Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose and Assemblyman Gary Chiusano, R-Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon, announced today they were recognized as “Taxpayer Champions” by the New Jersey Taxpayer Alliance. “Standing up for taxpayers in New Jersey is job number one for Alison, Gary, and me,” said Oroho, who serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.  “We are continuing our mission to make New Jersey more competitive to bring in new businesses and private sector jobs and it starts with making sure our tax policies are attractive.” This is the first year that the New Jersey Taxpayer Alliance is rating Members of the Legislature.  They looked at 10 key tax votes in the Senate and nine in the Assembly.  Oroho, McHose, and Chiusano each scored a perfect score of 100.  "Every state budget adopted by Democrats over the past eight years proves that they are incapable of policing themselves,” said McHose, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “If Legislators cannot restrain their appetite for more taxes, spending and borrowing, then it is necessary for taxpayers to expose those who are responsible for the financial ruin of New Jersey.” The votes that were scored consisted of those which increased various state taxes including the income tax; corrected elements of the Corporate Business Tax; created the Paid Family Leave tax; authorized state debt without voter approval; and made some positive reforms to the pension and benefit systems of public employees. “The Democrat majorities in the legislature raised taxes 115 times since 2002 while spending has increased by $11 billion or 48.8% between Fiscal Year 2002 and FY 2010,” said Chiusano.  “We are appreciative that a light is being shed on who is standing up for beleaguered taxpayers.”  To view the scorecards and for more information, please visit http://www.njtaxalliance.org/scorecards.html.