Low turnout is a major risk for LD 13 incumbents

LD 13:Aberdeen, Atlantic Highlands, Fair Haven, Hazlet, Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Little Silver, Marlboro, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Union Beach

The idea that State Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon could be defeated by their Tea Party challengers, Leigh-Ann Bellew for Senate and Edna Walsh and Stephen Boracchia for Assembly, in the June 4 primary is unthinkable, even laughable, to many Monmouth County Republicans.

But recent history and a look at the numbers indicate that an upset with statewide consequences could very well be in the making if the challenge is not taken seriously.

With only nominal competition in the governor’s race, voter turnout in the Republican primary on June 4 is likely to be very low.   Therein lies the danger for the incumbents. Even “good Republicans” rarely vote in primaries.  Even fewer if there is no perceived competition.

There are 34,216 registered Republicans in the 13th district. In the 2011 primary, the last time the legislature was on the ballot, only 2,274 Republicans voted.   The challengers know that.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Casagrande, Handlin: “1000 times no to JCP&L rate increase”

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin

Public hearings for JCP&L’s proposed rate increase started yesterday in Toms River.  The Monmouth County hearing is on April 24 at the Freehold Township Municipal Building.

Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande (R-11) and Amy Handlin (R-13) have already gathered 1300 constituent signatures on a petition opposing the JCP&L rate increase.  The petition will be submitted to the Board of the Public Utilities at the Freehold hearing.

“Our constituents are tired of over promises and underperformances by  their electric company and we’re going to make sure their voices are heard until  JCP&L pulls the plug on this rate hike,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said.  “JCP&L’s customers have already paid the price by suffering through  prolonged outages, so our response to their request is a simple and firm,  ‘No.’”

Handlin and Casagrande noted their constituent’s outrage with JCP&L’s poor performance in restoring  power and keeping families, businesses and communities informed during prolonged  outages – most notably Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. The petition also notes the  allegation by the N.J. Division of Rate Counsel that the utility is earning too much profit from New Jersey ratepayers to send  back to its parent company in Ohio.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

“We can say it once, or we can say it a thousand times, the answer is  still, ‘No,’” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Losing power for extended periods  of time is a very difficult and costly burden for families and businesses. We  have had more than our share of severe outages because JCP&L refused to  invest its corporate profits to update its infrastructure and keep the power on  in our communities.”

The petition can be signed online here.

• Tweet

Gonzalez: “It’s very likely” that the Bayshore Tea Party Group will field a primary slate

Bayshore Tea Party Group co-founder Barbara Gonzalez said that the group has six candidates collecting signatures in preparation of filing for the Republican primary.

Three of the candidates are collecting signatures to run for the State Legislature in the 13th District against Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon.  Two are preparing to challenge Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Freeholder Director Serena DiMaso, and one is preparing to run against Sheriff Shaun Golden.

Gonzalez would not name the candidates, claiming that they have decided not to announce they are running until their petitions are completed and filed.  “April 1st will be here before you know it,” she said.

When told that a source told MMM that the group’s primary challenge had “fizzled out,” Gonzalez said, “You better get better sources!”

• Tweet

Bayshore Tea Party Wants Bennett To Change The By-Laws

Still won’t reveal their primary candidates names

Bayshore Tea Party co-founder Bob Gordon told MoreMonmouthMusings that he would recommend that the groups’s candidates for the Legislature from the 13th district, sheriff and freeholder not file as candidates in the June 4 Republican primary if GOP Chairman John Bennett would allow the candidates onto the March 23 County Convention ballot without having to submit the signatures required under the new by-laws to challenge incumbents.  He would not guarantee that the so far unnamed challengers would abide by the results of the convention and not file for the primary if they lose in Colts Neck on the 23rd. “That would be up to the candidates,” he said.

Gordan said that county committee members inclined to support the Tea Party challengers are reluctant to sign convention petitions for fear that they will be challenged in the next committee election in 2014.

The deadline to submit petitions for the convention ballot passed last week.  Primary petitions are due on April 1.

Neither Gordon nor fellow co-founder Barbara Gonzalez would name the potential challengers.  Gordon said that there is a full slate of candidates to take on Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon in the 13th district. On the county level, Sheriff Shaun Golden faces a challenge while Freeholder Director Tom Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso may only have one challenger, if the candidates file.

Posted: March 12th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2013 Election, Amy Handlin, Barbara Gonzalez, Bayshore Tea Party Group, Declan O'Scanlon, Joe Kyrillos, John Bennett, Monmouth County Republican Committee, Monmouth GOP, Shaun Golden | Tags: Amy Handlin, Barbara Gonzalez, Bayshore Tea Party Group, Bob Gordon, Declan O'Scanlon, Joe Kyrillos, John Bennett, Monmouth GOP, Monmouth Republicans, Serena DiMaso, Shaun Golden, Tom Arnone | 14 Comments »

• Tweet

Bayshore Tea Party Preparing Primary Slate for LD 13, County Offices

The Bayshore Tea Party Group is preparing a primary slate to challenge 13th district legislators, Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Members Amy Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon, and county office holders, Sheriff Shaun Golden and Freeholders Tom Arnone and Serena DiMaso, according to the group’s co-founder Barbara Gonzalez.

Gonzalez told MoreMonmouthMusings that the group has six candidates who are clearing their potential candidacies with their families and employers.  She wouldn’t name any of the candidates but expects to make a formal announcement next week.  If the slate declares, they will bypass the Monmouth GOP convention on March 23 and file to run in the June 4 Republican primary.

Gonzalez said that former Highlands Mayor Anna Little, who twice ran and won in Congressional primaries with the group’s backing, is not one of the candidates.

• Tweet

HANDLIN: JCP&L SHOULD INVEST TIME AND $$$ IN INFRASTRUCTURE INSTEAD OF RATE INCREASE

Last week, utility provider JCP&L announced it was investing $200 million this year to improve it electric support system in an effort to improve service reliability. Deputy Assembly Republican Leader Amy Handlin today asked why JCP&L did not disclose at the same time that it had filed for a 4.5 percent rate increase to recover costs from Superstorm Sandy and other storms which was revealed the next day.

“On Thursday, JCP&L was out front with the news that it was investing $200 million to improve its infrastructure and that ratepayers wouldn’t be affected because the costs were already part of the company’s yearly budget,” said Handlin, R-Monmouth. “At the end of the day on Friday, the utility then informs the public it is filing for a 4.5 percent increase to cover cleanup costs from previous storms. JCP&L is badly misinformed if it thought that tidbit would escape public notice.

“Good public relations starts with being upfront about everything, including an increase request that will be passed onto ratepayers,” said Handlin, who has been critical of the utility’s efforts in restoring lost power over the last two years. “Ratepayers deserve to see improvements to the critical framework in JCP&L’s system and have assurances that their infrastructure is reliable before a rate increase is even entertained.

“JCP&L should focus on improving its performance to its customers,” stated Handlin. “On Wall Street, bad news is often revealed after the closing bell. For customers of JCP&L, there is no closing bell. They just want to know the lights are on.” 

Last year, the Division of Rate Counsel filed a petition contending JCP&L is earning a profit exceeding 12 percent in New Jersey – far above the allowable 8.5 percent.

Handlin pointed out that PSE&G, the state’s largest utility provider, recently announced it was seeking the BPU’s approval to spend $3.9 billion over the next 10 years to protect and improve its electric and gas systems against severe weather conditions.

• Tweet

HANDLIN PROPOSES STRONGER PENALTIES FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO PROFIT FROM ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE

BILL WOULD INCREASE MAXIMUM ETHICS FINES TO $10,000 – AS  RECOMMENDED BY RECENT COMPTROLLER REPORT

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin introduced legislation yesterday imposing larger  fines against unethical local public officials after a recent State Comptroller  investigation showed current penalties did not deter a local official from  improperly using his government position and gain substantial profit in a land  deal.

            “It’s no longer a shock when public officials act in their own interests  instead of the public good. With penalties set so low, it’s more surprising that  we don’t see officials improperly profiting from public service more  frequently,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “To an unscrupulous official with $1  million at stake, a $500 penalty is just a sunken cost that would barely budge  the bottom line.”

            A recent Comptroller’s report determined a Chesterfield Township committeeman improperly used his  government position in facilitating a private land deal that brought him  substantial profit. The report recommended increasing maximum fines for  violations of the Local Government Ethics Law from $500 to $10,000. Handlin’s  proposal would implement those increased penalties.

            “I agree with Comptroller Matt Boxer’s call to bring ethics penalties for  local officials in line with those for state employees, especially now that New  Jersey is undergoing a massive rebuilding effort mixing planning decisions and  tens of billions of federal funding,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “Rebuilding our  state after Hurricane Sandy is too important to be tainted by corruption. We  need a loud message and strong deterrents against self-serving politicians who  violate the public’s trust to earn a buck.”

Comptroller’s press release:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_press_release_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

Comptroller’s  report:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_report_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

• Tweet

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

• Tweet

HANDLIN: COMPTROLLER’S REPORT ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERKS FOR PRESIDENTS A GOOD START

Assembly Deputy Republican Leader Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, was pleased to learn of today’s report issued by State Comptroller Matthew Boxer, which evaluated salaries and other forms of compensation given to New Jersey’s 19 county college presidents.

            Handlin had expressed her concerns in a letter to Boxer dated April 25, 2011, after the resignations of two county college presidents amid accusations of fiscal impropriety that triggered criminal investigations.

            “Today’s report indicates that last year’s accounts of fiscal impropriety and the exorbitant perks some county college presidents receive warranted a closer look at what taxpayers and students are paying for,” said Handlin. “Establishing more transparency for the public to know the perks and level of compensation that is awarded should be helpful in ensuring there are not wide discrepancies between colleges, unless there is some justification. The public has an absolute right to know how much a president is being paid for housing, bonuses, pension contributions that exceed the minimum requirement and reimbursement for personal expenses.

            “The cost of tuition at all colleges is high, regardless if it’s at the public or private university level or at community colleges,” said Handlin. “I support the recommendation for establishing guidelines by the State’s Secretary of Higher Education that will serve as a template and basis of comparison for negotiating a fair compensation package. Transparency will serve the dual purpose of giving college boards useful information as they negotiate with prospective candidates as well as keeping the public informed on how their tax dollars are being spent.”

            Boxer’s report, “Compensation Provided to New Jersey Community College Presidents,” indicates that it was based on the “questionable and excessive” compensation paid to someNew Jersey community college presidents. It states that the increased public concern regarding the expenditures made to the presidents of Brookdale and Gloucester County Colleges prompted the review of how taxpayer dollars were being spent in this area of higher education.

• Tweet

HANDLIN IS READY TO CONTINUE EFFORTS TO REFORM PAY-TO-PLAY

Assembly Deputy Republican Leader Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, said that she is committed to continuing her ongoing efforts to reform the pay-to-play laws that were the subject of a report issued by State Comptroller Matthew Boxer today.  Boxer said current laws contain “fatal flaws” in the determination of who will receive local public contracts.

            “I have always been a staunch supporter of reform to prevent campaign contributors from benefitting from their political patronage,” said Handlin, who is a member of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. “The comptroller’s report confirms that the ‘fair and open’ provision in pay-to-play is not only vague, but it is a license for crony capitalism. This is another wakeup call for the Democrat-controlled Legislature to finally address an issue that is costly to taxpayers and undermines their trust in government.

Handlin has been a leading advocate in the Legislature for banning the practice of trading public contracts for political contributions since she was elected in 2006.

“Establishing a uniform set of criteria that applies to all levels of government when a contract is awarded will end the charade of the ‘fair and open contract’ exceptions for businesses that take advantage of existing loopholes,” continued Handlin. “Now that an independent entity has exposed the continued weaknesses in these laws, I hope that we can make substantive reforms.”

In the current legislative session, Handlin is the sponsor of three bills that address pay-to-play issues, including:

A-520 (introduced 1/12/10) – This bill prohibits loans to a candidate, political party, or committee, by corporations which are already restricted from making political contributions. For example, insurance companies, financial institutions, certain utility companies, and casinos would fall under this legislation. It also extends existing restrictions on contributing to candidates, candidate committees and/or joint committees to political parties.

A-521 (introduced 1/12/10) – Provides that an individual or business that has made a campaign contribution would be prohibited for one year from performing a contract for a public entity at any level of government until one year after the contribution is made. The bill also prohibits an individual or business that has entered into a contract with a public entity from making a campaign contribution during the term of that contract and for one year thereafter.

A-527 (introduced 1/12/10 and initially introduced in the 2006 legislative session) – This legislation places limits on campaign contributions which may be made to candidates, office holders, and political committees by entities which do business with the State, local governments and interstate agencies. The bill also limits the amount which a county party can give per election per year to candidates and certain political committees.

• Tweet