Downey and Houghtaling Push for Improvements, Updates on School Funding

June 22nd, 2017

Long Branch - After days of closed door negotiations between Democratic leadership and Governor Christie, still no updated details have emerged on the progress of the school funding proposal put forward by Senator Sweeney and Speaker Prieto. Assembly members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey addressed their frustration and highlighted their efforts to push through needed improvements:

“We have been in constant communication with Democratic legislative leadership urging them to address the concerning funding shortfalls in the original Prieto-Sweeney proposal. Too many of our districts are facing funding losses and the massive challenge of rewriting budgets for this coming year with fewer funds than they had anticipated. The upheaval that this proposal will cause for a number of our schools cannot be allowed to just slip by.

Every student, no matter what school they attend, should know they’re getting a fair share, and we are still a long way away from that. We will continue to push Democratic legislative leadership until this proposal is improved.

As assembly members, we have consistently focused on the need to address New Jersey’s school funding crisis and we are proud to see that after years of ignoring the issue, Trenton is finally starting a conversation. We remain committed to passing true, long-term school funding legislation that fully funds all our schools and addresses the issues at the foundation of the crisis. Our children have been caught in a political battle for too long and we need to put forward legislation that address the issue once and for all.”

Big Night For Dems In The 11Th Assembly District

The biggest upset of the night came in the 11th Assembly District; Democrats Eric Houghtaling and Joan Downey defeated Republican incumbents Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande.

The 11th District has been a Republican stronghold for a very long time. However, it was only a matter of time, Democrats have been making inroads throughout the district for the past several years. A lot of hard work has been put in over the years laid the ground work and was the difference.

Monmouth County Democrats, Vin Gopal and the candidates Houghtaling and Downey, deserve a lot of credit for unseating Angelini and Casagrande. Their hard work finally paid off!

NJ Watchdog: GOP loses four Assembly seats as Christie watches

Four GOP incumbents lose NJ Assembly seats as Christie watches

Four incumbent Republicans lost their seats Tuesday as the Democrats gained their biggest majority in the New Jersey Assembly since 1979.

With almost all ballots counted, unofficial election results give Democrats a commanding 52 to 28 advantage in the Assembly – but still two short of the supermajority needed to override Gov. Chris Christie’s vetoes.

Christie's political coattails were virtually non-existent. The governor, busy running for president, did not make any public campaign appearances on behalf of GOP Assembly candidates.

Republicans lost both of their seats in the 11th District that covers northern Monmouth County. In a tight race, incumbents Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande were edged out by Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey. Angelini lost by 165 votes, less than one-third of one percent of the votes cast.

The margin of victory was even narrower in Central Jersey’s 16th District, where Democratic challenger Andrew Zwicker squeaked by Assemb. Donna Simon with only 29 votes to spare. The result could be altered by uncounted absentee votes or a recount.

In South Jersey’s 1st District, Assemb. Sam Fiocchi lost to challenger Bruce Land by three percentage points.

All of the incumbent Democrats running for re-election won their contests.

The story is online at http://watchdog.org/245625/gop-incumbents-lose-christie/.

Caroline Casagrande Highlights Support for Tea Party Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Touts Bill that Prevented Planned Parenthood from Receiving Funding

In a mail piece paid for by the New Jersey Republican State Committee, Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande touted support for a failed resolution she wrote that would have prevented Planned Parenthood from receiving funding.

This was in response to the 11th District Democratic team pointing out that she voted against nearly $20 million in funding for women's health clinics, clinics that perform preventive screenings, mammograms, and prenatal care, and against expanding health care for 240,000 children.

Casagrande, however, never explains why she opposed these vital services. Instead, she points to this failed resolution. In announcing the resolution, Casagrande went so far as to suggest that Planned Parenthood was an illegitimate source of health care, saying she would only send money to "legitimate clinics that perform actual health services."

While Casagrande continues to follow the lead of the Tea Party Republicans in Congress who have also attempted to defund Planned Parenthood, 6 of these clinics have closed, leaving 40,000 fewer patients without these health care services in New Jersey.

"Not only is this a desperate attempt by extremist Caroline Casagrande to cloud her embarrassing record but touting the Tea Party's agenda of defunding women's health care shows how out of touch she is with the voters of this district" said Tony Coppola, 11th District Democrats' spokesperson. "And, if it up were up to her, 240,000 less children would have access to health care in New Jersey.

See the mail piece below.

Background:

• Planned Parenthood performs nearly 50,000 breast exams and more than 44,000 cervical cancer screenings annually in New Jersey.
• Caroline Casagrande voted against bill numbers S2139 (2010), A3274 (2010), and S788 (2012), resolutions that would have restored $7.45 million, $5 million, and $7.45 million to women's health funding respectively.
• Caroline Casagrande voted against bill number S-1557 (2008), which gave access to affordable health care to 240,000 children.
• Caroline Casagrande told the the Associated Press that FY 2012, Resolution #3003 would only send money to "legitimate clinics that perform actual health services" [AP 6/24/11].

New Jersey Education Association Endorses Zipprich for Assembly

Promises to Fight for Access to Quality Education for All

Ed Zipprich

Today, Ed Zipprich, Democratic candidate for the New Jersey Assembly (NJ-11), announced that he received the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) in his race for the 11th District. Zipprich is running against Republican incumbents Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande. NJEA represents 200,000 members in New Jersey, including teachers, certified staff, support professionals, and retirees.

"I am proud of the endorsement of the New Jersey Education Association," said Zipprich. "I will be a strong voice for public education in Trenton and will fight to ensure that every child has access to a quality, public education. Our schools cannot continue to go underfunded while special tax breaks for millionaires are protected. I will always put the interests of our children ahead of the interest of millionaires."

McMillan and Zipprich Announce Planned Parenthood Endorsement in Assembly Race

Candidates Tout Support for Women's Health Care

Today, Kevin McMillan and Ed Zipprich, Democratic candidates for the New Jersey Assembly (NJ-11), announced that they received the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. McMillan and Zipprich are running against Republican incumbents Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande.

Angelini and Casagrande have repeatedly voted to allow funding cuts to women's health care and have prevented 80,000 women from gaining access to health care coverage across New Jersey, while McMillan and Zipprich support restoring nearly $7.5 million that has been cut out of budget and expanding health care coverage for women.

"Planned Parenthood provides vital services to women across New Jersey, and I am humbled by their endorsement," said McMillan. "I strongly believe that every woman deserves access to health care like cancer screenings and prenatal care, and as an Assemblyman I will always support fully funding these health care services."


"I am proud of the endorsement of Planned Parenthood," said Zipprich. "I will always stand up and protect access to women's health care, and I will not only fight to restore the cuts to the budget, but I will support expanding access to health care coverage for tens of thousands of women across New Jersey."

Zipprich Outraises Assembly Opponents-Has More Cash on Hand than Both Combined

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday July 2, 2013

Ed Zipprich

RED BANK– Today, Ed Zipprich, candidate for New Jersey Assembly (NJ-11), announced that he has outraised his opponents, Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande, over the last two fundraising periods. Zipprich raised a total of $21,793 during the pre and post-primary reporting periods while Angelini and Casagrande combined to raise a total of $12,200. Additionally, Zipprich has $42,819 on hand compared to Angelini and Casagrande's combined $37,873--$23,966 on hand for Angelini and 13,907 for Casagrande."

"I am humbled by the amount of support I've received across the 11th district," said Zipprich. "It shows our campaign is building momentum and that voters are starting to pay attention to the differences between myself and my opponents. Whether it's on raising the minimum wage, ending special tax breaks for millionaires, or finally bringing marriage equality to New Jersey, the residents of the 11th district know I will fight for them."

Zipprich Calls Out Angelini's No Vote On 'Samaritan Act'

Red Bank Councilman and Candidate for the NJ State Assembly (D-11) Ed Zipprich, called out Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini for voting against "The Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act" with yesterday's featured letter in the Asbury Park Press.

Zipprich took issue with the fact that Angelini was one of only two State Assembly members to vote against the act that was signed with much fanfare last week by Gov. Chris Christie and states, "...when someone calls herself “pro-life,” she should vote in favor of saving lives, and no one should have to choose between saving someone’s life or ruining their own".

Here's the full letter:

The Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act eliminates criminal liability for persons who seek medical assistance for anyone in a drug overdose situation.

Gov. Christie set an example of good public policy taking precedence over political calculations when he signed this bill. Both parties reworked it to ensure that it saves lives.

Passage has given comfort to families who have lost a loved one to overdose, and it gives people involved in a difficult situation a second chance at life. It also spares a family the pain of having to bury loved ones who overdosed by encouraging people to call 911 before it’s too late.

Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, R-Monmouth, was one of only two Assembly members to vote against it. Her first vote against this bill put her in alignment with Christie’s original position.

I applaud the governor’s change of heart. I ask Angelini to explain why she voted against something that saves people who are overdosing or protects those witnessing overdosing from arrest and prosecution if they call for help.

This new law saves lives, and parents are being spared the horror of a call from the emergency room with the ultimate bad news. As a constituent and candidate for this Assembly seat, I want to know why Angelini voted against the Good Samaritan Act.

When there is a chance to save a life, I believe that’s the right path. Mistakes happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens.

I believe when someone calls herself “pro-life,” she should vote in favor of saving lives, and no one should have to choose between saving someone’s life or ruining their own.

Edward Zipprich

APP Editorial "Decency absent in GOP mailing" Slams 11th District GOP Candidates For Smear Against Rival Gopal

Today's edition of the Asbury Park Press contains an editorial slaming 11th District GOP Assmebly candidates Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini for the over the top and deceitful campaign mailer sent to district residents attempting to smear their Democratic opponent Vin Gopal, by insinuating that he is corrupt because he once worked as a campaign manager for former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, as a 20year old college intern.

Vas and another campaign aid Raymond Geneske, were convicted and sent to jail for various campaign offenses which Gopal had nothing to do with.


The recent campaign flier approved by Republicans Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini in the 11th District Assembly race seeking to smear Democrat Vin Gopal was beyond the pale — even by New Jersey standards.

It used reckless innuendo in attempting to portray Gopal as corrupt because he once was campaign manager for disgraced former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas.

Although the ad was produced by the Republican State Committee, Casagrande and Angelini both signed off on it. And, on Friday, both said they stood by it. That’s almost as disturbing as the mailer itself, which tried through deliberate misdirection to suggest that Gopal was mixed up in a campaign money laundering and fraud scheme.

Gopal was campaign manager for Vas in 2006 as a 20-year-old political science major at Penn State University, for which he received course credit and a modest salary. His chief job was organizing volunteers and answering phones. He had nothing to do with any illegal money.

On one side of the mailer, which showed dollar bills swirling in a clothes drier, it read, “To you, this might look like someone illegally laundering money. To Vin Gopal, it looks like pay day.”

On the flip side, it said, “Corrupt Political Bosses. Money Laundering. Fraud. It’s just another day at the office for Vin Gopal.”

Further down, it had an April 2011 newspaper headline proclaiming, “Aide to former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas pleads guilty to money laundering.” The text of the story, which was covered with another headline, would have identified the aide as Raymond Geneske. The mailing implied it was Gopal.

“We didn’t say he went to jail. He was the campaign manager of a corrupt campaign,” said Tom Fitzsimmons, District 11 GOP campaign spokesman. “Everything in the mailer is 100 percent true.”

Maybe so. But it was a clear attempt to portray him as corrupt.

While the Gopal campaign has sent out some hard-ball negative mailings of its own, none of them have been in the same league as what the state Republican committee created and the candidates approved.


The mailer lacked a complete sense of decency and fair play, further contributing to voters’ cynicism and disgust with politicians who will do anything to win election.

The Republicans do not seem to care. Voters should when it comes to weighing their options for the Assembly seats at the polls on Tuesday.

APP: Schlossbach drops out of 11th District race for Assembly

The Asbury Park Press as well as other news agency's have reported that Democratic Candidate Marilyn Schlossbach Has pulled out of the 11th District race for Assembly. Her reason for doing so was based on the damage sustained to her numerous shore area restaurants as a result of Hurricane Irene:

...“It is with great regret that I must withdraw my candidacy for Assembly. My efforts at this time must be focused on the health of my business, and protecting the jobs,” Schlossbach said Wednesday....

...She said she was sad about having to drop out of the race. However, she said she would consider running again in two years.

She said she wanted to put her employees ahead of everything else....

Campaign Manager, Vlad Gutman is quoted as saying that the decision was made on Wednesday, after Schlossbach had a chance to assess the impact of the storm damage on her businesses.

“I think as time went on, it became clear to her that she could not continue in the race,” Gutman said. “Her employees were her first priority.”

Her running mate Vin Gopal has left the following statement on his Facebook page concerning the departure of Scholssbach from the ticket.

I made a lifetime friend in Marilyn Schlossbach - a smart businesswoman filled with integrity and compassion. Although she has exited the race to focus on her businesses, she will be involved in helping our team in Asbury Park. Over 100 committee members will meet next week to pick my new runningmate, I will continue to work hard, knocking on doors & raising money and we will win on November 8th.

This is a stunning turn of events for the race in the 11th Assembly District were many felt that Gopal and Schlossbach had a extremely good chance to knock off their Republican incumbent opponents Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini and Caroline Casagrande.

Vin Gopal: My Candidacy For The State Assembly In The 11th District

Originally posted over at Blue Jersey

When I saw the new 11th District Map, I decided after years of working behind the scenes, I wanted to place my name on the ballot. The new 11th Legislative District has 36,643 registered Democrats, 26,405 registered Republicans and 68,899 registered unaffiliated voters. The district is home to Asbury Park, Long Branch, Neptune, Red Bank, Freehold Borough, Tinton Falls and many other beautiful Monmouth County municipalities. Of the 18 towns in the district, 11 of those towns have 4,000 or more registered voters. Out of those 11 towns, 9 of them have more registered Democrats than Republicans, most of them overwhelmingly. 9 of the 11 big towns in the district have more registered Democrats than Republicans.

Get where I'm going with this? It is a Democratic district. Basically all the strong Democratic towns in Districts 11 and 12 got merged while all the strong Republican towns, including Wall (goodbye Sean Kean!), Rumson, Millstone, Brielle, Avon, Monmouth Beach, Sea Girt, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Little Silver (sorry Declan O'Scanlon), Manalapan, and Oceanport all got thrown into other legislative districts. It really is remarkable what happened here!

This district is for Democrats to win. It will be about raising the funds necessary to compete and turning out our base. It will be about turning out voters from nonpartisan towns like Asbury Park and Long Branch, giving them a reason to vote in November.
The incumbents are Senator Jen Beck, Assemblywoman Caroline Cassagrande and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelni. Three good people who are gravely out of touch with this new 11th District. Poor Caroline, I don't think even if I gave her a GPS she would know how to get to Asbury Park. You see, the challenge for Assemblywoman Cassagrande and Senator Beck is they are unknown in a big chunk of the district, which basically puts us at even playing field.

Some of you on Blue Jersey know me as an activist, somewhat of a troublemaker but may not know my background. It wasn't long ago I stirred the pot by organizing a petition with the help of this website to make sure Senators Buono and Vitale weren't pitted against each other. I admit, I do have a history of mixing things up, but I'm proud of that and I think that is what will be make me an effective legislator in Trenton.

I'm a small business owner - I have a chain of community magazines and newspapers covering different areas of Monmouth County. I also own a retail store in Hazlet which does embroidery, t-shirts, banners and personalized gifts. I serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Hazlet Business Owners Association. I also serve on the Board of Trustees for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. That is my day job. My assembly runningmate Marilyn Schlossbach is a talented restauranteur. She owns and operates several restaurants in Asbury Park, Normandy Beach and Shrewsbury, including the popular Langosta Lounge on the Asbury boardwalk. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, she opens the doors of her restaurant to feed anyone and everyone in Asbury Park. Her philanthropy has won her recognition among her peers and customers. Marilyn also serves as the Board of Directors for the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce and on the Board of the Asbury Park Urban Enterprise Zone. She is also very active with Clean Action Ocean and the Surfriders Foundation. Our Senate runningmate, Ray Santiago, is a former New York City prosecutor who has been a Freehold Borough attorney for the past 8 years, operating a small business that serves clients throughout Monmouth County. He is very involved in the Monmouth County Bar Association, the cub scouts and other organizations in our community.

The three of us are business owners, not politicians and we share a sense of values that will shake New Jersey government up.

In the upcoming weeks, we will launch a website and formally launch our campaign. In the mean time, we are aggressively fundraising to put out strong numbers for the quarter.

We will be welcoming Congressman Jared Polis, the first openly gay man elected to Congress, to our district on May 26th. The three of us stand united behind our brothers and sisters who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Unlike the incumbent, Senator Jennifer Beck, who voted against marriage equality, who probably never realized she would ever be representing communities like Ocean Grove and Asbury Park now (regretting that vote yet Jen?) - we stand for values of equality for all New Jerseyians.

Imagine what happens to Governor Christie when halfway through his term, Democrats once again get elected to the legislature from Monmouth County - the same county he stomped all over 2 years ago. If we get in, we will build to make sure Chris Christie does not walk all over us again in 2013.

During the next several weeks and months, we will be updating you on our race and our campaign to stand up for Democratic principles. We hope you will join us! We can't win this race without you!

Note: This is a re-post from yesterday. Blogger was experiencing technical difficulty after a system upgrade and wiped out all posts after the 5/11

District 11 Assembly Candidate Schlossbach NY Times Profile; "From a Waitress to the Owner of a Mini-Empire"

Back on June 8th of last year, the New York Times printed a profile piece on Marilyn Schlossbach, the chef/restaurateur from Asbury Park that will be seeking the a seat in the NJ State Assembly this fall as a Democrat in the new 11th legislative district. The piece profiled Schlossbauch's rise as a waitress in her brother's Avon resturant, to her becoming the chef owner of several resturants along the Jersey shore. It's a good read for those that are not familar with Schlossberg and want to get to know her a little:

MARILYN SCHLOSSBACH may run a mini-empire of restaurants on the Jersey Shore now, but her career did not begin brilliantly. Not at all.

Back in 1985, on her first weekend as floor manager of a restaurant in Avon owned by her brother, Richard Schlossbach, the chef quit.

Ms. Schlossbach, 45, had never cooked anything, she recalled recently. She had been a waitress before her promotion at the restaurant, named Oshin and since closed.

“I was in the kitchen on this huge portable phone with my brother,” she said. “I’m going, ‘What’s the tuna supposed to look like? When are you supposed to turn it over?’I knew how it was supposed to look on the plate, but I didn’t know how to get it there.

” Somehow, she got it there. Now Ms. Schlossbach is executive chef at the five restaurants she co-owns; she and her husband, Scott Szegeski, 35, plan to open two more by the end of the year.

Their restaurants have 200 employees, and last year they rang up more than $3 million in business. Within their domain are Trinity and the Pope, with a Creole and Cajun theme, which opened in Asbury Park last month; Langosta Lounge, which opened in 2008 and serves what Ms. Schlossbach calls “vacation food — a mix of Mexican, Caribbean and Asian,” including sushi; two seasonal casual Mexican spots called Pop’s Garage, one in Normandy Beach that opened in 2008 and one in Asbury Park that came a year later (a third, which will be open year round, is planned for Shrewsbury this fall); and Labrador Lounge, in Normandy Beach, which opened in 2005 and has a menu similar to Langosta’s. (Richard Schlossbach is a third co-owner of Trinity and the Pope and Langosta Lounge.) ....

For those that wish to learn more about Schlossbach, she has a facebook page that can be access. Based on what I have heard so far about Marilyn Schlossbach thus far, I think she will be a credible candidate that will have considerable resources at her disposal to help run, organize and fund her campaign. I think her Republican opponents in the district need to be worried!

Dump Sean Kean In 2011 Website Up and Running

A new website has just been launched by the Blue Monmouth Political Action Committee.

The website Dump Sean Kean in 2011, was launched in reponse to the Kean's patronizing, offensive and insulting speech that he gave on floor of the NJ Senate on January 7th 2010, explaining why he was going to vote against the Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage Act, denying thousands of his constituents from GLBT community their basic civil rights in the 11th Legislative district.

According to the website:

"We are looking for individuals to help us organize various districts in towns throughout the 11th District. We will also be reaching out to and organizing GLBT voters in the 11th District so they are aware of Sean Kean's vote against equality. Can you help us in any of these towns? During the next several months, we will be organizing lit drops, newspaper advertisements, phonebanks etc. Please e-mail info@dumpseankean.com "

Let Sean Kean know that you are unhappy with him by supporting the Blue Monmouth Political Action Committee in their efforts to unseat him!!

Garden State Equality Snubs Bishop By Donating To Opponents

Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s only LGBTI-rights advocacy organization with an office in District 11’s Asbury Park, has contributed $1,500 to Republican Mary Pat Angelini.

Angelini reported the contribution on her 29-day pre-election general campaign report on October 1, 2009.

Of note, Angelini’s running mate David Rible, stated during last weeks candidate round table with the Asbury Park Press that he would not vote in support of same-sex marriage. He would prefer a referendum on the issue, but if a vote were taken, he would not vote for marriage equality.

Democrats Randy Bishop and his running mate Rick Bolger did not receive a contribution from Garden State Equality.

Bishop was elected to the Neptune Township Committee in 2004 and re-elected to his second term in 2007. He served as mayor in 2008, the third openly gay mayor in New Jersey’s history. The lack of support by Garden State Equality to the Bishop & Bolger campaign is surprising, but their support of their opponents is disturbing.

Rick Bolger Candidate for NJ State Assembly District 11, Answers 10 Questions

Last week I sent out a questionnaire to the Democratic State Assembly Candidates for districts 11,12 and 13 to answer. The questionnaire contained 10 questions about themselves and the districts that they wish to serve. The only criteria that I had was that they keep their answers short and to the point, 3- 4 sentences or less due to space.

The first to respond was Brielle Councilman Rick Bolger who along with his running mate Randy Bishop, is seeking an assembly seat in the 11th district.

His answers I think, are very informative and insightful. They turned out to be better than what I had been expecting, but to be honest I really did know what to expect.

If other candidates would like to answer these questions, feel free to forward me your answers and I will gladly post them here.

Below are the questions with Candidate Bolger's responses:

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

My motivation is to make a difference. Four years ago, I nearly lost my life to a rare hepatic disease. I was granted a second chance through a life-saving liver transplant. Since then, I have devoted myself to public service, first as a Brielle Councilman and now, hopefully as an Assemblyman


2. 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?

Anger and Apathy. These emotions are the result of a lack of confidence in our elected officials and the overall cost of living in New Jersey.

3. What do you hope to accomplish once you are elected to the State Assembly?

I will bring a large spotlight and a loud voice to Trenton. My realistic goal is to establish a meaningful dialogue and good faith effort to change the partisan political climate in our government.

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

Twenty-five unique municipalities and the Atlantic Ocean. The preservation and promotion of our greatest natural resource is a significant factor in the economic welfare of the 11th District. As a life-long resident of the District, I appreciate the special character and history all 25 towns. I want to preserve the individual identity of each town yet I am a strong advocate of consolidating services wherever possible.

5. If elected, how would your professional background enhance your ability to be an effective State Assembly representative?

I have been a lawyer for 31 years. I am proud to be a lawyer, proud of an unblemished ethical record and proud of my success as a trial attorney. My focus has now shifted to serving my community and I will take the same successful work ethic, character, reason and advocacy to Trenton.

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

Strong scrutiny of all existing governmental entities. Establish a policy prohibiting the creation of any new positions, committees, etc. without the elimination of at least two others.

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

No.

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

Any resident of the 11th district who takes the time to visit my website and read my position papers will know they can trust me to be different and to do exactly what I promise to do. I will approach my first term without regard for re-election.

9. Why do you identify yourself as a Democrat as opposed to a Republican or Independent?

Frankly, I'd like to think that my personal political philosophy incorporates the best principles of all three. (D, R, & I) Yet, I am a Democrat at heart, and proud to be associated with the ideals of the Democratic Party.

10. Is there anything that is important to you that hasn’t been asked, that you would like to address?

The concept of property taxes, and the state's role in establishing and collecting property taxes is largely misunderstood by most people. We need clarification. We also need a frank discussion about the individual taxpayers' role in property tax control.

I think Rick Bolger set the bar rather high here and I hope that when the other candidates send me their responses, they will be as insightful as Rick has been.

If you would like to learn more about Rick Bolger visit his website, it is put together very well and is extremely informative.

Rick Bolger Candidate for NJ State Assembly District 11, Op-Ed:Our State Government Is An Overwhelming Bureaucracy

Our state government is an overwhelming bureaucracy. New Jersey has a “Department” for every imaginable aspect of our lives. We have a DEP, DOT, DOE, etc., etc. What you won’t find in Trenton is a DOCS—Department of Common Sense!

Each of these Departments has grown extensively since their creation and has morphed into powerful entities operated by appointed “officials” with the apparent ability to make life difficult, if not intolerable, for the residents of New Jersey.

The State laws which are interpreted and enforced by these Departments are often antiquated, irrelevant, arbitrary, contradictory or otherwise unfair in their application.

In the absence of a magic wand, these entities are here to stay. However, why can’t the legislature create a common sense procedure which affords immediate relief to those individuals or municipalities which find themselves boxed into a Catch 22 situation by one (or more) of our State Departments. Every municipal engineer and borough administrator could cite numerous examples of such crippling bureaucratic red tape. Currently, the only relief available is the white flag of surrender or litigation. Law suits are time consuming, expensive and more often than not, result in decisions which perpetuate other bad decisions and confuse rather than clarify the law.

Why not a simple procedure where, under the proper circumstances, the three State legislators of any particular district can craft immediate relief for their aggrieved constituents?

Rick Bolger

Candidate for NJ State Assembly in District 11

Video: District 11 Assembly Candidate Randy Bishop "Outside the Lines"

NJ State Assembly Candidate for District 11 Randy Bishop, was elected to the Neptune Twp Committee in 2004 and re-elected to his second term in 2007. He served as Mayor in 2008.

Randy has a broad range of experience in both the public and private sector as well as in many volunteer organizations and in the following campaign video he states that "If we are going to solve problems like property tax relief,affordable housing, job creation, we need to change the behavior in Trenton...", by teaching them how to color "Outside the Lines" :

Democrats for District 11 Assembly, Bishop & Bolger Have Website Up and Running

The Democrats running for assembly seats in District 11, Randy Bishop and Rick Bolger, have their campaign website up and running, along with Facebook and Twitter pages.

Each candidate also has his own tongue in cheek campaign video that give the viewers very good insight into their personalities and need to be watched.

Randy Bishop: Warm and personable, but watch out because he's a "Hugger"

Rick Bolger: A wife's nightmare who mixes colors ands whites in the washing machine and who cuts the tags of his pillows, but who won't afraid to "mix things up" when it he gets to Trenton.

For those who don't know who Randy Bishop and Rick Bolger are:

Bishop is the former Mayor of Neptune and Rick Bolger is member of the Brielle town council. And as their website says " Randy and Rick know how to be public servants, not politicians".