Sean Byrnes, NJ State Senate Candidate (LD13) Answers 10 Questions

Today, it's Sean Byrnes's turn to have his answers to my 10 questions posted. Sean is the candidate for the NJ State Senate for the 13th legislative district. Sean is a Middletown resident and former member of the Middletown Township Committee. He is a veteran, business owner, lawyer and dedicated volunteer in his community.


What is your motivation for seeking a seat in the NJ State Senate and can you tell us a little about yourself?

I did not plan on running, but I am concerned with the direction of our State, and the treatment of working families. Our State has experienced 11 bond downgrades during the Christie Administration, which makes borrowing money very expensive for our State. We have the 2nd worst bond rating in the country. We are the highest taxed State. We have the most debt per taxpayer. By any measure, we are overtaxed, and the considerable, tangible assets of our State (e.g. shoreline, highway system, universities, proximity to NYC, port, educational system) have been squandered by an Administration focused on the White House rather than NJ residents. My opponent, one of the Governor’s staunchest supporters, cannot hide form this dismal record.

While things look bleak right now, we have a unique opportunity to shape our own destiny at a time when technology is evolving, sustainable energy sources are taking hold and cyber security emerges as an industry that promises to employ many qualified individuals. New Jersey has an opportunity to cultivate a business environment that brings together a mix of higher education institutions, entrepreneurs, new businesses and thoughtful state incentives dedicated to rebuilding our economy.

As you meet residents throughout your district what seems to be the greatest concerns they are expressing and how do you plan to address them?

Sean Byrnes

Taxes, the opioid crisis and a lack of good jobs seem to be the top three. The taxes we pay are the product of a misuse of the taxes collected by our State. The State has dramatically increased tax breaks for large corporations during the Christie Administration. In the decade before he came to office, the State gave a total of $1.2 Billion in taxes. Since he came to office, the State as granted approximately $8B in tax breaks. The State does a lousy job measuring the effectiveness of these large corporate giveaways. I would prefer to see these tax breaks to corporations scaled back and given to individual taxpayers, who will re-invest those funds in our local economy. If corporate tax breaks are going to be given, they should go to the small up and coming businesses, who produced new jobs are a far faster rate the large corporations. In addition, we must create incentives for municipalities and schools to share services, and when appropriate, consolidate. We have 565 municipalities and 590 school systems. By comparison, Maryland has 20 school districts. With that said, we can’t skimp when it comes to education. We have the second best educational system in the country, and this makes us a very attractive State for business. However, there are plenty of examples where some consolidation would be appropriate.

On the Opioid crisis, we need to fund and support longer periods of rehab for those suffering from addiction. We also need to understand that to a significant degree our current crisis stems from the flood of opioids sold by pharmaceutical companies. There is no legitimate justification for the incredible surge of opioids into the market place, and the makers and distributors of these substances must share some of the blame for this crisis. To the extent specific companies have ignored requirements or regulations that would have stemmed the flow of these substances into our communities, they must be held accountable and must share in the financial burden of helping those who suffer the consequences.

Lastly, to move forward and lift our economy, we need a vision and a plan. We need to cultivate those industries and segments of the market place that will be growth areas for years to come (e.g. cyber security, sustainable energy, nanomaterials, advanced robotics). We need financial incentives for students to pursue degrees suited for these growth areas. We need to make capital more available to small businesses. We need our institutions of higher learning to lead the way in education new workers, and retraining existing workers, so that New Jersey residents are ready and trained pursue employment in these areas.

What do you hope to accomplish once you are elected to the State Senate?

We must address the underfunding of pensions and benefits. Our failure to fund these has degraded our bonding rating and increased our cost of doing business. We must fund our community colleges, because the training and re-training of our workers will occur at these colleges. Four-year colleges are extremely expensive, and workers can be educated and land good jobs without taking on the debt associated with a four-year university. In general, I want to improve our State’s financial position and help grow our economy.


What is it that makes your district unique and how does that uniqueness impact your campaign?

Our District is unique, because of its socioeconomic diversity and its desirability. Lots of people want to live in Monmouth County. Our challenge is to make sure Monmouth County is affordable for everyone up and down the socioeconomic ladder. Ever-increasing real estate taxes, a lack of jobs that pay well, and ever-increasing costs of health care, make it very difficult for working families to survive and live in Monmouth County.


If elected, how would your professional background enhance your ability to be an effective State Senator?

As an attorney, I have an advantage when it comes to understanding our State’s laws and regulations and how they impact our citizens. Moreover, I have spent much of my time practicing law representing individuals and small businesses. From real estate transactions, to lawsuits, to defending people in foreclosure, to minor criminal offenses, I have had a front row seat on how our citizens are impacted by our State’s law. I have also seen how the individual in our society has lost many of the protections once available. If you are mistreated or overcharged by a large corporation, bank, cable company, cell phone carrier or any other multi-national corporation, your ability to seek a remedy or stop abusive behavior is almost non-existent. A surge of money into politics has titled the scales against the working family. I hope to have an opportunity to work on laws that protect working families.


 Do you have any thoughts on how to contain the growth of state government?

You simply must cap it. No more adding jobs. We live in a time when technology continues to advance at a rapid rate, making certain tasks easier and less time-consuming. In the private sector, this has caused a reduction in hours to produce certain products. As a State, we too should be able to deliver more with less. There is no reason for any further growth, and we should look for opportunities to curtail growth.


Is there any aspect of state government that you believe there is a need to be expanded upon?

No.


Why should residents of your district trust you to represent them in the legislature?

I have been representing individuals and small businesses in this area for almost 30 years. I have served on multiple not for profit Boards that serve our community. I have served in the Coast Guard for 21 years. I am loyal; I mean what I say, and I will work hard for the citizens of this District.


What does it mean to be a Democrat today?

My Democratic Party needs to return to its roots. We need to advocate and work every day for the working family. Fairness in jobs. Fairness in our legal system. Fairness in benefits. Fairness in our economy. The surge of money into politics allowed by Citizens United has altered the playing field. Wealth inequality is real. Income inequality is real. People don’t want or need a handout, but they need a fair share. I believe the current economy, including our tax code, favors the larger, corporate interests, and we must work hard to ensure that people have access to good jobs and fair wages. When we do that, everyone benefits.

We must also ensure that all are protected. Regardless of gender, age, color, race, orientation, we must all have the same opportunities and same protections under our laws.

We also need not be fearful. There are those in the media and public domain who hope to divide us by sowing fear and exaggerating dangers, to divide us. We must not give in to these fears. They are not rational, and they run contrary to our history, the bravery of those men and women who created this Republic, and the very ideals that underpin our democracy.


Is there anything that is important to you that has not been asked, that you would like to address?

In our District, we have a large powerline project proposed. I have studied it, reviewed the justifications, and determined it is unnecessary. I don’t believe the redundancy cited to as justifying the Project is real, or even if it were real, will ever justify the vast damage that will be done to our community. I have fought this Project, and I will continue to fight it. I will use my law degree, and if elected, my Office, to beat back this ill-conceived Project.



You can learn more about Sean Byrnes on his website Byrnes4senate.com