Congressman Chris Smith’s remarks during the impeachment debate

The U.S. House of Representatives approved articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday evening.

Congressman Chris Smith, R-NJ, delivered the following statement in opposition on the House floor during the impeachment debate:

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Art G and Tommy G to discuss impeachment this afternoon on the radio

MMM’s Art Gallagher will be Tommy G’s guest this afternoon on the Tommy G Show.  Topic number 1 is the expected impeachment of President Donald J. Trump.

Tommy’s show is always good for laughs and provocative conversation about local, state and national news.   When Art is a guest, a Monmouth County politician or two often calls in to join the banter.

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How Monmouth County Legislators Voted On Drivers Licenses For Illegal Aliens

Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Joann Downey are the only Monmouth County legislators who voted to approve drivers licenses for illegal aliens. Photo via ericandjoann.com

The New Jersey Senate and Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would allow illegal aliens qualify for drivers licenses.  Governor Phil Murphy is expected to sign the bill.

Of the legislators representing parts on Monmouth County, only Senator Vin Gopal and Assemblywoman Joann Downey voted in favor of the bill.

Here’s a tally of the Monmouth delegations’ votes on A4743:

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How Monmouth County Legislators Voted On Busting The Property Tax Cap

Senators Sam Thompson, standing, and Vin Gopal, were the only Monmouth County legislators to vote in favor of busting the 2% property tax cap. Photo via NJ School Boards Association

The New Jersey Senate and Assembly passed legislation on Monday that allows school districts that have lost state funding for their budgets and are spending less annually than what the state considers adequate to raise property taxes above the 2% cap without voters’s consent.  The 2% cap was the hallmark reform of the Christie administration.  The cap busting legislation expires after the 2024-2025 school year.

The bill awaits Governor Phil Murphy’s signature before it becomes law.  Murphy has indicated he is opposed to busting the property tax cap, preferring to raise income taxes on millionaires.

Of the legislators who represent parts of Monmouth County, only Senators Vin Gopal (D-11) and Sam Thompson (R-12) voted in favor of the bill.

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Judge Joseph W. Oxley Tenured Unanimously By NJ State Senate

Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley was affirmed for tenure by a 40-0 vote by the New Jersey State Senate on Monday afternoon.

Nominated by Governor Chris Christie for a seven year term in 2012, Judge Oxley was renominated by Governor Phil Murphy last month.

“These past seven years have been the greatest years of my life, both personally and professionally,” Oxley told the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing last week, according to New Jersey Law Journal.

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Monmouth County Man Connected To Jersey City Shooting Faces Federal Weapons Charges

Ahmed A-Hady, 35, of Keyport, New Jersey, was arrested by the FBI early on Saturday morning and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He expected to appear on before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Dickson in Newark federal court on Monday, according to a statement by U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

A note found in the pants of the male suspect in the Jersey City mass shooting last week prompted federal authorities to investigate A-Hady who goes by the name Ed Him on social media.

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O’Neil concedes Highlands election to Broullon

Highlands Mayor-elect Carolyn Broullon, left rear, celebrates her victory with supporters on Saturday with dinner at Chilangos

Highlands Mayor Rick O’Neil has chosen not to contest his one vote loss to Councilwoman Carolyn Broullon in court.

O’Neil conceded in a letter to the residents of Highlands posted Friday on the nation’s first online-only newspaper, ahearald.com:

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Rep. Chris Smith Announces Winners of 2019 Congressional App Challenge

Colin Martin, teacher Laura Gesin, Jack Hester and Michael Cielecki of Communications High (missing is Vaughn Battista).

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced the winners of this year’s New Jersey Fourth Congressional District Congressional App Challenge, part of a nationwide competition for middle and high school students to showcase their software app-developing skills and teamwork.

“I am pleased to congratulate Communications High School students Vaughn Battista of Tinton Falls, Michael Cielecki of Spring Lake Heights, Jack Hester of Oceanport and Colin Martin of Red Bank for their first place-winning app, ‘Commuitas,’” said Rep. Smith.  “They developed a unique ‘task-sharing’ mobile application which allows users to barter their skills and abilities with other users to share tasks in exchange for a virtual points system. The judges thought it was very unique and well devised.”

Timed to coincide with Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), December 9-15, 2019, Smith said this year’s contest drew a record number of entries from Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer Counties.

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Broullon prevails in Highlands mayoral recount

O’Neil undecided on challenging the election results

Highlands Mayor-elect Carolyn Broullon in Freehold, following the recount of the November 5 election

The results of the election for mayor of the Borough of Highlands remain unchanged following a recount conducted by the Monmouth County Board of Elections in Freehold on Tuesday afternoon.

Councilwoman Carolyn Broullon won the election over Mayor Rick O’Neil by one vote, 603-602.

O’Neil won the majority of the votes cast on voting machines, 534-518. Broullon got 59% of the Vote By Mail votes that arrived by election day, November 5, 71-49.  O’Neil got 6 of the 8 VBM ballots that were postmarked by November 5 and were delivered by the post office by November 7.  The certified provisional ballots broke for O’Neil, 13-12.

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Robinson resigns from NJ Democrat State Committee

Bill Robinson, center, with Monmouth Dem Chairman Dave Brown and Asbury Park Dem Chair Joe Grillo. photo via facebook

Bill Robinson, the Democrat volunteer operative and sign guy who former congressional candidate Tiffany Kaszuba accused of “concerning” and “unhealthy” behavior has resigned from the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, according to one of the Monmouth County Democrats who is allowed to talk to MMM.

Monmouth Democrat Chairman Dave Brown (not allowed to talk to MMM) called for Robinson’s resignation from the State Committee and banned him from Party activities after he and Senator Vin Gopal (allowed to talk to whoever he wants) were widely criticized on how they initially handled Kaszuba’s concerns.

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