Ohhh, YEAH . . . It's Really Heating Up Now!

State Senator Jennifer Beck doesn't like New Jersey's planned gas tax hike. She says she likes being screamed at even less.

Things got loud on the state Senate floor Thursday as she and Sen. Paul Sarlo got into a heck of a shouting match. BTW: NO action was taken on the tax today. Governor Christie and the legislature have effectively reached an impasse, though we're told negotiations will continue.

We applaud Senator Beck for standing up for herself, for her plan and for the people of New Jersey. It's about time somebody gave the established "know-it-alls" in Trenton some serous hell. These career politicians have been screwing the people of this state for a long, long time. 

There should be NO increase in the gas tax, period. Here are Five Big Reasons why:

1) New Jersey already spends a whopping 8.4 times the national average for every mile of road it maintains or builds. North Dakota (which gets tons of snow) spends a fraction of what we spend per mile.
2) Our highway funding system is inefficient. Our state spent nearly $45,000 per every mile of roads on highway administration. The national average is just $10,500.
3) Other states with similarly dense metro areas and high costs of living spend far less per-mile than Jersey. Even New York and California spend less.
4) New Jersey has also made little use of public-private partnerships to finance and execute transportation projects. It's been reported that such projects are already lowering costs in 30 other states.
5) New Jersey’s has mishandled its transportation funding. The state should have spent annual budgeted money on a pay-as-you-go basis. But New Jersey inefficiently relied on debt to finance its roads and bridges.

On top of all this, New Jersey toll collections are through-the-roof. Our state is taking in more money from tolls than any other state except New York. What's happening to all this money?

Until New Jersey cleans up its transportation revenue and funding act, it will have to make do with the money it has.
Tell your state legislators: NO NJ GAS TAX HIKE!

Here's what you can do to stop the gas tax hike. But you must act NOW!

Do it NOW!

Confused About It All? Here's The Bottom Line . . .

And So Now, Here's Today's BIG Question!

Could It Really Be THAT Close? Really?

Really?
You bet it is. This is the very latest poll.

Let's All Insist On A HIGHER Standard . . . OK?

Yesterday, the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA) demanded Democratic attorney general nominee Josh Shapiro return donations from Herbert Vederman, who was convicted last week on federal racketeering, bribery, and bank fraud charges along with former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah. “The attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer in the state and candidates for this office should be held to the highest standards,” said Scott Will, Executive Director of RAGA. “Fortunately, Pennsylvanians have a better choice in State Senator John Raffterty, a straight shooter who will take the politics and corruption out of the Office of Attorney General.” From The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Josh Shapiro, the Montgomery County commissioners chairman and Democratic nominee for state attorney general, saw the political hit coming. Shapiro had received $11,500 in campaign contributions in the last decade from Herbert Vederman, the lobbyist and former Philadelphia deputy mayor who was convicted last week on federal racketeering, bribery, and bank fraud charges along with former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah. The Republican Attorneys General Association on Tuesday called on Shapiro to return the $5,000 he received from Vederman in March 2015. The Washington-based group called it "shameful" that Shapiro had not done so already… …Mike Barley, a spokesman for Rafferty's campaign, said Shapiro had been silent as Fattah's legal troubles played out. "The issue he has is his close relationship with the former congressman," Barley said of Shapiro. "It wasn't that long ago that he was accompanying Congressman Fattah to the president's State of the Union address." Shapiro in 2013 issued a statement that he was "honored and grateful" for Fattah's invitation.” Read the full story at philly.com.

Paving The Road To Higher And Higher Taxes? YES!

New Jersey State Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) released the following statement after the General Assembly voted to increase New Jersey’s gas tax after a midnight, behind-closed-doors deal:

“Tonight, all the Trenton insiders did was pave New Jersey’s road to higher taxes. This State Street ‘deal’ is an instant $850 million tax hike on overtaxed Main Street New Jerseyans, with as much as $4.8 billion more in tax hikes coming in the next few years. And it doesn’t offer taxpayers their money back until five years from now, if it ever comes back at all.

“We have a serious problem and have to fix the Transportation Trust Fund. But New Jersey’s biggest problem is our crushing tax burden, and any ‘deal’, like this one, that makes the tax burden worse, is just a raw deal for New Jersey.”

Hmmm . . . Now THIS Is Very Intriguing . . .

Lynch and Clinton met at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix on Tuesday.

We've Made OUR Call! What About You? Huh?

Call Gov. Christie today! 

Tell him NO to a 23¢/gallon gas tax hike!

Wanna Know Who's On YOUR Side? Here Ya Go!

Congratulations to the following members of the New Jersey State Senate who voted NO on the midnight theft of your tax dollars known as the gas tax hike: Andrzejczak, Auth, Bucco, Carroll, Ciattarelli, Dancer, DiMaio, Downey, Gove, Handlin. Houghtaling, Land, Mazzeo, McGucken, Peterson, Phoebus, Russo, Schepisi, Space, Webber, Wolfe, Zwicker.
Unfortunately, 53 members voted for the hike (including some Republicans) and the bill passed the Assembly. The on's marked in green above (to the left of their names) voted for the tax hike and AGAINST you! The only way to stop it now is by calling New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney. Here's the contact info:

Kingsway Commons
935 Kings Highway
Suite 400
West Deptford, NJ 08086
Phone – (856) 251-9801
Fax – (856) 251-9752

The Finlaw Building
199 East Broadway
Suite G
Salem, NJ 08079
Phone – (856) 339-0808
Fax – (856) 339-9626
Phone – (856) 455-1011 for Cumberland County residents

NJ State Senators Say 'NO!' On Gas Tax Hike!

New Jersey State Senator Jennifer Beck (R-11), Senator Michael Doherty (R-23), and Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) were joined by anti-tax advocates today in releasing a statement reiterating their opposition to a billion dollar gas tax increase. The General Assembly approved a 23-cent gas tax hike last evening, with a half-cent sales tax reduction starting January 1, 2017 and another half-cent reduction on January 1, 2018. Sen. Jennifer Beck, Sen. Mike Doherty and Sen. Gerry Cardinale were joined by anti-tax advocates in reiterating their opposition to a billion dollar gas tax increase. (Flickr) “I have heard the residents of New Jersey loud and clear and I remain steadfast in my opposition to a billion dollar, 23 cents per gallon increase in our gas tax,” said Senator Beck. “New Jersey residents see right through the fiscal shell game that is being played. Literally in three days, this Friday, July 1st, all 7 million New Jersey drivers will be faced with a billion dollar tax increase that will be imposed every time they take a trip to the beach, commute to work, or bring their kids to school. Without question, lowering the sales tax a penny over two years will not stop Democrats from raising it again as they have done before.” “Additionally, I object to this tax hike being passed in the middle of the night, with no public input and few, if any legislators reading the new bill. Even Governor Corzine held public hearings when he attempted to advance his transportation plan. It is wrong for three people in a room at midnight to make this decision and rush it though in a handful of days without appropriate input from the public,” Beck concluded. “Advocates for a 23 cent per gallon gas tax increase have never explained why we need $2 billion annually for transportation spending,” said Senator Doherty. “They’ve never seriously addressed the Reason Foundation report that shows we spend the most per mile in the nation or the disparity in spending figures cited by others. Before we ask drivers and taxpayers for even a penny more for our roads, I believe the state has an obligation to prove that the taxes and tolls already collected are spent wisely.” “New Jersey drivers cannot afford the gas tax increase that is being proposed. Why must we raise one tax in order to lower another one? Residents of our State demand more accountability for how our money is being spent. This legislation does nothing to address high costs – it only opens our residents up for higher taxes in the now and in the future,” said Senator Cardinale. “While we applaud the efforts to reduce the state’s sales tax, we maintain our concern about any gas tax hike. We are hopeful in the coming days that lawmakers will continue to move towards a deal that puts taxpayers first and provides some improvement on how we spend our transportation dollars in this state,” added Erica Jedynak, State Director for Americans for Prosperity. Website Post: http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/cardinale/beck-doherty-cardinale-reiterate-opposition-to-gas-tax-increase/27657

Oh, The Perils Of A Legacy Of Deceit!

You Won't Believe What They've Done Now!

From our friends at Save Jersey: 

By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

Early Tuesday morning while most of you were sleeping, Save Jerseyans, Republicans in the General Assembly helped Democrats reach a deal for a 23-cent per gallon increase of New Jersey’s gas tax in exchange for a modest decrease in the state sales tax – to 6% from 7% – phased it over a year-and-a-half.

Governor Christie reportedly approves of the change to the original gas tax hike consensus; we’re still waiting for the Senate to weigh in.

Conservative GOP Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll is less enthused than his fellow Morris County resident.

“As bad as the original proposal was, the ‘deal’ now is even worse,” Carroll wrote on Facebook. “The debt is still in; the gas tax increase is still in; but the only redeeming aspect of the bill — the estate tax elimination — is now gone. Welcome to New Jersey.”

Yup. Pretty much. That’s why it’s substantively bad. The politics is arguably even more atrocious.

The Democrats who voted no? Bob Andrzejczak (D-1), Joann Downey (D-11), Eric Houghtaling (D-11), Bruce Land (D-1), Vince Mazzeo (D-2), John Wisniewski (D-19), and Andrew Zwicker (D-16).

How convenient! As regular readers know, the Dems picked up the above referenced LD-11 and LD-16 seats last fall. LD1 and LD2 are among the state’s most competitive districts – among the only ones left. These are the ones we’ve could have beaten in 2017.

Now, in order to aid the Democrat Assembly majority in obtaining the majority vote it wanted (???), we’ve given those Democrats cover on the coming gas tax thanks to the following Republicans who voted YEA: Jon Bramnick, Chris Brown, Rob Clifton, BettyLou DeCroce, Joe Howarth, Sean Kean, Nancy Munoz, David Rible, Maria Rodriguez-Gregg, and Scott Rumana.

What can I say today that I haven’t been saying for months? And years? We’re never going to save Jersey (pardon the plug) until we have the courage and, frankly, the political chops to take these Democrat jerks on and hold them accountable for their bad governance.

Our team let them off the hook on Tuesday morning. Big time. To say I’m disappointed in an understatement.

Vivid Video: Now The Grandcubs Inspire Hope!

On a recent early morning game in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Graham Simmonds filmed these tiny lion cubs that were being moved by their mothers down a road. This new life, we're told, is a symbol of the good that has stemmed from the tragic death of their grandfather, Cecil.
Cecil was killed by US dentist Walter Palmer one year ago. Cecil reportedly has 13 surviving sons and daughters and 15 known grandcubs so far. They have survived their own brushes with death.

Beefing Up The Effort; Getting Ready For Battle!

Today, Donald J. Trump announced the expansion of his campaign team making several appointments as he continues to build his operations in advance of the general elections.

Jason Miller will serve as Senior Communications Advisor, where he will work with the existing team to build out a full Communications Department to deliver victory this November. Mr. Miller will work with several areas of the campaign to ensure messaging coordination and implementation. Mr. Miller has managed campaigns and shaped messages for successful House, Senate and gubernatorial races in addition to serving on the senior staffs of two presidential campaigns.

Michael Abboud is joining the Trump Campaign as a Communications Coordinator. Formerly with the RNC Communications Department, Mr. Abboud will work to execute the campaign’s rapid response and daily messaging, as well as providing candidate briefings on daily news and breaking stories.

Alan Cobb will serve as the Director of Coalitions for the campaign, organizing and managing the numerous coalition groups that currently support, and will support, Mr. Trump for president. Previously, Mr. Cobb served in several roles for the Trump Campaign including as a Senior Advisor. Mr. Cobb managed statewide, political and issue campaigns, served as the Deputy State Director for U.S. Senators Bob Dole and U.S. Senator Sheila Frahm and served as a Campaign Advisor to the 2014 campaigns of Congressman Mike Pompeo and Senator Pat Roberts.

On the appointments, Mr. Trump stated, “As we continue to work to defeat Hillary Clinton this November, I am constantly building a superior political team. After winning the most votes in the history of a Republican primary contest, we are taking our messages to the people so that we can Make American Great Again.”

The Rumors Of His Death? Greatly Exaggerated

Kenny Chesney incorrectly announces at his Lincoln Financial Field concert that Folcroft (PA) police officer Christopher Dorman, who had been shot seven times on Friday, had died. Dorman is a very courageous young man -- and very much alive. In fact, he is an unbelievable fighter and is expected to make a full recover. Chesney called him on Sunday to apologize.

STOP The NJ Gas Tax Hike With One Click!

In New Jersey, one of the most heavily-taxed states in the nation, the hue and cry is on again for a gas tax hike.

You didn't really expect this to go away, did you?

Democrats in the state need to deflect attention away from a new campaign (launched by the gannett newspapers in the state) to force action on the state's high property taxes. 
So now, the Dem majority in the state's senate and Assembly have hatched a new shell game: Give us the extra money we needed for New Jersey's Transportation Fund (in fact give us more than that through a gas-tax hike) so that we can maintain roads and bridges and then we'll tackle property taxes. 
Believe it: Behind close doors, legislative maneuvers are underway to hike New Jersey's tax on gas at the pump by as much as 15 or even 20 cents per gallon -- maybe even more!
And now, at least two GOP state senators are going along with a gas tax hike. Imagine!



But, wait a minute.
This is our money that these supposed leaders are talking about behind closed doors.

Still, they figure if they raise the gas tax now (when gas prices are relatively low) we either won't notice or won't care.
Get this: The people who run our state seem to think we're fools.

Well, we're not. And here are Five Big Reasons NOT to raise the gas tax:

1) New Jersey already spends a whopping 8.4 times the national average for every mile of road it maintains or builds. North Dakota (which gets tons of snow) spends a fraction of what we spend per mile.
2) Our highway funding system is inefficient. Our state spent nearly $45,000 per every mile of roads on highway administration. The national average is just $10,500.
3) Other states with similarly dense metro areas and high costs of living spend far less per-mile than Jersey. Even New York and California spend less.
4) New Jersey has also made little use of public-private partnerships to finance and execute transportation projects. It's been reported that such projects are already lowering costs in 30 other states.
5) New Jersey’s has mishandled its transportation funding. The state should have spent annual budgeted money on a pay-as-you-go basis. But New Jersey inefficiently relied on debt to finance its roads and bridges.

On top of all this, New Jersey toll collections are through-the-roof. Our state is taking in more money from tolls than any other state except New York. What's happening to all this money?

Until New Jersey cleans up its transportation revenue and funding act, it will have to make do with the money it has.
Tell your state legislators: NO NJ GAS TAX HIKE!

Here's what you can do to stop the gas tax hike. But you must act NOW!

Do it NOW!

How Long Will This Bellyaching Continue? Huh?

And Speaking Of Protecting Our Children . . .

The New Jersey Senate passed a bill by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) upping standards for school nurse certification. New requirements include clinical experience in a school nurse office and completion of a college-supervised school nurse practicum. Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman’s bill expands standards for school nurse certification. New requirements include clinical experience in a school nurse’s office. “School nurses are charged with protecting the health and welfare of every kid that walks through a classroom door,” Senator Bateman said. “The needs of our children are certainly not “one-size-fits-all.” Ensuring candidates for certification complete hands-on training in a school nurse’s office will ensure all are fully equipped to identify the early signs of serious health problems and provide the highest level of care for kids with complex needs.” Senator Bateman’s S-1381 would codify previous state standards to require that in addition to holding a license as a registered nurse and a bachelor’s degree a candidate for a school nurse endorsement must also complete at least 30 credits in subject areas determined by the state board. Candidates must also obtain clinical experience in a school nurse office and a college-supervised school nurse practicum experience in a school nurse office and a classroom. Under the bill non-instructional school nurses would need to complete at least 21 credits in subject areas determined by the state board and clinical experience in a school nurse office, in addition to holding a license as a registered nurse and a bachelor’s degree. Related Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/kipbateman/posts/10154941536498625 Related Tweet: https://twitter.com/KipBateman/status/747487297705152513 Website Post: http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/bateman/senate-passes-bill-upping-clinical-experience-requirements-for-school-nurse-certification/27115

Well, This Is The Way I Feel . . . Never Mind!

It's More Than A Shame, It's An Abomination!

By a vote of 5-3, the U.S. Supreme Court today struck provisions of HB2, a Texas law requiring abortion clinics to meet the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers and requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in case of medical emergencies (with certain exceptions.) The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals previously rejected facial attacks on both provisions.

“How shabby are these abortion clinics that they cannot meet the minimum standards other outpatient surgical centers are required to meet, and just how bad are these abortionists that they can’t get admitting privileges at a local hospital?,” said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. “As we saw with Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia, it’s clear that the lucrative abortion industry is not able or willing to police itself and allows filthy, deplorable conditions to go unchecked.”

The provisions struck by the Court today were part of a broader pro-life omnibus package passed by the Texas legislature in 2013. Texas HB2 also included National Right to Life model language to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing great pain when being killed by dismemberment or other late abortion methods. An unborn child is capable of feeling pain by 20 weeks after fertilization and earlier. That provision of the law was unchallenged in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt.

“In the years following Roe v. Wade, the Court exhibited extreme hostility to regulation of abortion as a medical procedure,” said Tobias. “However, in its 1992 Casey decision, the Court turned a corner, rejecting the idea of it being ‘the country’s ex officio medical board’. Today, they reversed course and decided that they know better than representatives duly elected by the people of the United States.”

National Right to Life’s Brief of Amicus Curiae in the case is available here.

In Recent Days, Have You Thought About THIS?

A Facebook friend writes:

"I am a West Virginian. 

"For two days I have been watching hundreds of photos and videos posted on Facebook by people from one State border to the other. Homes gone, highways washed away, bridges piled with debris, a woman with tears spreading her keepsakes on her roof to dry. 

"I see a widespread catastrophe. And in not one of these do I see or hear a single lament that somebody else owes these people anything. I see no rioting, no breaking of shop windows, no running off with televisions or sneakers. Nobody is screaming, demanding that the federal government help. 

"But I see men--private citizens--with chainsaws clearing streets and roads, men with pickups and four-wheelers clearing driveways and taking some where they need to go, women helping families and even children pitching in where they can. 

"I see America as it once was and as it should be again...as it is in West Virginia. 

"As the days roll on, remember what you see here."

We Know It's Hard To Believe, But Here It Is . . .

Don't Worry, This Is All Quite Normal!

The Private Collection Of A Legendary Lady!

We were recently invited to an exclusive showing of the private collection of Joan Rivers at Christie's in Manhattan.
It was a wonderful evening -- especially for those (like us) who loved Joan Rivers and miss her very much.
What did we see?
Well, all of the wonderful things that Joan Rivers was passionate about: Her jewels, fashions, furniture, housewares, etc. Joan loved beautiful things. She loved to be surrounded by beauty. She believed that if you could not live luxuriously, you shouldn't live at all. And fortunately, through hard work and legendary determination this extraordinary woman was able to live her way. How wonderful it was that she so enjoyed the fruits of her labor while she was with us. And she also shared this eye for beauty with others through her costume jewelry collection which continues to sell very well.
We assume most of the Joan Rivers private collection has now been acquired by Christies' customers and is no longer all together as it once way.
But, we're still able to bring you some of the standout pieces from Joan's marvelous estate, shown below. Enjoy!

So, Exactly Where Do We Go From Here?

France, US, Germany, China Lead Blog Visits!

Pageviews by Countries - Week of 6/19

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Germany	167
China	56
Romania	36
Japan	25
Slovenia	25
Bulgaria	24
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Thank you for more than 3.500 pageviews!

Dan Cirucci Blog - Week's Top Five Posts!

Posts - Week of 6/19

Entry
Dan Cirucci Blog - Week's Top Five Stories Jun 18, 2016
'Follow The Money' You Say? OK, Here We Go . . . Jun 16, 2016
Logic? That Has NOTHING To Do With It! Jun 20, 2016
Listen To What Christie Tells This Caller! Jun 15, 2016
US, France, Germany, Japan Top Blog Visits Jun 18, 2016

Gravy Train: The Beginning Of The End?

The British people are not stupid.
They are well-informed. And they knew exactly what they were doing.
They knew where their money was going. They knew how it was being wasted. They knew that their sovereignty, their security and their freedoms were on the line. And, they acted accordingly.
Pay attention, America!

In New Jersey, Words Of Condolence . . .

New Jersey State Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s statement on the passing of former Senate President Raymond Bateman this morning: “When it came to public service, Senator Ray Bateman was a giant. He was one of the people that I admired most growing up in a family that followed a similar path. He’s someone that many of us who serve now try to emulate. “I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his family, and to his son, my friend Senator Kip Bateman, with whom I have the honor to serve.”

Mourning The Passing Of A New Jersey Statesman

With great sorrow, New Jersey State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman announced the passing of his father, Raymond H. Bateman, this morning. Raymond Bateman was born in Somerville on October 29, 1927. He served for two decades in the New Jersey Legislature, including stints as Assistant Majority Leader and Majority Leader in the General Assembly, and as Assistant Majority Leader, Majority Leader and President of the Senate. “My father embodied everything that a public servant should be,” said Sen. Bateman. “He was always interested in helping others, and he instilled in me the belief that public service matters. He set an extremely high standard for all of us who follow.” “He also was dedicated to his family, and we always came first. His loss will be immense, but we couldn’t be prouder of the life he lived and happier about the time we had with him. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us.”