Pallone Announces New Initiative to Modernize Schools and Creat Jobs at Building Trades Convention

LONG BRANCH, NJ – On Tuesday, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) unveiled a new initiative that would create jobs while modernizing America’s schools through a new federal grant program modeled after the successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER Discretionary Grant program. TIGER grants provide robust federal dollars for large-scale surface transportation projects. Pallone’s plan, the School Modernization Grant Program or SMGP would be a competitive grant program where states and municipalities can apply for funds to cover critical school modernization needs.

Pallone announced his proposal today before a receptive crowd at the New Jersey State Building & Construction Trades Council 109th Annual Convention in Atlantic City.

“The youth of our nation deserve a fair shot at the American dream, but without a good school environment or the necessary tools, we might be setting up them up for failure,” said Pallone. “Not only will these school construction grants benefit our children, but they will create quality jobs in our communities.”

Under Pallone’s plan, grants could cover anything from building new science labs to overhauling and upgrading a failing heating and cooling system in a school. A specific portion of this grant funding will be set aside for Title I school districts, or schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families.

According to “Rebuild America’s Schools,” of the existing 80,000 schools in our country at least one-third are in need of extensive repair or replacement. At least two-thirds have troublesome environmental conditions: the presence of asbestos, lead in water and paint, leaking underground storage tanks and radon, or they lack noise control or physical security.

“It seems that without concern for the consequences, House Republicans have proposed cut after cut to our nation’s infrastructure and programs investing in our nation’s children. Congress must put forth policies that create jobs while also modernizing our country’s infrastructure, and my proposal does just that,” added Pallone.

PALLONE STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION

LONG BRANCH - Following the New Jersey Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a challenge to Governor Christie’s decision to move the special election for United States Senator to October, Congressman Frank Pallone released the following statement:

“The Supreme Court’s refusal today to even hear a challenge to the Governor’s decision to move the special election to October is simply astounding. The waste associated with Governor Christie’s political maneuver that will be taxed upon New Jerseyeans is significant. The Governor’s aggressively partisan decision reeks of the same voter suppression tactics employed by Tea Party Republicans across the country and is the type of action I have spent my entire career fighting. In a democracy, we should all be striving to increase voter participation and civic engagement. Like many in New Jersey, I had hoped the Supreme Court would at least allow a fair and just hearing on this matter which clearly holds great import for people across the state. Their decision to not even provide the opportunity to be heard is unfortunate, and a disservice to New Jersey’s voters."

PALLONE FOR SENATE ANNOUNCES MIDDLESEX ENDORSEMENTS

(Long Branch) – Middlesex County Elected officials announced their endorsement of Frank Pallone today and released the following statement:

Frank Pallone has been a leader in the Democratic Party for years and he is clearly the best choice to be our next United States Senator. He's been leading the charge in the fight for Democratic values and has always been on the front lines without hesitation for President Obama. Whether it is the fight to increase the federal minimum wage, the work he's done to protect our drinking water for our kids and grandkids or the leadership role he took in securing federal Sandy aid, Frank Pallone is always standing up for New Jersey's middle class.

"I am grateful to receive the endorsement from Middlesex County leaders. My only mandate each day is to fight for New Jersey's middle class taxpayers and remain undeterred by special interests and the Tea Party conservatives who would attack our Democratic principles. I believe it is most important to stand up for the things we believe in as Democrats and never back down from that fight,” said Pallone.

The following elected officials have announced their support for Congressman Frank Pallone in the August Special Election Primary:

Senator Bob Smith (D-17)
Assemblyman Joe Egan (D-17)
Assemblyman Peter Barnes III (D-18)
Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-18)
Senator Joe Vitale (D-19)
Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19)
Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-19)
County Clerk Elaine Flynn
Surrogate Kevin Hoagland
Freeholder Director Ronald Rios
Freeholder Deputy Director Blanquita B. Valenti
Freeholder Carol Barrett
Freeholder James Polos
Freeholder Charles Tomaro
Mayor James Cahill – New Brunswick
Mayor Frederick Henry - South Amboy
Mayor John McCormac – Woodbridge
Mayor Gary Minkoff – Highland Park
Mayor Dan Reiman – Carteret
Mayor Thomas Vahalla - Metuchen
Mayor Brian Wahler –Piscataway

PALLONE FOR SENATE CALLS FOR MULTIPLE DEBATES

“Multiple debates will allow voters throughout the state to see all of the candidates and reach their own, unfiltered, conclusions”

Frank Pallone

LONG BRANCH ¬ With less than two months to go in the accelerated special Democratic Primary campaign for United States Senate, the Pallone for Senate campaign today released the following statement calling for multiple debates across New Jersey.

“With the special Primary Election Day coming up quickly on August 13, we believe it is critically important that New Jersey’s Democratic voters be afforded the opportunity to make a clear, rational decision on our party’s nominee for the United States Senate based on how the declared candidates would handle the important matters confronting the nation as opposed to having that decisions based solely on slick TV ads and twenty second sound bites.

The accelerated schedule to fill the seat vacated with Senator Frank Lautenberg’s passing has created a unique situation in which voters will only have a matter of weeks to determine who is best qualified to join Senator Menendez in the fight for New Jersey’s middle class. With issues like immigration reform, gun safety, job creation, a minimum wage increase, marriage equality, climate change and school reform all at the forefront, New Jersey’s Democratic voters need to make sure they have the critical information necessary to make that decision.

Today we are proposing multiple debates in order for New Jersey voters to be afforded the opportunity to choose the Democratic nominee for United States Senate based on substance and ability. Multiple debates will allow voters throughout the state to see all of the candidates and reach their own, unfiltered, conclusions so it is the hope of Pallone for Senate that the other three candidates for the Democratic nomination- Cory Booker, Sheila Oliver and Rush Holt- will all agree to this request for debates today.”