Kyrillos: The High Cost of Corzine’s Neglect of Economic Development

New Jersey Unemployment Surges to 9.2%

Senator Joseph Kyrillos, senior Republican on the Senate Economic Growth Committee, said today’s report that New Jersey’s unemployment rate surged to 9.2 percent in June shows the state is paying a terrible price for Trenton’s inexcusable neglect of economic development over the last eight years. In addition to having the highest unemployment rate in the region, Kyrillos noted that New Jersey led the nation in new jobless claims during the week of June 27.

“Increasingly grim reports show the painful consequences of eight years of leaders who have deliberately turned their backs on the businesses that create jobs,” Kyrillos said. “New Jersey’s unemployment rate continues to be far higher than any neighboring state’s because Trenton enacted policy after policy that discouraged private sector job creation.”

Unemployment was well above 10 percent in numerous New Jersey cities during the first quarter including Atlantic City (14%), Trenton (18%), and Newark (13%), Kyrillos noted with sadness.

“Residents of our urban areas pay the highest price in suffering for the governor’s neglect of economic development,” Kyrillos said. “This Legislature should be in session today debating economic development measures that will start to bring jobs to our state’s cities.

“Governor Corzine should start the session by calling for the repeal of excessive business taxes and apologizing for the state’s clumsy mismanagement of economic development efforts during his administration,” Senator Kyrillos said.

RGA Launches New Television Ad

The Republican Governors Association launched a new television advertisement today explaining why Jon Corzine is attacking Chris Christie. The ad also highlights that despite his 2005 campaign promises to the contrary, Corzine has raised taxes by billions of dollars. Unemployment is also up 73 percent since he became governor.



“New Jersey can’t trust Jon Corzine. He promised to cut taxes and bring jobs to New Jersey, but he’s done exactly the opposite,” said RGA communications director Mike Schrimpf. “Now, Corzine knows he can’t defend his own record, so he’s falsely attacking Chris Christie. You need to watch what Corzine does, not what he says.”

The facts:

* During the 2005 campaign, Corzine said “I believe in cutting property taxes” and “not higher taxes.”

* Jon Corzine raised taxes by nearly $1.9 billion in his very first budget and recently signed a state budget that hikes taxes by nearly another $1 billion.

* When Corzine took office unemployment was at 4.8 percent. By March 2009, unemployment had climbed to 8.3 percent.

* The Tax Foundation found that New Jersey has the worst business climate in the nation.

Lonegan Wins "Shut Up And Sit Down" Award

By Dan Gallic

Back when I was blogging on a regular basis for a number of conservative blogs I wrote a weekly feature titled, “Sit down and shut up!”. This article was dedicated to the person or organization that was creating trouble for the sole purpose of garnering attention for themselves.


I am duty-bound, by reason of my participation in today's civil society and a proud member of the Republican party, to write another “Sit down and shut up!” column dedicated to Steve Lonegan's ridiculous letter and press release issued yesterday which asked for, … well no, actually demanding the passage of a resolution at the Republican State Committee.


Now, I will be the first one to say that the Republican State Committee, along with it's leadership, has lacked any formal reason and was more a rubber stamp for the establishment's idiotic moves than anything else in the past, but the recent State Committee has a number of new energetic new members, even a couple who worship Steve Lonegan, that might make the organization one of substance.


At their first meeting two committee members, the one's who worship Steve, offered a resolution that tied the NJGOP platform to the national one. Well, according to the rules governing most meetings, a meeting is convened, it's called into action, business is done and in the midst of business being done a member of the group may call for a motion and if the motion is seconded it is debated and voted upon.

Well, that's where the story gets stupid. NJGOP's attorney decided that motion was invalid due to some silliness and squashed the motion. OK.. OK... I can here the Lonegan people screaming at me from here. The attorney was Mark Sheridan, yes, the same Mark Sheridan the argued for the Estabrook/Unanue/Zimmer candidacy was valid in last year's US Senate primary. Guess what people, the guy was paid to argue hypocrisy and he prevailed. Now he's being asked to argue silliness and he is arguing silliness, as he is paid to do.

These events happened nearly a month ago. At the same meeting the new chair of the New Jersey Republicans was installed, the Christy-chosen conservative extraordinaire Assemblyman Jay Webber. Shouldn't the Lonegan lovers be happy? Or at least content for five minutes? Lonegan's answer was a resounding “NO!”.

Yesterday's Lonegan letter, condemning the NJGOP for not acting on this motion and condemning Mark Sheridan for not following Roberts Rules of Order, was a selfish act perpetrated by the loser in the New Jersey Republican primary. It reinforced one thing, Lonegan is a loser.

There is NOTHING to gain, but attention for one's self, by making this issue a grandiose flutter of useless motion. Such actions are usually saved for important causes or issues that move the ball forward for a particular candidate. This is not the case here.

All Steve did was throw down a gauntlet to the state committee demanding this impotent resolution be passed. The state committee now has two ways to act, they either pass it and bend to a loser's demands or reject it, either by not bringing it up or voting it down, and thus Steve has an issue in which to attack them. Although attacking an organization that the general public has no idea exists is a strange way to lobby for passage of a motion.

Steve's letter is not about principled action or righteous indignation on the part of conservatives. It is about Steve Lonegan, and his ill-advising advisor Rick Shaftan, requiring attention at a time when the attention should be given to the positive message that Chris Christie is delivering in stark contrast to tax-raising, big government, debt-incurring Jon “I never say a liberal spending idea I didn't like” Corzine.

If Steve Lonegan was truly interested in becoming a great part of the Republican party he would be standing next to the NJGOP and throw darts at Jonny-boy Corzine on Christie's behalf. Instead he offers more of the same and for that reason Steve Lonegan is honored to be this week's “Sit down and shut up!” honoree.

Quinnipiac: Christie Up By 12% Head To Head With Corzine, 9% With Daggett Considered

Obama Approval At 60 Percent Among Likely Voters

A Quinnipiac Poll released this morning shows GOP gubernatorial nominee leading Jon Corzine 53 - 41 among likely voters in the New Jersey Governor's race. In a three way race with independent candidate Christopher Daggett, Christe leads 47-38, with 8 for Daggett.

In the two-way face-off, Corzine leads 76 - 19 percent among Democratic likely voters, while Christie leads 89 - 7 percent among Republicans and 64 - 28 percent among independent voters. This is a jump from Christie's 56 - 32 percent lead among independent voters June 10.


In a three-way race, Daggett gets 13 percent of independent voters, with 54 percent for Christie and 24 percent for Corzine.

In other news, the Asbury Park Press is quoting a "high ranking state Democratic official" as confirming that The Apprentice, Randal Pickett, will be Corzine's running mate. An official announcement will coincide with President Obama's visit to Holmdel for a rally to support Corzine on Thursday.

Why Principle Matters

By Steve Lonegan

Since the Primary Election, loyal Republicans have been baffled by the behavior of the GOP establishment in New Jersey. First, operatives in the campaign of our nominee for Governor, Chris Christie, monkeyed around with the social issues page on his website, gaining the attention of the media before resolving what they caused.

Then, at the meeting of the Republican State Committee – the men and women elected from each county to formulate and advance the party’s principles – the party leadership blocked a move to formally adopt the platform of the national Republican Party, as well as blocking a resolution condemning Governor Corzine’s tax hikes. At least one major newspaper, the Star-Ledger, linked the leadership’s refusal to adopt our Party’s platform to the fact it contains Pro-Life and Pro-Traditional Marriage planks.

The impact of not adopting the platform – a set of principles to guide the party and its elected officials – would soon manifest itself. Just days later, Tom Keen Jr., the Republican leader in the New Jersey State Senate, led a small group of Republicans in voting with liberal Democrats in support of the life-time confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin to the state’s highest court.

Albin has been the state’s most liberal activist judge, authoring the radical Lewis vs. Harris decision in support of civil unions—a decision that drastically alters the meaning of marriage and changes the course of our culture without voter input. Albin is the architect of the left wing social engineering scheme known as COAH and the failed Abbott education funding mandates that have given New Jersey the highest property taxes in America. The action of these Republicans was a slap in the face to their own nominee for Governor, who has promised to appoint “conservative judges who will uphold the Constitution”.

That same day, Senate Republican Leader Kean and his allies would rise alongside Jon Corzine to support another liberal scheme – the bonding of $400 million for “open space”. No one opposes open space, but at a time when the state’s debt has reached crushing levels more debt simply isn’t rational. Lacking any platform, Republicans like Senator Kean have left themselves increasingly vulnerable to emotional, feel-good appeals.

Meanwhile, over at the Assembly, Republican Leader Alex DeCroce lobbied to pass a destructive COAH bill. This legislation gives central planners in Trenton the power to override local mayors and councils and planning boards, forcing them to convert projects approved as “over-aged-55 housing” to open housing as long as there is a 20% low income housing component. This bill shifts power to Trenton bureaucrats and developers’ lobbyists. Republicans should be united behind defending home rule, but instead, without a guiding set of principles, they are lost.

But just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, along comes the vote on the largest tax increase in America’s history -- Barack Obama’s “Cap & Trade” scheme.

Only ten days after the failure of the New Jersey Republican State Committee to adopt the platform of the Republican Party, this tragic bill passed the House of Representatives by a narrow 219 to 212, with eight Republicans joining 211 Democrats. Our state had the dubious distinction of seeing three of those prosperity destroying votes cast by New Jersey Republican Congressmen Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo, and Chris Smith. No other state in America saw so many Republicans vote with President Obama and the Democrats. In New Jersey, three of our five Republican congressmen did.

To make matters worse, the Atlantic County Republican Committee sent out a release attacki ng those Republicans in Congress who stood up for taxpayers and came close to stopping President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, and their destructive legislation. But it should come as no surprise that in a state where Republican leaders refuse to adopt Republican principles there is no semblance of principled leadership.

The question that haunts many of us is, “Why?”

To understand how we got here, we need to look at who controls the levers of power within the GOP establishment in New Jersey. For the most part, it’s not the elected officials. In New Jersey, most elected officials are part-timers. You must look behind the Republican “leader” – to the permanent bureaucracy who runs our legislative caucuses.

The players in this bureaucracy slide through a revolving door that takes them from legislative staffer, to lobbyist, to holder of government contracts or appointments, and then back in time to secure a fat taxpayer-funded pension. These are the hollow men who are there when a freshmen legislator arrives in Trenton – and remain twenty years after he’s gone.

Only our party – the Republican Party – can bring change to Trenton. The Democrats cannot bring the fiscal responsibility New Jersey needs. They are captive of their own base vote – of public employee unions and those dependent on government. They dare not risk their contract with these constituencies.

Republicans have a base vote who wants fiscal change. It is the hollow men who reject it, and they do so for the simple reason that it is in their financial interests to maintain the status quo. At the back of every seemingly inexplicable betrayal by a GOP “leader” sits a close personal advisor with his own personal reasons. And in a state GOP without principles – that fails to adopt its own party platform – this kind of venal corruption is rampant.

That’s why it is so important for the New Jersey Republican State Committee to take a principled stand, adopt the party platform, and then use those principles when the hollow men come round with their personal agendas.

Letters from State Committee officials Rob Eichmann and Donna Ward:

LETTER 1

Hon. Jay Webber,
Chairman
New Jersey Republican State Committee
150 W State St # 230
Trenton, NJ 08608-1105

By Certified Mail and Electronic Mail

Dear Chairman Webber:

First, please allow us to offer our sincere congratulations on your election, by the Republican State Committee, as its new Chairman. We hope that the Committee is open to all points of view in the Republican family, and that it conducts itself as a model of open administration and transparency.

The meeting that was held on Wednesday, June 17th, was our first as elected members of the State Committee, but we came away from it with some concerns. At this meeting, there were a number of motions made from the floor and acted upon by the Committee. These motions involved nominations for officers and adopting the minutes from the last meeting (September 11, 2008).

After the nominations were made and officers selected, one of us – State Committeeman Rob Eichmann – made a motion from the floor to have the New Jersey Republican State Committee adopt the platform of the Republican National Committee (RNC). We had read that the New Jersey GOP was one of just two State Committees that hadn’t got around to doing so and we wanted to provide our State Committee with the opportunity to correct this oversight.

The State Committee’s legal counsel was called to the podium and he stated that the outgoing State Committee had already done this. He is misinformed. A review of the minutes suggests that the past Committee never even discussed, much less voted on, any similar motion.

When the legal counsel was asked if he was sure of what he had just said, he indicated that he was not, but then changed tactics and said it didn’t matter because the Committee needed fifteen (15) days notice for the motion.

When asked to cite a source for this ruling, he claimed that it is stated in the by-laws of the New Jersey Republican State Committee. A review of those by-laws suggests that this is also not true.

After this exchange, another of us – State Committeewoman Donna Ward – made a motion to pass a resolution condemning Democrat Governor Jon Corzine’s budget, its confiscatory tax hikes, and woefully inadequate spending cuts. Once again, the legal counsel claimed that this motion needed fifteen (15) days notice according to the by-laws.

It appears to us and to other members of the Republican Party that the legal counsel deliberately misled those in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting of the New Jersey Republican State Committee. Just as important is the question, “Why?”

We understand from individuals conversant with the ways of State Committee – including a former GOP State Chairman – that the legal counsel involved, a Mr. Mark Sheridan, is a kind of failsafe for the GOP establishment. We understand why such a person would hold a position like that, but we don’t understand why that person – or the establishment he works for – would oppose a resolution embracing the platform of the national Republican Party.

Failing to adopt this resolution is tantamount to saying that the New Jersey GOP really isn’t Republican at all. That it is just borrowing the name for convenience – while passively rejecting the values and policies of the Republican Party. If that is the case, maybe someone should just have the honesty to tell us so. If not, then the State Committee should waste no time in adopting this resolution.

Adding to our concern is the failure of the State Committee to adopt the second resolution, condemning the Corzine budget and tax increases. Is this a controversial issue within the New Jersey GOP? Don’t we oppose the fiscal policies of Governor Corzine? We think the State Committee should quickly clear-up the confusion caused at last Wednesday’s meeting by passing said resolution.

Accordingly, we think it would be prudent of you to call a new meeting of the New Jersey Republican State Committee within the next two weeks to adopt the two resolutions proposed at last Wednesday’s meeting. The mixed messages and confusion that came out of that meeting will only serve to undermine the efforts of our Party and its nominees.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Hard Copy Signed By:

Donna Ward and Rob Eichmann
Elected Republican State Committee Members


CC: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
RNC Platform Committeeman Keith Davis
RNC Platform Committeewoman Alison Littell McHose

LETTER 2

Hon. Jay Webber,
Chairman
New Jersey Republican State Committee
150 W State St # 230
Trenton, NJ 08608-1105

By Certified Mail and Electronic Mail

June 29, 2009

Dear Chairman Webber:

We appreciate your acknowledgement of our June 22nd letter. Like many Republicans in New Jersey we were excited that for the first time in many years there was an individual (you) who could articulate Republican principles to the citizens of New Jersey, and would do so.

We are, however, extremely disappointed that you have permitted an employee of State Committee, the legal counsel, to correspond with us rather than providing your own thoughts on the issue. You are the chairman and with all due respect, you should be taking the lead on this issue.

We will grant you that that is your choice to make. We will not, however, sit idly by while our party continues to operate in a state of impotence. In the three pages it took to respond to our letter, your counsel never got around to addressing our simple request for a meeting to allow the state committee to vote on the two issues that were summarily dismissed by him at the June 17th meeting. These are: (1) a motion to have the New Jersey Republican State Committee support the platform of the Republican National Committee (RNC); and (2) a motion condemning Democrat Governor Jon Corzine’s budget and its confiscatory tax hikes.

As Republicans, we are flabbergasted that we do not support the RNC platform. As Republicans, we are befuddled as to why we would not condemn Jon Corzine’s budget, tax hikes, and woefully inadequate spending cuts.

We welcome your leadership to deliver us from a party of irrelevance to a party that can win elections, and return our state to one of prosperity. That prosperity we long for must start with articulating certain principles.

Both of us made motions on June 17th to address these principles, and were summarily dismissed as if we were the enemy. In his letter to us, your counsel admitted that the by-laws do not relate to the specific language he cited in dismissing our motions on June 17th – namely, that a motion requires 15 days advance notice. Adopting an activist interpretation of the by-laws, your counsel admitted that he was applying the written rules covering the section that reads “Amendments” to motions from the floor. When the lawyers get involved it would appear that it is a case of avoiding making a difficult decision because someone wants something else to be the case.

We have several questions following the response we received from the committee counsel.

First and foremost, where in the by-laws does it state that a motion needs 15 days advance notice? In an effort to make this easy on our counsel, we are not talking about amending the Party constitution or by-laws, just a simple motion, you know, like condemning Jon Corzine’s budget, or supporting the RNC platform. (Hint, last paragraph of Article VIII (Which doesn’t appear on our website) states quite emphatically: Roberts’ Revised Rules of Order shall be the official parliamentary guide of the State Committee in all matters not covered by the provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws.

We have additional questions as well. When were the by-laws adopted for our committee? We don’t remember any motions regarding them at our meeting. Under Roberts Rules of Order, shouldn’t the by-laws be adopted at each reorganization?

When was our counsel hired? Again, we realize you have the authority to appoint counsel, but we don’t remember any discussion regarding counsel’s appointment. Don’t you think, just as a matter of courtesy it would have been appropriate to let the committee know of your decision or at least discuss it with the committee?

Which by-law specifically states that we cannot, by motion from the floor, vote on either of these items? Why wouldn’t we want to vote on either of these items? Are we not Republicans?

When will you call a meeting to vote on these two issues? Why wasn’t this addressed by your counsel? Does the Republican State Committee, for some reason, fear bringing a motion to the floor to condemn Jon Corzine’s budget in its entirety? Why does the Republican State Committee not want to call ourselves Republican, and support the platform of the Republican National Committee?

You have an opportunity to exhibit leadership, leadership that has been missing for quite some time. We urge you to do so. We urge you to do so publicly, quickly, without reservation, and without conditions.

The balance of your counsel’s letter was accusatory and threatening. We were surprised at its defensive tone. We believe that the State Committee counsel’s assertion that we are trying to gain political points is absurd on its face. We want Republicans, first and foremost the New Jersey Republican State Committee, to proudly and loudly proclaim that we are Republicans! What better way to do that than act on a motion to support the RNC Platform! We want anyone and everyone to know that we unequivocally oppose Jon Corzine’s budget! Why would a vote on a motion condemning that be out of order?

Mr. Chairman, our party faces a long climb back. It must start with your leadership and with the committee voting on the RNC platform, and being very clear on where we stand on anything Corzine proposes as far as a budget.

We were elected to help you, Mr. Chairman, and all of us across the state restore some semblance of sanity to our electoral process and healthy debate over what our government should and should not be able to do.

We submit that your leadership is critical to accomplishing this, and absent your leadership we, as a party, will once again be relegated to an irrelevant sideshow. Our impotence has gone on for far too long, and any attempt to hide behind by-laws that don’t exist will only prolong our agony.

We asked in our last letter that you would call for another meeting so that we could address these concerns and vote on these motions. We find it quite telling, and disconcerting, that in counsel’s response, on your behalf, that we never got an answer to when the meeting would be.

The leadership that is so needed has been lacking for far too long. It is why we are impotent. We, as a party, as are the citizens of New Jersey, are angry. We will no longer accept the status quo. We will no longer accept Republican Party leadership that is unresponsive to us, and is unwilling to stand up and articulate a message against big government, big spenders, and confiscatory tax collectors. Both of us enjoyed meeting you on the evening of the 17th and are confident in your ability to provide the leadership needed.

You are lauded as the new face of the party, a conservative who can lead. We urge you to lead the committee in voting for the RNC platform and in opposing anything Corzine proposes as far as a budget.

We look forward to your response to the specific questions posed, and to how quickly you can get a meeting called in order to allow us to show our support for the RNC and opposition to Jon Corzine.


Sincerely,

Hard Copy Signed By:

Donna Ward a nd Rob Eichmann
Elected Republican State Committee Members


CC: RNC Chairman Michael Steele
RNC Platform Committeeman Keith Davis
RNC Platform Committeewoman Alison Littell McHose

Dear Mr. President

The Jersey Guys, 101.5 FM's Casey Bartholomew and Ray Rossi, along with their Friday afternoon partner, Gannett's Bob Ingle, have started a letter writing campaign to ask President Obama not to come to New Jersey this week to campaign for Jon Corzine.

That is a band wagon I am happy to jump on.

Here's a sample letter. You can cut and paste it and email it right now, or change it as you see fit.

Phone- 202-456-1111/1414
Fax- 202-456-2461
Email links-whitehouse.gov/contact/Comments@whitehouse.gov

Dear President Obama,

I am writing to ask you to reconsider your decision to come to New Jersey and campaign for Governor Jon Corzine.

With the economic situation in this country being what it is, and the nation facing two wars, as well as a growing threat from North Korea, I think your time could better be spent doing your job, rather than engaging in campaign stunts for a man who is clearly in over his head.

In New Jersey, we have far and away the highest property taxes in the nation. Governor Corzine promised to cut them by 40%. He did not. In fact, they have increased and made the situation much worse. Mr. President, people are losing homes that are ALREADY PAID FOR, because they cannot afford to pay the property taxes on them. Governor Corzine has chosen to do nothing about this.

In New Jersey we have the worst business climate in the country. In the recession, we are going to have to depend on private businesses to create the jobs that will get people back to work. Governor Corzine has chosen to deal with our poor business climate by substantially increasing business taxes. Many of these companies are barely making it, as it is. Raising their taxes is going to cause many of them to go out of business. Or, at the very least, force them to layoff more workers just to stay alive. Again, Governor Corzine has chosen to do nothing about this.
Governor Corzine is cutting property tax relief, which will deprive the middle class of much needed rebates in the coming year. This could result in the elimination of the middle class, in New Jersey.

In a time when people have no extra money, Governor Corzine has chosen to raise taxes on the people of this state. This whole time, when the state cannot afford to pay its bills, he has not cut one, single job from state government. In fact, the number of state employees has actually increased. When revenues are down, and your state has deficits running in the billions of dollars, how do you actually increase spending? It doesn’t make sense that the people of New Jersey are constantly being asked to pay more, when they don’t have it, yet the Governor continues to grow the size of state government.

Most recently, in order to have your own Vice President at a campaign rally, he gave away the farm to the local CWA. Deferring raises, which we cannot afford, to a later date when we will be able to afford them even less. Then, while seeming to demand that the union take several furlough days, he negated the savings by giving them several “bankable, floating, paid days off.” So, while he got the furloughs, he also offered to pay the workers for them. This makes no sense, and will not save the taxpayers of New Jersey any money. Again, this was just a campaign tactic so that he could stand next to Joe Biden on a stage. It’s the same gimmick he’s trying to trick you into doing.

The most insulting moment came when our state treasurer, David Rousseau, announced in a committee meeting that the people in New Jersey WERE NOT paying too much in taxes. This proves that Governor Corzine is completely out of touch with, and does not understand the needs of the people of New Jersey.

I could go on and on. This represents just a small part of Governor Corzine’s inability to do his job. However, I’m sure you get the point.

Mr. President, your poll numbers are high. People across the country, as well as in New Jersey, like you very much. Governor Corzine is attempting to attach himself to your popularity, and hope that standing next to you on a stage will make people forget the poor job he has done, over the past four years. I implore you not to let him do this. Don’t let him use you as a tool to continue misleading people.
Please reconsider your position to come to New Jersey, and campaign for Governor Corzine. He is, without question, NOT the type of “leader” that you would want yourself associated with.

Sincerely,

Something Is Just Wrong About This

Something about the news in this article on the front page of yesterday's Asbury Park Press has been bothering me. I can't get it out of my head.

It should be a feel good story. It is about an organization called World Changers, a Southern Baptist organization based in Georgia that sends young people, age 11 through college around the world to help people in need fix up there homes.

The group plans to send about 23,000 students to approximately 90 cities and towns this year.

From the organization's web site:

World Changers is sponsored by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. World Changers began with a focus on involving senior high youth in hands-on missions. Since its beginning in 1990, World Changers has been committed to offering first-rate mission experiences. World Changers has expanded every year and now offers a variety of projects for students.

When World Changers began in 1990 the goal was to change the way we approach mission education, to get students out of the classroom and into a hands-on missions experience. The focus was to change the life of the participant by giving them an opportunity to change someone else's world. That focus is still true today. Even though World Changers has become a strategic plan to eliminate sub-standard housing for many communities and is housed in Volunteer Mobilization at the North American Mission Board, the focus is still changing the world of the participant by giving them a hands-on missions experience. DO YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD? Just bring your students to a National World Changers Project and watch it happen. Who knows? Maybe your life will be changed as well.

Participants work in crews of 10-15 members to help needy residents through:
roofing
painting
repairing porches
siding
sheetrocking
and much more!

All crews work under the supervision of a local crew chief that is skilled in construction. Then everyone comes together in the evening for a time of inspiring worship.

Based on the quotes in the APP article, it seems that the program is fulfilling its mission. The young people on the mission are experiencing the joy of making a difference in others' lives, as well as learning new skills and building empowering relationships. For those who are getting their homes rehabbed, they are experiencing a gift from God. "God bless 'em. . . . Something like this ain't never happened to us," the APP article quotes one recipient of the program's generosity.

What bothers me about this is the fact that program sent the young people--320 of them for 35 projects-- here--to Monmouth County--twice. Not Newark or Camden. Not New Orleans or Appalachia or the South Bronx, but to Monmouth County New Jersey. Maybe they are going to those other places too, I don't know, suspect they are. But here?! Why? Why is there a need here?

What does that say about us? We should be on the giving side of such a project, not on the receiving side. What is happening here?

I have many conflicted thoughts and emotions about this. I'll probably make it my summer project for the blog, like racism was last year. No answers, theories or attribution tonight, just raising the questions and inviting you into the conversation.

Have at it in the comments.

Middletown Township Budget Amendments to Cut $1.32 million

Written by Middletown Township Public Information Office

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - The Township Committee will meet Monday night to introduce budget amendments that would allow the township to spend approximately $1.32 million less than last year to maintain municipal programs and services.

Earlier this year the township faced the potential of a significant tax increase that was totally unacceptable to the Township Committee. Diligent work by the staff along with input, direction and participation from the Township Committee enables us to now introduce amendments to the proposed budget that contain significant reductions, explained Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante.

As a result the 2009 municipal tax rate is expected to be $0.35 per $100 of assessed value which equates to an increase of 1.95 cents per $100 of assessed value or $7 more per month for the average homeowner with a home assessed at $433,718.

The amendments anticipated to be introduced Monday would reduce the 2009 proposed budget by $1,327,894 when compared the 2008 final budget of $62,892,648. The 2009 budget, as amended, would total $61,564,754.

The Township Committee accomplished the reduction in the face of a significant loss of revenue of approximately $3.6 million. The revenue loss stems primarily from reductions in state aid, permit fees, interest earned on bank deposits and the depletion of surpluses. To minimize the impact on local property taxpayers, township officials have cut more than $5 million in departmental expenditure requests, garnered $1.3 million in grants, requested a 50% deferral on pension contributions and implemented new cost-saving measures.

"We have worked tirelessly to find every possible area of reduction without sacrificing our ability to provide our residents with the services and programs they have come to expect and to rely on. It is vital that we maintain essential services such as police protection, building inspections and leaf and brush collection, snow removal and recreational opportunities, said Mayor Pamela M. Brightbill.

Middletown has steadily reduced its work force over the past 15 years. The township has a very low number of employees per capita, compared to most municipalities and the lowest number of police per capita in Monmouth County. "Despite this we were forced to look seriously at the possibility of furloughs this year. This would have been our last resort," explained Mercantante. We worked very hard to avoid this option. In addition to their impact on our ability to provide services to the community, furloughs would have been felt most by lower wage workers and their families."

Of the $1.3 million in grants the township is slated to receive this year, $566,175 will defray operating costs associated with community services such as the Senior Center, Clean Communities, and Crossroads, and law enforcement activities that target drinking and driving, underage drinking, and seat belt usage. Another $785,521 will defray the cost of purchasing needed fire equipment, furthering efforts to preserve two historic structures and offering programs that reduce community's energy usage.

Measures being implemented to further enhance the township's long history of fiscal efficiency include:

The appointment of an in-house Township Engineer producing an expected savings of $75,000 to $100,000 annually.

Requiring planning and zoning board applicants to fund township costs associated with reviewing their development applications. Revisions to the escrow fee ordinance are expected to save $50,000 annually.

Establishing an Early Retirement Incentive program.

Suspension of Township Committee salaries for 2009.

A continued limiting of overtime for non-essential personnel without approval of the Township Administrator.

Evaluating community recreation programs to ensure that program fees, at a minimum, cover the Township's cost to provide them.

In addition, Middletown has requested more than $3 million in federal stimulus money for projects that can save the township money, improve the town infrastructure, and further the community's commitment to using green technologies whenever possible. These projects include Leonardo Outfall and Stormwater Drainage Improvements, construction of a state-mandated Truck Wash and several road improvements.

Historically the municipal tax rate is about 20 percent of the tax bill homeowners receive. Another 19 percent is the county's portion of the bill. The final 61 percent goes to school taxes.

A Reality TV Star For Corzine's Running Mate

Increasingly desperate over his dwindling re-election prospects, Jon Corzine is now looking for reality TV stars to be his Lieutenant Governor candidate.

Politickernj is reporting that Corzine is seriously considering Randal Pinkett, winner of The Apprentice season 4, as his running mate. I guess he'll do anything in an attempt prevent hearing "You're Fired!" again, like he heard at Goldman Sachs.

If Corzine is going to tap into the ranks of reality TV stars, he should really consider The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan.

Corzine has been a failure because he can't lead. He was elected because he was a so called financial genius who was going to make the tough choices to fix New Jersey's finances and terrible tax burden. He and his team of ex-Goldman Sachs executives (who have since left government service) came in like gang busters but the couldn't lead the Democratic legislature. Dick Codey and Joe Roberts are the pack leaders. Corzine failed because he couldn't establish himself as the pack leader.

Cesar knows how to lead the pack and how to train other to do so. He would be a much better choice for LG than Randal.

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Sunshine And Hot Air

Like many Republicans I was alarmed by Chris Christie's "Energy Plan" video.
President Obama and Harry Reid featured in a Christie for Governor video? Republicans don't like it and Democrats aren't buying it. By the time Independents start paying attention, solar energy and wind farms will not win them over.

I'm all for my Governor meeting with CEOs of established and emerging companies and selling them on setting up shop in New Jersey. Renewable energy is an emerging industry that would should attract. But it will take a lot more than 6,000 new jobs to turn New Jersey around. Christie should emphasise his economic plan that includes renewable energy, not one that sounds like it embraces "cap and trade."

The plank of his plan that includes overriding local zoning laws to allow solar farms "in every town" particularly alarming. What other mandates can we expect?

Sunshine and hot air are not going to turn our economy around. Let's hear more about attracting all kinds of industry to New Jersey by reducing taxes and burdensome regulation. Let's hear more about making our education system great so that businesses will have competent employees. Let's hear more about a leaner government that serves rather than thwarts innovation and employment.

Let Corzine have his partner in Washington. The last thing we need is an October ad by the President that says "Chris Christie has been going around New Jersey pretending to be my ally. Don't believe it. Vote for my partner Jon Corzine."

Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow

Linked from Cagle.com

We are settling in at the NJGOP headquarters here in Trenton, and it is my pleasure to keep you up to date with important GOP news around the state in these past two weeks.CORZINE’S TAX HIKING BUDGET

I'm proud to say that the Republican state legislative team stuck together in voting against Governor Corzine's budget and even attracted a few Democrats who couldn't stomach this mess, which raised taxes $2.8 billion in the middle of a recession, and will drive more of our relatives, friends, and neighbors out of state. Even Democrats think the budget "stinks," according to Senate Majority Leader Sweeney, who serves on the Senate budget panel. The good news for New Jerseyans is that, come November, we can make sure that this is his last such failed budget by Governor Corzine and his failed policies.

Source: AREP Press Release

LATEST POLLS

Polls continue to show that Jon Corzine is one of the most disliked politicians in New Jersey, including three new polls: non-partisan Farleigh Dickinson released theirs on July 1st; the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling released its poll on June 30th; and Republican pollster Strategic Vision released its latest poll late last week. It’s no surprise to us that all three polls confirm that Governor Corzine's approval ratings are far more unfavorable than favorable. You can read the poll results by following the links below.

Source: FDU-Public Mind Poll, PPP Poll, Strategic Vision Poll

FIGHTING GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE IN DC

On June 24th, I had the honor of representing our great state of New Jersey during hearings held by the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee, where Democrats are putting together a bill to "reform" our healthcare system. As I told the Subcommittee, excessive state regulations have reduced consumer choice, drove up costs, and increased the ranks of the uninsured in New Jersey. Those regulations have created a toxic mix for destroying the health insurance market in the state, and I urged the Subcommittee not to do to the nation what New Jersey has done to itself.

Source: NorthJersey.com

VOTE-BY-MAIL LAW PASSED

On June 25th, the New Jersey Legislature passed a vote-by-mail law, removing all limitations and restrictions on applying for an absentee ballot. You can be sure that we’re working on rolling out a systematic program to encourage as many Republican voters across the state to lock-in their votes before Election Day and maximize our chances for victory. You’ll be the first to hear when we launch this program.

Source: New Jersey Newsroom

INTERNSHIPS

Interested in an internship with the NJGOP? The New Jersey Republican State Committee is now accepting Summer and Fall 2009 internship applications. Our internship program is designed to give students substantial exposure to the world of campaigns and politics. Send a resume to: internships@njgop.org

Thank you, and please keep in touch.


Jay Webber
Chairman

A Contest Is Brewing For CD 12 Nod

Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre's candidacy for the GOP nomination to challenge Rush Holt has not changed Former Holmdel Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman's plans to take another shot at Holt himself.

Bateman told Politickernj:

"I did plan on running and I filed my papers a couple of months ago," said Bateman, a former deputy mayor in Holmdel and hospital administration consultant who lost to Holt last year, 62% to 36%.

"This doesn't change my plans, not at all," added Bateman of Halfacre's announcement, scheduled tomorrow, that he intends to run.

Bateman said today's news about Halfacre created a surge of telephone calls from supporters, who told the Holmdel resident that he can count on them.

"The amount of grassroots support I have out there is very encouraging, and I will be coming out with a message very soon," said Bateman, a movement conservative in the mold of former gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan.

A primary wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, if Halfacre and Bateman, who are both gentlemen, keep it from becoming a slug fest. It is a healthy sign for the GOP that qualified and potentially viable candidates are confident enough to challenge an incumbent Congressman.

But don't bet on a primary happening just yet. The money raising race will probably determine the nominee. Bateman told MoreMonmouthMusings in February that he had lined up support from his last race against Holt in 2008. Sources close to the Halfacre campaign report that the Mayor has already raised more money than Bateman raised in the entire 2008 effort.

The Christie Plan: Energy As Industry

FAIR HAVEN MAYOR HALFACRE TO ANNOUNCE 2010 CONGRESSIONAL BID

Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre will hold two press conferences on Tuesday July 7th to announce his decision to challenge Rep. Rush Holt for his seat in the House of Representatives in New Jersey Congressional District 12 next year.

“In his 10 years in Congress, Rush Holt has been ineffective on matters big and small throughout the 12th Congressional District and has compiled a voting record which is not representative of the district he represents”, said Halfacre. “At a time when Americans of all political stripes are growing increasingly concerned about record federal spending and ever expanding government involvement in the private sector, I believe my record as a tax cutting fiscal conservative will be an attractive alternative.”


PRESS CONFERENCE 1

DATE: July 7, 2009

TIME: 11:00am

PLACE: Fair Haven Borough Hall
748 River Road, Fair Haven

WHO: Mayor Halfacre will be introduced by State Senator Jennifer Beck, with other members of the Monmouth legislative delegation and various local elected officials in attendance



PRESS CONFERENCE 2

DATE: July 7, 2009

TIME: 2:00pm

PLACE: New Jersey State House
125 West State Street

WHO: Mayor Halfacre will be introduced by the Republican State Chairman, Assemblyman Jay Webber

Dems Scrambling To Give Corzine A Boost

The Record's Charles Stile reports that U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, South Jersey Democratic Party leader George Norcross, state Sen. Ray Lesniak of Union County and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo met with Newark Mayor Cory Booker last week in an attempt to get him to reconsider his decision not to accept Corzine's nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Booker turned them down.

Gannett's Bob Ingle argues that Obama's July 16th rally with Corzine could hurt the President more than it helps that Governor. Ingle notes that Obama's approval numbers in NJ are weaker than any other state and that 25% of Obama's supporters do not support Corzine.

Reserve Your Seat

For Jon Corzine's rally with President Obama

Ha Ha Ha Ha, LOL, ROFLMAO, Ha Ha Ha

Poor Blue Jersey. They are stuck defending Corzine, at least until the Dems replace him on the ballot, and taking shots at Chris Christie and Republicans.

Today they have a post entitled, "They'll blame Corzine for anything." wherein they whine about Republican legislators issuing press releases slamming Corzine for something or other that they don't think he should be slammed for.

I have a proposal for my progressive friends. If they can get the Corzine campaign to stop blaming all of New Jersey's problems on George Bush and stop promising a better NJ State government because Obama is President, I'll see about asking my Republican friends in the legislature and in the Christie campaign only to slam Corzine for raising taxes, raising spending, raising borrowing, putting the unions ahead of the tax payers, trying to raise tolls 800%, closing the state government only to open it with $350 million in Christmas tree items.....

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

What is Corzine's Plan B?

Our friends at InTheLobby have raised the question, What is Corzine's Plan B if the nation's unemployment rate keeps raising, maybe to 10% by the fall, and President Obama's popularity declines?

Corzine knows he can't win on his own merits. That is why he is feebly trying to turn his race against Chris Chris into a redux of Obama's race against George Bush. Why shouldn't he try it? Heck, Obama ran against George Bush and won, even though Bush was not on the ballot. Maybe Obama could beat Bush for Governor of New Jersey and let Corzine keep doing the job.

This is obviously a failing strategy. Corzine might get a little bump in the polls, but New Jersey voters will not transfer their approval of Obama to Corzine.

So what is Corzine's plan B when he realizes this? He doesn't have one.

But Joe Cryan and Rham Emmanuel do. Plan B is Booker. Plan C is Codey.

On another note, another blogger sent me an email complaining about Corzine ads appearing on his blog. When we sign up for google ads, we don't have control over what ads show up. Corzine ads show up here every now and them. They are on several sites, NYTimes, Politickernj.

If you see a Corzine ad on a Conservative or Republican blog, except this one, click on it relentlessly. It will cost Corzine money and make the blogger a little money. But don't do it here. Asking you to do that would violate the terms of service with google ads, and I wouldn't want to do that.

Halfacre's Website Is Up

MikeHalfacre.com

Mike is expected to formally announce his candidacy for Congress, NJ district 12, next Tuesday July 7th.

Coalition of New Jersey Conservative & Libertarian Organizations Condemn Votes by Frank LoBiondo, Leonard Lance & Chris Smith

In response to the votes of Congressman Chris Smith, (NJ-4), Frank LoBiondo, (NJ-2) and Leonard Lance, (NJ-7), who voted in favor of HR 2454, the "Cap & Trade" Global Warming Bill, some of the leading Conservative and Libertarian organizations in New Jersey have joined together to release a press statement condemning their actions.

Conservatives with Attitude!, Campaign for Liberty, the New Jersey Conservative GOP, Republicans for Conservative Leadership & the Woodbridge Conservative GOP have all expressed their extreme disappointment in the votes of the 3 New Jersey Republican Congressmen.

Michael Illions & Rich Ross of Conservatives with Attitude! said after the vote, "Some of these Republicans don't even pretend to be Republican anymore, they are now outwardly supporting the Liberal agenda of the Democrats. This legislation will literally choke the life out of businesses and bring the economy to it's knees, while adding an additional tax burden to the American citizen."

Paul Danielczyk, representing the New Jersey Conservative GOP, agrees. "Lance, Smith and LoBiondo have betrayed the public trust. They voted for and were key in passing the largest tax hike in the history of our great nation! The hard working decent taxpayer is already taxed beyond their means, and this Tax & Trade/Global Warming bill, will dig deeper into their pockets! My Congressman Leonard Lance, has sided with Pelosi, Barney Frank and Harry Reid. Lance voted for this bill which supports Junk Science, and has brought upon us the fraud of so-called Global Warming! He's inline with that hypocrite scam artist Al Gore! You'd think that Linda Stender won the Congressional seat in the 7th district!. A change of party card should be delivered to these three disgraced Republicans, and true conservative Republicans must come forth next year and challenge them in their Republican Primary," Danielczyk concluded.

The Campaign for Liberty organization, represented by Dan Krause, Rob & Gloria Leustek added that “this bill, and those representatives who voted for it, has placed a tax on every aspect of human life. The food we eat, the clothes we wear and every other aspect of our lives will now be taxed. The tragedy is the harm this will do to the poor and the middle class; those who can least afford a higher cost of life or a reduced level of industry.”

Don Nelsen of the Woodbridge Conservative GOP, who is represented in Congress by Leonard Lance was equally angry at the outcome of this vote "It was only a matter of time until Lance would expose his Democrat-Lite stances. Lance's vote for Cap and Trade clearly shows even his self proclaimed 'Fiscal Conservatism' takes a back seat to his latent moderate tendencies. The RINO leadership in the 7th Congressional District was allegedly duped into backing him, but at least the Conservative base saw through his leftist agenda and got it right. We are going to mount a primary challenge in 2010 against Lance, and I've gone so far as to contact the Democrats and ask they take 'Lenny the Leftist' back to their party where he belongs."

John Di Marco, the Somerset County Chairman of the Republicans for Conservative Leadership, summed it up by stating that “Repeatedly, these three Congressmen have voted against core Republican principles with this vote being especially egregious. In too many incidents, they turned their backs on their fellow Republicans and joined hands with the democrats to further the liberal agenda. It is time for New Jersey Republicans to turn our backs on them. As Ronald Reagan said, “A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs…And if there are those who cannot subscribe to these principles, then let them go their way.”

All organizations participating in this press release strongly condemn the yes votes by Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo and Chris Smith and will work to recruit and support primary challengers against them in 2010.

Obama Coming To Save Corzine's Hide

President Obama bailed Jon Corzine out by sending over $2 Billion to Trenton to plug holes in the budget. Now the President is coming to NJ to bail out the floundering campaign.

Corzine is desperately trying to make his re-election a referendum not on his terrible performance, but rather on Obama's popularity.

Here's the text of the email that Corzine sent to his supporters this morning:

I've written to you before about the importance of keeping our hard-won progressive victories from November going and about moving New Jersey forward in-step with the Obama Administration.

Now, I want you to hear it directly from the President himself.

Vice President Biden was already here and got our campaign started with a bang. On July 16th, President Barack Obama will join me at Rutgers University in New Brunswick to help to kick our campaign into a whole new gear.

Click here to RSVP for your FREE tickets.
A Corzine 09 Rally Featuring President Barack Obama and Governor Jon Corzine
Thursday, July 16th.
Voorhees Mall, Rutgers University in New Brunswick
Additional details and start-time to be announced soon

President Obama isn't just a close friend of mine; he's a great friend to our state. After eight long years, we finally have a partner in Washington who shares our values and vision for a more progressive New Jersey.

Together, we are creating green jobs, providing universal access to healthcare for kids, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring all our children have access to a quality education -- regardless of where they live.

We are doing all of this despite a challenging worldwide economic crisis, and I'm proud of the great progress that Barack Obama and I have already have made.

But we still have more to do, and with a partner in Washington who shares our values and priorities, I'm confident in what we can accomplish in the next four years.

I'm honored that President Obama will be on hand in New Jersey to recognize the important work we're doing, and I hope you will join us.

Click here to RSVP for your FREE tickets.
A Corzine 09 Rally Featuring President Barack Obama and Governor Jon Corzine
Thursday, July 16th.
Voorhees Mall, Rutgers University in New Brunswick
Additional details and start-time to be announced soon

See you at Rutgers!

Governor Jon Corzine

Strangely, when you click on the link for your free tickets there is no place to enter any information as to who it is requesting the tickets. Another Corzine failure.

JOIN THE HISTORIC RALLY FOR PARENTAL CHOICE IN EDUCATION.

‘A CIVIL RIGHT’.

Thursday, July 2, 2009 12pm to 2pm.
Essex County Courthouse.
50 West Market Street, Newark, N.J.

Leading dignitaries and advocates for improved educational opportunities for our children will address the rally. Among them are Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, executive director of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey; South Carolina State Senator Robert Ford; Rabbi Shea Hecht, CEO, National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education; Dan Gaby, director, Excellent Education for Everyone (E3); Kim Chorba, director, NJ Network of Catholic School Families; David White, NJ representative for Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and Rev. Dr. Clenard H. Childress Jr., senior pastor of The New Calvary Baptist Church, Montclair, NJ.

Shut Up Already!

Will someone please tell South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford to stop talking to reporters as if they were therapists or pastors!

The Associated Press has an article today that makes me want to read more about Michael Jackson.

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said Tuesday that he "crossed lines" with a handful of women other than his mistress -- but never had sex with them.

The governor said he "never crossed the ultimate line" with anyone but Maria Belen Chapur, the Argentine at the center of a scandal that has derailed his once-promising political career.

Hmmm, which former President does that remind you of? I think Sanford was a Congressman who voted to impeach that President for similarly not crossing the ultimate line.

It gets worse.

During an emotional interview at his Statehouse office with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Sanford said Chapur is his soul mate but he's trying to fall back in love with his wife.

Just what any wife would want to hear. Can't you imagine Jenny being so happy to hear that he's trying to fall back in love with her, despite that fact that another woman is his soul mate?

SHUT UP MARK! You are not well. Get some professional help and stop talking about this to reporters!

Gangsta Government

Norm Coleman Concedes U.S. Senate Seat To Al Franken

The Minnesota Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that Al Franken defeated Norm Coleman by 312 votes in the U.S. Senate election last November. Coleman conceded this afternoon.

Franken's victory gives the Democrats a 60 seat-filibuster proof majority in the Senate.

Where Does The Buck Stop?

Remember "Hold Me Accountable."

Remember "Corzine Saw The Recession Coming"

Senator Tom Kean Responds to the Trenton Blame Game: New Jersey's Budget Problems Started Here

In The Event Of A Vacancy...

in the office of county sheriff, the Governor shall fill such vacancy with the advice and consent of the Senate by appointment of a member of the same political party as that of the previous incumbent of the office, and the commission of said appointee shall expire when a successor is elected and qualified. The successor in such case shall be elected for a term of 3 years at the general election next succeeding the happening of the vacancy unless such vacancy shall occur within 37 days next preceding such election, in which case it shall be filled at the second succeeding general election.

Just in case you were wondering.

Guadagno Under Consideration for LG

Max Pizzaro at Politickernj is reporting that Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno has "faired very well during the vetting process," for Lietuenant Governor candidate and is on Chris Christie's short list.

If selected, Guadagno's nomination would culminate a meteoric rise to the top of New Jersey politics in just two years.

In 2007, while serving as a relatively unknown Commissioner in Monmouth Beach, Kim emerged as a front runner for an 11th district Assembly seat following Steve Corodemus's surprise decision to retire rather seek re-election after it became apparent that Sean Kean was the party favorite for the Senate seat held by Joe Palaia.

Joe Oxley's astonishing decision to announce his retirement as Monmouth County Sheriff during a candidates screening committee meeting left the Monmouth GOP scrambling to find a candidate for Sheriff. Guadagno gave up her Assembly bid to accept the Sheriff's nomination, after quite a bit of deliberation on her part and cajoling on the part of party leaders.

If not for the unexpected retirements of Corodemus and Oxley in 2007, Guadagno would probably still be a Monmouth Beach Commissioner.

Unlike many politicians, Guadagno in known for her extremely competent service rather than her ambition. She embodies service and excellence. Underneath her genuinely friendly and humble good nature is a keen intellect and toughness. She is tough without being derisive.

Should Christie choose her, New Jersey voters will love Kim Guadagno.

"10 Things Gov. Corzine Hopes You Forget About the 2010 Budget"

From our friends at In The Lobby:

1) More than 1.2 million fewer New Jerseyans will receive rebate checks.

2) Taxes are increased by $1.2 billion.

3) Income tax rates will rise from 6.37 percent to 8 percent on household income between $400,000 and $500,000; from 8.97 percent to 10.25 percent for income between $500,000 and $1 million, as first proposed in March; and from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on income over $1 million.

4) Cigarette taxes are going up 12.5 cents per pack to $2.70.

5) Taxes are going up by 3.5 cents on a typical 0.75 liter bottle of wine and 22 cents on a 0.75 liter bottle of liquor.

6) Businesses will continue to pay a 4 percent surcharge on their corporate taxes that has been charged for three years but was supposed to expire.

7) Taxes on group accident and health insurance premiums will go up for one year. Taxes on high-risk insurance policies, such as beachfront homes, will jump permanently from 3 percent to 5 percent.


8) Taxes are increased on lottery winnings of more than $10,000.

9) The budget skips some $2.2 billion in pension payments.

10) The budget relies on more than $2.2 billion in federal stimulus money that won't be available next year, leaving a hole to fill next year.

KYRILLOS: GOVERNOR AND HIS ALLIES SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEPTH OF NJ’S FISCAL CRISIS

Senator Joe Kyrillos, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, expressed disappointment today in comments made by the governor and Legislative leaders concerning this year’s budget:

“I am extremely disappointed with the comments concerning the state of New Jersey’s financial situation. One has to wonder what statistics are the governor and his allies in the Legislature referring to that support the contention that the state’s is doing better economically than her neighbors

“The truth is: New Jersey has the highest unemployment rate in the region and New Jersey will have fewer private sector jobs at the end of the decade than at the beginning of the decade. That hasn’t happened since the Great Depression.

“The budget that Governor Corzine will sign today will make matters an order of magnitude worse next year. This year’s budget is just a continuation of the job-killing Democrat policies of the last eight years. The Fiscal Year 2011 budget will start off with an estimated $8 to $10 billion structural deficit. To put that number in perspective, one-quarter to one-third of the next budget will be in red ink.

“When this year’s budget is signed, New Jersey will have the highest property taxes, one of the highest marginal income tax rates, the second highest sales tax and no property tax rebates for many middle-class taxpayers. In fact, this budget will cost a middle-class family making the state median wage an estimated $1,500 in additional taxes this year.

“Higher unemployment, higher taxes on the middle class, negative private sector job growth and a budget that will only make matters worse. Yes, Governor Corzine the situation is that bad, and you should acknowledge the facts.”

Lance Uses Corzine's Energy Policy To Justify "Cap and Trade" Vote

Congressman Leonard Lance, one of the 8 Republicans to vote with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama for the "Cap and Trade" bill, issued the following justification for doing so:

06/26/09

WASHINGTON, DC— Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today released the following statement following passage of H.R. 2454, the “American Clean Energy and Security Act.”

“For more than 30 years our country has done little but talk about becoming energy independent, while everyday becoming more dependent on costly, dangerous and polluting foreign oil. That needs to change.

“I am voting for this bill because it is time America turned the corner and took bold action to clean the environment and develop alternative energy. We cannot allow countries whose opposition to democracy and support for terrorism grow with every barrel of oil they sell to continue to dominate energy politics.

“Today’s legislation, while not perfect, is a badly needed and long overdue step toward a national energy policy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, ensure our national security and leads us on a path toward cleaner energy.

“The fact of the matter is New Jersey and the Northeast are well ahead of the curve on many of the key elements of the legislation before the House.

“Here at home, the state of New Jersey is already subject to limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the ten-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. And our state renewable portfolio standard is more aggressive than the federal program contained in the bill.

“New Jersey serves as a national model for its investments in new, clean energy technologies that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and created thousands of jobs. I heard from a number of New Jersey’s leading businesses that firmly believe today’s legislation would strengthen our state economy through innovative and sustainable job creation. It is time for other states to follow New Jersey’s leadership and do their share to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate development of low-carbon energy sources and green jobs.

“I understand the concerns associated with the costs to consumers. Many leading experts differ on the economic impact the legislation will have on taxpayers. But the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has concluded that any costs incurred would be minimal – equivalent to the price of a first-class postage stamp a day.

“For my part, I joined a number of my colleagues in support of an amendment to provide some financial tax relief should this legislation adversely affect middle-class families. But we were not allowed to bring our amendment before the full House of Representatives for consideration. Rest assured I intend to work with the Senate on this issue and pledge to reduce any costs increases on ratepayers across the country.

“In the end, it is my strong view that it is in the best interest of New Jersey’s economy and our nation for Congress to enact a national program to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of clean, renewable energy.”

Will a real Republican please stand up to primary this guy next year? Please?

Kelly Hatfield? Michael Illions? Anyone?

Now is the time to start raising money. Tell me where to send the check. Leonard has to go.

There will be a protest outside of Lance's office tomorrow, June 29, from 2PM-4PM,
425 North Avenue East, Westfield

Michael Jackson Autopsy Photos

I don't really have such photos and I hope such photos never see the light of day.

Given the media frenzy about Jackson's demise, I'm just wondering how much traffic the headline will generate.

Rest In Peace, Michael.

Now everyone get back to work and pay attention to things you can change.

Disgraceful

The U. S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act this evening by a margin of 7 votes, 219-212.

8 Republicans voted for the bill, including three from New Jersey: Lance, LoBiondo and Smith.

President Obama has said this bill will cause electricity and other energy prices to "necessarily skyrocket."

Disgraceful.

Joe Biden Fires Corzine

Not really.

At a Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender(LGBT)fundraiser in Washington which raised about $1 million, Vice President Joe Biden praised the work of Tim Kaine, "the great governor of New Jersey,", according to the LA Times' Top of The Ticket blog.

Kaine is the chairman of the Democratic National Committee and the Governor of Virginia.

At Corzine's post primary rally on June 2, Biden praised the governor and said that President Obama relied on him for counsel on the economy, but not before the White House pressured Corzine into caving to the CWA.

Christie's Appearance Before Congress

In the Lobby has an outstanding summary of the media coverage of Chris Christie's congressional testimony about Deferred Prosecution Agreements.

For issues that matter, where is Rush Holt?

By Mayor Mike Halfacre, Fair Haven


The Press published an editorial June 11 urging cautious optimism about the return of Sean Goldman to his father in Tinton Falls. ("Steps forward, not home free.") This editorial correctly gives credit to U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., for his passionate advocacy on the boy's behalf. However, it also raises a significant question: Tinton Falls' representative in Congress is not Smith, but Rush Holt of the 12th District. Where is Holt?

In a number of recent local issues, Holt has been AWOL. He failed to be heard during the Base Realignment and Closure process that led to the closure of Fort Monmouth. His involvement in the recent controversy with the U.S. Navy attempting to put civilian housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle has been virtually nonexistent, again leaving Smith and state and local leaders to fight for the residents of the 12th District.

Meanwhile, state and local leaders have worked to address the issue of pollution in Branchport Creek from Monmouth Park's stormwater runoff. Holt charged in, late and uninformed, and again failed to deliver any substantive assistance to his constituents.

Sadly, the only time in recent memory during which Holt really found his voice and decided to speak passionately was when he stood side-by-side with Gov. Jon Corzine to advocate for an 800 percent toll hike, while selling the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. The impact of those toll hikes would have been most severe on Holt's constituents in Monmouth County.

It is unclear what Holt does in Washington, but perfectly clear what he does on issues that matter in New Jersey: not much.


Mike Halfacre
MAYOR, FAIR HAVEN

The above letter was originally published in the Asbury Park Press on June 15, 2009. Mayor Halfacre is exploring a run for Congress against Rush Holt. Expect a formal announcement soon.

Corzine's Failures, Week 6

This week's edition of Corzine's Failures is quite a surprise.

Corzine has failed to get biased favorable coverage from the New York Times.

Last week we saw that the New York Times published a favorable piece about Chris Christie and his plans to reform urban education.

Today, The Times started their coverage of the NJ budget as follows:

New Jersey Passes Budget Fueled by $1 Billion in Tax Increases

TRENTON — New Jersey lawmakers passed a $29 billion budget largely along partisan lines on Thursday night that will increase taxes by almost $1 billion, eliminate property-tax deductions for the wealthiest residents and pare billions from health care, higher education and other programs.

As Blue Jersey is whining about, there is no liberal pro-Corzine spin in this coverage.

As our friends at Save Jersey have pointed out, even Barack Obama has started to distance himself from Corzine.

If the liberal establishment is moving away from Corzine, Christie better start preparing to run against Corey Booker or Dick Codey.

As always, catch up on Corzine's Failures here and add to the list in the comments.

A Great American Loss

Thank you to James Hogan for putting the recent deaths in their proper perspective.

Budget and New Taxes Pass the Legislature

The Democratically controlled State Legislature raised taxes by $1.2 billion, $2.8 billion if you include reduced property tax rebates and reduced income tax deductions for property taxes, yesterday.

From the Asbury Park Press:

— Income tax rates will rise from 6.37 percent to 8 percent on household income between $400,000 and $500,000; from 8.97 percent to 10.25 percent for income between $500,000 and $1 million, as first proposed in March; and from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on income over $1 million.

— Cigarette taxes are going up 12.5 cents per pack to $2.70, beginning July 1.

— Taxes are going up by 3.5 cents on a typical 0.75 liter bottle of wine and 22 cents on a 0.75 liter bottle of liquor, beginning Aug. 1.

— Businesses will continue to pay a 4 percent surcharge on their corporate taxes that has been charged for three years but was supposed to expire.

— Taxes on group accident and health insurance premiums will go up for one year. Taxes on high-risk insurance policies, such as those for catastrophe-prone beachfront homes, will jump permanently from 3 percent to 5 percent.

Each of these taxes have the potential to reduce revenue.

It doesn't take all that much for high earners to move their incomes to other states.

Cigarettes are already about half the price in Delaware they are in New Jersey. There are several stores on Rt 13, just over the Delaware Memorial Bridge that thrive on selling cigarettes to NJ residents. The Democrats just made that trip for cost effective. Hopefully the increased tax will help more nicotine addicts kick the habit.

The wine and liquor tax will prompt consumers to drink less or drink less expensive products.

The business 4 percent surcharge has cost jobs and will cost more jobs. This tax is not on profits, it is on revenue. Even businesses that report losses have to pay a surcharge. Continuing this tax will push some small business over the edge to closure and their employees onto the unemployment insurance rolls.

Insurance is already too expensive. These taxes on insurance will push business and consumers to elect less coverage. As property values continue to decline, there will be less coverage need for property insurance.

These taxes will prove to be counter productive.

Several Republicans protested that this budget sets the next one up to have a deficit of $8 to $10 billion. I think it is worse than that. I don't think that tax revenues will come in to cover the expenses budgeted this year. We'll know in a few weeks.

I predict that revenues for the quarter that ends next week will come in much lower that Corzine is expecting, and revenues will be even worse in the quarter that ends in September. Corzine and the Assembly Democrats are going to have to interrupt their campaigns to go back to Trenton for emergency budget sessions.

Of course, the Democrats blame the crisis on Bush. Voters won't buy it.

NJ Likes Obama. Doesn't Like Corzine.

Christie widens lead to 51%-39%

Save Jersey has a summary of the Strategic Vision poll.

Don't Cry For Me Argentina

What a dope.

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admits he was crying in Argentina with his mistress while his family and staff thought he was hiking in the woods. He resigns as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, and gives way too much information in his mea culpa press conference.

Sanford says he ways being selfish. He is still being selfish, as I see it.

Cheap Talk

As the saying goes, talk is cheap.

While our Republican opponent -- and the national Republican party that supports him -- stands on the sidelines slinging mud, distorting my record, and offering up an economic plan that calls for rejecting billions of dollars in federal stimulus money, my administration and I have continued to keep our attention on the things that really matter to New Jersey's working families.

And last week, those efforts paid off big time. We delivered real results for New Jersey taxpayers that cannot be ignored.
Because I launched the Tax Amnesty program, our state now has an additional $400 million for direct property tax relief -- dramatically exceeding all expectations. It's no surprise that my opponent mocks this accomplishment -- the legislators who co-chair his campaign and the right wing Republican he anointed to chair his party all voted against the program.

But I want you to know that I am committed to making certain that these recovered funds are directed to the working families of our state and that New Jersey property tax payers get much-needed and much-deserved tax relief.
Due to this extraordinary development, the legislature is reconsidering the budget, and a final floor vote is expected on Thursday, June 25.

Unfortunately, earlier this week all the Republicans in the budget committees voted against the revised budget with the restored middle class property tax relief. These are the wrong choices for New Jersey. If you believe, as I do, that the Legislature MUST put this $400 million in new-found revenue toward property tax relief for middle-class homeowners, then please take a moment to make your voice heard to your representatives in Trenton.

I will do everything in my power to make certain that recovered funds are directed to property tax relief, but since Republicans seem intent on opposing restoring middle class property tax relief, your voice can make a huge difference.

Click here to locate your elected officials and send their office a message that you support property tax relief.

Let me be clear: When revenues fell, the last item we cut was property tax relief. Now that we’ve recovered some lost revenues the first thing we will restore is property tax relief.

The money belongs to the taxpayers, and I will fight to give it back to them in property tax relief. I hope that I can count on your support in that effort.

Governor Jon Corzine


Hey Governor, here's some real cheap talk:

Corzine Saw The National Recession Coming?

Have you seen Jon Corzine's ads over at Poltickernj? You have if you have visited that site lately. They are all over the place.

The ads declare "He saw the national recession coming, So he did something about it..."

When did he see it coming?

According the the National Bureau of Economic Research (the official arbiter of recessions) the current recession began in December 2007.

I guess he would have had to see it coming in 2007. Hmmm...

In his FY 2008 budget address, delivered February 22, 2007 Corzine said,

"Finally, our ’08 budget includes almost $750 million projected revenue growth as a result of strong economic expansion."

I guess he hadn't seen it yet.

On November 15, 2007, the month before the recession started, while speaking to the NJ Conference of Mayors, Corzine said,

"New Jersey is one of the greatest places in this country on this globe to live, to work and to raise a family. You all work on that every day and you are part of what is a great state. I am proud of you, I’m proud of it and I know you’re proud of our state, I am proud of our people and I am excited about our future. Just today, our Department of Labor reported that the state’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent, one of the lowest in the nation and far below the national average of 4.7 percent. It’s been there all year.

New Jersey doesn’t just offer good jobs, it offers great jobs, higher-paying jobs. The median income in New Jersey is as high as anywhere in America. In the past six month, New Jersey employers have added more than 20,000 new jobs and almost all of them are in the private sector. We have a competitive advantage in America’s growing economic sectors: finance, logistics, gaming, tourism, medical research, and high technology."

Hey Jon, the recession's starting next month. You see it coming, right?

On May 22, 2008, during his commencement address at Steven Tech, Corzine said,

"The continued preeminence of America and our economic well-being will be borne of your generation’s ability to advance our understanding and application of science and technology."

Six months into the recession, I guess he hadn't seen it yet.

Two weeks later, Corzine invested $180 million of the state pension fund in Lehman Brother stock. We all know how that worked out.

Now Corzine says an extra $400 or $500 million just showed up in the mail due to the tax amnesty program. At least he didn't claim to see that coming. But did he? Was it really an "immaculate collection", as Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon put it?

Don't be so sure.

New Christie Ad Released

Will Daggett Be The First To Announce LG Pick?

In The Lobby is reporting that independent gubernatorial candidate will pick former state labor commissioner Mark Boyd to be his Lieutenant Governor candidate. Boyd served in the Whitman administration. Daggett served in the Kean administration.

Save Jersey is hearing that Bergen County Senator Loretta Weinberg will be Corzine's LG candidate.

There's been little word on Chris Christie's thinking about a running mate since he campaigned with Bergen County Clerk Kathe Donovan last week.

Corzine's Promise

MoreMonmouthMusings Welcomes Rob C

MoreMonmouthMusings is pleased that Rob C has agreed to share his work with our readers.

Rob's work can be viewed at his Asbury Park Press blog and is featured on Jim Gearhart's page at 101.5.

O’SCANLON QUESTIONS WHETHER AMNESTY WINDFALL CONTAINS MONEY SENT IN ERROR

CORZINE’S TREASURER SHOULD PROVIDE AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL
TAXES COLLECTED IN ERROR AS WELL AS THOSE IN AMNESTY PROGRAM

Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon questioned today whether the additional $400 million in tax amnesty funds that has suddenly appeared contains any money improperly collected from New Jersey taxpayers.

O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer, has heard from several constituents who received letters from Treasury saying they owed more taxes but later learned those notices were sent in error.

“The yo-yo games the Corzine administration have played with people’s property tax rebates, combined with these erroneous tax notices, haven’t exactly instilled confidence in how it manages people’s tax dollars,” said O’Scanlon, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “Before making another false promise to the state’s middle class property taxpayers, the Corzine administration should provide assurance that the funds from this amnesty ‘Immaculate collection’ are accurate.”

O’Scanlon called on Corzine’s Treasurer David Rousseau to reveal the number of erroneous tax letters his department sent out, the amount of money mistakenly taken from taxpayers and an explanation of why any error has occurred. He also called on Corzine’s Comptroller Matt Boxer to investigate why errors have been made, whether there are any other instances of the Treasury unjustly taking money from New Jersey’s residents and businesses and to conduct a full audit of the money received during the amnesty period.
O’Scanlon said he wants the state to improve its tax collection so that large sums of money don’t go uncollected, further burdening New Jersey taxpayers.

“I’m happy we have some money to aid the state’s beleaguered property taxpayers, but the fact that we had so much uncollected money outstanding is nothing to brag about,” O’Scanlon said. “We need to tighten our tax collection procedures to ensure that some people are not scamming the system, forcing honest, law-abiding citizens to pay higher taxes to make up for those not paying what they owe.”

Christie Accepts Congressional Invite On DPAs

Save Jersey has the scoop.

Corzine's Failures, Week 5

Our weekly feature, Corzine's Failures couldn't be easier than it is this week. Who else but Jon Corzine could have the most succesful tax amnesty program in history actually illustrate his failure to govern.

Chris Christie said it best:

"It is now clear that Jon Corzine has no control over the budget or our government. He promised four years ago to change the way Trenton budgeted, but this budget uses billions in one-shot gimmicks, including this latest tax amnesty windfall, that will have to be made up in future budgets. This kind of haphazard governing by chance just doesn't cut it...

As always, please ad your Corzine's Failures entries in the comments. Weeks 1-4 can be found here.

Urban Education Reform Will Be A Focal Point Of Christie's Campaign

Photo linked from NYTimes.com


The New York Times has some news that is fit to print today. Their article, Christie Aims at Democrats Unhappy With Poor Schools, focuses on the politics of Christie nipping away at Corzine's support in urban school districts.

They haven't seen the big picture yet.

By focusing on urban education, Christie is not simply trying to suppress Corzine's margin of victory in Essex, Hudson, and Camden counties. He is addressing, in his words, "a moral failure" which has been condeming generations of children to second class citizenship. He is also addressing our state wide property tax problem.

No matter what any candidate ever tells you, New Jersey's property tax system will not be reformed until urban education is reformed.

Poll after poll for decades since the Byrne administration have shown that property taxes are New Jersey voters biggest concern. Governors race after Governors race showcase competing solutions that never work. Not this time. Christie is pulling the thread that will unravel the entire corrupt system.

Tax Amnesty Program Yields $600M. Corzine Pledges To Restore $400M In Property Tax Rebates

Today's scheduled votes on the State Budget in the Assembly and Senate were postponed as Governor Corzine announced that the tax amnesty program that expired on Monday June 15 yielded $400 million more than expected, "with thousands of envelopes yet to be counted."

Given the new found revenue, Corzine, Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts and Senate President Richard Codey agreed to send the budget back to their respective legislative committees on Monday June 22, with final passage of a revised budget expected on Thursday June 25.

Urging the Legislature to put $400 million in new-found revenue toward property tax relief for middle-class homeowners, Governor Corzine said:

"I want to convey in the strongest possible terms, my commitment to using these recovered resources to provide middle class homeowners with much needed property tax relief.

Let me be clear. When revenues fell, the last item we cut was property tax relief. Now that we’ve recovered some lost revenues the first thing we will restore is property tax relief.

Further, we must not and we will not return to past practices. Today is June 18th not December 25th – we will not be buying a Christmas tree. The money belongs to the taxpayers and we are going to give it back to them in property tax relief.

To any special interest groups that might want to line up, let me also be clear: I will do everything in my power to make certain that recovered funds are directed to property tax relief."

GOP Gubernatorial nominee Chris Christie wasn't impressed. He said,

"It is now clear that Jon Corzine has no control over the budget or our government. He promised four years ago to change the way Trenton budgeted, but this budget uses billions in one-shot gimmicks, including this latest tax amnesty windfall, that will have to be made up in future budgets. This kind of haphazard governing by chance just doesn't cut it when we're facing 8.8 percent unemployment, skyrocketing property taxes and real pain for all middle class New Jerseyans."

Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony R. Bucco (R-Morris) challenged Corzine to provide an update on all revenues in light of the one-time revenues derived from the tax amnesty program. Bucco said,

“We now know that thousands of people and businesses fell behind in their tax payments as a tidal wave of tax increases washed over them for the past 8 years. Substantial revenue is coming in from people and businesses responding to threats of punishment unless they pay up. But, we don’t know whether revenue from all the other taxes are continuing to deteriorate as they have since September of last year.”

“Before Corzine and the Democrats rush to increase spending the public’s money, we need to know if collections in income taxes, sales taxes, and corporate taxes continue to plunge, offsetting this gain.”

In recent months income, sales, and corporate business tax collections have been plunging at an accelerated rate. Even though double digit declines in these taxes continue to grow, the budget bill as introduced is premised on the assumption that revenue collections from these taxes will be exactly as predicted in mid May.

NY Times to RGA: Stop Using Our Stuff!

The Gray Lady is standing up for the Gray Beard.

The New York Times sent a cease and desist letter to the Republican Governors Association because they think The Corzine Times resembles the NY Times.

I guess they didn't read it.

Mike Schrimpf, Communications Director of the RGA said, "It’s amusing to see The Gray Lady standing up for The Gray Beard, but we were hoping the Times would send a cease and desist notice to Corzine telling him not to hike taxes by another $1 billion."

AFL-CIO Endorses Corzine

How can you blame them after this speech?



Don't you feel like fighting?

Corzine to the Irish:"I hope you've had a few beers today. What do you think?" "Keep the Irish Traditions Going."

Corzine to Christie: "I'm Not Afraid Of You"

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that at last night's New Jersey Business and Industry Association's dinner, Governor Corzine left the head table and walked into the crowd to greet Chris Christie and tell him, "I'm not afraid of you."

As if Christie cares.

As has become his custom, Corzine left the event before Christie addressed the audience.

Corzine may not be afraid of Christie, but increasingly, Democrats are afraid that they will not be able to compete in November with Corzine on top of the ticket.

Democratic Senator Sandra Cunningham, told Politickernj "Corzine will be a tough sell", even in her Jersey City district. The Obama political machine is worried that Corzine's defeat will reflect badly on them and be good for Republicans. Democrats of the local, county and legislative levels are positioning themselves to run away from Corzine.

Even in the blogosphere, if you want to find Corzine's message, read a Republican blog. The Corzine campaign emails and videos are rich material for Republican bloggers. The Democratic blogs take their gratuitous shots at Christie, but they are hard pressed to say anything good about Corzine.

Is Bill Pascoe Dino Crocetti?

As a former anonymous blogger I rarely speculate on the identities of those who choose to blog anonymously.

Today I will make an exception.

Bill Pascoe has a good piece about Chris Christie's LG selection at CQ Politics, For His No. 2, Christie Needs to Think 'Reinforce,' Not 'Balance', that ends with a recommendation that is so far out in left field that it is in the bullpen.

I'll let you read Pascoe's piece rather than reveal his non-starter of a suggestion for Christie. But I'll give you a hint. The notable and sometime notorious anonymous blogger known as Dino Crocetti loves the guy that Pascoe is suggesting.

Corzine Using Taxpayers Dollars For Campaigning

Click on the picture for a readable copy.

A notice from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development Employment Security Agency arrived in the mail today.

It was a notice of an increase in my Unemployment Insurance Contribution Rate. I can't figure out how much more I'll be paying from this notice without referring to tax tables and Column D and B.

However, the notice makes it very clear that the increase would be much worse if not for Governor Corzine:

"Without Govenor Corzine's intervention, these employer wage taxes would have jumped nearly $900 million beginning July 1, 2009. Because of these additional resources, the UI Trust Fund's tax table will instead only shift to Column B, and New Jersey employers will be spared from an additional tax increase of $546 million during FY 2010."

I think that means that the tax increase is $354 million instead of $900 million without Corzine's heroics.

The notice goes on:

While previous administrations weakened the UI Trust Fund by diverting more than $4.7 billion to other uses over a period of 14 years, Governor Corzine and the New Jersey Legislature stopped these diversions starting in 2006, and transferrred a total of $380 million in state funds from the General Fund into the UT Trust Fund in 2008 and 2009. The Governor also sighned legislation in March 2009 that helped New Jersey qualify for a $207 million award through the federal Unemployment Insurance Modenrnization Act. Taken together, those trasfers of monies into the UI Turst Fund helped bloster the balance in the UI Trust Fund on March 31, 2009-in time to count for the calculation of the tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year-thus minimizing the size of the automatic wage tax increase required this year.

Gee, thanks Governor! In other words, the Whitman, McGreevey and Codey administrations raided the "trust" fund of $4.7 billion. Corzine put $380 million back over the last two years, Obama kicked in $207 million, and employers have to make up the rest, unless we lay more people off.

Besides telling me how much more I have to pay without paying an accountant to figure it out for me, the other thing that is missing from this announcement is "Paid for by Corzine 09."

MONMOUTH COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REPUBLICAN MOMS

JULY MEETING

"MOMS' NIGHT OUT"

JULY 9, 2009
8PM
HOME OF CHRISTINE HANLON
WINE AND CHEESE
CONTACT:Christinehanlon@verizon.net for more information

White House Is Worried About Corzine

The Star Ledger is reporting that the Obama Administration is worried that Corzine's defeat in November will empower Republicans.

You can't put anything past those guys.

The theme of the Corzine campaign has become clear. The failure of Corzine's first term is George Bush's fault. A second term will be better because Obama is Corzine's friend.

Didn't Corzine say something about holding him accountable during his inaugural speech? Didn't Corzine say he was willing to put his job on the line when he was trying to "monetize" our highways with an 800% toll increase?

I get it now. George Bush made Corzine shut down the government in order to raise the sales tax 17% and then give half the money raise away in "Christmas Tree Items" that only Democratic districts benefited from.

It is George Bush's fault that Corzine didn't deliver "40 in 4" property tax relief.

It is George Bush's fault that Corzine grew the size of government during his first three years in office.

It is George Bush's fault that Corzine sustained McGreevey's business tax increases.

It is George Bush's fault that Corzine caved into the CWA so Joe Biden would speak at his rally.

George Bush was the real governor of New Jersey during Corzine's first term. But fear not, if we re-elect Corzine, Obama will be governor.

He's Dreamin'

Education Spending and Advertising

The Star Ledger has an editorial this morning calling on NJ school officials to quit complaining and start cutting spending.

Fat chance of that happening.

Have you noticed the NJEA ads on TV? They're advertising online too. There's a link that reads New Jersey Public Schools on my aol email this morning that points to the NJEA website.

Why would the NJEA need to advertise? They are a public teachers union. They have no meaningful competition. It doesn't make sense to me that they would have to spend their members' dues money to advertise the success of NJ students. Students and their parents should be the best advertisement...word of mouth.

I called the NJEA to ask them about this. After being transferred three times I was told the person in charge of advertising was hurriedly called into a meeting. I'll report back if she returns my call.

I wonder how much the NJEA is spending on this advertising campaign. Six figures? Seven figures? It seems a waste.

If NJ education officials heed the Star Ledger's call to stop complaining and cut spending, like the rest of us are, they might want to look closely and these union contracts. The teachers themselves might want to reconsider how much of their paychecks they are giving up in dues to the union and their expensive advertising campaign.

However, if the NJEA would like to advertise on this blog, I'll gladly take their money.

Corzine Caves

The Pope and Nancy Pelosi

Good spam

The Pope and Nancy Pelosi are on the same stage in front of a huge crowd.

The Madame Speaker and His Holiness, however, have seen it all before. To make it a little more interesting, Madame Speaker says to the Pope, "Did You know that with just one little wave of my hand I can make every Democrat in the crowd go wild?"

He doubts it, so she shows him.. Sure enough, the wave elicits rapture and cheering from every democrat in the crowd. Gradually, the cheering subsides.

The Pope, not wanting to be outdone by such a level of arrogance, considers what he could do.

"That was impressive, the Pope says, "But did you know that with just one little wave of MY hand I can make EVERY person in the crowd go crazy with joy? This joy will not be a momentary display like that of your subjects, but will go deep into their hearts, and they will forever speak of this day and rejoice."

The speaker seriously doubts this, and says so. "One little wave of your hand and all people will rejoice forever? Show me."

So the Pope slapped her..

Quote Of The Day

The Democrats in this State better wake up and realize that Chrisite is a new type of Republican candidate who will not try to " get along" and do things in the normal way.

~ by: firstamend07 at Blue Jersey, commenting on Chris Christie's declining to seek the NJEA's endorsement.

Christie is certainly proving to be a "new type of Republican."

With his letter to the NJEA, Christie put the entire NJ establishment on notice that the gravy train is approaching its last stop. If Chris keeps this up, even my friends at Conservatives with Attitude will be saying good things about him.

Read Christie's letter to NJEA here, courtesy of Save Jersey. Click on letter for a readable copy to pop up:




NJEA president Joyce Powell issued a statement in response to the letter which said in part,

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Christie is unwilling to take the time to have an honest discussion about educational issues with the organization that represents the overwhelming majority of the state's educators.

This lady is the leader of our teachers? That is not what Christie said. Powell must be a graduate of Democratic spin school. Her statement continues..

"It is also unfortunate that the Republican standard-bearer has chosen to break his party's long-standing tradition of candid discussion and direct communication with NJEA." of groveling before us hat-in-hand for an endorsement that will never be forthcoming.

Chris certainly has broken a long-standing tradition. Thank goodness.

He sounds like Steve Lonegan with manners!

I hope the mainstream press steps up and gives this matter the attention it deserves. Headlines are likely to be dominated by the state budget for the next week or two. However a major party candidate for Governor standing up to the most powerful labor union is the state is extremely newsworthy and NJ residents deserve to know about it.

Outrage At Letterman Comments

I received this message from a loyal MMM reader Andrew Bane this morning:

Letter I sent to CBS. You should be writing about this & the double standards.

"Just wondering when you are going to fire letterman like you did IMUS? Imus was gone for calling a basketball team Nappy Headed Hos. letterman calls for the RAPE of a 14 year old & that’s ok. He was not talking about an 18 year old, but if he was he should still be fired. Also wondering if al sharpton is protesting about this, as he should be. It was an awful thing said about a 14 year and all women, yet he don’t protest. I guess if Imus said that about the Obama girls he would be protesting. You may not have people or even some fat man that does not work protesting out side your building, but the protesting has started. I, and many other people that I know, will not be watching any CBS 2 New York TV shows until Sexual Pervert is off the air. Not some half assed apology, but off the air, just like IMUS. Feel free to contact me with some lame story as to why he is still on the air."

Tommy DeSeno weighed in on Letterman's distasteful humor at Justified Right. Tommy's post includes email addresses to CBS executives, for those who inclined to express their outrage directly to the brass.

My take on this is different than that of my friends Andrew and Tommy.

Imus should not have been fired. His comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team were distasteful and funny to some. Letterman should not be fired. His comments were distasteful and funny to some.

Those of us on the right should condemn the likes of Letterman and change the channel. We don't need to turn ourselves into Al Sharpton and Jessee Jackson. Two wrongs don't make a right. In the unlikely event that calls for Letterman's dismisal work, the Sharpton/Jackson methods will be validated.

A-Rod, also a victim of Letterman's cruel distasteful humor, had the best response. He ignored it.

Like most Americans, I stopped watching Letterman a long time ago. He's just not that funny and that bald guy with the Elton John costumes can't sing. If anything newsworthy happens on the show, Fox News will cover it.

This latest controversy will boost Letterman's ratings temporarily, which is what he wants. He will milk the controversy with funny "apologies" and make himself some money on the deal.

CBS is not going to fire Letterman. Calling for his firing will only prolong the controversy and continue to boost his ratings.

Prolonging this latest controversy won't do Sarah Palin's daughters any good.

Sarah Palin has done a good job expressing her outrage and exposing the media double standards. Now she should shut up about it and sue Letterman and CBS on behalf of her daughters. The 18 year old is probably a public figure and may not have a slander case, but the 14 year old is not a public figure. I'll leave the legal technicalities to Tommy, but the Palins should hit Letterman and CBS in the pocket book. That is the only way to change the behavior. Yes, a law suit would prolong the controversy, but at least the young Palin will have money for the therapy bills that are coming.

As for me, boycotting Letterman won't make any difference. If I'm still awake at 11:30 I tune in to the O'Reilly rerun. I won't be boycotting CBS, unless they cancel Criminal Minds, CSI NY and NFL Football.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Corzine's Budget Introduced. You Can't See It

The Star Ledger is reporting that Corzine's State budget was formally introduced late Thursday, but that copies are still not available for review.

Legislative committees are scheduled to have hearings on the budget that they haven't read on Monday.

Here's what we know it will include:

Tax increases on incomes over $400,000. This will prompt high earners to change their residency, just as Corzine himself argued when opposing such increases in previous budgets.

Increased levies on cigarettes, wine and hard liquor. Corzine will have to raise tolls on the bridges into Delaware and PA to cover the short fall these measures will cause. That will not help the reduced sales and tax revenues from NJ's dining, entertainment and package good industries.

Eliminate the property tax deduction on next year's income tax filings for anyone earning more $150,000 annually. This will lead to more middle class families throwing in the towel and leaving NJ. It will also lead to a huge increase in families making $149,000. This measure will have a stimulative economic impact...in December...as small businesses rush to incur expenses in order to reduce their incomes below the $150,000 threshold. However this boost in economic activity will be an offset by middle income earners asking their employers to postpone their last paycheck to until after the new year, so that they can stay below $150K.

The new budget would also cut rebate checks for anyone who isn't a senior citizen or a disabled resident. Seniors and the disabled will be able to get great deals on real estate, as more people head for the exits.

The good news? Corzine has a friend in the White House and he is focused like a laser.

Christie to NJEA: Thanks But No Thanks

Christie declines to compete for NJEA endorsement.

Corzine's Failures, Week 4

This week we see that Corzine has failed to articulate a justification for a second term.

The videos produced by the Corzine campaign, posted immediately below this post, reveal that his rational for a second term is that Obama is his friend and will give him federal money.

Corzine failed to negotiate a deal with the CWA that would produce real savings. Rather, he gave away the right to layoff workers and took a page out of the Whitman/DiFrancesco/McGreevey/Codey handbook and committed to future giveaways in exchange for insignificant cuts today.

Catch up on weeks 1-3 here and ad your entries in the comments.