Quote Of The Day

Chris Fotache:

Carla Katz getting a show on 101.5?? What, was Ashley Dupre unavailable?

Friends Who Need Our Prayers

Former Freeholder Ed Stominski had triple by-pass surgery on Monday. He is doing well..up walking and eating. He is at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.

County Clerk of Elections Bertha Sumick is in a rehab facility recovering from kidney failure.

Our prayers and well wishes go out to Bertha, Ed and their families.

Obama Not Reconsidering Fort Monmouth Closure

From the APP

President Barack Obama is not reconsidering the decision to close Fort Monmouth,
an administration official said today.

"The Department of Defense and the President are not proposing any reviews'' of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission decision to shutter the fort and send most of its mission to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., the official said in an e-mail.

Rumors have been flying since an Association of the United State Army conference in February that Obama was proposing a review of four 2005 BRAC decisions, and that the Fort Monmouth decision was at the top of that list.

The rumor has been the subject of blog posts and an e-mail campaign begun by Oceanport Borough Councilman Joseph Irace.

Irace said he was disappointed by the news, but that he would not stop the campaign.

""Just maybe there is that Hail Mary pass, that little chance that they can
overturn this mistake,'' he said.

Pennacchio: New Jersey Investment Conflicts Spread to State's College Saving Plan

Senator Joe Pennacchio, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after he questioned an official at budget hearings yesterday about NJBest, a so-called 529 plan created by the state for parents trying to save so they can afford the ever increasing cost of a college education for their children. Morningstar rated New Jersey’s 529 plan as among the worst five in the nation.

“Morningstar tells us that the fees for the NJBest plan are much, much higher than the fees charged by Ohio’s college savings fund, which ranks as one of the best five,” Pennacchio said. “I also was disturbed to learn that Morningstar believes this plan puts parents in risky stock investments far longer than is prudent for college savings funds.”

Pennacchio said he just learned the state’s 529 funds are run by Franklin Templeton, where Peter Langerman, the former head of the state Division of Investment went back to work in 2005. Langerman was an executive at Franklin before being named head of the New Jersey Division of Investment in 2002. In 2003, Franklin won the contract to run the state 529 plans, records indicate. Langerman left to rejoin Franklin in 2005. According to Morningstar, he manages mutual funds where some of New Jersey’s 529 money is invested today.

“These facts are troubling. Langerman is known as great investment manager, but the state’s awarding of the contract to Franklin raises obvious concerns. The public has a right to be suspicious of potential conflicts of interest, particularly when an independent company says parents are paying fees much higher than those charged in other states.

“This 529 ranking also comes amid news reports that former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli worked for a firm that is at the center of an influence-peddling scandal involving investments in New York state pension funds. Possible conflicts of interest such as the above and a total absence of transparency surrounding the state’s disastrous investment in Lehman Brothers in June have led Senator Bill Baroni and I to draft legislation that will create a Senate commission on pensions. If passed, the commission will hold hearings on state management of pensions for public employees. I will add the state’s 529 plans to the list of topics for discussion if this bipartisan commission is created. I’ve asked for subpoena power to ensure an honest and thorough inquiry.”

Oroho: Governor Corzine, Where Are the Revenue Numbers?

In light of disturbing news reports, Senator Steve Oroho, a Republican on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, is asking Governor Corzine to immediately release the latest figures on revenue collections.

“Yesterday, a financial news service reported that the state took the extraordinary step of delaying a $364 million transportation bond sale without providing any explanation of why. Another news report today quotes an administration official as saying the governor is about to ‘drop another budget bombshell.’

“If the governor has information that indicates the state’s economy is even worse than forecast, then he should share it with Legislature immediately and not let the news dribble out through leaks. It is highly irresponsible to force legislators to make budget decisions without the figures needed to come up with an honest budget document.

“The economy is in such turmoil that revenue figures from just last week are already out of date and inaccurate,” Oroho said. “It’s cynical politics to let legislators and the public debate the spending of revenue that the state may never collect.

“I call on Governor Corzine to show he believes in honest and open government by providing weekly updates of revenue figures to the public and legislators from now until the budget is passed in June. Democracy will be ill served by anything else.”

Lonegan Says He Will Cut Abbott Spending

GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan said that he would cut Abbot district funding, set a per-pupil state education contribution limit and allow communities to spend as much over the limit as they please on education, according on an article at Philly.com

Lonegan said he would institute a voucher system for failing students to attend other schools, but the schools would have to be located within the municipality of their residence.

Lonegan has a tele-press conference this afternoon to address his plans for property taxes. MoreMonmouthMusings will cover the conference.

There's a Democratic Primary Too

Save Jersey's Matt Rooney caught up with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Carl Bergmanson.

The Slugfest Escalates

As the GOP gubernatorial primary moves into its last month the Christie and Lonegan campaigns are duking it out.

The following email blast showed up in my inbox yesterday:




When asked about his plan for New Jersey taxpayers...
"Lonegan acknowledged that many people - about 50 percent - would be paying higher taxes"
(Cindy Burton, "Christie's tax attacks don't go unanswered," Philadelphia Inquirer, 04/29/09)


But according to Former State Treasurer Peter Lawrance, it is closer to 70% of New Jerseyans...

"With two thirds of the state losing, this plan is a 'Flat Out Loser.' Steve suggests that this plan will not significantly reduce the total tax receipts; he appears to simply want to tax the middle class and seniors..."(Peter Lawrance, "Ex State Treasurer: Lonegan tax plan an assault on middle class, seniors," Politickernj.com, 04/24/09)


Whether it is 50% or 70%, one thing is clear - Steve Lonegan's tax plan is wrong for New Jersey.


The Lonegan tax hike:
not putting taxpayers first.

###

www.ChristieforNJ.com
Paid for by Chris Christie for Governor, Inc Ronald Gravino, Treasurer

Also in my inbox was a link to a new anti-Christie ad from the Freedom Defense Fund, which is supporting Lonegan. The ad focuses on the Deferred Prosecution Agreements Christie awarded as U.S. Attorney and implying the he used the influence of his office to get his brother off the hook in a criminal investigation.



Christie Exposed is a project of Freedom’s Defense Fund, and is not authorized or endorsed by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
Paid for by Freedom’s Defense Fund, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20005

"Frightening" State Revenue Short Falls

New Jersey Chief Counsel William J. Castner Jr. told the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce this morning that sales and income tax collections are dropping to "frightening" levels and that Governor Corzine will soon announce budget revisions, according to an article in NJBiz.

Maybe Corzine will start making some real spending cuts rather that kicking the can down the road and back to the municipalities as he has been.

Monmouth U/Gannet Poll: Christie Beats Corzine. Lonegan Doesn't

Patrick Murray of Monmouth University released a new poll this morning that indicates that if the election was today Chris Christie would beat Jon Corzine. Corzine would prevail against Steve Lonegan.

Murray did not report numbers for the GOP primary. Both the Lonegan and Christie campaigns are acting as if the primary is a single digit race with Christie leading. The Democratic machine and the liberal media are convinced they can beat Lonegan in the fall and are doing what they can to boost his chances of securing the nomination over Christie.

Murray's poll indicates that by a wide margin, New Jersey voters want the candidates to address property taxes, even though they are cynical about the candidates' ability or willingness to actually impact the problem. Property taxes trumped the economy, jobs, education and health care as the issue NJ residents most care about.



The only bright spot for Corzine in the poll is Northern New Jersey, which Murray defines as Union and Morris counties and north. In this region Corzine leads Christie by 8 % and Lonegan by 12%. Corzine has a positive job approval rating, 46-43 in North Jersey. Central Jersey residents disapprove of his performance by a 22% margin. South Jersey residents disapprove by 20%.

Christie Raises the Max for Matching Funds

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Chris Christie's Campaign for Governor announced that with today's submission of $160,770 to the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the Christie campaign is the first to be eligible for the full match of public funds. To date, a total of $1,732,000 has been raised and submitted to the Election Law Enforcement Commission for matching funds.

"Meeting our fundraising goals while we're still in April shows a few things - voters are eager to support Chris, they're eager to invest some of own resources in his candidacy, and they know he's going to win," said Bill Stepien, Campaign Manager. "With his organizational support, grassroots network, financial resources and commitment to cut income and small business taxes, Chris is well equipped to win in June and November."

Flu the coop

Pallone to hold an emergency hearing about Swine flu on Thursday.

emergency
–noun 1. a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action.

Bill Pascoe:Lonegan Isn't Christie's Biggest Problem

Bill Pascoe has a fascinating analysis of the NJ GOP primary at CQ Politics.

"Running as a corruption-busting former U.S. Attorney just isn't likely to win a general election in New Jersey in 2009."

"Oh, one more thing -- the GOP primary really is a single-digit race."

"...Lonegan's message -- all taxes and spending, all the time -- is a more powerful message than is Christie's."

Christie on Lonegan's Tax Plan and Siding with the ACLU

Chris Christie came to Middletown today as part of his small business tour. He visted with Bill Schweizer and his team at Add-On Pools and Patio on Route 35.

I caught up with Christie on his way out and asked him about the difference between his tax plan and that of Steve Lonegan. He was happy to oblige and added a shot at Lonegan for "siding with the ACLU against law enforcement."

Lonegan Radio Ad: Flat Tax

STEVE LONEGAN:

Chris Christie is attacking me in his radio ads because I support a flat tax that will make New Jersey competitive and will stop the exodus of our friends, neighbors, and jobs to other states.

Christie’s attack on me is something you would expect from Barack Obama or Jon Corzine, not another Republican.

My flat tax, that Christie opposes, will end the liberal income redistribution schemes that have no place in our tax code and are driving more jobs out of our state every day.

Chris Christie won’t support a flat tax because he’s afraid people might vote against him for taking a stand.

That’s the difference between Chris and myself, and the difference is clear.

We can turn New Jersey around with bold, conservative ideas. But only with a Governor experienced, ready, and capable of making that happen.

That’s why I’m asking for your vote and your help.

Go to Lonegan dot com now and sign up today.

Together, we will save our state.

Lonegan Camp Claims GOP Gov Race Is Dead Heat

MEMORANDUM
TO: Lonegan for Governor
FROM: Rick Shaftan
RE: New Jersey Republican Primary Data 4/19-4/24/09
DATE: April 27, 2009

SUMMARY

The Republican Primary for Governor is now a dead heat with Chris Christie holding a statistically insignificant 36.1-34.5 lead over Steve Lonegan with 0.4% for Rick Merkt. Without Merkt in the matchup, the numbers tighten to 36.1-34.8

Among those definitely voting, Christie holds a 36.6-36.4 lead with 0.5% for Rick Merkt. Without Merkt in the race, Christie actually trails Lonegan by 36.6-36.8 among definite voters.

The electorate is very conservative. 67 percent of respondents described their political philosophy as conservative (versus 27 percent moderate and 4 percent liberal). Among those definitely voting, 70 percent are conservative, 24 percent moderate and 4 percent liberal.

Christie and Lonegan have near universal name ID and virtually identical favorables, although a higher percentage is unfavorable or mixed on Christie. Rick Merkt is virtually unknown.

Statewide, Christie is 42-11 favorable with 8 mixed and 97 percent ID. Lonegan is 40-7 favorable with 4 mixed and 92 percent ID. Merkt is 2-0 favorable with 30 percent ID.

With definite voters, Christie is 44-12 with 8 mixed and 97 percent ID. Lonegan is 43-7 with 4 mixed and 93 percent ID.

A majority of voters identify Christie as either moderate or liberal while 56 percent identify Lonegan as conservative. Those voters who see Christie as moderate or liberal are supporting Lonegan by a 49-36 margin while those who see Lonegan as a conservative back him by 54-26.

Overall, 30 percent of voters say Christie’s philosophy is the same as theirs while 36 percent say he is more liberal than they are and 7 percent say he is more conservative. By contrast, 44 percent say Lonegan shares the same philosophical view they have, 5 percent say he is more liberal and 13 percent say he is more conservative. 71 percent of those with an opinion say Lonegan’s philosophy matches theirs versus only 41 percent of Christie voters.

These numbers get even worse for Christie among definite voters where 38 percent say he is more liberal than they are, 31 percent say his views are the same and 6 percent say he is more conservative. Four percent say Lonegan is more liberal than they are, 46 percent say his views are the same and 13 percent say he is more conservative than they are. 73 percent of definite voters with an opinion say Lonegan’s philosophy matches theirs as opposed to only 41 percent with Christie.

Lonegan leads by 42-25 (2% for Merkt) in Northwest New Jersey which makes up 25 percent of the statewide vote. Without Merkt in the race, Lonegan’s lead expands to 44-25. In that section of the state, Christie is 33-14 favorable with 8 mixed and 97 percent ID. Lonegan is 48-3 favorable with 4 mixed and 94 percent ID. Merkt is 5-0 favorable, 2 mixed and 40 percent ID.

With definite voters in Northwest New Jersey, Lonegan leads 46-26 (2 for Merkt) and 47-26 without Merkt. Christie has a 36-16 favorable/unfavorable ratio with 7 percent mixed and 98 percent ID as opposed to 52-3 (3 mixed) and 95 percent ID for Lonegan.

In Christie’s home county of Morris, which made up 13 percent of the total sample, Lonegan held a 40-23 lead with 3 percent for Merkt (42-23, 3 with definite voters). Without Merkt in the race, Lonegan’s lead in Morris grows to 42-23 (45-23 with definite voters).

Christie is 38-12 favorable in Morris with 6 mixed and 97 percent ID versus Lonegan’s 47-3 with 7 mixed and 96 percent ID. Merkt is 6-0 with 2 mixed and 51 percent ID in his home county. Among definite voters in Morris, Christie is 43-11 (Six mixed) with 98 percent ID. Lonegan is 53-2 (Six mixed) and 97 percent ID. Merkt is 7-0 (Two mixed) with 51 percent ID among definite Morris County voters.

In the competitive 23rd legislative district, which contains 8 percent of the statewide vote (the most of any district in the state), Lonegan beats Christie 43-24 and has a 47-2 favorable/unfavorable rating (0 mixed) and 90 percent ID. Christie by contrast is 26-15 with 11 percent mixed and 97 percent ID.

The situation is more tilted among definite voters in the 23rd where Lonegan holds a 49-24 lead and is 51-2 favorable with 89 percent ID. Christie by contrast is a very weak 24-18 with 10 mixed and 96 percent ID. Lonegan’s strength in the 23rd will provide a major boost to Assemblyman Mike Doherty in his primary battle for State Senate, as well as others on the Lonegan line.

BALLOT TEST
ALL DEF CONS MEN <65
Chris Christie 36.1% 36.6% 36.4% 36.1% 34.4%
Steve Lonegan 34.5% 36.4% 42.1% 38.6% 36.9%
Rick Merkt 0.4% 0.5% 0.2% 0.4% 0.0%
Undecided 29.0% 26.5% 21.3% 24.9% 28.7%
Christie Edge +1.8% +0.2% -5.7% -2.5% -2.5%

Chris Christie 36.1% 36.6% 36.4% 36.1% 34.4%
Steve Lonegan 34.8% 36.8% 42.3% 38.9% 36.9%
Undecided 29.1% 26.6% 21.3% 25.0% 28.7%
Christie Edge +1.3% -0.2% -5.9% -2.8% -2.5%

% Favs Voting CC 69.8% 68.1% 68.7% 64.5% 68.0%
% Favs Voting SL 74.1% 75.3% 76.0% 74.6% 77.9%

Lonegan’s long term prognosis is helped by converting a higher percentage of favorables into votes than Christie across the board, especially with conservatives, men and voters under 65.

NAME ID
ALL DEF CONS MEN <65
Christie Fav. 41.8% 43.9% 43.8% 43.2% 37.5%
Christie Unf. 10.8% 11.5% 12.6% 12.1% 10.6%
Christie Mix 8.2% 8.1% 9.3% 8.6% 11.5%
Christie ID 96.9% 96.6% 97.7% 97.1% 95.6%

Lonegan Fav. 39.7% 42.5% 49.0% 45.0% 40.0%
Lonegan Unf. 7.1% 7.1% 4.6% 7.1% 5.5%
Lonegan Mix 3.8% 4.1% 4.0% 4.3% 4.5%
Lonegan ID 92.2% 92.8 % 93.0% 93.2% 89.5%

Merkt Fav. 1.8% 2.1% 1.9% 2.1% 1.8%
Merkt Unf. 0.6% 0.7% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0%
Merkt Mix 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.0% 0.6%
Merkt ID 29.6% 29.9% 29.8% 32.6% 30.9%

CC Fav-SL Fav. +2.1% +1.4% -5.2% -1.8% -2.5%
CC ID-SL ID +4.5% +3.8% +4.7% +3.9% +6.1%

CC Fav/Unf+Mix 2.20 2.24 2.00 2.09 1.70
SL Fav/Unf+Mix 3.64 3.79 5.70 3.95 4.00

Lonegan benefits from a significantly higher ratio of favorables to those unfavorable and mixed with the differences greatest among conservatives.

SUMMARY
Since our early March survey (where Christie led 43-21), Lonegan has solidified his base and grown his name ID, ballot share and favorables to a level virtually equal with Christie. More importantly for Lonegan, he has built these favorables up with his base while Christie’s favorables tend to remain the same across the board. Christie also suffers from a poor favorable/unfavorable ratio as well as converting a lower percentage of favorables into votes than Lonegan.

In addition, Lonegan has established a solid base in the high voting Northwest corner of the state.

Rick Merkt plays no role in this race other than to split off votes that would otherwise go to Lonegan.

METHODOLOGY
Neighborhood Research completed 687 surveys of Republicans who had voted in two of the last five primaries (June 2005, June 2006, June 2007, February 2008, June 2008) and said they were “definitely” or “probably” voting in the June 2009 primary. 596 of these respondents said they were “definitely” voting. The theoretical margin of error at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 3.74% with all respondents and +/- 4.01% among those definitely voting.

Phone numbers were taken from a random selection of telephones from the two of five voter file described above. The telephone list includes cellphones associated with residence addresses.

Calls were made with live operators from our facility in Franklin, New Jersey between April 19 and April 24, 2009.

Middletown Seeks to Further Reduce Proposed Budget

Written by Middletown Township Public Information Office

Friday, 24 April 2009

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - The Township Committee continues to seek additional cost-saving measures and revenue sources that will further the community's commitment to preserving a high quality of life while minimizing the impact of an anticipated $2.4 million loss in revenues.

The revenue loss stems primarily from reductions in state aid, permit fees and interest earned on bank deposits. 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. As a result, the 2009 proposed budget introduced on April 20 totals $62,806,757, which is $85,000 less than the final 2008 budget of $62,892,648.

"At this point, the challenge the community faces is where to trim an already tight budget without sacrificing services and finding new revenue sources in a complicated economy where core revenues such as permit fees, state aid and interest on deposits dwindle while expensive state mandates continue to escalate," said Middletown Mayor Pamela M. Brightbill.

In order to maintain essential services such as police protection, building inspections and leaf and brush collection and snow removal, the proposed municipal tax rate would increase 3.02 cents to 36.08 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, costing the average owner of a home assessed at $433,900 an additional $11 per month. Each penny on the tax rate raises $1,142,936 in revenue. Of the $1.3 million in grants the township is slated to receive this year, $522,175 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, seat belt usage and pedestrian safety. 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 $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 moratorium of overtime for non-essential personnel without approval of the Township Administrator.
Eliminating health and pension benefits for Sewerage Authority members to the extent allowed by state law. Evaluating community recreation programs to ensure that program fees, at a minimum, cover the Township's cost to provide them.
Utilizing previously forfeited LOSAP benefits for volunteers towards this year's required contribution.

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 public hearing on the budget is scheduled for May 20 at 8 p.m. The township's proposed budget can be found on the Internet at www.middletownnj.org.

Now that the gloves are off....

....and the worst kind of primary the sane amongst us fear appears to be happening, I have a message for the Christie and Lonegan campaigns. I know you are reading.

First, please read these two posts I wrote last November:

New Jersey Democrats in Trouble?

Why Corzine Will Be Re-Elected

And now today's message for Mr. Christie and Mr. Lonegan from the average New Jersey voters:

We don't care which of you wins the GOP nomination and we don't believe that either of you will do half the shit you say you're going to do. We don't believe it now and we won't believe it in November. We won't believe it until you do it, and maybe not even then.

We don't believe half the shit you are saying about each other. And we don't care.

We care about our families. We care about our jobs. We care about our homes. We love New Jersey, but we're thinking that our friends and family members who already left had the right idea.

We know that Corzine, Codey, McGreevey, DiFrancesco and Whitman failed us, and we think that if you are elected that you probably will too. But we have this much hope that one of you will surprise us. We don't care which one, because we don't think it will really happen any way.

To the extent that you think you are "the one," we think your full of shit.

If you two keep bashing each other and make it clear that you would rather win than fix our state, we'll stick with the asshole that we know and re-elect Corzine, but only after we've made him spend another $50 million.

If you focus on what we care about, we might give you a shot.

That Didn't Take Long

Lonegan Campaign releases a radio ad in response to Christie's.



Here's the text:

ANNOUNCER 1: Steve Lonegan’s surging in the polls and Christie’s reaction, negative ads attacking Steve Lonegan. But facts are facts.
ANNOUNCER 2: Lonegan’s the only candidate with executive experience. Only Lonegan's beaten the Democrat machine again and again on their own turf.
ANNOUNCER 1: Lonegan's the only candidate standing up for your gun rights, against illegal immigration, and for taxpayers and small business owners.
ANNOUNCER 2: And only Steve Lonegan is pro-life. Christie supports abortion up until the day of delivery.
ANNOUNCER 1: That’s a fact. So is Christie’s support for gun control and illegal aliens.
ANNOUNCER 2: Christie raised taxes as a freeholder. And after one term, lost the primary, finishing dead last. Sixth out of six.
ANNOUNCER 1: And with Christie’s new scandals, he’ll lose again.
ANNOUNCER 2: The conservative choice; Mayor Steve Lonegan. Honest. Independent. For the people.
ANNOUNCER 1: Mayor Steve Lonegan for Governor. Conservative values, executive experience, putting taxpayers first.
STEVE LONEGAN: This is Steve Lonegan, paid for by Lonegan for Governor. Lonegan dot com.

Lonegan and his team live for this kind of a fight. They've been frustrated and whining that Christie wouldn't engage them. Now that Christie has taken their bait, can he put the horse back in the barn?

We're in for an interesting five weeks.

Christie Hits Back At Lonegan

Chris Christie has a new radio ad that portrays Steve Lonegan as a tax raising loser who has been distorting Christie's record.

Here's the text of the ad:

(Male Voice) You are Steve Lonegan and you have a problem.

(Female) The Bergen Record says you proposed raising property taxes in your own town fifteen percent.

(Male) Your plan would raise taxes on almost seventy percent of New Jersey workers.

(Female) And you would eliminate the homestead property tax rebate.

(Male) Lonegan ran for Congress

(Female) and lost.

(Male) State senate

(Female) and lost.

(Male) Governor

(Female) and lost.

(Male) And that's a problem.

(Female) Steve Lonegan, now desperate, you attack Chris Christie with false, negative ads.

(Mood music changes to upbeat jingle)

(Male) As U.S. Attorney Chris Christie fought public corruption, putting 130 politicians in jail.

(Female) Saving taxpayers millions.

(Male) Today, Chris Christie will take the fight to Trenton.

(Female) Cut state income taxes.

(Male) Reduce small business taxes.

(Female) Say no the Corzine tax schemes.

(Male) Pro-life Congressman Chris Smith,

(Female) "Christie will be the pro-life, pro-tax-cut Governor we need."

(Male) Chris Christie will fight for us, just as he did as U.S. Attorney. With leadership, independence, determination.

(Female) Chris Christie, Governor.

(Mr. Christie) Paid for by Chris Christie for Governor, Ron Gravino, Treasurer.

Hat tip to Save Jersey for hosting the ad.

I'm surprised that the Christie campaign would spend a dollar to to raise Lonegan's name recognition. Does Christie have internal numbers that show the race is closer than the Quinnipiac poll or the Strategic Vision poll? Not at all according to Christie campaign manager Bill Stepien.

"Because the voters deserve the truth," said Stepien when asked about the rationale for the ad, "voters always deserve the truth." "Since the beginning of this campaign Steve Lonegan has been misleading, deceiving and lying to the voters about Chris Christie and his record."

Stepien said that by three objective criteria, 1) polls --internal and external, 2)superior organization and 3) fund raising, Christie is winning this race comfortably.

We're in for an interesting five weeks.

$48 Billion Dollars

That's New Jersey's real budget. Read all about it at InTheLobby.

Pennacchio and Baroni Say Scandal Demonstrates Why Corzine Should Join Call for Pension Hearings Now

Senators Joseph Pennacchio and Bill Baroni say they have read disturbing allegations of intermediaries known as “placement agents” manipulating the pension investment process in New York, New Mexico and other states for personal and political gain. The reports have come to light amid the investigation of a pension-fund pay-to-play scandal that has led to the indictment of Hank Morris, a political adviser to former New York Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi. Today’s New York Times reported that former U.S. Senator Robert Torricelli was a lobbyist for the placement firm run by Morris, Searle & Co. of Connecticut. Equally disturbing, both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have reported that figures in the growing scandal sought investment business from New Jersey’s pension funds.

“We need to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the same politically connected Wall Street financiers that preyed on New York and other state pension funds didn’t exploit New Jersey’s pension system as well,” Senator Pennacchio said.

“Our public employees, police officers, firefighters and teachers deserve to hear an honest and open public discussion of how billions of dollars of their money has been invested,” Senator Baroni said. “First and foremost, they need to be reassured that no politically connected, Wall Street sharpie has been allowed to skim unearned ‘fees’ from their retirement savings.”

According to information on the Treasury Department’s Web site, the state pension system has $46 million invested in Carlyle Realty V LP, $21 million in Carlyle Mezzanine Partners II, $45 million in Carlyle Mezzanine Partners LP, $32 million in Quadrangle Capital Partners II and $46 million in Intermedia Partners VII. These funds bear names of investment fund groups that have surfaced in reports of investigations involving so-called “placement agents” in New York, New Mexico and elsewhere.

“State employees deserve to know if these investments were made because they promised the very best returns, or because a politically connected sales person came to Trenton,” Baroni said.

“Every effort I have made to get information about state pension investments, including the ill-advised and suspect Lehman Brothers investment, has been met with resistance, and often with belligerence,” Senator Pennacchio said. “I no longer trust any assurances given by Corzine administration officials that our pension system is safe and well managed, and neither should any state and local employee. It’s time for a full airing of how our pension system has been managed on behalf of taxpayers and retirees.”

$10 Fundraiser for Christie

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Chris Christie's Campaign for Governor announced that Christie will host a low dollar fundraiser in Bridgewater on Satuday, April 25th.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY

WHO: Chris Christie

WHAT: $10 per head Fundraiser

WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Somerville Elks Lodge
375 Union Avenue
Bridgewater

Let's Get Real Gentlemen

My friends Michael Illions at Conservatives with Attitude and Matt Rooney at Save Jersey have been having on little ongoing tit for tat over which blog is more influential and who's candidate gubernatorial candidate is better.

As the "Dean of the NJ Conservative blogger caucus," a title Rooney gave me, I have stayed out of the conflict other than to joke about it.

Today I say, let's end it, but not before patting my own back.

Illions has made much of which blog gets more U.S. traffic as ranked by Alexa.com. Alexa rankings are interesting and they flucuate daily. Today, CWA has a box that compares its traffic with Save Jersey:

United States Ranking

Conservatives with Attitude!: 493,474

Save Jersey: 742,061

Traffic data collected by Alexa.com as of 4/24/09

Well, guess what?! MoreMonmouthMusings' U.S. traffic is ranked today at 465,895!

I win.

Now, let's cut the crap and get back to work because all of our numbers pale in comparison to Blue Jersey's at 225,076.

Blue Jersey is kicking out collective butts just like the Democrats do every November in Camden and Middlesex.

Gentlemen: Each of our blogs have influence because of who our readers are, not because we are brilliant or good looking. There is too much important work to do for us to be bickering in public. There's one thing we can learn from the Democrats that will serve our party well: Win first and then fight.

We have a long way to go.

Curley Calls for Reversal of Corzine's $1.5 Billion Tax Increase

Monmouth County must ask Governor Corzine to Stop the Trenton Tax Express

John P. Curley asks Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to Pass Resolution Condemning the $1.5 Billion Tax Increase proposed by Governor Corzine

The Trenton Tax Express Train is in full motion during this budget season, as Governor Corzine contemplates steamrolling over New Jersey residents and Monmouth County residents in particular by increasing taxes by an estimated $1.5 Billion.

“I’m urging the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to adopt this resolution in opposition to Governor Corzine’s $1.5 billion tax increase plan,” Curley stated.

The Monmouth County Freeholder Candidate continued, “Families in Monmouth County 's 53 municipalities are struggling during these difficult economic times. The Governor’s proposed budget will add to the crushing tax burden middle class families already pay in this state. The Monmouth County freeholders should oppose this plan to raise property, income and business taxes at a time when we can least afford it.”

“If Freeholder Director Barbara McMorrow and the fellow members of the Board fail to pass this resolution urging the Governor to stop his assault of the middle class,” Curley argued, “then they illustrate that they truly are out-of-touch with Monmouth County ideals.”


A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO OPPOSE THE CORZINE $1.5 BILLION TAX INCREASE PLAN

WHEREAS, Governor Corzine is proposing raising taxes on New Jersey’s middle-class working families and struggling businesses; and

WHEREAS, at a time when our economy is hurting and families are losing their jobs, their homes and their savings, the Governor has proposed increasing property, income, business and other taxes by $1.5 billion; and

WHEREAS, Governor Corzine’s proposed budget will add to the crushing burden of taxes paid by middle class families between $1,700 to $2,000 a year, according to economists at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University; and

WHEREAS, the property tax relief program, enacted into law by the Governor and the Legislature in 2004 and financed with an increase in the state income tax, was supposed to provide permanent relief; and

WHEREAS, the property tax deduction for most homeowners gives citizens a break on their state income taxes by offsetting the nation's highest property tax bills; and

WHEREAS, a $400 million increase in payroll taxes and $80 million corporation business-tax surcharge will result in more job losses while our unemployment rate is higher than every neighboring state; and

WHEREAS, raising income taxes by $350 million will drive entrepreneurs and executives from New Jersey at time when we desperately need them to create jobs and prosperity for middle class New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, this administration is placing a further burden on property taxpayers by cutting municipal aid $31.2 million and suggesting municipalities defer pension payments to be paid in future years; and

WHEREAS, the Corzine tax plan would raise everyone's taxes when we can least afford it, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that we, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, urge the State Legislature to oppose the Corzine tax plan that raises property, income and business taxes because it will cause real pain and hardship to middle income taxpayers and businesses in the state.

RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution shall be sent to Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senate President Richard J. Codey, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce and all state legislators representing our legislative districts.

Freeholder Rob Clifton told MoreMonmouthMusings that he and Freeholder Lillian Burry support Curley's resolution.

Timed Releases

Two polls released this week indicate that New Jersey voters have had enough of Corzine and are favoring former U.S Attorney Chris Christie to become our new Governor.

A Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday states that 54% of New Jersey voters disapprove of Corzine's performance and that Christie leads Corzine by a margin of 45-38. Christie's competitor for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, ties Corzine 41-41.

In the GOP primary match up, Christie beats Lonegan 46-37 among likely primary voters, according to Quinnipiac. Among all Republicans, Lonegan narrowed his gap from 21 points in the March Q poll to 15 points in the April poll.

A Strategic Vision poll also released on Wednesday shows Christie beating Corzine 47-36. The former U.S. Attorney crushes Lonegan 40-15 for the GOP nomination in this poll.

Not a bad showing for Christie. It would seem the innuendo campaign over Deferred Prosecution Agreements that alleged pay to play and a quid pro quo to keep Christie's brother out of trouble have not had a significant impact on the public's perception of Christie.

The left responded to these poll numbers by attempting to create another innuendo campaign. Yesterday, the ACLU issued a release of data obtained from the Justice Department via a Freedom of Information Act disclosure that showed that Christie's U.S. Attorney's office track 98 suspected terrorists via cell phones, resulting in 83 criminal prosecutions. The tracking was court authorized and did not require a judicial finding of probable cause.

The Star Ledger's headline for this ACLU release was ACLU says Chris Christie authorized warrantless cellphone tracking. That sounds like a scandal, until you read the article.

What the Star Ledger article didn't say was that the Justice Department's disclosure was made on December 31, 2008.

I wonder why the ACLU sat on this for four months. I wonder why the Star Ledger didn't ask them why they sat on it for four months.

Obama Only Got A Book

Hugo Chavez gives New Jersey Petty's Island and $3 million.

I wonder how this will impact Pennsauken's property tax base.

Republican Sheriffs Endorse Christie

PARSIPPANY, NJ - All 11 of New Jersey's Republican Sheriffs today announced their endorsement for Chris Christie's candidacy at Veterans Memorial Park in Somerville. The eleven statewide Republican Sheriffs join the countless elected officials and municipal chairs from across the state in their endorsement of Christie.

"As US Attorney, Chris proved his dedication and determination through his tireless prosecution of child pornographers, terrorists, corrupt politicians, gang members, and human traffickers," said Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford. "As governor, Chris will keep the fight going to fix Trenton with the same tenacity and honesty that he has demonstrated for the past seven years."

Chris Christie said, "I am honored by the support of these New Jersey Sheriffs who work each day to keep our communities safe. After working with me side by side for the last seven years, they know they'll have an ally in Trenton who will work with our law enforcement community to clean up our cities, reform our criminal justice system, and make New Jersey an even more vibrant and safe place to raise your families."


NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN SHERIFFS


Atlantic County Sheriff Frank Balles

Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield

Cape May County Sheriff Gary Schaffer

Hunterdon County Sheriff Deborah Trout

Monmouth County Sheriff Kim Guadagno

Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford

Ocean County Sheriff William Polhemus

Salem County Sheriff Charles Miller

Somerset County Sheriff Frank Provenzano

Sussex County Sheriff Robert Untig

Warren County Sheriff Sal Simonetti

Lonegan Stumping In Monmouth on Sunday

Mayor Steve Lonegan is coming to Monmouth County this Sunday, April 26th.


Diner Tour Stop at the Park Place Diner
Where: 1040 State Route 34, Matawan NJ
When: Sunday, April 26, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
What: Breakfast and Meet Mayor Steve Lonegan
Cost: $20 (breakfast included), no RSVP required


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Diner Tour Stop at the Middletown Diner
Where: 1887 Route 35 (north), Middletown, NJ
When: Sunday, April 26, 12:30 - 1:30 PM
What: Lunch and Meet Mayor Steve Lonegan
Cost: $20 (meal included), no RSVP required


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Voter Registration Campaign Rally
Where: 71 Monument Park Freehold, NJ
When: Sunday, April 26, 3:00 – 5:00 PM
What: Rally and Voter Registration Drive – Get Involved!
Cost: No cost to attend

Come hear Steve and other local candidates while soaking up the beautiful weather at the historic Monmouth County Courthouse!


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Meet Steve at the Home and Studio of artist Donna Ayers Vorbach
Where: 74 Mohegan Road, Manasquan, NJ
When: Sunday, April 26, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
What: Meet and Greet wine and cheese gathering
Cost: No cost to attend

SENATOR SEAN KEAN URGES TAXPAYERS TO TELL THE MVC THAT HIGHER FEES HURT MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES

Senator Sean Kean, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, called on middle-class families to join him in opposing the higher fees proposed by the governor and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

“It is a little known fact that the MVC makes a profit in New Jersey,” Kean stated. “Most of the excess revenue that the agency collects is transferred to the General Budget Fund, where it subsidizes the pet projects of partisan legislators. These increases are nothing more than hidden tax hikes on middle-class families.”

On February 17, 2009 the MVC proposed increasing 78 fees on various transaction, processes and services. The rate hikes are projected to raise up to $60 million annually. State law requires that any time fees are raised that there be a 60 day period of public comment. This period of public comment has been extended to May 2.

“I urge my fellow citizens to contact the MVC and the Governor’s office and oppose these tax increases,” Kean continued. “In this economic climate middle-class families cannot afford fees increased raised on a whim of unaccountable Trenton bureaucrats. I intend to co-sponsor legislation that will strip the MVC bureaucrats of the ability to raise any fees on the taxpaying public.”

Comments can be directed to: The Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, MVC, 225 East State Street, PO Box 162, Trenton, New Jersey, 08666-0162.

Chrisite Leads Lonegan In Fundraising

Wally Edge is reporting that Chris Christie's campaign in on the verge of meeting the maximum of funds raised from matching funds, and that Christie has a better than 2-1 fund raising edge over his closest primary competitor, Steve Lonegan.

New TV Ad From Christie

PARSIPPANY, NJ - Today, Chris Christie's Campaign for Governor launches its latest television ad, entitled "Corruption."

"The momentum and support we've received in this race has allowed us to continue to build a campaign ready to win in June and November," said Bill Stepien, Campaign Manager. "Thanks to our strong fundraising, we have the opportunity to be advertising on television in an aggressive manner. We're able to supplement our top-notch groundgame with a similarly strong campaign on the airwaves to connect with voters and spread Chris's message of strong leadership and change to even more New Jerseyans."

Joe The Plumber To Stump For Lonegan

The Lonegan Campaign announced a fundraiser with Republican Gubernatorial candidate, Mayor Steve Lonegan, and Joe the Plumber.

The event will take place Tuesday evening, May 5, 6PM, at the Deutscher Club of Clark located at 787 Featherbed Lane in Clark, NJ.

Does Corzine Have A Taxpayer Funded Campaign?

UPDATE:

Bob Ingle calls for State Attorney General Anne Milgram to investigate the Corzine crew campaigning on state time.

I wonder if Milgram's computer is among those Corzine had "unfriendly websites" blocked from viewing.

**************************************************************

New Jersey has a matching fund program for gubernatorial candidates. Anyone who has received Steve Lonegan's money appeals knows this as the mailers scream "your $1000 will become $3000 for me to defeat Corzine." Chris Christie is also in the matching fund program.

Governor Corzine is not accepting matching funds. Conventional wisdom has been that he wouldn't take state money for his re-election effort because he did not want to be subjected to the spending limits the program imposes. With vast personal wealth, he can outspend his eventual opponent considerably. He knows he will need to do that.

With his dismal poll numbers and his portfolio in the tank, there are signs that Corzine is looking for help from the taxpayers after all. But he can't use the matching fund program and limit himself to the same campaign spending limits that Christie or Lonegan will have. He knows he would get creamed if that were the case. He'll rely on the resources of the State of New Jersey and the numerous PR departments of state agencies for a campaign boost worth millions of your money.

The Star Ledger's Auditor column reported yesterday that the Governor's deputy chief of staff called a short notice meeting with key staffers of various state departments to ensure that their public statements were in sync with the Governor's campaign.

This morning, InTheLobby highlights the legal history of the "bright white line" between governing and campaigning required by New Jersey law and calls for Corzine's campaign to reimburse the taxpayers for the cost of the state funded campaign meeting.

The Auditor reveals that the theme of Corzine's campaign will be "Four Es': economy, ethics, environment (and energy) and education.

Isn't that five E's? Maybe he should take out ethics, since he blew that one by having the campaign meeting at the taxpayers expense and called for the use of taxpayers resources to help his campaign.

If anyone knows someone on Corzine's staff, tell them to read this post and InTheLobby when they get home tonight, because they can't access it at work.

Another Shot At Saving Fort Monmouth

This in from Oceanport Councilman Joe Irace.

There is an email campaign among Fort Monmouth employees to appeal to President Obama to reverse the BRAC decision to close Fort Monmouth. An organizer appealed to Irace to drum up community support.

Here's the email:


Subject: BRAC, Ft. Monmouth 2011 Move to APG Maryland
Topic: Anti-BRAC E-mail Campaign

On 11 Feb 09, we asked you to e-mail President Obama to lobby against the Ft. Monmouth’s BRAC move. It appears that our effort had some success.

During a recent conversation at the Ft. Monmouth Union Hall; we were told: The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE, the federal employee Union) National Office received information; the President is reconsidering funding for four (4) BRAC moves, with Ft. Monmouth as the leading contender.

Your e-mails will further support our quest to end the waste of taxpayer dollars to transfer the Army’s Communications & Electronics Command Headquarters to a place that lacks the resources, infrastructure, and facilities to support its mission.

Please e-mail the following content to the President’s website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

BRAC – Mr. President: The purpose of this e-mail is to solicit your support for our quest to end the waste of taxpayer dollars to transfer the Army’s Communications & Electronics Command Headquarters to a place that lacks the resources, infrastructure, and facilities to support its mission. Mr. President, we think the continued squandering of military funding on this wasteful enterprise is most unnecessary and foolhardy during these perilous economic times. We recommend you scrap all BRAC activity, particularly the move of Fort Monmouth civilian employees to Aberdeen Maryland. Also, we recommend you direct an honest accounting of the financials involved, which will substantiate the Fort Monmouth move is illogical from mission, expenditure, and morale perspectives. Lest we forget, America is at war! Now is not the time to lose the federal government’s civilian employee corporate knowledge base, Sir.

Corzine Blocking "Unfriendly" Websites

Bob Ingle is reporting that the Corzine administration's IT department blocks "unfriendly" websites for being viewed on state computers.

This issue was brought to light by Monmouth County's own Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande who launched the site http://www.stopgovernmentwastenj.com/ for state employees to make suggestions for saving money. Casagrande's site received 100 suggestions before Corzine blocked it.

Ingle notes how his blog has been blocked as well.

As a Corzine unfriendly blogger myself, I'm only a bit surprised by this news. In late 2007 and early 2008 this blog had many, many visitors from the State of New Jersey ISP, especially during the 800% toll incease debate.

That traffic dwindled considerably, but was replaced by a huge increase in after work hours traffic. Maybe state workers find my musings so irresistible that they are reading from home, instead of at work. That is how it should be.

Yet, MMM is still visited daily from the State of New Jersey's ISP by more than one source. Maybe some cleaver state employees found a work around the filtering software, or maybe Corzine had the computers in his office exempted from the block.

I wonder how many tax dollars will be spent by the IT department to find out who has been reading MMM on state computers.

Board of Education Elections

Tuesday April 21 is Election Day for New Jersey's Boards of Education and school budgets.

The Asbury Park Press has published a list of all the candidates running in the various Monmouth County school districts.

Check the sample ballot that was mailed to registered voters for poll locations and hours.

Money Money Money

There's no recession for NJ's Congressional Delegation. They keep raking in the dough.

Herb Jackson at Capital Games has a post with an interesting chart that shows how much each Congressman raised from November 5, 2008 through March 31, 2009, and how much cash they have on hand, with links to each member's FEC report.

Frank Pallone has 33% of the entire delegation's cash on had with $3,557,088.

Lots of Indian reservations, lawyers and health care lobbyists giving to Pallone since November. There's a couple of prominent Republicans on the list too.

12th DISTRICT LEGISLATORS TO HOST A TELE-TOWN HALL MEETING

Taking part in a new trend that lends itself to increased openness and transparency in government, the 12th District Legislators will host a Tele-Town Hall on April 28. The location? Your house!

“We’ve always fought for more transparency in government,” said Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, “and this is such a great medium for being able to reach people who may not, normally, have the time or ability to attend one of our town hall meetings in person. We become more accessible as legislators, which makes us more accountable to our constituents.”

Residents of the 12th District will be able to call in to what amounts to a telephone conference, enter a pin number, and ask questions of their State representatives.

“We all know how hard it is to make it out in the evenings,” said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, “especially if you have a family. This is a way to bring greater participation to government. It’s an exciting new technology, and I’m anxious to see the kind of response we get. I know other officials who have used this format have had some great results.”

“Town hall meetings and satellite offices have always been a part of our strategy to keep up to date with the concerns of the people we were elected to serve,” said Senator Jennifer Beck. “Those meetings have to be held in the evenings when people are finished with their work days, but so many people don’t want to then run out to a meeting. This technology has had proven success at allowing a more diverse group of citizens to bring their questions, concerns and suggestions to their government representatives.”

The Tele-Town Hall will take place on April 28 from 7:20 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. People wishing to participate should call 877-229-8493. The pin code is 14563, and when prompted, please enter #1. While active participation is encouraged, people may also just listen in.

Almost Famous

On Tuesday NJ101.5 reporter David Matthau asked Chris Christie about the interview he did with me wherein he declared that he is not a Christie Whitman Republican and that NJ Republicans had been "miserable failures" when we controlled Trenton.

Neither Matthau or Christie mentioned me or MMM by name. " A video blog interview with the Jersey GOP Gubernatorial frontrunner has turned up on YouTube - that's rustling some republican feathers," was the extent of the credit.

Oh well, I'm still not as famous a Tommy DeSeno.

Unfortunately, Christie backed off his comments a bit:

When asked about the comments, Christie said "all I was saying was I'm my own person - I'm not a Christie Whitman republican, I'm not a Tom Kean republican - and that's all I meant by the comment - it certainly was not meant to be critical of Governor Whitman…in my campaign, I'm taking a different kind of approach - (in the interview) what I was trying to imply was the establishment was following me- not the other way around - I've made it very clear where I stand on certain issues, and that I'm going to continue to be that way."

"Miserable failure" is pretty critical. It is also accurate.

Christie says he's is own man. That he's not a product of the establishment. He says the establishment is coming over to his ideas to fix New Jersey, not the other way around. I hope that is true. If it is, he should stop equivocating and keep ruffling feathers on both sides of the isle.

What I Like Most About The Tea Parties

I love how the left is freaking out about the tea parties.

There are reportedly 750 "tea party" tax protests scheduled around the country today. No one knows how many people will show up. The movement sprung up primarily of social networking sites like Facebook.

The wind bags can't get over themselves and their tea bagging jokes. Being more of a fan bag guy myself, I don't find the jokes all that funny. What I find funny is that the lefties are worried about the fact that taxpayers have figured out how to use the Internet to organize and communicate. That is a threat to them and they know it.

There is a tea party protest today in Belmar from noon-3. If you're busy then, working perhaps, there is a gathering in Freehold from 6-8.

The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil

Tommy DeSeno has been nagging me all day. He wants me to let you know that there is a Tea Party in Belmar tomorrow.

Details at Tommy's Jersey Shore Blog.

CASAGRANDE ASKS STATE WORKERS FOR SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY

NEW WEB SITE http://www.stopgovernmentwastenj.com/ FOR STATE EMPLOYEES TO REPORT HOW GOVERNMENT SQUANDERS TAXPAYER DOLLARS

Seeking to tap into the knowledge state employees have of how government wastes money every day, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande has launched a web site encouraging them to report ways – big and small – for New Jersey to save money.

The website’s launch coincides with America’s tax-filing deadline with hopes that workers will find ways to make future filings less burdensome for fellow New Jerseyans.

“While big-ticket examples of waste and fraud catch the most attention, New Jersey’s bloated bureaucracy also fritters away nickels and dimes daily, which adds up to large losses for taxpayers,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer, said. “And no one knows about New Jersey’s wasteful systems than better than its workers who have a front-row seat to the way that government mindlessly spends tax dollars.”

Spurred by a constituent’s call, Casagrande will compile employees’ examples of waste submitted to http://www.stopgovernmentwastenj.com/ and plans to take their suggestions to state department heads for implementation. Workers making suggestions can identify themselves or submit anonymously. The website will keep any name submitted confidential.

“Despite the stereotype, many state workers are diligent, conscientious and aware of simple changes government can make to save money,” Casagrande said. “Too often, however, their ideas get lost in the state’s large bureaucracy, or remain unspoken for fear of retribution. This web site will not allow good ideas to be ignored, but it will provide a venue for workers to submit good ideas anonymously if they worry about retaliation for suggesting change or reporting abuse.”

Casagrande got the idea after a constituent called to suggest some cost-savings measures such as charging a fee when people file motions to change child support orders or stop mailing the same glossy brochure every three months with child support statements that are often returned by the post office.

Those employees who are willing to place their names on their suggestion would be eligible for existing programs that reward employees for saving money, but some departments have let their programs go unfunded. Casagrande encouraged residents to call their lawmakers to urge that all employee tax-saving suggestion award programs be reinstated.

“State employees, such as this constituent, want to deliver savings for taxpayers that will go beyond the one-shot gimmicks and unsustainable tax increases proposed by Governor Corzine,” Casagrande said. “The governor’s attempts to cut the budget from top down have clearly failed because department heads trying to defend their fiefdoms have little incentive to save tax dollars. We should try to cut from the bottom up because those in the trenches have the best perspective of government waste.

“Everyday working Janes and Joes can help us,” Casagrande added.

Lowering Taxes Is Illegal?!

See the press release below from Dave Rible and Mary Pat Angelini.

It is actually illegal for boards of education to spend cut taxes and spending.

What happened to thorough and efficient?

Rible & Angelini: Corzine Administration Has Outlawed School Boards

By Tara Fantini

Assemblyman Dave Rible and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini criticized the Corzine administration today for supporting a law that makes it illegal for a school board to lower taxes on area residents.

In March, the Lake Como school board voted to approve a budget that cut last year’s spending by $16,000 in order to provide a small tax decrease to residents.

“What should have been a cause for celebration caused Trenton bureaucrats concern and bewilderment,” said Rible. “A ridiculous state law actually makes it illegal for school boards to lower property taxes.”

After the board submitted their budget proposal for approval, it was quickly rejected by the Corzine administration because of a law that makes it illegal for school boards to decrease the amount that they tax their residents.

“During these tough economic times, it is important that we support measures that cut costs for taxpayers,” said Angelini. “This law needs to be revised to assist the struggling middle class residents who desperately need a break from their high property taxes.”

Under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, there is a set amount of property taxes that must be raised to fund schools and school boards cannot reduce this rate. Adding insult to injury, the school board must now pay to hold an election on their budget despite the fact that the results will be meaningless.

“No matter what the votes say in two weeks, the Corzine administration will not allow the tax rate to be reduced,” said Rible. “Elections under third world dictatorships are more meaningful.”

“A law outlawing tax cuts is absurd,” said Angelini. “I want to work with the Corzine administration and other state elected officials to get this unreasonable law off the books to provide much-needed property tax relief.”

A Band Aid Where Surgery Is Required

Education funding is New Jersey is fundamentally flawed and inequitable. There is nothing "thorough and efficient" about it.

The situation in Loch Arbour and Ocean Township, where Loch Arbour residents are facing the doubling of their property taxes because Corzine's new school funding formula required that their school taxes be based on the value of their property rather than the number of children they send to Ocean Township schools is a symptom of the most serious fiscal problem facing New Jersey tax payers.

Senator Sean Kean has proposed that the new funding method be phased in over time. The Asbury Park Press has endorsed Kean's idea. This may be equitable in the short term, but it is a band aid.

New Jersey's Republican leadership, our gubernatorial candidates and legislative leaders should distinguish themselves as reformers and propose a fundamental overhaul of our educational system and its funding.

So far neither Chris Christie or Steve Lonegan have proposed anything other than better band aids.

The word "education" does not even appear in the NJ Senate Republicans "Common Sense Plan for an Affordable New Jersey" The word "school" appears, but only with a proposal to eliminate obscenely excessive superintendent retirement packages. Easy pickings of the low hanging fruit.

The Republican Assembly caucus does no better. They use the phrase "fiscal integrity" but fail to address the most compelling problem, education funding.

Basically, Republicans are promising to do a better job managing a fundamentally flawed system than the Democrats are doing. It is little wonder that voters can't distinguish between NJ Democrats and NJ Republicans.

Chris Christie has been doing a good job on the stump talking about how Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has been picking New Jersey's pocket by attracting businesses over the border. Christie, Lonegan, Kean, Jr, and DeCroce should study how Pennsylvania, Maryland and 46 other states are educating their children and come up with an honest plan to Save Jersey from the current insanity.

There is nothing to fear from the NJEA. They are not going to support Republicans anyway.

Give Obama Credit

President Obama deserves credit for giving the order to our Navy Seals to use deadly force to save Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates.

Well done Mr. President.

Tea Time

The Joe Azzolina Story

Wally Edge at Politickernj has an interesting narrative of Joe Azzolina's poltical career.

The post provides good insights into the history of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex poltics.

The Asbury Park Press Gives Curley An Early Endorsement

The Republicans don't have the votes to shut the detention center down. Citizens should make their voices heard, now and in November, when party control of the board is at stake. ~ Asbury Park Press Editorial, April 10, 2009.

In their April 10 editorial, The Asbury Park Press demonstrated that they have finally seen Freeholders John D'Amico and Amy Mallet for what they are - tax and spend liberals beholden to the Trenton Democratic machine and the labor unions that keep it greased.

While the forecast for the Monmouth GOP is sunny, there are still storm clouds on the horizon. The Trenton machine has targeted Monmouth for years. Even with their significantly weakened slate caused by the withdrawal of Barbara McMorrow and their weak legislative candidates in the 11th, 12th and 13th. The GOP should expect huge amounts of Corzine and union money to be spent here in the coming elections season. An October visit from President Obama and Governor Corzine wouldn't surprise me.

Now is the time for the GOP to step up our fund raising, PR and shoe leather efforts in Monmouth and other GOP strong holds. By widening the gap where we are strong, we can empower our eventual gubernatorial nominee and Assembly candidates to compete in Democratic strong holds. We can force the Dems to spend resources to defend their own turf.

Christie Addresses The Investigation Of His Brother/ DPA Monitorship

On Monday April 6, Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie held a press conference to address the then brewing storm over the 2005 investigation of his brother and the later appointment of David Kelly, the prosecutor who investigated Chris's brother to no avail,to a Deferred Prosecution Agreement monitorship of the orthopedic device industry.

The story was news last week when Congressmen Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell, "Caddies for Corzine" as Christie calls them, announced that the were proposing reforms to how DPAs were awarded.

Apparently Christie addressed the issue to the main stream media's satisfaction during his press conference. It has not been main stream news this week.

However, some of Christie's opponents in the blogosphere are hoping to reignite the story. There is an anonymous website that calls Christie corrupt. Conservatives with Attitude has discussed the issue liberally as has Blue Jersey. Politickernj has been the conduit for the smear site to be passed around. One of the authors of the smear site tried to get me to run with it. I don't traffic in garbage.

As I wrote last Friday insiders on both sides of the isle have known that this issue would be raised for quite some time.

Some commenters on other web sites are insisting that Christie still has not answered these questions. He did when he sat with me on Monday afternoon. Here's the clip of that portion of the interview. If you read or hear anyone clamoring for Christie's answers, send them to this post.

Christie Launches First TV Ad of the Campaign

Christie Interview, Part II

Part two of my conversation with Chris Christie is edited into two clips to accomadate YouTube's 10 minute rule.

In the first clip, I continue the moderate vs. conservative line of questioning by asking Chris if he would govern more like Tom Kean Sr or Ronald Reagan. His answer was skillful.

Then we addressed the Deferred Prosecution Agreements and the recent fuss that has been made about the DPA monitorship awarded to the prosecutor who investigated Christie's brother.

We ended the interview with a talk about matching funds and whether or not there would be enough money to beat Corzine in the general election.

Christie: "I'm not a Christie Whitman Republican"

"Our party has been a miserable failure"

On Monday I had the opportunity to sit with Chris Christie following his Kitchen Table Tax Talk in Ocean Township.

In part one, Chris gives his definition of what it means to be a Republican, declares his independence from "the establishment," while aligning himself with the rank and file county committee members.

Caliendo Puts All His Chips On The Table

The Middletown Democratic Party is taking a huge risk in this uncoming election.

With Sean Byrnes stepping up to take Barbara McMorrow's position on the ballot for Freeholder, Pat Short seeking re-election to township committee and Jim Whatshisname running for Assembly, Chairman Joe Caliendo has his three strongest candidates all on the ballot this year. The likelihood of all three being beaten by embarrassing margins is not unthinkable.

What will be left of the "loyal opposition" in Middletown should all three get crushed?

Here's my predicion for the 2010 Democratic ticket for Middletown Township Committee: Middletown Mike Morris and Matt "The Voice of Youth" Morehead.

FDU Poll: Christe beats Corzine by 9%. Lonegan and Corzine Even

A Farleigh Dickinson Public Mind Poll released this morning shows that Chris Christie has maintained his 9 point lead over Governor Corzine.

Steve Lonegan closed to within one percent of Corzine in the recent poll. FDU's March poll had Corzine beating Lonegan by 4 percent.

Among Republicans, Christie leads Lonegan 43%-21%, with 32% unsure.

The Christie Interview coming to MMM

I had the privledge of interviewing gubernatorial candidate Chris Christe this afternoon. The video will be posted as soon as I figure out how to edit it.

This photo was sent to me by Christie staffer Mark Braden.

Christie will be making an appearance at the Wall Republican Club meeting tonight, 7:30, at the Wexford Assisted Living Facility, 2018 Highway 35, Spring Lake.

The Dems Pick Their Slate

The Monmouth County Democrats nominated the following candidates at their convention today, according to spokesman Mike Mangan:

For Freeholder:

Middletown Township Committeeman Sean Byrnes defeated former Neptune Mayor Mike Beson for the nomination.

For Assembly, 11th District:

Rich Bolger, a Brielle Councilman and Randy Bishop, the Mayor of Neptune, were nominated uncontested.

For Assembly, 12th District:

Manalapan Township Committeewoman Michelle Roth and Tinton Falls teacher John Amberg, also uncontested.

For Assembly, 13th District:

Jim Grenafege, a candidate for Township committee last year, defeated Matt Morehead, Chairman of the Monmouth County Bayshore Young Democrats, for the Monmouth County seat on the ticket. Robert Brown of Old Bridge, will represent Middlesex County on the slate. By tradition, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties each have a candidate in the district which includes portions of Old Bridge and the Monmouth County Bayshore.

October Preview or April Storm?

Chris Christie appears to be gliding to victory in the GOP primary for Governor. With the convention season coming to a close and petitions due to be filed on Monday, the former U.S. Attorney has garnered over 80% of the rank and file vote in county conventions and the polls show him leading Corzine by a wide margin.

Christie's only significant opponent for the nomination, Steve Lonegan, has run a very disappointing campaign to date. Lonegan does well on the stump. His conservative message resonates with voters. His accomplishments are impressive. His personal story of overcoming his disability is compelling on the rare occasions that he shares it. The polls show him also beating Corzine, but with a smaller margin than Christie's.

However Lonegan's campaign has proved to be desperate and self-destructive. His negative print pieces comparing himself to Christie are full of distortions, embellishments and lies. His attack on Christie for "pay to play" over Herbert Stern's donations to the Christie campaign are laughable on substance and inconsistent with his own conservative stand for no campaign finance regulations other than full disclosure. Lonegan has gone out of his way to alienate and insult the moderate GOP establishment. It is doubtful that Lonegan can recover any gravitas he had prior to his recent foolishness or if he can continue to raise the money necessary to compete for the next two months.

Yet, all is not well for the NJ GOP. The Democratic machine, fueled by Corzine's money, is gearing up to "kick Christie's ass" as Democratic Chairman Joe Cryan shouted at the Somerset Democratic convention last week.

As I wrote in November the Democrats are not vulnerable, at least not yet.

Yesterday the Democrats, lead by Congressmen Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell, gave us a preview of the attacks we can expect on Christie in the fall. Hours after Christie introduced his ethics reform proposals, Pallone and Pascrell sent out a press release announcing their federal legislation to reform Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPA).

Everyone who has been paying attention knew that the Democrats would attack Christie as a Bush supporter who bought his office as U.S. Attorney through campaign fundraising and that he rewarded his former boss John Ashcroft with a lucrative DPA monitorship. But the Democrats are going to go much further. They are going to accuse Christie of using the influence of his U.S. Attorney office to keep his brother Todd out of trouble and of paying off the prosecutor who investigated Todd for securities fraud with a lucrative DFP monitorship of his own. This article in today's Philadephia Inquirer is just the beginning of the attack.

Christie was quoted in the Inquirer article calling the Pallone/Pascrell legislation "...made-up political stuff by people who want to play gubernatorial politics." That's true, but it doesn't mean it won't stick politically. He said he never talked to the prosecutor turned monitor who investigated Todd about his brother's SEC case. Of course he didn't. He's too smart a lawyer to have done that. But, will that matter in October when Corzine's money is buying smear ads with unflattering black and white photos of the Christie brothers, Ashcroft and Bush?

The story of Todd's troubles is not a new one. Former reporter and blogger Jackie Corley started writing about it in 2006. Insiders on both sides of the isle have known this was coming for some time. The Christie campaign must have an answer better than, "this is just politics and he didn't do anything illegal" to thwart the coming onslaught.

That the Democrats and their friends in the media are releasing this now, rather than spring it in October, is a sign of Christie's strength and Corzine's weakness to date. They are trying to take the bloom off of Christie's rose and define him as a sleazy hack before the majority of voters come to like him as much as the GOP rank and file does. They are also trying to keep the news of Joe Coniglio corruption trial from being positive free media for Christie.

The primary may be a cake walk for Christie, but the general election will be anything but, unless Christie can thwart this issue which is probably the Democrat's best punch.

Christie Proposes Wide Ranging Reforms

Answering his critics in the media and in the Lonegan campaign that he has been short on specifics, GOP gubernatorial front runner Chris Christie proposed a series of ethics and governmental reforms this afternoon on a telephonic press conference.

Citing the current corruption trial of former state Senator Joe Congilio, Christie said that he would propose legislation that would require all members of the Senate and Assembly to either abstain from voting on legislation that would impact an enterprise that the legislator has a private financial interest in, or to disclose the full nature of that interest. Congilio was indicted during Christie's tenure as U.S. Attorney for using his office as Senator for his personal benefit as an employee of Hackensack hospital. Christie said that Congilio's employment with the hospital was largely unknown prior to his indictment.

The candidate also proposed cleaning up ethical conflicts of interest with the complete elimination dual office holding and dual public employment for elected office holders.

If elected Governor, Christie said he would fight for legislation that would require the forfeiture of pension benefits for public servants convicted of a crime.

On the issue of pay to play, Christie will propose subjecting labor unions to the same constraints that corporations and private citizens have in contributing to political campaigns.

Christie pledged to propose and campaign for a constitutional amendment authorizing Initiative and Referendum (I & R) and an amendment that would give voters an opportunity every 10 years to vote on having a Constitutional Convention. Christie acknowledge that the GOP failed to make I & R a reality when it controlled the legislature and governor's office 10 years ago.

Finally, Christie proposed making government on all levels more transparent by putting an accounting on all government expenditure online in a user friendly and easily searchable format.

Pallone Endorses Beson For Dem Freeholder Nod

Politickernj is reporting that Congressman Frank Pallone has endorsed former Neptune Mayor Mike Beson as the Democratic Nominee for Monmouth County Freeholder.

Beson will compete against Middletown Township Committee member Sean Byrnes for the nomination at the Democrats convention on Saturday.

Pallone injecting himself into the Dems local nominating process is part of the long struggle for control of the Monmouth Democratic party between the local Democrats, lead by Chairman Victor Scudiery and the Trenton Democrats, represented locally by Pallone, Freeholder John D'Amico, and the Red Bank law frim of McKenna, DuPont, Higgins and Stone.

Pallone, along with Jon Corzine and Ellen Karcher asked Scudiery to resign his chairmanship in 2005 over Vic's asking then Senator Joe Palaia to use senatorial courtesy to block Luis Valentin's appointment as Monmouth County prosecutor. Palaia declined and Acting Governor Richard Codey appointed Valentin, then an Essex County resident. Scudiery's choice was Middletown Attorney Allen Falk. Falk has long served as parliamentarian of the Monmouth County Democrats.

Beson is an embedded Trenton insider. He is a principal in the Trenton polticial consulting firm Open Door Media. He was briefly in the race for last year's Dem Freeholder nominations which went to Amy Mallet and Glenn Mason. Mallet is now a Freeholder and Mason is now the Monmouth County coordinator of emergency management.

Christie Interview at Save Jersey

Chris Christie sat down with Save Jersey's Matt Rooney during the Atlantic County GOP Convention.

Click here to view the interview.

Gallagher Buys The Courier

The Caliendo Crier is no more. Heretofore, The Courier's nickname will be Gallagher's Gallery, or MoreMonmouthMusings in print.

Now that the ink is dry on the contracts and the final edition of the Purcell Rant has been put to bed, the truth can be told. I had a staw buyer purchase The Courier from the Azzolina and Scuduto families.

Many thanks to Vin Gopal, publisher of the Red Bank Monitor, for his assistance in making this dream come true.

Melissa, clean out your desk.