for both the resolution calling for cooperation with this federal investigation and for our reform program.
This is where we need your help. You have demonstrated in recent weeks that you support full cooperation with the U.S. Attorney. You also have made clear to the public your stated commitment to reform. I am asking that you speak with members of your own party in the General Assembly, and that you encourage them to support our efforts.
The public is sick and tired of the corruption that has seemingly become common-place in state government. Now is our chance to take action with bipartisan cooperation to enact meaningful reforms, and to convince the public that we mean business when it comes to stamping out corruption.
I appreciate your help in this matter. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Alex DeCroce
Assembly Republican Leader
26th Legislative District
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February 19, 2007
DeCROCE SAYS GOP WILL PUSH ETHICS REFORM AT THURSDAY’S ASSEMBLY SESSION
Says Republicans Will Also Offer Resolution Pledging Full Cooperation with Federal Political Corruption Probe
Now that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has served subpoenas on members of the Legislature in connection with a continuing investigation into political corruption, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said Republicans will seek, once again, to force the Assembly to consider a comprehensive ethics reform package when it reconvenes on Thursday.
DeCroce said Assembly Republicans will also offer a resolution calling on all members of the General Assembly to comply fully with every request for information made by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie.
“I can not recall a time when every legislative leader in the Assembly and Senate has been simultaneously served with federal subpoenas,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “This is no time for business as usual. Why are Assembly Democrats wasting time on bills regulating hairstyling and shopping carts? Democrats control the Assembly agenda. They should use this opportunity to send a strong message that they are serious about ethics reform and fighting corruption, which takes money away from needed property tax relief.”
DeCroce said he will ask Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, D-Camden, to consider the resolution promising full cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s investigation on an emergency basis and hopes it will receive strong bipartisan support.
In addition, Republicans will push for a floor vote on bills included in the Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey that would:
- Impose a sweeping ban on dual office-holding;
- Stop pension boosting and tacking by public officials;
- Suspend indicted public officials without pay;
- Require jail time for convicted public officials;
- Require full pension forfeiture for convicted public officials;
- Empower the public by reforming the ethics complaint process, and
- Turn control of the Legislature’s ethics committee over to private citizens.
DeCroce said Assembly Republicans have tried repeatedly to get the Assembly to act on these initiatives only to see their efforts thwarted by Democrats.
“I hope the extraordinary events of the past week will finally convince them that ethics reform must be taken seriously,” he said. “All we need is a handful of Democrats to join us to prove to the public that we can clean up our house.”
DeCroce said the federal subpoenas should put to rest claims by some Democrats that the U.S. Attorney’s investigation is narrowly or “singularly” focused.
“The fact that all four legislative leaders have been subpoenaed and the U.S. Attorney is requesting voluminous information from all four partisan offices should finally put that myth to rest,” DeCroce said.
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February 15, 2007
GREGG “RETT SYNDROME” LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR CORZINE
Assemblyman Guy Gregg said today he is extremely pleased that Governor Jon Corzine recently signed bipartisan legislation he sponsored designating the third Tuesday in October of each year as “Rett Syndrome Awareness Day” in an effort to enhance public recognition of the neurological disorder.
“I’m pleased to see true bipartisan cooperation on this legislation which means so much to the families of those who suffer with Rett Syndrome,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. “These family members daily bear the physical, financial and emotional burdens of caring for their loved ones who suffer from the ravages of this disorder. This legislation is intended to recognize them for their sacrifices and selflessness and to make the health care community and the public aware of the impact of this devastating and cruel disorder.”
George and Dorothy Wortche of Wantage, NJ, attended the signing of the legislation,
AJR-104, along with their daughter Christine Losee, 14, who suffers from RS and attends the Clifton E. Lawrence School in Wantage.
“My wife and I would like to sincerely thank Assemblyman Gregg for his efforts on behalf of our daughter Christine and all those afflicted with RS,” said George Wortche. “We believe this legislation is an important step forward in making both healthcare professionals and the public more aware of this disorder which has such an enormous impact on the families of those caring for a loved one with RS. While there is no cure yet, education is a vital step forward.”
Rett Syndrome is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder which becomes apparent from six to 18 months of age and is characterized by physical handicaps, delays in intellectual development, impaired expressive language that causes loss of functional hand use, abnormal hand movements, epileptic seizures and curvature of the spine. It occurs almost exclusively in females and is often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy or developmental delay. Many health care professionals are not familiar with the disorder for which there is no cure.
# # # # #
February 15, 2007
DeCROCE STATEMENT ON DEMOCRAT FILING OF RULE 6 APPLICATION WITH REGARD TO OLS SUBPOENA
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today issued the following statement in response to a press release by Senate President Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts on their decision to file a “Rule 6” application with the federal courts seeking disclosure of information related to the subpoena now being fought by counsel retained by OLS:
“Once again action has been taken on behalf of the Legislative Services Commission without a meeting of the commission. I would note that this is how we ended up in the our current predicament. The decision by the presiding officers to file this application, appears to be without merit under the rules. Disclosure of grand jury information under Rule 6 appears limited to government personnel assisting in the enforcement of federal law.
“Regardless, this action misses the point. It is the belief of the Republicans on the commission that OLS should comply with the subpoena from the U.S. Attorney. Had OLS complied with the subpoena, there would be no need for this court battle, and therefore no need for any Rule 6 application. The Legislature should not be hindering a criminal investigation. We are not seeking disclosure of grand jury information, we are seeking compliance with federal law enforcement officials. Furthermore, we are attempting to resolve how and when a decision was made by OLS to hire outside counsel without any input from members of the commission.
“These are the important issues that an emergency meeting of the Legislative Services Commission could address without meddling in the grand jury process. As yet the Democrats have refused to schedule that meeting and until they do, these questions cannot be vetted.”
# # # # #
February 15, 2007
DOHERTY SAYS CORZINE’S QUESTIONABLE GLOBAL WARMING EXECUTIVE ORDER CIRCUMVENTS LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
Assemblyman Michael Doherty today expressed outrage at Governor Corzine’s signing of Executive Order 54 which is designed to circumvent the legislative process and implement a number of state policies seeking to address the questionable issue of global warming.
“It’s bad enough that we have a state court system that legislates from the bench. Now our Governor is acting unilaterally on an issue which has yet to be definitively proven,” said Doherty. “If anything, this is an issue that should be discussed and debated within the Legislature, not a mandate forced upon us by the stroke of the Governor’s pen.”
Corzine recently signed an Executive Order directing the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a statewide plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon, sees the moves of the Governor following a U.N. agenda that will make New Jersey even less competitive in the global economy.
“The message is clear, it is going to be more expensive to live in New Jersey, and more difficult to do business here. Washington has been reluctant to enact Kyoto because it does not do anything to generate jobs or enhance the marketability of our products abroad,” Doherty added.
# # # # #
February 14, 2007
DeCROCE STATEMENT REGARDING U.S. DISTRICT COURT HEARING ON FEDERAL SUBPOENA
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement this afternoon:
“I have been informed by legal counsel that the entire proceeding before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Cooper is under seal and cannot be discussed by any parties. In fact, I have not even been informed as to what transpired. All 31 Assembly Republicans stand by their belief that the documents sought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Office of Legislative Services should be turned over immediately. The Senate President, Assembly Speaker and the Office of Legislative Services should never have allowed this matter to go to court. They should have freely cooperated with the U.S. Attorney, and I hope their actions have not impeded or had an adverse impact on the federal investigation.”
# # # # #
February 14, 2007
REPUBLICANS CALL FOR IMMEDIATE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES COMMISSION
NEED JUST ONE DEMOCRAT TO JOIN REPUBLICANS TO PROVIDE QUORUM NECESSARY TO CONVENE MEETING
The eight Republican members of the Legislative Services Commission today sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, chairman of the Legislative Services Commission, and to all the Democrat members of the commission requesting an immediate emergency session be convened to discuss the Office of Legislative Services refusal to comply with a federal subpoena.
The subpoena issued by United States attorney Christopher Christie seeks, according to published reports, information surrounding the distribution of financial awards in the fiscal year 2006 and 2007 budgets. The letter is attached.
“As a member of the Legislative Services Commission I am disappointed that the Office of Legislative Services failed to comply with a federal subpoena without first consulting the commission,” Lance stated.
“If just one Democrat member of this commission will do the right thing and agree to join us in calling for a meeting, we will have the necessary quorum,” DeCroce said. “We need to find out how the decision was made for OLS to hire an attorney to fight this subpoena, and we need to take a vote urging OLS to comply with the subpoena immediately.”
The Legislative Services Commission currently consists of 15 members eight Republicans and seven Democrats, there is one Democrat vacancy. In order to convene an emergency hearing a written notice of at least nine members of the Commission is required.
# # # # #
February 14, 2007
Honorable Joseph Roberts
Speaker
New Jersey General Assembly
Assembly Chambers
State House
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Dear Speaker Roberts:
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:11-56, we are seeking to call an emergency meeting of the Legislative Services Commission for Thursday, February 15th, or as soon as possible thereafter. N.J.S.A. 52:11-56 allows a meeting to be called upon the written request of nine members of the commission.
The agenda of the meeting will be as follows:
1) Receive an explanation from Legislative Counsel as to why outside counsel has been retained to suppress a criminal subpoena issued by the United States Attorney and the position being taken by outside counsel.
2) Consider a motion directing Legislative Counsel to fully cooperate with requests for document requests submitted by the United States Attorney in conjunction with any criminal investigation.
We have reached a watershed moment in New Jersey. The Legislature as an institution can either stand in support of criminal investigations focused on one or more legislators who may have abused their office, or it can stand in the way.
Your signature will indicate your support of a public meeting of the Legislative Services Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:11-56 to address these crucial issues. Please sign and return at your earliest possible convenience.
The undersigned call for a meeting of the Legislative Services Commission on Thursday, February 15, 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter.
February 14, 2007
DeCROCE: ALL 31 ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS AGREE THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD TURN OVER ALL DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY THE U.S. ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY
In a letter faxed to U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie this morning, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said all 31 members of the Assembly Republican caucus oppose the decision made by the Office of Legislative Services and ruling Democrats to refuse to comply with a federal subpoena seeking documents pertinent to a reportedly wide-ranging political corruption probe.
“After checking with every member of my caucus, I want the U.S. Attorney to know Assembly Republicans are united in the belief that the decision by the Office of Legislative Services to retain special counsel and challenge the federal subpoena in court is a colossal mistake,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “It was done without our knowledge or support.
“It is important for Chris Christie and the public at large to know that when Edward Dauber, the special counsel retained by the Office of Legislative Services, appears before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Cooper to fight the subpoena he is not speaking on behalf of the entire Legislature by a long shot. He is certainly not speaking for my members.”
DeCroce asked Mark D. Sheridan, a counsel for the Assembly Republicans, to convey the sentiments of the caucus in a letter to the U.S. Attorney.
“All thirty-one Republican members of the State Assembly have indicated their desire that you be afforded any and all documents relevant to your inquiry,” the letter stated.
“To the extent that inquiry involves communications by Republican members of the State Assembly to the Office of Legislative Services regarding individual line-items in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 State budgets, they have authorized me to inquire as to what steps they can take to assist your efforts and ensure that you are provided with all of the documents you seek. To that end, please advise as to how the members of Republican Caucus may assist you in obtaining the documents sought pursuant to the subpoena.”
DeCroce said he takes great exception to the implication left by the decision to hire Dauber that the whole Legislature, as an institution, opposes providing any of the documents requested by the U.S. Attorney.
“Quite the contrary,” DeCroce noted. “The U.S. Attorney has the unqualified support of the entire Assembly Republican caucus.
“To me, it makes no difference if this investigation centers on one legislator or dozens. If the Office of Legislature Services is in possession of documents that demonstrate a legislator has abused his or her office for financial gain, they should be submitted to the U.S. Attorney’s Office immediately.”
# # # # #
Honorable Christopher J. Christie
United States Attorney
United States Attorney - Newark Division
Room 700
970 Broad Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Re: Subpoena Office Of Legislative Services
Dear United States Attorney Christie:
I write on behalf of the members of the Republican Caucus of the New Jersey State Assembly with respect to the subpoena issued by your office to the Office of Legislative Services. While neither myself nor any member of the Republican Caucus has been served with or seen the subpoena in question, it has been widely reported that it seeks a broad range of documents from the Office of Legislative Services relating to individual line-item appropriations in the FY 2005, FY 2006 and FY 2007 Appropriation Acts. Among the documents reportedly requested by the subpoena are emails, correspondence, memoranda and facsimiles exchanged between members of the State Legislature and the Office of Legislative Services. It is the understanding of the members of the Republican Caucus that the Office of Legislative Services has refused to produce such materials on the grounds that they are protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege.
Assuming for the moment that the attorney-client privilege is even arguably applicable to communications between individual legislators and the Office of Legislative Services, the right to assert attorney-client privilege lies with the individual member seeking the advice of counsel. To date, no member of the Republican caucus has been asked whether they wish to assert attorney-client privilege as to their communications -- assuming any such communications even exist -- regarding individual line-items in the 2005, 2006 or 2007 State budgets. Furthermore, no member of the Republican Caucus has authorized Mr. Dauber to represent their interests with respect to the subpoena. Accordingly, the Republican members have requested that I act on their behalf and address the issue with you.
All thirty-one Republican members of the State Assembly have indicated their desire that you be afforded any and all documents relevant to your inquiry. To the extent that inquiry involves communications by Republican members of the State Assembly to the Office of Legislative Services regarding individual line-items in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 State budgets, they have authorized me to inquire as to what steps they can take to assist your efforts and ensure that you are provided with all of the documents you seek. To that end, please advise as to how the members of Republican Caucus may assist you in obtaining the documents sought pursuant to the subpoena.
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark D. Sheridan
February 14, 2007
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
N.J.'s pork barrel It will be quite the court scene: on one side, formidable prosecutors from the U.S. district attorney's office and on the other, lawyers representing the state's Office of Legislative Services (OLS)... All of this is happening, as New Jersey taxpayers know all to well, at a time when property, sales and income taxes are choking residents while the Legislature cries poor. How in the world could lawmakers approve such projects as assistance to local private youth clubs or municipal park improvements at a time when a one-cent sales tax was enacted to help dig out the state from its systemic financial mess? That, fortunately, is what Mr. Christie would like to know, too... Assembly Republicans, the minority in the Legislature, have called for the release of all the records requested by federal investigators. Further, they have called on the Legislative Services Commission to call an emergency public meeting to investigate the matter. As the minority, they may be whistling in the wind, but there just may be enough majority Democrats who are fed up with the annual added pork to shed light on a practice that both the Republicans and the Democrats have abused over the years.
- A look inside, Editorial The Times of Trenton
February 14, 2007
New Jersey's citizens should be all for ripping the lid off any government communications that lead to the acquisition and distribution of public funds especially any communications that reveal any deals between legislators and recipients of state funds. It is not their money, not their office, not their government. It is ours. And if they (Wayne Bryant or anyone else) are misusing it or abusing it, we have a right to know, and to punish anyone guilty of selling our government for their own profit.
- Exit doesn't end Bryant pollution,
Editorial of the
Gloucester County Times
February 14, 2007
After seven months, countless weeks of testimony and endless promises, the state Legislature has approved a bill that would give homeowners what they had four years ago: a not insignificant sum of money that feels less like tax reform than bribery... New Jersey actually went backward. Besides failing to reform the manner in which schools are funded, it actually failed even to reform the funding formula to provide greater help and more equity... It is an intolerable situation. The governor once promised if the Legislature was unable to achieve reform he would call for a constitutional convention. Legislators have failed. Corzine ought to call them on their charade and demand the convention. We, and our children, deserve that much. - A tax-reform charade, Editorial Home News Tribune
February 12, 2007
Largely lost amid the smoke — and mirrors — of the property tax relief fiasco in Trenton was the decision this week to put off revising the school funding formula. It isn't easy keeping up with the myriad ways Gov. Corzine and state lawmakers have managed to gut property tax reforms. One of their worst failures, however, was deferring action on the gross spending inequities in New Jersey's public schools... It's disgraceful how few of the property tax reforms recommended by four legislative committees last fall have been enacted. There is no greater disgrace than the failure of Corzine and the Legislature to rectify the unfair manner in which state aid is funded and dispensed.
- School aid fix deferred again, Editorial Asbury Park Press February 10, 2007
# # # # #
February 13, 2007
McHOSE: RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST DEEMS NEW JERSEY ECONOMY "AT RISK"
STATE’S JOB GROWTH CONTINUES TO FALL SHORT OF PREDICTIONS
Responding to a warning by a respected Rutgers University economist that the State’s economy is “at risk,” Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose today called on Governor Jon Corzine and the Democrat majority in the legislature to address the high-tax and anti-business climate that has created the problem.
The statement, made by economist Joseph Seneca, was reported in the Record of Hackensack on Sunday in an article that cited a study released by him and his fellow Rutgers economist James Hughes. Published a few months ago the report indicated that New Jersey was losing, and would continue to lose, high paid jobs to lower-taxed states. In January, that prediction was found to be accurate when new employment figures showed that New Jersey generated barely anemic job growth, falling short even of the mediocre expectations predicted for 2006.
“The job picture is actually considerably worse than the numbers appear,” said McHose, R-Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon. “New Jersey gained a mere 21,000 jobs in 2006 and the Rutgers report showed that, minus public-sector job growth, our state actually lost 7,900 jobs over the last five years in the private sector.”
McHose, however, did welcome a recent announcement by the Treasury Department that the Governor would allow an unpopular tax on small business owners to expire in June but said she hoped this act would be just the first in a series of moves aimed at convincing the business community that New Jersey is serious about encouraging its continued presence and leadership in the State.
Meanwhile, Hughes was quoted in the Record as saying that “corporate America is directing growth largely outside of New Jersey.”
“New Jersey simply can’t afford to lose a single additional business to another state,” McHose said. “Without adequate private sector employers, the State will be without the financial resources it needs to meet its outstanding obligations.” Her comments follow a recent report that the State has underestimated the cost of health care obligations it will incur for retired state employees, up to $78 billion or $8,000 for every resident of New Jersey.
“Clearly, the Democrat policies of targeting tax hikes at the business community, their failure to enact real tax reform, combined with our highest-in-the-nation property taxes, are making New Jersey both an unattractive location to do business and an unaffordable place for employers and employees alike to call home,” McHose said.
“These tax and spend policies of the past five years are chasing away businesses, destroying our economic base, and ultimately hurting the middle class families who rely on these jobs. Governor Corzine should explain how – or if – he intends to change course.”
# # # # #
February 13, 2007
GREGG: ANY DECISION TO APPOINT AN ATTORNEY TO FIGHT SUBPOENA NEEDED APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES COMMISSION
COMMISSION MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED
Assemblyman Guy Gregg today said that any decision by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) to hire outside counsel to fight a subpoena from U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie should have, by rule, been approved by the bipartisan membership of the Legislative Services Commission.
“The rules governing such decisions by OLS seem pretty clear, and you would think that on an issue this important they would have wanted to at least consult with members of both parties,” said Gregg, R-Sussex, Morris, and Hunterdon. “This is the type of decision for which a bipartisan vote is needed in order to eliminate the appearance that this action is being taken to protect one side of the aisle or the other.”
The Star-Ledger reported on Sunday that OLS retained independent legal counsel to fight a federal subpoena seeking internal memos, e-mails and other records that the Legislators generated in connection with questions about whether elected officials steered money to nonprofit organizations or institutions that would have benefited themselves, their spouse, friends or immediate family, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.
Gregg said that it appears under N.J.S.A. 52:11-56 “no matter requiring action by the full commission shall be taken except by the affirmative vote of not less than nine members.”
“Certainly a decision to hire counsel to go into court and oppose a subpoena for documents being sought in a criminal investigation is the type of decision that would require a vote,” Gregg said. “Whoever is responsible for this decision needs to reconsider and stop the stonewalling. The minority party is prepared to do exactly that as well as supporting full disclosure to the U.S. Attorney.”
# # # # #
February 13, 2007
BECK SAYS DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP SHOULD TURN OVER DOCUMENTS TO U.S. ATTORNEY
LEGISLATORS SHOULD NOT BE HINDERING CRIMINAL PROBE
Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck today said it is troubling that the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS), which is governed by the Legislature, is refusing to comply with a subpoena from U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie seeking access to documents related to a federal criminal probe. The investigation allegedly centers on the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars on political “pork” projects that may have been illegally directed to Legislators businesses, spouses, family and friends.
Beck urged OLS and Democratic Legislative leadership to turn over the requested documents to the U.S. Attorney immediately.
“The U.S. Attorney is conducting a criminal grand jury investigation into grants appropriated to a Legislator’s business interest and that investigation may extend beyond that; the Democrat leadership must do whatever is necessary to get Chris Christie the subpoenaed information,” said Beck, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “Let’s weed out the corruption that has plagued this State. Why would any member of the Legislature stand in the way of a federal corruption probe?”
The Star-Ledger reported on Sunday that the Office of Legislative Service (OLS) retained independent legal counsel to fight a federal subpoena seeking internal memos, e-mails and other records that the Legislators generated with regard to so-called “Christmas tree” budget items.
It appears the U.S. Attorney’s office needs the documents in connection with an inquiry into potential legislative conflicts, and specifically whether some elected officials steered money to nonprofit organizations or institutions that would have benefited themselves, their spouse, friends or immediate family, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.
“Democrat leadership has talked about ethics reform and now they are standing in the way of the U.S. Attorney General’s grand jury subpoena. Sometimes actions speak louder than words,” Beck said. “The Legislature should be cooperating in that mission – not hindering it.”
# # # # #
February 13, 2007
DeCROCE ASKS FOR EMERGENCY COMMISSION MEETING TO DISCUSS U.S. ATTORNEY’S SUBPOENA
Republican Leader Says Meeting Should be Open to the Public
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today formally requested an emergency meeting of the Legislative Services Commission on Thursday to find out why the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services decided to challenge a subpoena from U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie seeking access to documents related to the authorization and expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars on political “pork” projects by the Legislature.
The request was contained in a letter to Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, D-Camden, and Senate President Richard J. Codey, D-Essex, who chair the commission that oversees the Office of Legislative Services.
DeCroce also wants to know why Republicans were not alerted or consulted in advance of the decision not to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney.
“Even for a state that is infamous for widespread misconduct by public officials, this has got to be a new low,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “The U.S. Attorney is trying to combat political corruption. The Legislature should be cooperating with this effort, not going to court to block it.”
A hearing is scheduled Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Mary Cooper in Trenton over whether he Legislature can be forced to turn over records it considers confidential.
“Regardless of what happens in court, an emergency meeting of the Legislative Services Commission is appropriate because many questions demand answers,” DeCroce asserted.
DeCroce said Republicans want to know:
- Who approved the hiring of an outside counsel?
- Who directed the Office of Legislative Services not to respond to the U.S. Attorney’s request?
- Which legislative members were briefed on the U.S. Attorney’s investigation?
- Why were Assembly Republicans not informed of the probe?
- Have any other outside counsels been hired to represent legislative offices or officers?
# # # # #
February 13, 2007
Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.
Chairman, Legislative Services Commission
State House, P.O. Box 098
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Dear Assembly Speaker Roberts:
I am calling on you, as the Chairman of the Legislative Services Commission, to convene an emergency meeting of the Commission for this Thursday, February 15, 2007, in order for the members to receive information from the Commission staff pertaining to the ongoing political corruption investigation of certain members of the New Jersey Legislature by the U.S. Attorney. It is unfortunate that Commission members were not briefed prior to learning through newspaper articles that independent legal counsel has been hired to fight a federal subpoena seeking documents connected to the U.S. Attorney’s investigation.
I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.
Sincerely,
Alex DeCroce
Assembly Republican Leader
cc. Senate President Richard J. Codey
Members, Legislative Services Commission
Albert Porroni, Executive Directory, Office of Legislative Services
#####
February 12, 2007
DeCROCE, BIONDI AND O’TOOLE CALL ON DEMOCRATS, OLS TO TURN OVER DOCUMENTS TO U.S. ATTORNEY NOW
Republican Leaders Insist ‘Not a Dime of Taxpayer Dollars’ Should be Wasted Defending Political Pork
Reacting to revelations by The Star-Ledger of Newark, three high ranking Republicans in the Assembly today called on Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and Senate President Richard J. Codey to order an immediate end to legal efforts designed to block the U.S. Attorney’s Office unfettered access to legislative documents it needs to pursue its investigation into political corruption.
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, Assembly Republican Conference Leader Peter J. Biondi and Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole called it “incomprehensible” that the Legislature and the Office of Legislative Services would rather challenge the U.S. Attorney’s ability to obtain documents related to the authorization and expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars on political “pork” projects than cooperate freely with the wide-ranging federal probe.
“Why would Democrats who control both houses of the Legislature even consider standing in the way of the U.S. Attorney?” asked DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “If legislators have made deals to enrich themselves, relatives or friends at the taxpayers’ expensive, we should be welcoming the U.S. Attorney with open arms and cooperating freely and gladly with his investigation.
“When political corruption is so rampant in New Jersey, with over a hundred public officials convicted in just five years, the mere thought that Democrat leaders and the Office of Legislative Services believe it is more important to shield legislators who have may have abused their official position for financial gain is staggering, reprehensible and just plain wrong.”
The Star-Ledger reported on Sunday that the Legislature has retained independent legal counsel to fight a federal subpoena seeking internal memos, e-mails and other records that the Legislature generates each year when putting together the annual budget, particularly those involving so-called “Christmas tree” items that are funded by way of a secret process to send millions of dollars to legislative districts controlled by the ruling party. The office of U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie needs the documents in connection with an inquiry into potential legislative conflicts, and specifically whether some elected officials steered money to nonprofit organizations or institutions that would have benefited themselves, friends or family, according to four sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.
According to The Star-Ledger report, Newark attorney Edward Dauber has been hired to represent the Legislature in to contest the federal subpoena. Dauber is a former assistant U.S. attorney and has served as the executive assistant state attorney general. He is charging the Legislature $275 an hour, which goes up to $300 an hour for court time.
Both sides are expected to square off Wednesday at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Mary Cooper in Trenton over whether he Legislature can be forced to turn over records it considers confidential.
“There’s been a lot of talk about ethics reform and open government in the Legislature and bringing ‘transparency’ to the budget process,” noted Biondi, R-Somerset and Morris.
“Hiring high-paid attorneys to block U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s probe into the potential misuse of the taxpayers’ money is contrary to everything Roberts and Codey have been saying and everything Republicans have been fighting for. Now we know why every point of our Assembly Republican Blueprint for a Corrupt-Free New Jersey – the toughest ethics reform package ever put forth by either party – has never seen the light of day.
“We now know why Democrat legislative leaders are more intent on covering up potential criminal wrongdoing than exposing it and putting tougher laws into effect to punish those convicted of it,” Biondi said.
“The Democrats must end their obstructionism,” said O’Toole, R-Essex, Bergen and Passaic, a ranking member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “They should throw open the doors of the State House and personally escort U.S. Attorney Chris Christie and his staff to the files. Nothing should be held back. This is an investigation into the potential abuse of the people’s money, and the Office of Legislative Services and Democrat legislative leaders should not stand in the way. The practice of inserting pork into the budget in the middle of the night by the party in power must stop immediately.
“If legislators want funds for special projects in their districts, the money should be placed in the budget at the beginning of the process not at the end and it should be clearly identified and able to withstand public scrutiny.”
DeCroce said he will call for an emergency public meeting of the Legislative Services Commission, the bipartisan body which oversees the operations of the Office of Legislative Services, on Thursday morning to get the answers to the following questions:
- Who approved the hiring of an outside counsel?
- Who directed the Office of Legislative Services not to respond to the U.S. Attorney’s request?
- Which legislative members were briefed on the U.S. Attorney’s investigation?
- Why were Assembly Republicans not informed of the probe?
- Have any other outside counsels been hired to represent legislative offices or officers?
DeCroce, Biondi and O’Toole have been pressuring the Democrats to stop wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on unnecessary and expendable pork projects that only benefit a handful of legislative districts and special interests and use the money for property tax relief. They said last year’s decision by the Democrats to raise the state sales tax by a penny and then use nearly half the money it raised on political pork is a “disgrace” and an “insult to taxpayers.”
# # # # #
February 9, 2007
DOHERTY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO LIFT INDOOR SMOKING BAN FOR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
WOULD LIFT BAN FOR VFW AND AMERICAN LEGION POSTS
Assemblyman Michael Doherty introduced legislation Thursday that would exempt certain social and fraternal organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) from the state’s indoor smoking ban when those halls are being operated by members and used by members and their guests.
“The men and women who belong to these organizations have put their lives on the line to defend this country and they should be able to make their own choices with regard to the smoking issue,” said Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon. “When these halls are being used by members and their guests, there is no reason that they should not be permitted to allow smoking if they so choose.”
Doherty’s legislation specifically amends the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act to state that smoking is to be permitted in any place or building operated by a social or fraternal organization when used by members of the organization and their guests or families, in which all of the duties with respect to the operation of the facility are performed by members of the organization who do not receive compensation for that work.
He introduced the legislation after members of a local American Legion post expressed their concerns that the legislation was interfering with their rights to smoke in these private fraternal organization halls.
“It is one thing to enact a smoking ban designed to protect members of the public from second-hand smoke in public locations,” said Doherty. “It seems to cross a line when we begin telling private organizations who operate their own facilities what they can and can’t do within those facilities with regard to the smoking issue.”
Doherty said he hopes the bill will be heard in committee soon so that this situation can be addressed.
# # # # #
February 8, 2007
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED?
‘I think when they get the check, they’ll be happy and say that we delivered.’
- Senate President Richard J. Codey
SOME OPPOSING OPINIONS:
Some weeks ago, Corzine the big talker said: “The public isn’t stupid. They’ve been promised relief mo |
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