New Jersey Senate Republicans

Bucco Says Governor Corzine Shouldn’t Try to Hide Deficit Until After November Election

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:17:44 -0700

Special Summer Legislative Session Needed

Republican Senate Budget Officer Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) called on Governor Jon Corzine to call an emergency session of the Legislature this summer to address the largest budget deficit in history. Estimates of next year’s budget shortfall range from $6 billion to more than $10 billion.

Read the rest of Bucco Says Governor Corzine Shouldn’t Try to Hide Deficit Until After November Election (151 words)

Cardinale: The Corzine Record on Hiring Politically Connected Lawyers

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:53:37 -0700

“The state has spent $89.2 million to outsource legal work in the last four years, most to large firms with political connections. . .”

From the Trenton Times article, “State Paid $89.2M to Law Firms With Political Ties,” Dec. 28, 2008

Senator Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen County, asked today whether the Corzine administration finally will take actions that match its election-year hyperbole about the evils of hiring politically connected law firms. The Times of Trenton reported in December that every law firm that received state business had an “active Democratic donor, former politician, attorney general or Supreme Court justice in its stable of lawyers.”

Read the rest of Cardinale: The Corzine Record on Hiring Politically Connected Lawyers (201 words)

Karrow: Will Unions Give Obama a Biden-Like Welcome to Rutgers?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:55:39 -0700

Senator Marcia Karrow, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, offered the following observation regarding President Obama’s visit to Rutgers University for a rally with Governor Corzine:

“I hope the state employee unions don’t threaten to picket during Obama’s visit, because who knows what Corzine will give them, ” said Karrow. “New Jersey taxpayers just can’t afford any more visits from Washington to bail out Governor Corzine.”

Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Back Task Force to Study Issues Facing Returning Armed Services Personnel

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:54:09 -0700

Recognizing the immediate need for a better understanding of how to assist our state’s veterans, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt have sponsored legislation to establish a Task Force to address issues and concerns of returning members of the U.S. Armed Forces and National Guard.

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Back Task Force to Study Issues Facing Returning Armed Services Personnel (373 words)

New Legislation Hoped to Show Real Impact of Laurelwood Housing on Surrounding Municipalities

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:53:37 -0700

Bill Calls for Independent, State-Run Studies to Assess Impact of Privatization of 300 Housing Units on NWS Earle

The 12th District Legislators today unveiled a piece of legislation that they hope will offer insight into the actual impact of the privatization of 300 housing units on Naval Weapons Station Earle.

Read the rest of New Legislation Hoped to Show Real Impact of Laurelwood Housing on Surrounding Municipalities (504 words)

Kyrillos: Corzine Policies Force Two More Companies to Shutter NJ Operations

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:23 -0700

Senator Joe Kyrillos, a member of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, issued the following statement regarding a report in the publication NJ Biz that two more companies were fleeing the high taxes and poor business climate created by Governor Corzine and his allies in the Legislature:

“I am greatly disturbed by the report two more companies are leaving New Jersey for other states. The loss of E-Trade Financial and Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) will cost the communities of Jersey City and Glassboro 225 jobs. The speed at which the Democrats’ policies are chasing jobs over the Delaware is truly alarming and illustrates just how ineffective the Corzine Administration’s stewardship of New Jersey’s economy has been.

Read the rest of Kyrillos: Corzine Policies Force Two More Companies to Shutter NJ Operations (170 words)

Tom Kean: Biden Buyoff Will Tie Hands of Next Governor if Crisis Continues

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:21 -0700

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement concerning the ratification of a labor agreement designed to end union opposition to the governor’s plan to defer a wage increase for public employees for a year and require 10 furlough days. In return, the governor agree to give workers a 7 percent raise in fiscal 2011, provide seven extra paid days off, add a paid holiday, and vow not to lay off or furlough any workers in fiscal 2011. Fiscal 2011 begins on July 1, 2010:

Read the rest of Tom Kean: Biden Buyoff Will Tie Hands of Next Governor if Crisis Continues (165 words)

Video: Tom Kean Responds to the Trenton Blame Game

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:28:08 -0700

New Jersey’s Budget Problems Started Here

During the Senate session on June 25, 2009, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to New Jersey Democrats who refuse to accept responsibility for their actions over the eight years that they have controlled the State of New Jersey.

Despite the efforts of Democrats to claim that New Jersey is no worse off than other states, Senator Kean shows that claim to be untrue.

Click here to watch the video.

Bucco: Corzine Reads from Cynical and Tired Budget Script

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:49:30 -0700

Republican Senate Budget Officer Anthony Bucco issued the following statement after Governor Jon Corzine signed the worst budget in state history into law:

“After eight years, we all know the routine,” Bucco said. “A Democrat governor signs an irresponsible budget that perpetuates a multi-billion dollar deficit and paves the way for a new round of tax increases and high-cost borrowing.

Read the rest of Bucco: Corzine Reads from Cynical and Tired Budget Script (192 words)

Kyrillos: Governor and His Allies Should Acknowledge the Depth of NJ’s Fiscal Crisis

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:42:17 -0700

Senator Joe Kyrillos, a member of the Senate Economic Growth 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.

Read the rest of Kyrillos: Governor and His Allies Should Acknowledge the Depth of NJ’s Fiscal Crisis (112 words)

Oroho: Corzine Budget Will Cost New Jersey Families Plenty

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:37:45 -0700

Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriation Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 budget that was signed by the governor today:

Read the rest of Oroho: Corzine Budget Will Cost New Jersey Families Plenty (209 words)

Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Call on NRC to Release Analysis on Tritium Release at Oyster Creek Facility

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:31:08 -0700

9th District Legislative Delegation Writes to White House, NRC, Governor’s Office & DEP

In response to recent media reports, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt are calling for the immediate release of a root-cause analysis on the tritium release at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. According to published media reports, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has a time-frame of six weeks to decide whether or not to make this information public.

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Call on NRC to Release Analysis on Tritium Release at Oyster Creek Facility (300 words)

Beck to Corzine: Budget Puts Pork and Patronage First

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:46:05 -0700

Senator Challenges Corzine to Use Red Pen on Specific Line Items

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) challenged Governor Corzine to use the line item veto power over at least five specific line items before signing the budget this afternoon.

Read the rest of Beck to Corzine: Budget Puts Pork and Patronage First (369 words)

Cardinale: My Reservations About Justice’s Reappointment

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:45:27 -0700

The following is an editorial by Senator Gerald Cardinale of New Jersey’s 39th legislative district that was published in The Record on Friday, June 26, 2009.

Last Monday, for the first time in years, the Judiciary Committee of the state Senate spent a day rigorously and thoughtfully questioning a nominee about his qualifications to be a justice on our state Supreme Court.

This historic review came about because Republican members insisted that the committee stop rubber-stamping the governor’s nominations and meet its constitutionally mandated responsibility to thoroughly evaluate nominees to the state’s most powerful court.

Read the rest of Cardinale: My Reservations About Justice’s Reappointment (707 words)

Senate Approves Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Bill Authorizing Towns to Offer Free Beach Badges to Military Personnel

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:17:45 -0700

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt that would allow municipalities to provide free or reduced fee beach badges to active military and New Jersey National Guard personnel, as well as their spouses and children over the age of 12, was passed by the full Senate today.

Read the rest of Senate Approves Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Bill Authorizing Towns to Offer Free Beach Badges to Military Personnel (442 words)

Pension Forfeiture Bill Moved by O’Scanlon Is Tabled by Assembly Majority

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:15 -0700

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon made a motion yesterday to relieve the Assembly Judiciary Committee of bill A-1444, a measure that provides for mandatory imprisonment and forfeiture of retirement benefits for public officers or employees convicted of certain crimes. O’Scanlon requested that the bill be moved to the floor of the General Assembly for a full vote, but his motion was tabled.

Read the rest of Pension Forfeiture Bill Moved by O’Scanlon Is Tabled by Assembly Majority (317 words)

Beck, O’Scanlon and Casagrande Call For Reinstatement Of Regional Contribution Agreements to Meet COAH Obligations

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:06:16 -0700

Senator Jennifer Beck announces her disappointment that her motion to move out of committee S-2687, a bill that would reinstate the regional contribution agreements entered into prior to July 17, 2008, was tabled by a vote in the State Senate yesterday. Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande all opposed A-500, which was the bill that originally removed RCAs.

Read the rest of Beck, O’Scanlon and Casagrande Call For Reinstatement Of Regional Contribution Agreements to Meet COAH Obligations (481 words)

Bateman: Corzine Budget Suffocates Middle Class With New Taxes

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:03:44 -0700

Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman issued the following statement after the New Jersey Legislature passed the fiscal 2010 budget without a single Republican vote in either house:

“New Jersey residents are suffocating under the weight of state and local taxes,” Senator Bateman, deputy Republican conference leader. “Tonight, the Legislature approved a budget that adds $1 billion to the already oppressive tax burden borne by Middle Class New Jersey.

Read the rest of Bateman: Corzine Budget Suffocates Middle Class With New Taxes (152 words)

O’Toole: This Budget Fails the Constituent Test

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:16:33 -0700

Senator Kevin O’Toole, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement concerning the Fiscal Year 2010 budget:

“One of the first political lessons taught to me was – your constituents are your first concern. I have to ask myself does this budget serve my constituents. The answer is that the budget voted on by this body tonight does not, for several reasons.

Read the rest of O’Toole: This Budget Fails the Constituent Test (451 words)

Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Call on Corzine to Expedite Design Phase of Route 72 Causeway Bridge Replacement Project

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:29:08 -0700

9th District Delegation Cites Bridge Repair Work Controversy as Further Evidence Project Needs to Get Underway Immediately

Citing the victory today in the decision by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to delay any lane closings on the Route 72 Causeway Bridge until after Labor Day, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt today conveyed their disappointment that the State even considered this ill-conceived approach in connection with repair work on the bridge. The 9th District Legislators pointed out that this latest controversy only once again highlights the very pressing need to expedite the design phase in order to get the Route 72 Causeway bridge replacement project under way as soon as possible.

Read the rest of Connors/Rumpf/Van Pelt Call on Corzine to Expedite Design Phase of Route 72 Causeway Bridge Replacement Project (581 words)