Republican Governors Association Statement of New Jersey Governor’s Race

Republican Governors Association communications director Mike Schrimpf issued the following statement on the New Jersey governor’s race following the Democratic Governors Association embrace of state senator Barbara Buono’s candidacy earlier today:

“After failing to recruit their first, second, third or fourth choice candidates into the campaign for governor, Democrats have finally settled on state senator Barbara Buono.

Given the tremendous leadership Governor Christie has displayed in closing an $11 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, capping property taxes, and enacting pension and education reforms, the Democrats’ inability to recruit one of their preferred candidates into the race is not surprising. That said, we look forward to contrasting Governor Christie’s record of reform with Senator Buono’s record of higher taxes, increased spending and deeper debt.

While we commend Senator Buono for running, we are confident voters will want to continue the progress New Jersey has made since he took office.”

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BECK, ANGELINI AND CASAGRANDE TO SEEK RE-ELECTION

NJ’s first all female ticket announces 2013 run

Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande announced their bids for re-election to the New Jersey legislature. The three legislators represent the 11^th Legislative District in Monmouth County.

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Joint Statement From Governors Christie, Cuomo and Malloy Regarding U.S. Senate’s Action on Hurricane Sandy Disaster Aid Bill

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage today of the disaster relief package:

“Our genuine thanks and gratitude goes out to the U.S. Senate for its thoughtful consideration and passage of the Hurricane Sandy disaster relief package. Despite the difficult path in getting to this moment, the Senate membership clearly recognized early on the urgency and necessity of approving the full aid package and its importance in rebuilding our battered infrastructure and getting our millions of affected residents back on their feet as quickly as possible. To all Americans, we are grateful for their willingness to come to our aid as we take on the monumental task of rebuilding and we pledge to do the same should our fellow citizens find themselves facing unexpected and harsh devastation.

“We also make special note of the tenacious efforts of our respective Congressional delegations in steering the Sandy aid package through their respective houses and bringing this aid home to their people.”

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Senate Passes House Bill, Approves $50B Aid Package to Help Victims of Superstorm Sandy

President expected to sign quickly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, one week after the House passed a similar assistance measure, which will keep New Jersey’s recovery on track and allow New Jersey and other Superstorm Sandy-impacted states—New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania—to rebuild in the wake of the storm. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), who represents the hard-hit disaster areas of Ocean and Monmouth counties, noted that the federal aid is needed to recover from the worst natural disaster in his state’s history.

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Governor Christie Calls For Minimum Wage Increase with Responsible Phase-In, While Helping Struggling Families with EITC Increase

Governor’s Conditional Veto Pairs Responsible 3-Year Phase-In of One-Dollar Wage Increase with 25 Percent Increase in Earned Income Tax Credit

Trenton, NJ – Acting to support a responsible increase in the state’s minimum wage while providing direct relief to New Jersey’s working families and protecting the state’s economic recovery, Governor Chris Christie today put forward a plan to increase the state’s minimum wage by one dollar over a phase-in period of three years and to provide direct relief to struggling families with a 25 percent increase to the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit.

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HANDLIN CRAFTING PLAN TO STOP STORM SCAMMERS

ASSEMBLYWOMAN PROPOSES  DOUBLING CONSUMER FRAUD FINES FOLLOWING A NATURAL DISASTER

While remaining vigilant against post-Hurricane Sandy scams, Assemblywoman  Amy H. Handlin is drafting legislation that would double the fines against those  who commit fraud after natural disasters, while working with residents and state  and local officials on preventing storm scams before they happen.

“It takes a special kind of deviant to prey upon those who have  tragically lost their home and possessions. They deserve a double dose of  penalty,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “I’ve already heard from many constituents  who have been targeted by storm scammers who claim to be mold remediators,  contractors or financial advisers. We need to deliver a strong message that  attempting to steal from storm victims will carry severe penalties.”

Constituents who suspect fraud or corruption, or have evidence of waste  or abuse of public funds, should contact Assemblywoman Handlin’s office at (732) 787-1170 or [email protected]. The  Assemblywoman will forward incidents to the proper state and local authorities  and wants to monitor potential fraud to see if any patterns emerge.

“Federal funding to help New  Jersey recover will soon be approved and we need to be  extra vigilant against unscrupulous schemes that would re-victimize innocent  people who have already suffered too much,” Handlin said. “If we keep everyone  informed and work together we can ensure that this relief funding doesn’t wind  up like the old school construction program in which billions of dollars  disappeared in a cloud of waste, fraud and abuse.”

Handlin’s legislation would double maximum consumer fraud penalties to  $20,000 for a first offense and $40,000 subsequent offenses if the victim had  also been victimized by a natural disaster. The penalties mirror stiffer fines  imposed against senior citizens. The proposal would also apply consumer fraud  penalties to an unlicensed person who offers to perform a service that requires  a license, such as mold remediation.

Handlin’s district includes some of the communities hardest hit by  Hurricane Sandy.

• For tips on avoiding Sandy-related scams, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/news/news/552012/approved/20121105a.html
• For tips on hiring a reputable home contractor, visit: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/brief/improve.pdf

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Global Warming

Editorial cartoons are sponsored by New Markets Realty, 146 Maple Ave, Red Bank. 732-741-8211. Jim Giannell, President

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The death of Republicanism, Part 1: the battlefield

By Charles Measley

When looking at politics I view it as if I’m staring at a battlefield or a chessboard: I ponder, “Where are the best places to move, position, and to attack?” Sometimes positioning your forces is the most critical move for a long-term victory. Strategically aligning forces in key places will not lead to a rapid victory, but it will ensure enduring long-term success. Sadly that’s exactly what the left has done.

Every time a Republican candidate steps out on the political battlefield, they are almost instantly placed at a disadvantage. Over the last few years, the left has positioned people with their mindset in the media, whether it’s a local paper like The Asbury Park Press or a national affiliate like ABC News. Through traditional media, the left focuses on a negative narrative towards the Republican candidate while allowing the Democrat to proceed worry free.

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Governor Christie Outlines Regulations to Allow Residents and Businesses to Rebuild Faster, Stronger and Safer from Hurricane Sandy

Standards Will Ensure Lower Premiums In The Long Term, Protecting Residents From Out Of Control Costs

Trenton, NJ – Taking action to give New Jersey families, businesses and local governments the best available guidance to quickly and more durably rebuild from Hurricane Sandy, Governor Chris Christie today signed emergency regulations to adopt the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) updated Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFEs) maps as the rebuilding standard for the entire state. These regulations establish requirements and more efficient procedures for residents and businesses to construct, reconstruct, relocate and elevate buildings and other structures in flood hazard areas. 

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BECK SEEKS TO GIVE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE OVERSIGHT ROLE IN FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIMS

NEW BILL WOULD HOLD INSURERS ACCOUNTABLE TO NJ STANDARDS

Senator Jennifer Beck has introduced legislation that clarifies the Department of Banking Insurance’s jurisdiction over the processing of certain flood insurance claims. The bill specifies that though flood insurance is administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) the actual claims process must adhere to New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) laws and regulations.  In most cases in New Jersey, the NFIP flood insurance itself is purchased from New Jersey-based private insurance companies who participate in FEMA’s “Write Your Own” program.  Additionally, those same New Jersey-based insurers are often administering the claims.

 “In the wake of Sandy, we have been deluged with complaints about unresponsive and misleading flood insurance representatives” Beck explained. “While the NFIP is a federal program, I want to clarify that licensed New Jersey flood insurance companies must still comply with our consumer protection laws when processing our residents’ flood claims.  This is the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance jurisdiction and they must be able to protect our residents from bad actors.”

Senate Bill 2505 extends DOBI’s current authority to investigate and punish insurers who engage in unfair methods of competition or unfair and deceptive acts. The bill applies to specifically to New Jersey licensed insurers that process flood insurance claims under FEMA’s “Write Your Own” flood insurance program.

“Thousands of NJ residents have lost their homes and belongings and rebuilding cannot be stalled by flood insurers dragging their feet on legitimate claims.  Our residents are desperate to move forward with recovery efforts and time after time I am hearing that flood insurers are the obstacle,” said Beck.  “This legislation gives New Jersey’s DOBI enforcement power over the flood claims process in this State.  Once passed, DOBI’s Division of Insurance will enforce all New Jersey law, regulations and policies and have the legal authority to protect our residents from insurers that are non-complaint.”

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