Joseph Vas

VAS:  SEPT. STATE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS SHOWCASE NEED FOR CORPORATE TAX REFORMS

(PERTH AMBOY) - Assemblyman Joseph Vas today said newly released unemployment numbers indicate now is a vital time to amend and reform New Jersey's antiquated and restrictive corporation business tax laws.

VAS SAYS GLOBAL MELTDOWN MEANS STATE MUST REVAMP SMALL BUSINESS TAXES AND ENHANCE GRANTS AND INCENTIVES

Proposed Legislation Aims to Further Democratic Efforts to Boost New Jersey Economy

(PERTH AMBOY) – Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Chairman Joseph Vas today said the global economic meltdown means the state must pass a sweeping package to promote new jobs and retain existing ones by revamping small business taxes and enhancing business grants and incentives.

Vas said aggressive steps are needed to ensure state businesses and the workers they employ successfully weather the economic crisis.

“We need decisive action to keep New Jerseyans gainfully employed and continue making the state a great place to do business,” Vas said. “So much attention is paid to luring new jobs to the state, but now more than ever our effort must focus both on attracting new jobs and retaining existing ones.”

STRENGTHENING NEW JERSEY’S ECONOMY

TODAY’S ASSEMBLY STEPS ARE LATEST SIGNIFICANT MEASURES TAKEN TO BOLSTER STATE’S BUSINESS CLIMATE

(TRENTON) –Today’s Assembly efforts to help middle-class New Jerseyans and the small businesses that employ them emerge strong from the national economic crisis are the latest significant measures taken to strengthen New Jersey’s economy.

Bills advanced today would promote new jobs and retain existing ones by revamping small business taxes and enhancing grants and incentives for small businesses.

COMMERCE PANEL TO MEET MONDAY TO TAKE MORE STEPS TO HELP BUSINESSES CONFRONT THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Panel to Hear Testimony from Economic, Labor Experts on State Job & Industry Growth; Consider Legislation to Further Improve NJ's Economic Climate

(TRENTON) - As part of an unprecedented effort by the Assembly to address the ongoing national economic crisis, the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee will meet Monday to examine the health of the private sector, state job growth and to consider legislation to further improve the state's business climate.

ASSEMBLY PASSES SEVEN-BILL PACKAGE TO UPDATE, IMPROVE NJ'S CORPORATE BUSINESS LAWS

Measures Would Make State More Business Friendly; Make NJ's Corporate Business Laws Similar to Delaware's

(TRENTON) - The General Assembly today passed a seven-bill package sponsored by Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan, Joseph Vas, Matthew W. Milam, Nelson T. Albano and Wayne P. DeAngelo to simplify many of New Jersey's corporate governance statutes and make the state more attractive to businesses.

It’s only been about five weeks since Joseph Vas left his post as Mayor of Perth Amboy, but he’s already mulling a comeback.  Vas wants to challenge incumbent Wilda Diaz, who beat him handily last May, in 2012.  

Hundreds of Perth Amboy residents, several legislators, four mayors from neighboring towns, two congressmen and one U.S. Attorney filled the local high school’s auditorium to near capacity today to inaugurate the city’s new mayor, Wilda Diaz, for a four year term.

Diaz, the first female mayor of Perth Amboy and first Latina mayor in the state, won an upset victory against 18-year incumbent Joe Vas, who remains an Assemblyman. Also sworn in today were Diaz’s two council running mates, Kenneth Balut and Fernando Gonzales.

U.S. Rep. Albio Sires, who faced a primary challenge by Vas for his seat in 2006, introduced Diaz to a standing ovation.

Diaz, 43, began her speech by thanking Vas for his service as mayor, and acknowledged his role in the waterfront development that has revitalized parts of this old this old, industrial town of 48,000.

Several new mayors will take office today after winning the May 13 non-partisan municipal elections, including Wilda Diaz in Perth Amboy, Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. in Orange, Jerry Fried in Montclair, Robert Romano in Vineland, and Edward Mahaney in Cape May City.

Joseph Vas, who won just 39% of the vote last month in his bid for re-election to a sixth term as Mayor of Perth Amboy, was elected Democratic Municipal Chairman last night. Vas, a two-term Assemblyman, defeated Jim Nanton, 35-6. Ray Geneske, the longtime Democratic Chairman and a staunch Vas ally, did not seek re-election.

Joe Cryan calls Jim Devine "a sleaze ball, the worst in politics."In December 2007, James Devine, a Union County political operative/newspaper publisher, was arrested for owing $20,000 in child support and alimony.

It was the latest fall from grace for Devine, a former Union County Democratic insider. Devine had been, as recently as a few years ago, a somewhat important operative in local political circles, running three weekly newspapers in Union County that depended heavily on financing from county advertisements and legal notices. But when that revenue stream abruptly ended, Devine was out of business and out of luck - a turn of events he blames on Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, a former political ally who he had a falling out with in the early 1990s.

Now he's working to beat Bollwage, who is seeking re-election in the June 3 Democratic primary.

But Devine's detractors hold nothing but venom for a man they characterize as a charlatan who has mucked up the political scene in Union County for decades, and who recently had his bank account frozen for owing tens of thousands in back taxes - something Devine blames on bad legal advice and child support payments.

Some public officials who are used to choosing their words carefully don't hesitate to go on the record slamming Devine.

"He's a sleaze ball, the worst in politics," said Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan, who also represents Union County in the State Assembly. "If they pay him anything, I hope he used it towards his child support."