LD-13 Senate Candidate O'Scanlon: You May Have to Vote for Someone Else

Candidate claims to be a "truth teller" and stands up for taxpayers with "real" solutions.

By Monmouth Watchdog

Declan O'Scanlon

When a politician has to stress in his online ads that he is a "straight shooter," or makes social media claims on Facebook like, "If your looking for someone to tell you what you want to hear rather than the truth you need to know, your going to have to vote for someone else." You know an embattled politician's campaign is floundering, and in need of a lifeline.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, (R-Monmouth), whose office is located outside the district he represents, (Red Bank), wants to replace retiring state Senator Joe Kyrillos. O'Scanlon may have spoken words that prophetically may come true this November.

Lets look at the record:

O'Scanlon did not stand up for his constituents when he voted for the very unpopular 23-cent gallon gas tax. He sided with special interests that have donated thousands of dollars towards his political campaigns.

He was the only legislator in the Assembly---the only legislator--that voted against enhanced penalties against drunk drivers operating motor vehicles with minors as passengers. Is that standing up for taxpayers?? Ok, they're children-- so what? Who is looking out for the childrens' safety?? Certainly not Assemblyman O'Scanlon! Kudos to the 79 legislators that did in fact vote for this measure.

Law enforcement?? There's no standing up for those taxpayers! He was just one of four legislators in the Assembly that voted against a financial package that would protect unarmed, outnumbered correction officers, injured during a riot or other physical altercation with violent prisoners. I guess they're not taxpayers worthy of being "stood up" for.

Ok, perhaps half the population? Our hard working mothers, sisters, friends and daughters?? How can we not be supportive of this group? Well, with O'Scanlon's vote, there is no standing up for them either. Our hard working women--discounted and rendered insignificant with his vote. No support for this hard working group.

You didn't read or hear about that vote did you?? Of course not! That is one vote I am sure Mr. O'Scanlon would love to take back.

So much for standing up for our citizens--The Monmouth Watchdog sees a disturbing trend in O'Scanlon's voting record when it comes to the safety of our women, children, and law enforcement officers. Now Assemblyman O'Scanlon wants a promotion to a four-year term as a state senator representing LD-13, which is comprised of 16 municipalities within Monmouth County.

Lets try the truth: When O'Scanlon first ran for the Assembly in 2009, he became embroiled in an ethics controversy brought about by his Democratic rivals. His Democratic opponents at the time accused him of a conflict of interest regarding his business dealings with the town of Fair Haven. Shortly after his victory in the Assembly, O'Scanlon sponsored Bill A-2585. which would prohibit legislators from conducting business within their own legislative district. Unfortunately, the bill gained no traction; however, Mr. O'Scanlon was quoted in an online publication saying he would voluntarily impose the same standards on his own business activities.

There seems to be a little problem with Mr. O'Scanlon's "voluntary" imposition of the same standards in the bill he sponsored. In January of 2017, Mr. O'Scanlon was named "Cell Tower Consultant" in the Holmdel Township Re-Organization Minutes. And as recently as May 17, 2016, O'Scanlon's company was awarded a contract from Keyport (Resolution #166-16; For Cell Tower Contract Services). That contract called for payment of services not to be less than $500 dollars and not to exceed $3000 dollars. (see above for copy of Keyport Resolution).

A check of Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon's financial disclosures reveal since 2009, he inexplicably has not reported his income as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly. A requirement mandated under state financial disclosure rules.

District 13's women and children need support and an advocate from its representatives in the Assembly. O'Scanlon's votes are in total dichotomy of his running mate, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin. Ms. Handlin voted for women's equality; voted for enhanced penalties against drunken drivers with minors as passengers in their vehicles and has voted against the increase in the gas tax. And her office is located within the confines of the district she represents.

Perhaps its time to drain the swamp in Trenton.

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The above is an opinion of the Monmouth Watchdog

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon's 'NO' Vote on Pay Equality: A Backhand to the Face of Women Seeking Pay Equality With Men

Legislator Seeks Promotion to Senate After Incredulous, Incomprehensible Votes Affecting Women's Equality, Children's Safety

By Monmouth Watchdog

Here he goes again.

It’s getting to be a monotonous drone of a drumbeat with Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon’s mind boggling, head scratching, dangerous votes in the Assembly. The vote: a "NO" vote regarding women's pay equality. It may be a "NO" vote-- but a significant "NO" vote that was decided and voted upon without much notice in March of 2016.

Until now, O'Scanlon's vote has gone undetected and unannounced on any of O’Scanlon’s media press announcements, online and Facebook page posts. Matter of fact, this might be the first place where his constituents are aware of his votes. Why? Because Declan O’Scanlon—a self-proclaimed “straight shooter”— with this particular vote, slaps the face of our mothers, sisters and daughters. It places a foot—like a throttle—upon the necks of women, who only desire what their male counterparts have in the workplace: pay equality!

Currently, females earn approximately 20% less than their male counterparts doing exact or similar work. Equality in pay would greatly aid two- income couples seeking to pay bills, and raise a family, without children suffering. It would greatly aid young women—with children--ran by struggling single mother households.

How can any legislator be against this? Well, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, through his vote, has indicated he is against a bill that concerns equal pay for women and addressing workplace discrimination and retaliation issues.

Thankfully, and despite O’Scanlon’s “NO” vote, the bill, A-2750, passed by a margin of 54 to 14 (with 12 legislators inexplicably not voting). A similar bill (S-992), passed in the Senate by a margin of 28 to 4 (with 8 inexplicably not voting).

The bill—after passing both houses, was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie.

The protections to women—barring Christie’s veto—would have provided women with the following workplace safeguards:

1. Prohibit unequal pay for “substantially similar” work, under the Law Against Discrimination (LAD). The legislation would make it unlawful for an employer to pay a rate of compensation, including benefits, to an employee of one sex less than the rate paid to an employee of the other sex for substantially similar work when viewed as a composite of skill, effort and responsibility, unless specific conditions apply.

2. Require different rates of compensation be justified by factors other than sex. The bill permits an employer to pay a different rate of compensation if the employer demonstrates that the differential is made pursuant to a seniority system, a merit system, or is based on legitimate, bona fide factors other than sex, such as training, education, experience, or the quantity or quality of production. It requires that each factor is applied reasonably, that one or more of the factors account for the entire wage differential, and that the factor or factors do not perpetuate a sex-based differential in compensation, are job-related and based upon legitimate business necessities. Comparison of wage rates would be based on those in all of an employer’s operations or facilities.

3. Restart statute of limitations for each instance of discrimination. Provides that a discriminatory compensation decision or other employment practice that is unlawful under the LAD occurs each time that compensation is paid in furtherance of that discriminatory decision or practice – effectively making each paycheck another instance of discrimination, reflecting the language in the federal Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. In addition, the bill provides that liability shall accrue and an aggrieved person may obtain relief for back pay for the entire period of time in which the violation has been continuous, if the violation continues to occur within the statute of limitations. This provision is stronger than the federal Lilly Ledbetter Act, which has a two-year cap on back pay.

4. Prohibit employer retaliation against employee for disclosing compensation. Employers could not take reprisals against an employee for disclosing information about the job title, occupational category, and rate of compensation of any employees or former employees, as well as other information. It would prohibit an employer from requiring an employee or prospective employee to forgo rights to make or request those disclosures

5. Require transparency in state contracting. Requires contractors to provide information on gender, race, job title, occupational category and compensation, and to report certain changes during the course of the contract; information must be filed with Labor Commissioner and Division of Civil Rights. The bill requires disclosure to employees and their authorized representatives upon request.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, a former Little Silver councilman, is seeking the Senate seat from the retiring Joe Kyrillos. He is the CEO of FSD Enterprises in Red Bank. His firm negotiates with wireless communications companies on behalf of government entities. His recent votes in the Assembly have caused controversy, consternation and angst regarding his vote to raise the tax on gasoline; his horrendous voting record on public safety issues affecting law enforcement officers, and being the ONLY Assemblyman in the state legislature--out of 80--that voted AGAINST enhanced penalties for drunk drivers operating with minors as passengers.

His opponent, Democrat Sean Byrnes of Middletown, is a former Middletown committeeman; veteran with the US Coast Guard, and attorney.

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This is the opinion of the Monmouth Watchdog.

Monmouth Watchdog: Assemblyman O'Scanlon Adds Insult to Injury To State's Campus Police Officers

Votes against protecting state's campus police officers against political retribution, yet votes to permit them to carry guns while retired

By Monmouth Watchdog

Assembly bill A-2690, which expands the list of law enforcement personnel eligible to carry a handgun in their retirement years—including campus police-- was signed into law on July 13, 2017, by Governor Chris Christie. The Bill, was co-sponsored by Republican Assemblyman, Declan O’Scanlon, (LD-13).

Former Governor and state Senator Richard Codey (D-Essex), who previously voted down the bill in the Senate, was quoted as saying, “When, during the performance of duty, did they have to use a gun? Rarely, if ever…it just expands the number of people who are out there with guns, and that never ends up to anything good.”

Declan O'Scanlon

O’Scanlon, currently running for state Senator in LD-13 after Senator Joe Kyrillos announced plans to retire, blasted Codey by saying, “I can’t think of a more ignorant statement…what the hell is there to argue with here? It’s a slap in the face of those well-trained retired officers that he belittles their skill, training and dedication.” O’Scanlon’s sponsorship and subsequent “Yes” vote for the bill, adds insult to injury to New Jersey’s campus police officers throughout the state.

On November 21, 2016, O’Scanlon voted “NO” on Bill A-1411. The bill sponsored by Gordon Johnson, a former Bergen County Sheriff, provides employment protections for campus police officers, protecting them from any removal actions for “political reasons,” or for any other cause other than incapacity, misconduct, or disobedience of rules and regulations. Without this safeguard in place, political leaders, and high ranking campus officials, getting stopped for motor vehicle offenses—or even criminal matters, will demand—and unfortunately receive— preferential treatment not afforded the general public.

Why would Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon want it any other way?

O’Scanlon’s vote would condone (had it passed) political retribution against campus police officers by demoting , re-assigning and possibly removing them from active service. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority members in the Assembly had the integrity and fortitude to pass the Bill by 58-11. This sends a resonating loud and clear signal to their own: Intimidation and/or manipulation of law enforcement actions by New Jersey's campus police will not be tolerated!

The bill is currently in the hands of a Senate Committee awaiting further deliberation, before being forwarded to the full Senate for consideration.

Let’s not forget another slap to the face to another group of law enforcement professionals—our state’s correction officers. The state Assembly on February 13, 2017, -- joining its Senate partner in a similar bill-- overwhelmingly approved bill A-3422 by a vote of 62-4, creating a compensation program for correction officers assaulted by prisoners in their care, custody and control.

LD-13 Assemblyman, Declan O'Scanlon, (R-Monmouth), a staunch Christie ally, and member of Christie’s now defunct and dismantled Presidential Leadership Team, was one of just four (4) Assembly members that incredulously voted against the measure protecting state correction officers from financial ruin, hurt on the job, and reliant on a salary that is a fraction of their normal rate of pay.

Assemblyman O’Scanlon blasting Codey as “ignorant” was certainly uncalled for. Perhaps it was done as political payback for Codey’s plan to draft a bill requiring cell towers be located a safe distance of at least 2500 feet from schools? Codey’s plans are a direct result of the controversy currently taking place in O’Scanlon’s hometown of Little Silver, regarding the erection of a Verizon cell tower.

A grass roots effort is currently underway to remove and re-locate a Verizon cell tower that casts a shadow on a nearby elementary school.

Mr. O’Scanlon is the owner and operator of FSD Enterprises, of Red Bank, a consulting firm which contracts with municipalities and other entities negotiating with cell tower giants—such as Verizon— regarding locations, permits, rental agreements, and other details associated with cell towers. FSD is compensated by municipalities with retainer agreements along with specified percentages up to 35% of the first year’s rental income generated by the tenants placing their equipment on those poles.

In Holmdel--one of several towns in Monmouth County that FSD does business with-- FSD billed the Township for its cut on March 15, 2016, for 35% of $35,004.00 rental income derived from the Verizon Crown Castle site. That amount plus the $3000.00 "one-time payment," resulted in a payout of $13,301.40 for FSD Enterprises.

Holmdel in their January 2017 Re-Organization Minutes named Mr. O'Scanlon as their "cell tower consultant."

Verizon in keeping with their full disclosure policy regarding campaign contributions to candidates and/or their committees, reported giving Assemblyman O'Scanlon over $11,000.00 dollars in campaign contributions since 2008. Running mate Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, was not the recipient of Verizon's campaign generosity.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon certainly has a tough task in front of him in his quest to become state Senator. He is running against Democrat Sean Byrnes from LD-13's largest municipality: Middletown. Mr Byrnes is a former Democratic committeeman, a veteran with the United States Coast Guard, and an attorney.

O'Scanlon resides in Little Silver, and before becoming an Assemblyman, he was a long-time council member. His record on public safety issues has certainly been controversial--especially child safety concerns. O'Scanlon has voted for the very unpopular, and much criticized 23-cent a gallon gas tax. Issues which will undoubtedly be brought to the forefront during this most watched and crucial campaign.


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The above article is an opinion of the MonmouthWatchdog.

Education Committe Rejects Assemblyman O'Scanlon's Plea Regarding School Bus Cameras

By Monmouth Watchdog
May 25, 2017

Assemblyman Has a Questionable Record Regarding Public Safety Issues

In a stinging rebuke to the aspirations of Republican Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon’s bid for the state Senate seat of Joe Kyrillos in Legislative District 13-- and yet another question mark on his public safety record regarding children--the Assembly Education Committee, by a vote of 9 to 0, voted for Assembly bill A3798, which authorizes the installation of school bus cameras to capture images of those reckless drivers passing school buses while loading and unloading children. This bill now heads to the full Assembly for a vote by all its 80 members—including O’Scanlon.

The bill overwhelmingly passed in the Senate in January.

After impassioned testimony against the bill before the committee, O’Scanlon, utilizing fear and hysteria, feels the input of private contractors serves no legitimate purpose other than to make a profit on the backs of motorists. In furtherance of Mr. O’Scanlons hysteria, he has re-named the bill with the moniker, “Use Our Kids As Pawns To Enrich Corrupt Companies.”

The members of the committee promptly rejected O'Scanlon's pleas, and forwarded the bill to the full Assembly for their vote.


The bill authorizes a municipality or school district operating or providing Type I or Type II school buses that transport students to contract with a private vendor to provide for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a school bus monitoring system for enforcement purposes. The bill provides that a school bus monitoring system must be capable of capturing and producing a record of any occurrence that may be considered illegal passing of a school bus, and include in that recorded image:

1. If the school bus is exhibiting its flashing light;

2. If a motor vehicle passes a school bus;

3. The license plate, make, and model of the violating vehicle;

4. The date, time, and location of the violation.

The bill requires any violation captured in a recorded image produced by a school bus monitoring system to be made available to the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality in which the violation occurred. After careful review; the application of good judgement and common sense, A law enforcement officer is tasked to issue a summons within 90 days of determining that a violation occurred. A summons may not be issued for a violation occurring more than 90 days from date of the violation.

Mr. O’Scanlon, of Little Silver, is the Republican nominee running for state Senator, opposing presumptive Democrat nominee, Mr. Sean F. Byrnes of Middletown. O'Scanlon is a staunch Chris Christie ally; voted for the controversial 23-cent a gallon gas tax, and was a member of Christie’s defunct Presidential Leadership Team while the governor mounted a brief and unsuccessful bid for the presidency.


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You can also find this article over on the Patch

Did Special Interests Influence LD-13 Assembly Member Declan O'Scanlon To Vote 'Yes' On Gas Tax?

The following snippet was posted on the Marlboro Patch. If you haven't read it, it will raise an eyebrow and my provide some insight into the politics behind last year's gas tax hike.

By Monmouth Watchdog
May 15, 2017

Organizations Benefitting From Gas Tax Increase Contributed Heavily Towards Assemblyman's Campaigns; Bumpy Road To Election Seen Ahead

On Decmber 9, 2016, Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon,(R-Monmouth), a staunch Chris Christie ally, and former member of Christie's Presidential Leadership Team, announced a bid for the senate seat being vacated by long-time representative, state Senator Joe Kyrillos.

In O'Scanlon's bid for the senate seat, he said, " I am running for the Senate. I am looking forward to the opportunity to double the value of my vote and volume of my megaphone...I have a history of bringing people together...I have allies in reform communities and labor..."

Well, it may be those very "allies" in labor that may be Mr. O'Scanlon's undoing to represent LD-13. Legislative District 13 is comprised of 16 municipalities--including the largest town in Monmouth County: Middletown.

Middletown is home of Democrat Sean Byrnes, who is the Monmouth Dems choice to run against O'Scanlon. Compounding O'Scanlon's woes is his vote for the very unpopular 23 cent a gallon gas tax, in a state that has the highest cost per mile to construct a roadway: two-million dollars per mile. This expenditure is 12-times the national average on other state controlled and operated roadways, and now brings New Jersey's gas tax ranking to number 7 nationwide--up from the near bottom. Add to that O'Scanlon's mind boggling public safety voting record in the Assembly, and you have a candidate that may have his political career in jeopardy.

For drivers of New Jersey, a near quarter increase in a gallon of gas is indeed a steep hike. And with today's announcement from the oil ministers of Saudi Arabia and Russia agreeing to extend production cuts until March of 2018, the pain could even worsen for the state's drivers.

O'Scanlon's "allies" contributed mightily to his campaign--- These organizations consist of unions, political action committees, and companies dealing with state-wide road construction projects. They would benefit greatly from any legislator's "YES" vote and subsequent passage. On October 7, 2016, Declan O'Scanlon did indeed vote for the gas tax.

According to NJ Election Commission reports, The Utility and Transportation Contractors Association PAC, Constructors for Good Government, gave him $7,600 on Nov. 07, and the NJ State Laborers PAC ponied up $8,200 as did Operating Engineers Local 825, which sent $8,200. The road paving company J. Fletcher Creamer, whose khaki trucks are a fixture on Jersey’s TLC-desperate roads, sent $2,600, joined by companies like George Harms Construction, Earle Asphalt Company, Northeast Remsco Construction, and the NJ Asphalt PAC....

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