A Heartfelt Thank You.
It is with mixed emotion that I must announce, effective March 9, 2011, my resignation as Chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee. After consultation with my family and close friends I have determined that my resignation is best for me and the Party. The recent personal attacks upon me and my family are unwarranted and shameful. Until today I was prepared to stand with the majority of the members of the County Committee and defend myself and our organization.
However, over the past few days I reminded myself why, five years ago, I wanted to chair the Republican Party in Camden County. I did then — as I do now — simply want to help Republicans get elected in Camden County. In these five years, the Party has made significant progress in both gaining elected positions and fundraising; however, the cowardly personal attacks have made it apparent to me that as long as I remain Chair, these disgruntled, cowardly detractors will stand in the way of this year’s Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
Council President Rose Fitzgerald and Mayor Scott Alexander
Mayor Scott Alexander announced a 6% decrease in the Municipal property tax levy, the largest decrease of this size in 30 years. The Mayor also announced that based on the School District and County holding their tax levy increases within the 2% cap criteria set by Governor Christies’ toolkit, the Borough would experience a blended tax reduction for the 3rd year in a row, the first 3-year concurrent reduction in 69 years.
The Mayor’s policies are focused on running the Borough like a business with an emphasis on growing revenues, controlling expenses, optimizing operations and enhancing services.
“Running the Municipality like a business changed the old way to the new way, and we are experiencing the benefits,”
said Mayor Alexander.
The municipality put in place a self-imposed cap in 2008, then tough big decisions were made around that discipline.
Christie and “the Crap I have to Hear” …… again.
Chris Christie
The New York Times Magazine recently did an article on our Governor. The article talked in part about Chris Christie’s YouTube monologue moments. Below is a quote form the article.
“The argument you heard most vociferously from the teachers’ union,” Christie says, “was that this was the greatest assault on public education in the history of New Jersey.” Here the fleshy governor lumbers a few steps toward the audience and lowers his voice for effect. “Now, do you really think that your child is now stressed out and unable to learn because they know that their poor teacher has to pay 1½ percent of their salary for their health care benefits? Have any of your children come home — any of them — and said, ‘Mom.’ ” Pause. “ ‘Dad.’ ” Another pause. “ ‘Please. Stop the madness.’ ”
An Open Letter from CCGOP Chairman Rick DeMichele
Over the past few days, you may have received unsolicited, dishonest emails calling for my resignation as CCGOP Chairman. Don’t be surprised if you receive a couple more. When you do, consider the source.
A Contrast in Courage
Across The Country,
Republicans Are Taking The Lead
To Solve Fiscal Crises
While Democrats Literally Run From The Problem
Chris Christie
THE FEDERAL BUDGET
REPUBLICANS LEAD: On Saturday, The Republican-Led House Of Representatives “Made Good On Its Pledge” And Passed Continuing Resolution Containing $60 Billion In Spending Cuts. “The House early Saturday approved a huge package of spending cuts, slashing more than $60 billion from domestic programs, foreign aid, and even some military projects, as the new Republican majority made good on its pledge to turn the grassroots fervor of the November elections into legislative action to shrink the size and scope of government. The vote, of 235 to 189, was a victory for the large, boisterous class of fiscally conservative Republican freshmen that is fiercely determined to change t he ways of Washington and that forced party leaders to pursue far bigger cuts than originally planned.” (David M. Herszenhorn, “House Votes To Cut $60 Billion, Setting Up Budget Clash,” The New York Times, 2/19/11)
- The Cuts Were $100 Billion Below President Obama’s Budget Request For The Year. “The House on Saturday passed a Republican bill that cuts federal spending by $61 billion below current levels, or $100 billion below President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2011. Obama’s budget was never enacted.” (Mike Lillis, “Schumer: GOP Puts Congress On Course For Inevitable Government Shutdown,” The Hill, 2/20/11)
THE DEMOCRAT RESPONSE: Obama Threatened To Veto The House-Passed CR, Which Could Cause A Government Shut-Down. “The Continuing Resolution (CR) bill currently on the House floor would keep the government operating past March 4. Some version of the CR is needed to avoid a shutdown since the Democratic-led Congress failed to pass a budget last year. Congress in December passed a stopgap funding bill to keep the government operating through March 4. … The Office of Management and Budget on Tuesday issued a statement indicating that Mr. Obama will veto the CR bill as it stands …” (Stephanie Condon, “Is a Government Shutdown in March on the Table?” CBS News, 2/16/11)
- Democrats Actively Talk About A Government Shutdown, Hoping To Have “Political Edge On The Issue.” “Senate Democrats are talking about a possible government shutdown more than Republicans, a sign that Democrats are confident they have the political edge on the issue. Senate Democrats have met with senior White House officials in preparation for an intense clash with Republicans over government spending levels and a proposal to increase the national debt ceiling. The three highest-ranking Senate Democratic leaders warned on Thursday that a shutdown is a real possibility.” (Alexander Bolton, “Government Shutdown On The Lips Of Senate Democrats, Not Republicans,” The Hill, 2/4/11)
Jon Runyan at the CamdenGOP Lincoln Day Dinner.
Thank you to the over 140 people who made Tuesday’s Lincoln Day dinner a huge success. Our guest, Congressman Runyan, reminded us why we sent the right person to Washington DC. Enjoy the video above. We will post photos of the event at our Facebook page.
The War in Wisconsin
Congratulations to the newly elected Governor of the historically liberal state of Wisconsin. He may not be as visible and as vocal as his leftists opponents, but he is speaking loud and clear in regard to executive responsibility and respect for the taxpayer.
The fact that President Obama is weighing into this situation, once again, provides us with data to demonstrate that he is no centrist and that he does not respect the rights of individual States to act in their own behalf.
Union supporters from around the nation are showing up on the steps of the Wisconsin capitol in a show of solidarity for the overpaid and underperforming state workers. They are loud and attacking . This is bullying at its most primal. They make the Tea Party members seem like tepid tea drinkers.
Video: Christie to the Dems – I’ll sweeten the pot.
The most compelling part of Governor Christie’s budget address. The open challenge to the legislature to do right by the people.
Christie’s Budget for NJ in a nutshell.
Chris Christie
Advancing his vision for a New Normal in state budgeting, Governor Chris Christie today presented a $29.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2012 that cuts real spending for a second consecutive year. The Governor’s Budget proposal includes $200 million in focused tax cuts, provides additional property tax relief, increases school aid and funds a reformed state pension system, while preserving or increasing funding to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens. The Fiscal Year 2012 Budget marks a departure from the Trenton tradition of budgeting to meet deficit projections that embrace wish-list spending by legislators and assume continuous funding increases that irresponsibly ignore actual revenue sources and the fiscal health of the state.
The Governor’s Budget – which reduces real spending by 2.6 percent from the current fiscal year – hits the reset button on the state budgeting process and starts with the refreshing assumption that budgeting and spending must be reality-based and zero-based. The New Normal means developing a bottom-up approach – establishing priorities and funding them based on revenue that is actually available and predictable versus the old approach of assuming every line item and program will automatically be funded at the same or higher level than prior years.
“The old way of budgeting and thinking must be stricken from our collective minds if we are to successfully emerge from this fiscal crisis with permanently reformed budgeting and spending habits,”
Governor Chris Christie said.
“This is a new paradigm for state government – a New Normal – that cuts and spends responsibly, incentivizes our local governments to do better with what our taxpayers entrust to them, and causes businesses to feel welcome and want to stay and expand or relocate to our state.”
Chris Christies Budget Address… Live Blogging.
Chris Christie
Today we will be Live Blogging Chris Christie’s budget address. This post will be updated throughout the day so check back often.
Date line:
12:08. Just arrived in Trenton. On my way to the NJ Republican State Committee for a quick meeting.
1:06. Just finished a great meeting with NJGOP Chair Sam Rain. Now a quick lunch then off to the State House.
1:50 In the State House now. Saw Barbara Keeshan going through security. Should be interesting.
2:08 House is open for session.
2:11 Loud applause for Governor Christie’s entrance.
2:15 history of closing budget gaps without raising taxes.
Can’t start by fully funding every every line item. Time for zero based budgeting.
2:16 More painful cuts this year and in the years to come.
This year we have new priorities.
2:18 We continue to reduce spending.
Pension reform needed now.
Increase education aid in every school district.
2:23 Governors across the US face budget issues.
This is a moment for real change. The change will come from the states … lead by NJ.
2:28 NJ is a national model for fiscal restraint.
2:29 We are putting an end to one shot gimmicks.
2:30 Everyone in government needs to be held accountable. If they don’t perform they don’t get the peoples money.
2:32 Medicaid needs to be reformed.
This budget has 200 million dollars in tax cuts.
We are cutting taxes without running a deficit to create jobs.
2:40 This budget will continue put tax payers first.
We need to keep our pension system solvent to protect the workers who earned their retirement.
Pension and health care costs are killing New Jersey economy.
2:45 With reform we can double property tax rebates for the middle class. Governor challenges Dem leadership to get it done.
Health benefit reform is needed to cut property taxes.
2:48 Because of hard choices made last year the Governor is restoring 250 million is school aid.
We are also increasing funding for charter schools.
2:56 We will hold the line on higher education funding. No further cuts.
2:58 The nation is looking to NJ to make good decisions. Pass this budget. There is no turning back.
3:05 The chamber is clearing out.
