New Jersey Senate Republicans

Deadline to file for Senior Tax Freeze and Homestead Rebates is Monday, Nov. 2

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:58:51 -0700

Senator Baroni’s District Office Will Open Early to Assist Residents with Applications

Senator Bill Baroni (R-14) wants to remind all residents that the filing deadline for both the Property Tax Reimbursement Program, also known as the Senior Tax Freeze, and the Homestead Rebate is this coming Monday, November 2nd. The Senator’s district office will open early at 8 AM on Monday to ensure help is available to those who need assistance completing their applications before the deadline.

“The people of New Jersey pay the highest property taxes in the nation,” said Baroni. “Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that homeowners not miss out on any opportunity for property tax relief. My office will be open early to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to file by the Monday deadline.”

Read the rest of Deadline to file for Senior Tax Freeze and Homestead Rebates is Monday, Nov. 2 (236 words)

Corzine’s Spokesman Says Governor Supports Indiana Toll Lease Plan

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:39:35 -0700

How Much Road Maintenance Would Be Cut, How High Would Tolls Be Raised?

Senator Sean T. Kean questioned whether Governor Corzine has a new plan to lease New Jersey toll roads to a foreign business. Just hours after the New York Times reported that Governor Jon Corzine discussed in an interview reviving his massively unpopular plan to sell the New Jersey Turnpike and raise tolls by 800%, a spokesman for Corzine quickly claimed that the Governor was actually referring to a toll road in Indiana. When discussing monetization, the Times quoted Corzine as saying, “This idea worked.”

“Governor Corzine’s comments to the New York Times seem pretty clear, I don’t see any mention of Indiana,” said Kean. “In either case, if the Governor has a new secret plan to lease the New Jersey Turnpike to a foreign operator, he should disclose the plan immediately.”

Read the rest of Corzine’s Spokesman Says Governor Supports Indiana Toll Lease Plan (255 words)

17-Count Indictment Handed Up in the Case of the Death of Tara O’Leary

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:28:26 -0700

The 12th District Legislators would like to announce the indictments of two caretakers in the case of Tara O’Leary, a developmentally disabled woman who was neglected so severely in a sponsor home that it lead to her death. Tara’s tragic death inspired the creation of “Tara’s Law” which seeks to protect the developmentally disabled living in sponsor homes.

“This is a validation of the work we have done to get to the bottom of what really happened to Tara,” said Senator Jennifer Beck. “Tara’s Law is the first step in working to increase the protections of our most vulnerable citizens, and as this court case continues, we will find out what other changes need to be made in the system. Tara’s death is an unspeakable tragedy, and we will continue to make sure it never happens again.”

Read the rest of 17-Count Indictment Handed Up in the Case of the Death of Tara O’Leary (272 words)

Tom Kean: Jon Corzine’s Unguarded Moment of Candor Shows He Will Raise Tolls Despite Denials

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:26:14 -0700

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean reacted today to published reports that Jon Corzine is revisiting plans to generate more money from the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway.

“Two years ago, many people in the state thought the governor’s irresponsible plan to monetize New Jersey’s toll roads was dead and buried; everybody but Governor Corzine. Published reports indicate that all along the governor has been planning to use the toll roads to generate more revenue for his reckless spending spree.

Read the rest of Tom Kean: Jon Corzine’s Unguarded Moment of Candor Shows He Will Raise Tolls Despite Denials (132 words)

Senate Republican Caucus Remains United in Opposition to Corzine 800% Toll Hike Scheme

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:25 -0700

Corzine Tells New York Times He May Revive ‘Monetization’ Plan

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement regarding a comment published in The New York Times that Governor Jon Corzine may revive his plan to lease the New Jersey Turnpike.

“As I said last year, 17 Republican Senators are opposed to this reckless plan to raise tolls on New Jersey commuters by 800 percent. This plan truly demonstrates just how out of touch Governor Corzine is with the needs of the struggling middle-class families of New Jersey. This stealth tax increase will make our state even more unaffordable for too many people.”

Karrow: Corzine’s Quiet Diversion of Sea Life Protection Funds Threatens $42 Mln Industry

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:48:23 -0700

Senator Marcia Karrow, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said the Corzine administration has quietly taken $850,356 from shellfish protection funds as the state’s budget crisis has worsened. The transfer of these dedicated funds was not authorized in the budget passed by the Legislature and threatens to shut down an industry that provides jobs well beyond the Jersey Shore, Karrow said.

“The diversions threaten to kill desperately needed jobs in the state’s $42 million shellfish harvesting industry during one of the worst recessions in history,” Karrow said. “This ill-conceived move was made by a governor who keeps trying to persuade the public that he job creation is his top priority.”

Read the rest of Karrow: Corzine’s Quiet Diversion of Sea Life Protection Funds Threatens $42 Mln Industry (1,199 words)

Cardinale: Corzine Opens Door to Corruption in Sale of Camden Prison

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:59:16 -0700

Senator Gerald Cardinale, a Republican on the State House Commission, said that Governor Corzine has opened the door to corruption with his plan to sell the Camden State Prison property under a no-bid contract. The State House Commission voted to approve an opaque process of the kind that has failed taxpayers repeatedly in the past with such projects as the disastrous EnCap development and the bungled Xanadu project. Only commission members Senator Cardinale and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon voted against the governor’s wrong-headed plan.

“The governor has opened the door to corruption by refusing to let the sale of the prison property be conducted by public auction,” Senator Cardinale said. “That he would even think that a no-bid contract is appropriate in this prison sale makes it clear he’s learned nothing from the conviction of so many political bosses and elected officials over the last eight years.”

Read the rest of Cardinale: Corzine Opens Door to Corruption in Sale of Camden Prison (384 words)

Cardinale: Corzine Must Protect Taxpayers’ Interests, Not Interests of Wealthy, Pro Sports Team Owners

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:22:37 -0700

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) issued the following statement regarding published reports that a deal brokered by Jon Corzine between the Prudential Center and the Izod Center is imminent. The deal would allow the New Jersey Nets to void their contract with the Izod Center to facilitate a move to the Prudential Center without incurring the negotiated $7.5 million penalty for vacating the lease early.

Read the rest of Cardinale: Corzine Must Protect Taxpayers’ Interests, Not Interests of Wealthy, Pro Sports Team Owners (176 words)

Ciesla, Wolfe & Holzapfel Present Tenth Annual “Excellence in Education Award”

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:34:05 -0700

Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School Teacher Nancy Corsaro Honored

Senator Andy Ciesla and Assemblymen Jim Holzapfel and Dave Wolfe (all R-10) presented the 10th annual “Excellence in Education Award” during a ceremony recently at the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School in Seaside Heights to art teacher Nancy Corsaro.

“Mrs. Corsaro stands as a symbol of excellence in teaching and is a model for those who teach or desire to make a difference in our children’s present and future, ” said Ciesla. “She brings her creativity, passion and knowledge to the classroom each day which resonates with the children and encourages learning. It is an honor to present the Tenth Annual Excellence in Education Award to such an outstanding educator.”

Read the rest of Ciesla, Wolfe & Holzapfel Present Tenth Annual “Excellence in Education Award” (247 words)

Kyrillos: Corzine Pleads Ignorance as Goldman Gets Taxpayer Money for Nothing, Interest Checks for Free

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:49:28 -0700

“New Jersey Pays Goldman Sachs for Swaps on Nonexistent Bonds” — Headline of a Bloomberg News Article Published on Oct. 23

Senator Joe Kyrillos reacted with fury and disgust to a Bloomberg News article that says the Corzine administration is paying Goldman Sachs almost $1 million a month because the state recklessly entered a risky financial agreement. The agreement, according to Bloomberg, performed so badly it provides no benefits for taxpayers and never will. Kyrillos demanded that Governor Corzine order an immediate, independent accounting of the more than $4.4 billion of similar transactions that the state and state authorities have entered over the last eight years.

According to Bloomberg, the state has already spent $11.4 million from the state’s nearly bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund to pay what amounts to double interest on a $345 million debt. In the end, the state may pay one of the biggest banks on Wall Street tens of millions of dollars more for doing absolutely nothing for New Jersey taxpayers besides taking their money.

Read the rest of Kyrillos: Corzine Pleads Ignorance as Goldman Gets Taxpayer Money for Nothing, Interest Checks for Free (1,687 words)

Senators Call on Corzine to Address Budget Deficits NOW

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:52:44 -0700

Four Republican senators held a news conference today to express their growing unease at the failure of Governor Jon Corzine to honestly address plunging tax collections. After refusing to update revenue figures for months, Corzine finally admitted on Monday that tax collections have missed projections by 3.1 percent so far this year. At that pace, the state will have a $1 billion revenue shortfall, adding to the $8 billion to $10 billion deficit projected for next year.

Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco speaking about the New Jersey budget deficit on Thursday, October 22, 2009. Also pictured (from left) are Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Steven Oroho.

Incredibly, the governor responded with only $205 million in accounting shifts and an order to his Cabinet to find just $200 million in possible spending reductions.

Read the rest of Senators Call on Corzine to Address Budget Deficits NOW (554 words)

Senator Sean Kean Introduces Resolution to Oppose Ban on Black Sea Bass Fishing

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:50:29 -0700

Legislator Contests Imposition of Emergency Ban on Recreational Anglers

Senator Sean Kean introduced a Senate resolution opposing the federal six-month ban on black sea bass fishing beyond three miles of shore. As of October 5, 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has imposed a ban on the recreational fishing sector harvest in response to a report release by the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey that suggested the 2009 federal quota for black sea bass would be surpassed.

“It is unfair to take such a drastic measure and restrict fishermen when other conflicting reports show that the quota for black sea bass will not be exceeded,” he said. “Local anglers should not be punished as a result of this flawed data.”

Read the rest of Senator Sean Kean Introduces Resolution to Oppose Ban on Black Sea Bass Fishing (208 words)

Bucco Legislation Protecting Children Signed into Law

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:49:57 -0700

New Law Bars Sex Offenders from Positions in Youth Organizations

State Senator Anthony R. Bucco is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 532, which bars certain sex offenders from positions in youth serving organizations, has been signed into law.

In the bill’s two-year history in both the Senate and the Assembly, it was voted favorably in all committees and in both Houses with no one being opposed to the bill on any level. Senator Bucco and Senator John A. Girgenti sponsored the bill together.

Read the rest of Bucco Legislation Protecting Children Signed into Law (132 words)

NJ Sports and Exposition Authority Must Not Release Nets from Lease

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:24:56 -0700

$8 Million Penalty for Breaking Long-Term Lease Should Stand

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) issued the following statement regarding a report published in the Star-Ledger indicating that the New Jersey Nets are considering a move to the Prudential Center in Newark. The team currently plays at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands. In order to move to Newark, the Nets would require the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to forgive an $8 million penalty for breaking its lease.

“It would be disturbing if Governor Corzine considers allowing the Nets to move from the Meadowlands to Newark without fulfilling its contractual obligation to the Izod Center. The Nets signed the contract with the Izod Center and should be held to the terms of that contract.

Read the rest of NJ Sports and Exposition Authority Must Not Release Nets from Lease (132 words)

O’Toole: Corzine’s Economic Policies Drive New Jersey Jobs Growth into the Cellar

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:38:49 -0700

Senator Kevin O’Toole issued the following statement regarding the release of the regional employment numbers:

“Governor Corzine’s assertion that New Jersey’s economy is better than our neighbors is patently false, disproven by the facts. Our state, once an economic powerhouse, is now a pale shadow of its former self due to the policies of Jon Corzine and his allies in Trenton.

Read the rest of O’Toole: Corzine’s Economic Policies Drive New Jersey Jobs Growth into the Cellar (124 words)

Baroni’s Citizen Service Act Signed into Law

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:42:28 -0700

Legislation Makes It Easier for Citizens to Perform Public Service

Legislation sponsored by Senator Bill Baroni (R-14) that would make it easier for concerned citizens to participate in their municipal government has been signed into law. The measure, S-1426/A-2784, is meant to help residents find out what positions are available on local authorities, boards and commissions, and to make it easy to apply for appointments to positions that are vacant.

“With numerous municipal authorities, boards and commissions to follow, it can be difficult for citizens to keep track of how their local government operates,” said Baroni. “With rising property taxes, we need more citizen involvement and this groundbreaking legislation – written in a bi-partisan fashion – will ensure that people have the ability to apply and participate when there are vacancies in their local government.”

Read the rest of Baroni’s Citizen Service Act Signed into Law (182 words)

Bateman Acknowledged as “Taxpayer Champion”

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:16:54 -0700

The New Jersey Taxpayers Alliance has announced that State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset) is a recognized “Taxpayer Champion” who has never failed to champion taxpayers in the fight to make the state more affordable and Trenton more accountable.

The Alliance, in its first rating of state legislators, gave Bateman a perfect score for voting in the interest of taxpayers on 10 critical bills.

Read the rest of Bateman Acknowledged as “Taxpayer Champion” (97 words)

Haines Legislation Bolstering New Jersey’s Ability to Cope with Disaster Signed into Law

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:39:29 -0700

New Jersey will be better prepared to respond to calamities including natural disasters, terrorist attack and other large-scale catastrophes now that a bill sponsored by Senator Phil Haines has become law.

Senate Bill 451 requires the Office of Emergency Management to maintain a directory of emergency supplies.

Read the rest of Haines Legislation Bolstering New Jersey’s Ability to Cope with Disaster Signed into Law (150 words)

Oroho: This Is Why Public Can’t Let Governor Corzine Hide the Numbers

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:53:55 -0700

$405 Million in Half Measures Doesn’t Solve $1 Billion Problem

Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, made the following comment on Governor Corzine’s announcement that he plans to address a potential deficit of more than $1 billion this year and more than $8 billion next year with $405 million in vague accounting changes and token spending cuts.

“In New York, Governor Paterson is pleading with Legislature to help him find $3 billion in savings to prepare the state for coming deficits,” Senator Oroho said. “In New Jersey, the press had to prod Governor Corzine repeatedly to even acknowledge the state has a problem.

Read the rest of Oroho: This Is Why Public Can’t Let Governor Corzine Hide the Numbers (128 words)

Bucco: Senate Budget Committee Must Reconvene Immediately to Confront Budget Crisis

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:43:42 -0700

Shortfall Could Reach $1 Billion This Budget Year

Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco today called on Senate Budget and Appropriations Chair Barbara Buono to reconvene the committee immediately to confront New Jersey’s declining revenue collections.

“It is imperative that the budget committees of both houses reconvene immediately in order to implement budget savings to cover this historic plunge in state revenues. At the current rate of decline, 3.1 percent, the shortfall this year could reach $1 billion.

Read the rest of Bucco: Senate Budget Committee Must Reconvene Immediately to Confront Budget Crisis (378 words)