RIBLE-DANCER BILL BANNING RELEASE OF GUN OWNER INFO RELEASED BY COMMITTEE

Legislation prohibiting the  public release of the names and addresses of residents with gun permits was  released from the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee today. Currently,  access to such personal information is prohibited by regulation, but could be  obtained under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Law. If  enacted, Rible and Dancer’s bill, A-3788, would prohibit such access.

            “Releasing personal information about those who have firearms permits or  licenses puts law enforcement officers and law-abiding citizens in harm’s way,” said Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean, who is a retired police officer. “This  legislation will codify that obtaining such information is restricted to those  in law enforcement or the courts. Currently, access to permit-holder information  is restricted by regulation which can be changed without legislative approval.  This bill is an important step in safeguarding a person’s right to privacy and  protecting them from potential predators.”

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O’SCANLON: WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH SANDY VICTIMS AS MORE FAMILIES’ HOUSING NEEDS ARE

Fort  Monmouth and  other temporary housing options are being utilized by those hit hard by storms.

Assemblyman  Declan O’Scanlon today said that For Monmouth does or shortly will have 115  units occupied by Sandy affected families. Housing at the closed fort was  made available to those in need of temporary housing in the wake of Superstorm  Sandy.

“We  continue to work with folks in need but still need to hear from those who are  not having their needs met, O’Scanlon explained.  “I have spoken with  Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Constable. The DCA,  Department of Human Services (DHS) and County welfare agencies have been meeting  daily at the Joint Field Office in Lincroft . Every day they’ve reach out to  those remaining in the Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) program to  determine how to best accommodate their needs.”

“If particular  issues – like pets or children with special needs- arise, we have been working  with apartment associations to find those families housing that will suit their  circumstances,” said O’Scanlon. “This process is in high gear and working well,  but folks still in need to reach out to my office.”

“DCA  Commissioner Constable and DHS Commissioner Velez care about the welfare of  these people and they are working as hard as they can to resolve their issues,” O’Scanlon. “My office fields dozens of calls a week from very emotional people  who just want to know that someone is there to help. I’m proud we can provide  that service and working with the Christie Administration and his cabinet has  made the recovery process all that much easier.”

O’Scanlon’s  office can be reached at 732-933-1591 or [email protected].

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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

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Major Coastal Storm To Impact New Jersey, Governor Christie Orders State Emergency Operations Center Activated

West Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the National Weather Service, is monitoring a major coastal storm expected to impact the State today and tomorrow. State emergency management officials anticipate coastal flooding, high wind conditions, snow, sleet, and even blizzard conditions in the northeast corner of the State. The State Emergency Operations Center will be activated at 7:00 a.m.today, and will remain open as long as necessary to meet anticipated challenging conditions.

“This is a dangerous storm; and we ask motorists to be careful while driving. There is also the potential for downed trees and wires because of wind conditions,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and State Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. “Tomorrow night’s evening commute will be treacherous throughout much of New Jersey.”

The following is a brief list of general winter weather preparedness tips for motorists:

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BECK EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER FEMA’S REJECTION OF OCEAN GROVE AID REQUEST TO REBUILD BOARDWALK

Agency’s ruling will leave gap in Jersey Shore and hinder  rebuilding

Senator Jennifer Beck today  expressed outrage over FEMA’s rejection of Ocean Grove’s request for aid in the  wake of Sandy.  FEMA determined that the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is a private  non-profit organization and not eligible for public assistance dollars. In a  letter sent to FEMA earlier in January from Beck and other legislators, the  lawmakers made it clear that the boardwalk in Ocean Grove has received funding  from FEMA and the Army Corp. of Engineers in the past.

“FEMA’s Decision today is  not only disappointing, but it is unacceptable,” Beck said. “The Ocean Grove  Boardwalk serves as an essential public thoroughfare and connects Bradley Beach  to Asbury Park. It provides access to emergency  services and augments flood protection measures. We will be appealing this  ruling immediately.”

In the letter sent to  FEMA officials on January 30^th states that the Ocean Grove boardwalk  has been recognized as public property and dedicated as a public roadway since  at least 1908 when a Monmouth County court ruling exempted it from  taxation because of the boardwalk’s previous designation as a “public  highway.”  The boardwalk, which  provides access to communities both north and south of Ocean Grove, has also  been clearly recognized in court rulings as a public facility.  

            “Today’s decision is destructive to the economy of Ocean Grove and will  have long lasting negative impacts on the community,” Beck explained. “To reject  Ocean Grove’s request for assistance will leave them unable to rebuild this  historic boardwalk and create a gap on New Jersey’s shoreline. I am hopeful that in  our appeal those making these decisions will see the long term implications of  this decision and realize that not only is the Ocean Grove Boardwalk a public  property but it is essential to both the safety and commerce of Ocean Grove and  surrounding towns.”

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CASAGRANDE/O’SCANLON BILL TO SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY THROUGH REVOLUTIONARY PROPERTY ASSESSMENT PROCESS SIGNED INTO LAW

MONMOUTH COUNTY EXPECTED TO LEAD STATE IN PILOT PROGRAM TO IMPROVE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Republicans Caroline Casagrande and Declan O’Scanlon to save property taxpayers money by sharing property assessment resources countywide has been signed into law today by Governor Christie.

            The legislation establishes a pilot program for counties to implement a standard software program for local tax assessors to use, which would streamline the process and give officials a more accurate tax rate while reducing costly appeals for property taxpayers. Casagrande and O’Scanlon represent Monmouth County, which is expected to be among the first counties to participate in the demonstration project.

            “When every town in the county has to assess property, there is no need to reinvent the wheel several times, especially when the current process is often confusing and inaccurate for taxpayers,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Having everyone on the same page and adjusting a few deadlines are cost-free common sense solutions that will save property taxpayers money in the long run through efficiencies and a more accurate property tax system. Municipal budgets will be based on real dollars, not guesstimates that don’t always hold up.

            “Monmouth County is eager to demonstrate to New Jersey that working together will save property taxpayers money and thanks to Governor Christie, our county will get that opportunity,” Casagrande added.

            The law, S-1213/A-1591, will allow a standardized process for assessments that would be used by every town in the county for all future revaluations and reassessments. The four-year pilot will be limited to four counties.

            “This will be a revolutionary way to essentially fix our current, expensive, flawed assessment system,” O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said. “It will rework the entire process so that towns are no longer burdened with uncertainty as to the value of their tax base, facilitate remedying unfair and outdated assessments, and will obviate the need for expensive town-wide reassessments and the dramatic valuation shifts that go along with them.

“This pilot program will very likely pave the way to the future for our assessment systems throughout the state,” O’Scanlon added.

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Thompson, Dancer & Clifton Announce Reelection Bid

Old Bridge, NJ – The 12^th District Team of Sen. Sam Thompson and Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton today announced their plans to run for re-election and continue their fight to make New Jersey more affordable for middle-class families by cutting taxes, growing the economy and creating jobs.

“After a decade of decline, we have begun to turn the tide by working with Governor Christie to reject tax increases and other harmful economic policies that left the state with higher taxes and fewer jobs,” Thompson, R-Middlesex, Burlington, Monmouth and Ocean, said. “The property tax cap and benefits reform have begun to turn the tide on property taxes and we have a lot more work to do to create jobs and make our state more affordable for middle-class families.

“No one can match our team’s experience in fighting for common sense solutions to reduce the burden on taxpayers in our district,” Thompson added.

Thompson, a full-time legislator, is seeking his second term in the Senate after serving in the Assembly for more than a decade.

Running with Thompson is Assemblyman Ron Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth, an Assemblyman since 2002. A former Mayor of Plumsted Township, Dancer knows first hand the priority of reducing property taxes at the local level while providing for the safety and security of our schools and community.

“Last year was the lowest property tax increase in two decades and we are committed to driving that number down further with more reforms that will reduce costs for property taxpayers, such as, reversing Court decisions that send 60% of all State School Aid to just 31 inner city schools at the expense of our rural and suburban school districts,” Dancer said. “Property taxes remain too high and we want to keep fighting to reduce the burden on our constituents.”

Rounding out the ticket is Assemblyman Rob Clifton, R-Monmouth, Burlington, Middlesex and Ocean, who is in his first term in the Assembly after serving as a Monmouth County freeholder from January 2005 until January 2012 and as Mayor of Matawan from December 1996 until January 2005.

“New Jersey is winning the uphill battle to create jobs and grow the economy without raising taxes,” Clifton said. “We cannot allow our momentum to roll backward by returning to the reckless tax and spend policies that made our state unaffordable for many families and senior citizens.

“We’re excited at the prospect of running with Governor Christie and other taxpayer-friendly candidates in the four counties we represent,” Clifton said.

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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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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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