Trenton

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Gregory Andres
February 6, 2007 973-909-4490

"Going Once..."
With the Turnpike nearing the auction block,
the Governor is now studying the sale of the lottery

(MONTVILLE, NJ) - As public furor continues to build over the idea of leasing the state's toll roads, most prominently the New Jersey Turnpike, the Governor's office has begun exploring the idea of auctioning off the New Jersey Lottery.

26th District Assembly Candidate Larry Casha responded to this news with the following statement:

"Before the Governor begins dumping off state resources to private firms for one time cash infusions, perhaps he should consider cutting spending to close the budget gap. Treasurer Bradley Abelow states the case for the sale of the Turnpike and the Lottery by claiming that 'we simply cannot allow New Jersey to slip into fiscal paralysis, hamstrung by debt from making capital improvements that are so critical to our state's long-term financial prosperity'.

"I'd like to remind Treasurer Abelow, and the Governor, of the fiscal paralysis we experienced during the government shutdown last summer. I'd also like to remind our Democratic leadership of the extreme waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money by the School Construction Corporation. Need I continue?

"Our state is in a fiscal crisis. We are paralyzed by our debts, skyrocketing taxes, and the culture of, at best, greed, and, at worst, criminal negligence that exists in Trenton. Can we trust those from within this culture of ineptitude to sell, or lease, these significant resources? And, furthermore, can we run the risk of letting a private entity control major pieces of New Jersey's infrastructure?

"Enough is enough! It's time for the Governor and the Democratic leadership in Trenton to stop hiding behind gimmicks to save our state. We need real reform, and we need it now! As an Assemblyman, I will lead the fight to cut the out of control state spending that has led New Jersey down this path to ruin by promoting an independent state auditor to scour every financial transaction at every level of government."

The 26th District includes fifteen municipalities in Morris and Passaic Counties including: Bloomingdale Borough, Butler Borough, Chatham Borough, East Hanover Township, Florham Park Borough, Hanover Township, Kinnelon Borough, Lincoln Park Borough, Montville Township, Morris Plains Borough, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, Pequannock Township, Pompton Lakes Borough, Riverdale Borough, and West Milford Township.

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Paid for by Casha for Assembly, Richard Clawson, Treasurer

DeCROCE: DEMOCRATS COULD HAVE DONE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce today issued the following statement in response to news that Assembly Bill A-1 had finally cleared the State Senate after a 24-hour stand-off among Democrats:

BUONO VOWS TO PURSUE LOTTERY OPTIONS FOR TAXPAYERS

TRENTON - Senator Barbara Buono today vowed to continue exploring the viability of privatizing the State Lottery because of its long-range potential to provide "hundreds of millions of dollars" in revenues to New Jersey taxpayers.

"I think the Legislature has a moral obligation to pursue revenue sources that are judged to be viable means to ease our financial burdens," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, and Chair of the Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.

DORIA MOVES TO SAVE 850 JOBS AT MARCAL PAPER

TRENTON - The Senate today amended legislation, sponsored by Senator Joseph V. Doria Jr., to save the financially troubled Marcal Paper Mills Inc. of Elmwood Park.

"This bill will help save 850 union jobs and the concerns of countless families who have been associated with a proud family business for a long time," said Senator Doria, D-Hudson. "We should do what we can to help companies who want to stay in business, especially one like Marcal which has been a key part of the community of the North Jersey region for some 75 years."

KARCHER BILL TO AMEND BENEFITS TO PUBLIC OFFICEHOLDERS APPROVED

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Ellen Karcher which would make various amendments to the pensions and benefits of those holding public office in New Jersey was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 25-7.

"For too long in New Jersey, people have treated public office like a gold mine, with perks and benefits well above what someone could get in the private sector," said Senator Karcher, D-Monmouth and Mercer. "When I was elected to the State Senate, I was elected to serve the people of the 12th Legislative District, not to enrich myself on the perks of office. It's time we get real on the benefits we offer to those who serve in public office."

GUSCIORA: SENATE CHANGES ON DUAL-OFFICE HOLDING PUT FINAL PASSAGE IN JEOPARDY

(TRENTON) - The Senate's reported attempt to change the effective date of a proposed ban on dual-office holding is a "glorified incumbency protection maneuver" that threatens the prospects of New Jersey ever having a law against dual-office holding, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora said today.

SMITH CONSOLIDATION AND SHARED SERVICES BILLS APPROVED BY SENATE

Legislation Would Increase Oversight on Local School Budgets, Establish Enhanced 9-1-1 System

TRENTON - Two measures sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote shared services in New Jersey schools and develop an enhanced 9-1-1 public safety answering system, among other reforms to cut the cost of government in New Jersey, were approved today by the Senate.

"With the passage of these bills today, we're one step closer to more efficient government in New Jersey," said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Service, the legislative panel that recommended the reforms. "New Jersey's taxpayers pay the price for overlapping services, unending bureaucracy, and inefficiency and waste in the system. Through these bills, we can streamline services, and put downward pressure on property taxes in the Garden State."

ALBANO/PANTER APPLAUD SENATE COMMITTEE RELEASE OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE BILL

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland) and Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-Monmouth/Mercer) today applauded the Senate Labor committee's release of legislation (S2249) that would provide paid-family leave in New Jersey.

DORIA BILL TO REMOVE LOOPHOLE IN PREVAILING WAGE LAW ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Joseph V. Doria which would remove a loophole in the current prevailing wage law which denies contractors working under private contracts on public land a fair living wage was approved by the Senate Labor Committee today by a vote of 4-0.

"New Jersey adopted the prevailing wage law as a means to ensure our State's building contractors are fairly compensated for their work," said Senator Doria, D-Hudson, a member of the Labor panel. "However, as we've seen in practice, confusion over the language and loopholes which violate the spirit of the law have allowed some employers to shirk their responsibilities of fair wage and benefits for contractors. This bill addresses the ambiguity in the current law, and ensures that we live up to our commitment as detailed by the promise of the original prevailing wage."

WATSON COLEMAN: SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
MUST BE DONE PROPERLY, NOT HASTILY

(TRENTON) -- Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman today said Governor Corzine's announcement that a new school funding formula will not be ready for the 2007-2008 academic year means the Legislature must resolve to work even harder to ensure a new formula is in place for the following school year.