Passaic

Carmen Pio Costa and Don Diorio, candidates for Assembly in the 36th district, reacted to today's arrests by drawing attention to the source of the bribe-takers' temptations: their control over massive amounts of state income-tax money given to a handful of cities and urban school districts. 

A Much Needed Victory In Passaic For Taxpayers

PASSAIC'S DOUBLE DIPPING DUO

Schaer and Colon-Montanez Grab Benefits

With Both Hands, But Can’t Be Bothered

To Vote For The Taxpayers

“Gary Schaer failed to deliver the vote this week and was about to throw up his hands and walk away, but the good citizens of Passaic wouldn’t let him,” said Pio Costa, a Nutley businessman. “But why did the first resolution to rescind fail at all? Because Schaer’s hand-picked protégé, Maritza Colon-Montanez, abstained saying she ‘didn’t understand’ the resolution! Couldn’t Schaer explain it to her, his own legislative aide?”

O'TOOLE MAKES MOTION ON RESOLUTION CALLING FOR COOPERATION WITH U.S. ATTORNEY AND ETHICS REFORM

DeCROCE SAYS CORZINE BUDGET FAILS TAXPAYERS

Republican Leader Warns Property Taxes Will Continue to Rise

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement today following Governor Jon Corzine's budget address:

PENNACCHIO AND MERKT: CORZINE BUDGET
ANOTHER REASON TO PASS INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM LEGISLATION
PROPOSED BUDGET CALLS FOR ANOTHER STATE SPENDING HIKE

Assemblyman Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Richard Merkt said today that Governor Jon Corzine's proposed Fiscal Year 2008 budget which calls for more than $2.5 billion in additional state spending is yet another reason to place referendums regarding state fiscal issues on the November ballot.

DeCROCE CALLS ON CODEY TO RELEASE ALL DOCUMENTS
PERTAINING TO THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
IN PORK HE APPROVED AS GOVERNOR AND SENATE PRESIDENT

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said today if Richard J. Codey is sincere when he says the process of awarding grants to favored legislators for pet projects should be "transparent," then he should publicly release all documents relating to the hundreds of millions of dollars in pork he sanctioned as Governor and Senate President immediately.

"Codey says he wants to remove the negative stigma from pork," said DeCroce, referring to a story in today's Philadelphia Inquirer. In it, Codey is quoted as saying he supports an "open dialogue on these things."

"We said, 'Let's make it transparent, put it out in the open,'" Codey said in the news story.

"I couldn't agree more," said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. "Let's put it out in the open - all of it - and let's do it now. Before Codey wraps himself with the robe of 'reformer,' let's see what his role has been."

DeCROCE SAYS GOP WILL PUSH ETHICS REFORM
AT THURSDAY'S ASSEMBLY SESSION

Says Republicans Will Also Offer Resolution Pledging
Full Cooperation with Federal Political Corruption Probe

Now that the U.S. Attorney's Office has served subpoenas on members of the Legislature in connection with a continuing investigation into political corruption, Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said Republicans will seek, once again, to force the Assembly to consider a comprehensive ethics reform package when it reconvenes on Thursday.

DeCroce said Assembly Republicans will also offer a resolution calling on all members of the General Assembly to comply fully with every request for information made by U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie.

WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2007 CONTACT: (908) 267-1613

Webber for Assembly Campaign Website Launched Emphasizing Pension Reform

Morris Plains, NJ - Maintaining its campaign momentum, Webber for Assembly launched its website today!

Visit www.WebberForAssembly.com to learn more about Jay's vision of lowering taxes, cutting spending, reforming State Government, and restoring traditional values.

The website features an online petition to end lifetime pension benefits for part-time legislators. Citizens can join with the hundreds of New Jerseyans who already have raised their voices and signed the petition to enact true government reform.

Leading by example, Jay Webber has pledged to refuse pension benefits for his part-time legislative service if elected: "This is about being fiscally conservative and reform-minded. But it is about more than that. It is about leadership, and making a personal commitment to the reforms I propose."

The 26th District comprises 15 towns in Passaic and Morris Counties.

Paid for by Webber for Assembly

DeCROCE STATEMENT REGARDING
U.S. DISTRICT COURT HEARING ON FEDERAL SUBPOENA

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic, issued the following statement this afternoon:

"I have been informed by legal counsel that the entire proceeding before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Cooper is under seal and cannot be discussed by any parties. In fact, I have not even been informed as to what transpired. All 31 Assembly Republicans stand by their belief that the documents sought by the U.S. Attorney's Office from the Office of Legislative Services should be turned over immediately. The Senate President, Assembly Speaker and the Office of Legislative Services should never have allowed this matter to go to court. They should have freely cooperated with the U.S. Attorney, and I hope their actions have not impeded or had an adverse impact on the federal investigation."

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For more information, contact:
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce / 973-984-0922
Assembly Republican Press Office / 609-292-5339