JENNIFER BECK

A Monmouth County Democrat thinks Jon Corzine won the gubernatorial debate, while a Republican from Monmouth County thinks it was a win for Christopher Christie.

"Tonight's debate highlighted the very clear choice facing New Jersey voters in November. While Governor Corzine has fought for what matters for New Jersey families over the past four years, Chris Christie has been wrong when it matters most," said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch). "He said he'd reject President Obama's stimulus funds, driving up property taxes by $2 billion and now he says he still backs the Bush policies that got our country into this mess."

"New Jerseyans saw a clear distinction between Governor Jon Corzine and Chris Christie at tonight's debate," said State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank).  "While Chris Christie spoke to the concerns of all New Jersey families and reaffirmed his commitment to fixing our great state, Governor Jon Corzine deflected from his weak leadership and record of failure with more of the same broken promises. Chris powerfully demonstrated that New Jerseyans have a brighter future to look toward once he's governor."

In response to a complaint filed last week by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct against Judge Steven Perskie, of Atlantic County, Senators Gerry Cardinale (R-Bergen) and Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) voiced concern with the vetting process of judicial nominees and the lack of time allotted to fully review each candidate. (complaint attached) The process must be reformed so that the committee has enough time and resources to fully review a candidate the Senators commented.

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Governor Corzine says we don't need new laws to fight corruption. Is it any wonder that his ethics package has gone no where in the state Legislature? Or that commonsense ethics bills aren't even being considered?

This week’s unemployment rates for the Tri-State region were released, and once again, New Jersey’s numbers remain the highest in the region at 9.3 percent for July, up from 9.2 percent in June.

New York has the second highest with 8.6 percent and Pennsylvania reported a rate of 8.5 percent for last month.

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Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande today sent letters to every State Legislator requesting support and sponsorship of two bills that will address the existing loophole, which allows public officials convicted of corruption crimes to receive pensions for public positions they held that were unrelated to the crime committed.

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Officials from Local, County, State and Federal Governments Worked Together to Save Facility

The 12th District Legislators, as well as officials from Freehold Borough, Monmouth County and House Representative Chris Smith, are happy to announce that the U.S. Post Office located in Freehold Borough, the county seat, will remain open.

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Fair Haven Mayor Mike Halfacre

TRENTON - Fair Haven Mayor and private practice attorney Mike Halfacre figures he will probably need between $500,000 and $1 million to run an effective campaign against U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-Hopewell Twp.) in this major media market called the 12th Congressional District, and hhe sees postive signs early in his effort to muster support.

"As I stand here today I've raised $35,000," said Halfacre, 42, standing on the State House steps at the second of two press conferences he held today to formally launch his bid for U.S. Congress, where he savaged the sitting congressman.

In an unsuccessful 2008 bid against Holt, Halfacre's Republican predecessor, Alan Bateman, raised as much over the entire course of his campaign, which landed him an ovr 20% loss.

Bateman told PolitickerNJ.com yesterday that he intends to again seek the Republican nomination in the 12th District but as he nurses $6,000 in debt from last year, Halfacre and his allies say at a certain point the former deputy mayor of Holmdel "has to stop tilting at windmills."

Senator Challenges Corzine to Use Red Pen on Specific Line Items

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) challenged Governor Corzine to use the line item veto power over at least five specific line items before signing the budget this afternoon.

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State Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Red Bank) broached the 2002 state Supreme Court decision that allowed U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg to replace the ethically-troubled incumbent Robert Torricelli on the ballot – despite passing the 48 day deadline.

“The statute speaks very clearly. There’s no leeway,” said Beck.

But Albin said that the case was not an anomaly.  There was a precedent of over 50 years of courts liberally construing ballot deadlines liberally, he said.

“Since 1952, our courts have consistently indicated that the election law statues are directory, not mandatory when it comes to the strict deadlines.  That we should not read the statutes to defeat voter choice, voter participation, or having candidates placed on the ballot,” he said.

The 12th District Legislators today unveiled a ten-point economic stimulus package for New Jersey at a press conference at the State House. The initiatives includes bills that will spur economic growth in the real estate and retail industries, to create a friendlier atmosphere for businesses, and to strengthen the overall budget planning in the State of New Jersey.

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