Lesniak: Minimum Wage Facts & Fiction

For Immediate Release
September 1, 2016

Governor Christie vetoed our legislation increasing New Jersey's $8.38 minimum wage to $10.10 next year and to $15 by 2020 - saying it would hurt small businesses and our economy. That's the fiction.

In the mid-sixties in a booming economy, the equivalent minimum wage today would be $12.00. That's the fact.

Indeed, in Australia, where the minimum wage is more than $15, a Big Mac is less expensive than in the United States. In New York, its minimum wage is higher than the legislation Governor Christie vetoed.

No one working in New Jersey should have to live below the poverty line. No one.

Christie veto of minimum wage bill sets up push for constitutional amendmentBy Linh Tat

PENNINGTON - In the latest round of what promises to be a "loud" fight, Gov. Chris Christie vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have raised New Jersey's minimum wage to $15 by 2021, and set the stage for Democrats to push for a constitutional amendment next year.

Christie's veto comes as no surprise. Even before this week, Democrats in the state Legislature were looking ahead and discussing plans to place the measure before voters in 2017.

In announcing his vet, the Republican governor called on invited guests assembled at a news conference to “fight publicly, loudly, aggressively” and to educate the public that the proposed wage increase would force businesses to raise prices, cut hours or reduce staff, or possibly shutter their doors.

Under the proposal, New Jersey’s $8.38 minimum wage would rise to $10.10 in 2017. It would continue to increase in phases, hitting $15 by 2021 or earlier....

Click Here To Read More

Pallone Celebrates Veto of Proposed LNG Project Off of the New Jersey Coast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2015


LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s veto of a proposed plan to build an offshore liquefied natural gas port 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch, New Jersey. Pallone has consistently fought against the proposed Liberty Natural Gas (LNG) Port Ambrose terminal, which poses a threat to New Jersey's ocean and coastline, crucial economic engines for the state.

“The rejection of this project draws a line in the sand that instead of focusing on industrial uses of the ocean, our country and the State of New Jersey should be encouraging the use of renewable energy resources,” said Congressman Pallone. “Such a forward-looking energy policy will protect our oceans and coasts, create renewable energy jobs here at home, and move us away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries. I thank Cindy Zipf and Clean Ocean Action for their years of advocacy and steadfast opposition to this project. I believe Governor Christie should also formally file his opposition to this dangerous proposal.”

Last week, Pallone submitted a statement at a public hearing on the Final Environmental Impact Statement in opposition to the project and called for its rejection. The statement is available HERE.

In October, Congressman Pallone, sent a letter to Governor Christie urging him to veto the proposal. Governor Christie vetoed a similar proposed project in 2011, and in the letter Congressman Pallone asked the Governor to remain consistent in his opposition. The letter is available HERE.

Pallone Urges Christie to Veto Proposed LNG Project Off of the New Jersey Coast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2015



WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Governor Christie urging him to veto the ill-advised proposal to build an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) port 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch, New Jersey.

In his letter, Pallone wrote, “I ask that you use the authority vested to you under the Deepwater Port Act to veto this ill-advised project… The State of New Jersey should be promoting an energy policy that moves towards increased use of renewable energy sources that create jobs in America, and away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries.”

Governor Christie vetoed a similar proposed project in 2011, and in the letter Congressman Pallone asked the Governor to remain consistent in his opposition.

Congressman Pallone, who has fought against offshore oil and gas drilling throughout his career and worked successfully to end ocean dumping, submitted a statement at a public hearing in January expressing his opposition to the plan. In his statement, he highlighted the potential dangers that the proposed LNG terminal poses to New Jersey's ocean and coastline, which are crucial economic engines for the state.

The full text of the letter follows.

October 19, 2015
Governor Chris Christie

P.O. Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625


Dear Governor Christie,

I write today regarding the proposed Liberty Natural Gas offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) project planned for 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch, New Jersey. I ask that you use the authority vested to you under the Deepwater Port Act to veto this ill-advised project.

A project strikingly similar to this one was proposed by Liberty Natural Gas in 2010. The project was unnecessary then and it is unnecessary now. In your letter to the Maritime Administration disapproving of the project you stated that “the environmental impacts could threaten the recent ocean water quality improvements the State has worked hard to achieve.” I urge you remain consistent with your previous opposition to this project.

The State of New Jersey should be promoting an energy policy that moves towards increased use of renewable energy sources that create jobs in America, and away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries. The Department of Interior recently finalized a plan to lease 343,833 acres off of the New Jersey coast for commercial wind energy development. Energy development in the Atlantic Ocean should be focused on renewable resources, such as wind, and not polluting fossil fuels.

Further, domestic natural gas production has been steadily increasing and is projected to continue to increase in the coming years. It simply does not make sense to build a terminal to import natural gas into the United States, increasing our reliance on foreign fossil fuels and increasing carbon emissions stemming from transporting and re-gasifying the LNG. Construction of this terminal will also be extremely damaging to our coastal environment, disturbing fish habitats and damaging marine life.

The law provides you the authority to put a stop to this project and I implore you to act upon that authority by formally disapproving of the project and standing by the position you took against the approval of this terminal in 2010. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.


Sincerely,

FRANK PALLONE, JR.

Member of Congress

President Obama's Weekly Address 9/5/15: This Labor Day, Lets Talk About the Budget

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week's address, the President recognized Labor Day by highlighting the economic progress our country has made, and underlining what needs to be done to continue that growth. Our businesses have created 13.1 million new jobs over the past five and a half years, the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in seven years, and seventeen states across the country have raised the minimum wage. The President stressed that to continue this progress, Congress needs to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt middle-class Americans and pass a responsible budget before the end of September. The President emphasized that Congress should not play games with our economy, and instead pass a budget that invests in our middle-class and helps those who work hard and play by the rules to get ahead.

NJ Watchdog: Christie vetoes tax hikes as White House run nears

Preparing his run for the White House, Gov. Chris Christie polished his image as a tax-cutter Friday with a billion dollars’ worth of vetoes to the state budget passed by the New Jersey Legislature.

Politically, it was good timing for Christie, who plans to formally announce his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday at Livingston High School, his alma mater.

The governor vetoed a “millionaire’s tax” that would have raised an estimated $688 million, plus a one-year increase in the corporate tax to generate an additional $435 million. The Democratic-controlled Senate and Assembly sought those funds to help restore $1.8 billion Christie had slashed from next year’s annual pension contribution.

“If I had the money today to make the full pension payment, I would,” said Christie, speaking at a news conference. “We don’t – and I’m not going to raise taxes on all the people in New Jersey to benefit 625,000 (pensioners) in a system that’s completely broken.”

Christie also proposed a new tax break for lower-income families, increasing the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit to 30 percent of the federal credit. Democrats had approved a raise to 25 percent; the current EITC in New Jersey is 20 percent.

“I hope the legislature will concur quickly,” said the governor. “I want to cut taxes for everyone. The legislature won’t let me cut taxes for everyone, so now we’re going to cut taxes for the working poor in the state.”

At the news conference, Christie refused to discuss his upcoming campaign for president.

“I’m not here to talk about my political future,” he said. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk about my political future next week.”

The story is online at http://watchdog.org/226277/christie-vetoes-tax-increases/

Pallone Applauds President Obama’s Keystone Veto

WASHINGTON, DC — House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement after President Obama vetoed the Keystone XL pipeline legislation:

“I applaud the President for rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline legislation. The American public understands that the environmental risks of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline—for our drinking water, land, and climate—far outweigh any perceived benefit of its construction. Congress has wasted enough time on this Canadian pipedream. We need to be working on legislation to support a clean energy economy, improve domestic energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and combat the impacts of climate change. Keystone XL is a lose-lose proposition for energy security, a safe climate, and a healthy environment, and I commend the Administration for rejecting the dirty and dangerous pipeline.”

Christie unloads a flurry of vetoes, rebuffing changes on key legislation

It's hard to disagree with my Facebook friend Bob E. who stated that Gov. Christie's latest veto's announced yesterday where, "Disgraceful actions on the part of Christie. If he is more worried about what people around the country think about him than doing what is right for the people of NJ (especially the developmentally disabled) he should just resign now."

From NorthJersey.Com

 BY JOHN REITMEYER, JAMES M. O’NEILL AND MICHAEL PHILLIS
STAFF WRITERS 

"Governor Christie has rebuffed attempts to change the laws covering some of New Jersey’s most controversial and emotional issues, including the treatment of the developmentally disabled, disposal of fracking waste and the chance to bet on sports. 

In all, Christie rejected 11 bills using the absolute veto or conditional veto. He also approved six other bills and endorsed a resolution. 

The governor took action on the bills on Aug. 1, but did not disclose that fact to lawmakers or the public until his office announced the decisions in a news release on Friday afternoon. The actions will be officially recorded by the Legislature on Monday, said spokesman Kevin Roberts. 

Though it’s not unusual for announcements on bill signings and vetoes to be delayed slightly, Christie’s office released the details seven days after he departed for a vacation that left Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno as acting governor. On Tuesday, his office announced that Christie had signed a bill into law that day that bans the sale or importation of ivory and rhinoceros horns, a measure that was actually recorded by the Legislature on Aug. 1. 

Many of the measures Christie’s office announced on Friday were nearing the constitutionally mandated deadline for the governor to take action. 

For the second time in two years, Christie vetoed a bill intended to ban the treatment and disposal of waste generated by hydraulic fracturing, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution’s interstate commerce clause...." Read More

Here's the sidebar that explains it all:

Executive decisions

Governor Christie’s office announced on Friday that the governor took action earlier this month on 17 bills and one resolution recently passed by the Legislature. Christie signed seven of the measures and either outright rejected by veto or modified the others using a conditional veto.

Signed

• A measure allowing Internet gambling equipment to be located in secure Atlantic City facilities. Before the legislation, all gambling hardware had to be located in casinos. The new law now allows such equipment to be located at other places in Atlantic City.
• Legislation that allows new noise controls to be imposed on businesses in the Atlantic City tourism district. Previously, no noise control measures could be imposed on bars in the district at certain times of the year.
• A funding plan for the state Department of Environmental Protection for environmental infrastructure projects.
• A companion measure that allows developers to borrow from the state for such projects.
• Renaming the Easton-Phillipsburg Toll Bridge on Route 22 as the Sgt. William John Cahir Memorial Bridge. Cahir was a Marine who died in Afghanistan in 2009.
• Legislation establishing an equipment loan program within the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
• A resolution declaring the second Saturday in July every year as Dominican Pride Day.

Vetoed outright

• A bill that sought to change municipal tax-lien laws to generate more revenue and provide funding for urban revitalization programs. The bill would have created a pilot program.
• An effort to mandate that the commissioner of education approve any school closures and establish additional procedures.
• A move that would have given towns an exemption from the 2 percent property tax cap for flood insurance premiums.
• A measure that would have set specific standards for privatizing public services.
• Legislation that would have forced companies doing business with the state to disclose employees’ salary, gender and race to the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
• A ban on allowing waste from hydraulic fracturing to be stored in the state.
• An effort to repeal prohibitions against sports betting at New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks.
• An attempt to provide energy assistance to some families that qualify for food stamps.

Vetoed conditionally

• Legislation that would restart the statute of limitations on potential lawsuits every time someone received a discriminatory paycheck.
• A measure that would require that anyone moved from a developmental center to a private group home receive a similar level of care nearby.
• A push to stop the transfer of developmentally disabled patients who receive out-of-state care to in-state facilities pending further study of the process.

- Read more about this story  

NRA Over NJ: Preventing Gun Violence

One week ago, Governor Christie vetoed three commonsense bills to reduce gun violence. The Governor, in a cowardly attempt to draw attention away from his senseless vetoes, announced his decision on a Friday evening. Instead of taking decisive action to protect communities across New Jersey, Governor Christie sided with the NRA and a fringe conservative group in New Hampshire. Governor Christie, once again, decided to put his national ambitions ahead of New Jersey.

DGA: Christie To Jersey: Drop Dead

It's about time the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) started showing some support for Barbara Buono by hammering Chris Christie on his record instead of letting him get by on his rhetoric -MM  



WASHINGTON, DC—Less than 24 hours after Chris Christie endorsed Tea Party radical Steve Lonegan for the U.S. Senate and only days after he vetoed a gun safety package that he in part proposed, the Democratic Governors Association today released a new graphic calling Chris Christie out for leaving the people of New Jersey behind in favor of his personal presidential ambition. Christie’s decision to ignore New Jersey is reminiscent of yet another iconic newspaper front page.

Buono Slams Christie for Vetoing Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence

New Brunswick, NJ - Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono released the following statement:

"It is absolutely astounding that Governor Christie has ignored the will of his constituents and vetoed legislation that is supported by an overwhelming number of New Jerseyans. With today's vetoes, he has made his priorities clear - the wishes of right-wing, fringe Republicans in Iowa and New Hampshire are more important than protecting children and families in the Garden State. His cynical decision is even more astounding when you consider that he called for banning .50 caliber rifles in April.

"He assumes that he will be leaving New Jersey for Washington, D.C. and is therefore willing to let citizens, law enforcement and legislators in the streets of Newark, Trenton and Camden deal with the consequences of today's decision. We deserve better than broken promises and empty rhetoric that is out-of-touch with the vast majority of the state. Moreover, New Jersey has previously been a national leader on gun safety legislation. Today's decision means that we will continue to fall behind our neighbors, who have already taken steps to eradicate gun violence.

"I will continue to fight for everyday New Jerseyans across the state and, as Governor, I promise to enact this commonsense legislation to reduce gun violence."

Governor Christie Vetoes Commonsense Gun Legislation

This is one of those posts I was mentioning yesterday, it came in a few days ago and I haven't had time to post it. I'm doing so now because Senator Buono released a statement afterwards criticizing the hypocrisy of Chris Christie's gun veto. It also goes well with one of my next post  about the anti-gun rally that Congressman Pallone attended earlier today.

 From Josh Levitt
Buono for Governor

What They Are Saying:

The Star-Ledger Headline: “Gov. Christie refuses to sign 3 gun bills, including one he called for” (Matt Friedman, “Gov. Christie refuses to sign 3 gun bills, including one he called for”, The Star-Ledger, 8/16/2013)

The Star-Ledger: “…But the governor completely axed a bill that would ban the Barrett .50 caliber rifle (A3659), which is the most powerful weapon commonly available to civilians. Christie had called for a ban on future sales of the weapon in his own package of violent prevention measures outlined in April.” (Matt Friedman, “Gov. Christie refuses to sign 3 gun bills, including one he called for”, The Star-Ledger, 8/16/2013)

Philadelphia Inquirer: “…Despite proposing a ban on purchases of the Barrett .50-caliber gun and similar weapons in April, Christie vetoed a bill that would have done just that.” (Matt Katz, “Christie vetoes 3 gun-control bills, including 1 he proposed,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/16/2013)

Philadelphia Inquirer: “…The Republican governor acted on the bills at what is considered a dead time for media coverage - Friday night - which furthered the view among political observers that he sought to appeal to national Republicans down the road while avoiding much immediate publicity for the vetoes within the state.” (Matt Katz, “Christie vetoes 3 gun-control bills, including 1 he proposed,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/16/2013)

Philadelphia Inquirer: “…Moments after Christie's vetoes came down, Monmouth University pollster Patrick Murray tweeted: "Which governor 'announced' today that he's running for the GOP nomination in 2016? [Gov. Christie], of course!" (Matt Katz, “Christie vetoes 3 gun-control bills, including 1 he proposed,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/16/2013)

Huffington Post: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) vetoed legislation on Friday that would have banned .50-caliber rifles from the state, despite backing the same proposal just months ago.” (Paige Lavender, “Chris Christie Vetoes Proposed .50 Caliber Rifle Ban He Once Supported,” Huffington Post, 8/17/2013)

Huffington Post: “…In April 2013, Christie recommended banning the sale of Barrett .50-caliber semi-automatic sniper rifles as part of a group of proposals to curb gun violence. On Friday, Christie said the ban wouldn't make the Garden State any more safe, according to Reuters.” (Paige Lavender, “Chris Christie Vetoes Proposed .50 Caliber Rifle Ban He Once Supported,” Huffington Post, 8/17/2013)

MSNBC Maddow Blog: “…a .50 caliber shell is basically the size of a "carrot," which serves "an effective military weapon against even some armored vehicles. A few years back, 60 Minutes showed .50 caliber rifles making short work of steel plate armor at several hundred yards." It also has the capacity to shoot down an airplane. Under current law in New Jersey, any adult can legally purchase this weapon. The state legislature decided that's no longer a good idea, and today, Chris Christie vetoed the ban.” (Steve Benen, “Christie vetoes measures on gun violence,” MSNBC Maddow Blog, 8/16/2013)

Mediaite: “If there was any doubt that Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) was planning a presidential run for 2016, he may have erased it late Friday with an end-of-news-cycle veto of a ban on .50 caliber firearms, whose manufacturer used to brag was “capable of destroying multi-million dollar aircraft with a single hit delivered to a vital area.” (Tommy Christopher, “Chris Christie Pulls Left Cheek Sneak Veto Of .50 Caliber Firearms Ban,”Mediaite, 8/16/2013)

Mediaite: “…As governor of a state with some of the strongest gun control laws in the country, the .50 cal ban gave Christie a rare chance to let the NRA know he’s got their back.” (Tommy Christopher, “Chris Christie Pulls Left Cheek Sneak Veto Of .50 Caliber Firearms Ban,” Mediaite, 8/16/2013)

Bryan Miller, Heeding God’s Call: “…Chris Christie clearly is courageous for his place in the Republican Party, but not for the residents of New Jersey.” (Matt Friedman, “Gov. Christie refuses to sign 3 gun bills, including one he called for”, The Star-Ledger, 8/16/2013)

Bryan Miller, Heeding God’s Call: "He’s more interested in running for president and making the extreme right wing feel good than he is in protecting the safety of the residents of New Jersey.” (Matt Friedman, “Gov. Christie refuses to sign 3 gun bills, including one he called for”, The Star-Ledger, 8/16/2013)

Christie vetoes pending bills

From PolitickerNJ:


TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie announced vetoing eight pieces of pending legislation Friday afertnoon.

The following bills were written off by the governor:

SCS for S-968, 1494/A998 (Weinberg, Turner/Vainieri Huttle, Watson Coleman) – ABSOLUTE - Establishes procedures and standards regarding public service privatization contracts

S2188/A3775 (Gordon,Weinberg/Wagner,Eustace,DeAngelo,Benson) – ABSOLUTE – Requires employer notification when relocating call center services outside the United States

S2644/A4233 (Vitale, Gill, Weinberg/Oliver, Prieto, Quijano) – ABSOLUTE - Expands Medicaid eligibility pursuant to federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”

S2825/A4172 (Weinberg, Greenstein, Sarlo/Mosquera, Lampitt, Stender, Jasey, Watson Colman, Wisniewski, Caride) - ABSOLUTE – Makes FY 2013 supplemental appropriation to DOH for $7,453,000 for family planning services

A3668/SCS for S2467, 2471 (Jasey, McKeon, Cryan, Johnson, Quijano/Gill, Weinberg, Codey) -ABSOLUTE – Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in companies manufacturing, importing, and selling assault firearms for civilians use

A3807/S2595 (Caputo, Tucker, Wagner, Eustace/Rice, Gill) – ABSOLUTE – ‟Corporate Disinvestment Property Tax Relief Act”; appropriates $13.5 million

A3878/S2673 (Conaway, Riley, Lampitt, Eustace/Gill) – ABSOLUTE- Requires Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to establish public awareness campaign about new federally required health insurance exchange

A4171/S2824 (Wagner, Vainieri Huttle, Stender, Quijano, Eustace/Weinberg, Gill) – ABSOLUTE - Provides Medicaid coverage for family planning services to individuals with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level

Christie said regarding all of the bills vetoed that they “would deplete the state’s fiscal resources, restructure government in a significant manner, and significantly alter the policy and spending priorities set forth in the Appropriations Act.’’

He said they would have added hundreds of millions of dollars to state and local budgets. He said that although individual bills may have had merits they should have been negotiated as part of the overall budget negotiation process.

Christie takes action on gun bill, vetoes proposed ban on certain pension investments

From PolitickerNJ:


TRENTON – Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a piece of the Legislature’s gun violence package Friday that would bar the state from investing in certain companies that manufacture and sell assault weapons.

The governor announced he vetoed A3668, which would prohibit state pension and annuity funds from being invested in companies that manufacture or sell assault firearms for civilian use. The veto was one of eight proposals Christie scrapped following the signing of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget earlier today.

Christie said in his veto message for all of the eight bills that they “were proposals that would deplete the state’s fiscal resources, restructure government in a significant manner and significantly alter the policy and spending priorities set forth in the” negotiated budget.

Buono Statement Following Christie’s Unacceptable Vetoes

New Brunswick, NJ –Democratic gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Barbara Buono issued the following statement:

"Governor Christie's week can be summed up as a 'profile in cowardice.' He chose Friday night to deny women health services, pander to gun lobbyists, veto legislation to keep jobs in New Jersey and thwart a full expansion of Obamacare. All this after he bashed the Supreme Court's decision to end DOMA and refuses to comment on its decision to gut the Voting Rights Act. He would rather please Republican primary voters in Iowa than stand up for the Garden State and its working and middle class families."

New Jerseyans Respond to Governor's Cowardly Stance on Marriage Equality

During a segment on "Ask the Governor," Governor Christie reiterated his opposition to marriage equality, pledging to once again veto a marriage equality bill should it reach his desk. Now, New Jerseyans are responding to Governor Christie's backwards, out of touch position by voicing their support for marriage equality in the Garden State. See for yourself below.

“Ollie the Oily Ostrich” to Deliver Hundreds of Fracking Waste Ban Petitions to Assemblymembers O’Scanlon and Casagrande

Delivery Comes Amid Statewide Campaign to Overturn Governor’s Veto of Bill Protecting State from Toxic Fracking Waste This Legislative Session 

Red Bank and Freehold, NJ – Local residents and community groups will join with “Ollie the Oily Ostrich” on tomorrow June 12th, to deliver thousands of constituent petitions supporting an override of Governor Christie’s veto of the Fracking Waste Ban Bill. The legislation would protect residents by banning the disposal, treatment and discharge of toxic waste created through the process of fracking, a highly controversial natural gas drilling method. The legislation was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last year but was vetoed by the governor.

Activists will dress up in an ostrich costume to deliver thousands of petitions, urging Assemblymembers O’Scanlon and Casagrande not to “bury their heads in the sand” to the dangers of fracking waste dumping and the impacts it can have on New Jersey.

Both legislators have yet to take a stance on critical legislation, the Fracking Waste Ban (A575/S253) despite the fact that they voted in favor of the ban a year ago, when it originally passed the NJ legislature with overwhelming support.

Republican legislators who voted to ban fracking waste dumping are continuing to avoid taking a stance on this issue due to fear of retribution from Governor Christie and powerful lobbyists from the gas and oil industry.

11:30am District Office Assemblyman O’Scanlon 32 Monmouth St., Red Bank 07701

2pm District Office Assemblywoman Casagrande 35 West Main St., Freehold 07728

Statement on Christie Veto of Lottery Privatization Oversight Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement upon New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s veto of a bill allowing legislative oversight over state’s plan to privatize lottery operations:

“Governor Christie’s decision to veto a bill that would have allowed important oversight over the impending privatization of New Jersey’s lottery is disturbing and speaks even more clearly of the need for such legislation. New Jersey’s lottery is a $2.6 billion enterprise and Governor Christie’s veto is a step in wrong direction to ensuring transparency over the process. I thoroughly disagree with the Governor’s decision and I will continue to remain committed to ensuring that this process is in complete compliance with federal law.

“That’s why, along with five of my colleagues, I signed on to a letter last month to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder requesting a review of New Jersey’s lottery privatization plan by the Department of Justice. Now that the Governor has vetoed legislation that would have provided critical oversight, it is even more imperative that federal government examine this process.”

One NJ Releases 1st Television Commercial Highlighting the Real Story Behind Christie's Record

Fact: NJ Is Falling Further Behind

(NEW JERSEY) – Tomorrow, One New Jersey is going up with its first television commercial to help people learn about the real story in New Jersey. The spot will run as a six-figure, state-wide cable buy for the next few weeks, and is being supplemented by a robust online ad buy.



“Governor Christie touted a Jersey Comeback. But, contrary to his claims, we’re clearly falling behind,” said Joshua Henne, spokesman for One New Jersey. "Our first commercial seeks to serve as a wake-up call to Trenton that there’s a huge gulf between the rhetoric being espoused and the reality on the ground. The sad truth is that New Jersey is falling further and further back due to the wrong-headed policies and misplaced priorities of the past few years. No amount of hype or hyperbole can hide the fact that middle-class and working families are hurting, while millionaires and powerful interests get special treatment – and New Jersey ends up worse-off, as a result.”

The facts speak for themselves. Over the past few years, New Jersey has consistently trailed the rest of America when it comes to jobs. In fact, under Christie and his policies, the state’s unemployment rate reached its widest distance from the national average since the 1970s. Right now, New Jersey has the country’s 7th highest unemployment and is the worst state in the region when it comes to joblessness.

While Christie's policies have surely warmed the hearts of right-wing think tanks, they've had a chilling effect on New Jersey's families. Protecting tax cuts for multi-millionaires, but vetoing an increase to the minimum wage reveals a backwards set of priorities. Property taxes skyrocketed some 20% on Christie’s watch, while services are slashed. Fiscal pain is pushed along to municipalities, while local residents are paying more and receiving less from local government. New Jersey also became home to the 2nd highest percentage of mortgage loans in foreclosure in America, even though rates nationally are falling to their lowest levels since 2008.

Since launching in the Summer of 2011, One New Jersey consistently shines a light on those policies striking against the best interests of New Jersey residents. One New Jersey is also exposing efforts to divide the state and its people for political gain. Along those lines, One New Jersey has written op-eds and offered commentary on a whole host of issues - including economic failures, broken promises on jobs, regressive policies and New Jersey’s chronic unemployment. A true “Jersey Comeback” would, indeed, be a great thing. Unfortunately, that’s not the real story, as the facts prove otherwise.

*************************
One New Jersey is an independent 501(c) 4 advocacy organization that monitors policy positions and actions of elected officials and brings to light their records on the issues that matter to New Jersey’s middle-class and working families. You can follow @OneNJ on Twitter and search for “One New Jersey” on Facebook.

There's Still Time for a Sensible Approach to NJ's Health Insurance Exchange

by Gordon MacInnes
Published in NJPP Blog: As a Matter of Fact ...


Last week, Gov. Christie vetoed the second bill to have New Jersey set up its own health insurance exchange to implement Obamacare. The legislative majority believes that we would be better served operating our own insurance exchange, rather than await the uncertain shape of a massive federal exchange or a poorly-defined “partner” exchange with most of the heavy lifting done by the feds.

The governor’s veto message – and its emphasis on uncertainty – gets the whole thing backwards. Fortunately, there is still time for the governor to send a letter to Washington opting for the state exchange, issue an executive order to get the machinery rolling, and work with the Democratic leadership to draft a third, acceptable bill.

Let’s start with the Obamacare landscape. Two years ago the president signs the biggest and most complicated health care legislation since the creation of Medicaid and Medicare in 1965. Twenty-seven states file petitions declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The Republican Party spends two years promising to repeal the ACA. With unemployment dancing at 8 percent, the president’s re-election chances don’t look great and the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to agree that the ACA doesn’t pass muster.

Lo and behold, the Court surprises the nation with its June decision, which is followed by a respectable re-election win by the president in November. The trouble is that the deadlines for implementing Obamacare were not revised amidst all this uncertainty: On January 1, 2014 the transformative law takes effect and about 30 million folk who are without health insurance today will suddenly become paying customers.

Second, since when has certainty ruled political life in America? The governor understands risk perfectly well. He took a political risk when he showed such warmth for the president’s tour of the devastated Jersey Shore. He took a fiscal risk when he projected the most aggressive revenues and the highest spending increases of any governor in the nation for his 2013 budget. He passed the risk along to every municipality when he proposed that the state grab the increased utility tax revenues instead of allotting them to towns as mandated by law.

Now back to Obamacare. During the period of constitutional and political tumult, New Jersey received $8.7 million from the feds to do the background work on the informational, financial, promotional and logistical issues around the health insurance exchange. So if anyone should have a relatively clear idea of the costs and implications of establishing a New Jersey insurance exchange, it is the Christie administration, which has used federal funds to explore these complicated questions.

Here’s an important problem to untangle in all of this. There are two ways that currently uninsured persons will be covered under Obamacare: the insurance exchange for households with incomes between 138 and 400 percent of the federal poverty level (at 200 percent a family of three takes in $38,180); or Medicaid, where states can opt to accept a major expansion in Medicaid coverage for adults and children in families up to 138 percent of the poverty level. Gov. Christie has not signaled whether he will accept the expansion, but either way it would be very sensible for the exchange to use technology to allow anyone up to 400 percent of poverty to enter their data and be guided to the most efficient option for health coverage. A New Jersey-operated exchange would have to worry about only one state to coordinate between the premium subsidy and Medicaid eligibility questions.

Right now, it looks the federal government may have to establish an exchange for up to 27 states, each with its own criteria for Medicaid eligibility (some states exclude legal immigrants altogether while some allow only those who can prove residence for at least five years) and their own scope of coverage with very different reimbursement rates. The notion that the federal government and up to 27 states will have the technology worked out within the next ten months to accept applicants by October 2013 is a very, very optimistic notion. Why take the chance if your state has spent two years studying the problem and can avoid sinking into such a potential bureaucratic morass?

Second, with a New Jersey exchange, the state could negotiate with insurance providers to get the best package of coverage at the best cost. Otherwise, consumers will be greeted with a bunch of packages that have been constructed to maximize the profits of the offering company (if not, the CEO should be fired). The state understands that negotiating can lead to insurance coverage that reduces premium costs without shrinking coverage. In fact, that is exactly what the state does in providing health insurance to its employees.

December 14 is the cutoff for opting for the state-operated exchange. The governor has better information about the costs of a state exchange than anyone in Washington. He has better information about what a state exchange can do that a federal exchange cannot. Unless that confidential information suggests that the state is not capable of operating its own exchange, he should send a letter to Secretary Sebelius by Friday saying “we’re in – details to follow.”

Pallone Statement on Gov. Christie’s Veto of NJ Health Care Exchange Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, December 6, 2012


WASHINGTON. D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement today in response to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s decision to veto the health care exchange law passed earlier this year by the state legislature. A critical part of the Affordable Care Act includes the creation of health care exchanges to establish a market place for the purchase of affordable health insurance plans. States were meant to tailor their specific needs to a state-based exchange, but those who opt out will be obligated to have the federal government run an exchange for them.

“I am deeply disappointed by Governor Christie’s decision to veto Senate Bill 2135, the bill establishing New Jersey’s state-based health care exchange. By vetoing the bill, Governor Christie has abdicated the critical responsibility and foregone the opportunity for our state to establish an exchange program tailored directly to New Jersey’s specific needs.

“Governor Christie had an opportunity to allow New Jersey to create a health care exchange that would have been unique to our state, which has been at the forefront of so many important health care innovations, including many components that were instrumental in the creation of the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act was designed to give all Americans access to affordable health care. It also established a system that can be more precise to individual health care needs and choices, which is why state-based health care exchanges are so helpful in empowering individuals to make the best decisions for them. Under the law, states that chose not to create their own state-based exchange will be forced to participate in a larger and less targeted federal exchange, which will provide good insurance plans, but will not be targeted directly to New Jerseyans.

“The decision by Governor Christie to veto our state’s health care exchange squandered New Jersey’s right to self determination and has put the state in a position where we can no longer specify a plan that fits our needs. Governor Christie had ample time, opportunity and resources to create a viable plan for New Jersey to have fully functioning exchanges up and running in the time prescribe by the law, but instead he chose a path that lessens our home-grown influence over our health care.”