Obama Administration Must Be Held Accountable

The 13th District legislators today went on the record taking the Obama administration to task over the Internal Revenue Service’s actions targeting conservative groups. It has come to light in recent weeks that IRS investigators were singling out Tea Party groups for intense scrutiny when those groups applied for tax exempt status. IRS officials learned of the actions last year but said nothing.

“The outrageous actions of the IRS warrant a thorough, immediate investigation,” Senator Joseph Kyrillos said. “The resignation of an acting director does nothing to address a form of political spying at the taxpayers’ expense that does not belong in American democracy. I urge the President, Congress and the media to reveal who was targeted, why they were targeted and who directed the targeting. It would be naive to think that these decisions were made by civilian employees. Government must be held wholly accountable when it fails the people.”

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Senators Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) and Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) urged Senate Democrat leaders on Thursday to reinstate vital Superstorm Sandy recovery legislation to Monday’s Community and Urban Affairs Committee agenda.

“It is appalling that Senate Democrats have decided to punish towns and residents devastated by the worst storm in our state’s history for personal, political motives,” said Singer. “Instead of choosing to work together to provide critical assistance to our residents and businesses, Senate Democrats have decided instead to hold them captive as political pawns.”

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Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) praised the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for awarding more than $10.3 million in Community Disaster Loans to local governments in the 13th Legislative District that have suffered losses due to Hurricane Sandy.

“It’s tough for municipalities devastated by natural disasters to maintain balanced budgets and prevent property tax increases when they have to deal with the increased costs of responding to the emergency at the same time that tax revenues have declined due to homes that are damaged and destroyed, displaced residents and reduced tourism,” said Kyrillos. “That’s why the loans awarded by FEMA to local governments in Monmouth County are an important financial tool that will help our towns to maintain critical services without increasing the property tax burden on residents who are still struggling to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy.”

Read the rest of Kyrillos Praises Award of More Than $10 Million in FEMA Loans to Sandy-Devastated Local Governments in 13th District (190 words)

During today’s Senate session, Democrats rejected a motion by Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) to provide a 10-percent income tax cut to New Jersey families and reinstate the Earned Income Tax Credit program, in accordance with Gov. Christie’s conditional veto of S2535.

“Democrats simply refuse to provide families a financial break and would rather funnel tax dollars toward their special politic interests,” Kyrillos said. “These Democrats who raised taxes and fees more than 115 times in their last run of total control of Trenton cannot be trusted with the people’s money. I will not give up this fight to make New Jersey more affordable for all residents. They deserve a tax cut yesterday.”

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) applauded Clean Communities grants announced today and urged towns and counties to use these funds as soon as possible.

“These integral funds will help clean up our local communities that are recovering and reopening for business and tourist season in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy,” Kyrillos said. “Towns should use them as soon as possible to keep our neighborhoods and streetss safe and clear.”

Municipalities in Senator Kyrillos’ District 13 received $436,683 in total grants, including Middletown getting $134,945; Marlboro getting $80,869 and Rumson getting $15,848. Additionally, Monmouth County received $110,017.

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Playground Part of Project by RAINE Foundation and NJFMBA to Honor Newtown Victims

Senator Joe Kyrillos will help dedicate a new playground at Firemen’s Park in Union Beach on Saturday, May 4 at 1 PM honoring the memory of Jack Pinto. Jack was just six-years old when his life was taken in the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

The playground, constructed by the RAINE Foundation and the NJ Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA), was built as part of the NJFMBA’s Sandy Ground 26, Where Angels Play Project which will create playgrounds honoring each of the victims of the mass shooting in Newtown.

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Says Sandy Hook Critical to Helping Local Economy Recover from Hurricane Sandy

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) praised the National Park Service for its work in restoring the Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, which allowed the park to reopen to the public yesterday in time for the critical summer tourist season.

“The more than two million people who come to Sandy Hook every year are the lifeblood of countless local businesses,” said Kyrillos. “The great restoration work performed by the National Park Service to reopen Sandy Hook will ensure that a Jersey Shore economy already battered by Hurricane Sandy will not suffer the further devastation of a lost summer tourist season.”

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Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) applauded the state’s announcement today that local school districts have been granted $433,669 in federal funds to help them recover from Superstorm Sandy.

“School communities did an excellent job keeping students safe and promptly returning to the classrooms after the state’s worst storm,” Kyrillos said. “Those in Keansburg, Monmouth Beach, Rumson, Fair Haven and Union Beach certainly deserve these grants to rebuild and prepare for future natural disasters.”

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Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) stated the following about his visit in Highlands today, as Gov. Christie announced the federal approval his plan to distribute $1.8 billion in Sandy recovery aid:

“Today’s news is a warm welcome for people in our region, who are still reeling from the state’s worst storm. Let’s back it up by immediately distributing this first installment of federal funds. Thanks to an absence of politics, New Jersey property owners, renters, low-income families and small businesses should benefit very soon from more than $1.8 billion in federal aid. Both the Gov. Christie and President Obama administrations should be applauded for their ongoing efforts to return federal dollars to New Jersey taxpayers when they need it most.”

Next Steps for New Jersey homeowners, renters and small business owners:

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The Senate Environment & Energy Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) to facilitate economic growth in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. Senator Kyrillos’ bipartisan S2680 allows for development on existing piers in certain urban municipalities.

“This act will help urban areas in the aftermath of Sandy by opening the door for development and job growth,” said Kyrillos, a member of the Senate Economic Growth Committee. “Existing piers have been built to survive the worst storms without health, safety or structural consequences, and this bill requires that any projects will be subject to all applicable ordinances, rules and regulations.”

Read the rest of Senate Panel Approves Kyrillos Bill to Spur Economic Growth in Sandy Aftermath (54 words)