GOP’s Donohue Asks Van Drew to Keep Promise; Van Drew Counters

Video provided with Donohue press release.
Below are releases from the Cape May County Republican Chairman Michael Donohue and another from Sen. Jeff Van Drew…
Donohue focuses on the Special Session in the Senate called by Gov. Christie.
Sen. Van Drew focuses on a Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee he attended.
TRENTON — Today, as requested by Governor Chris Christie, the New Jersey State Senate convened in Special Session to discuss and debate important property tax reform measures. There was one problem: Only the 17 Republican Senators and Senate President Steve Sweeney gave the people of New Jersey the courtesy of showing up to do their jobs. First District Democrat Dr. Jefferson Van Drew, refused to attend the property tax reform session. This, after repeated public statements by Van Drew that he would support property tax reform. With only 18 members present, a sufficient quorum of members was not present to open discussion of Governor Christie’s Cap 2.5 proposal unveiled in a joint session yesterday. The Democratic tactic blocked discussion of real property tax reform.
Cape May County Regular Republican Chairman Mike Donohue said, “While New Jersey Republican State Senators were standing up for New Jersey taxpayers, Jeff Van Drew and the other Senate Democrats were simply standing them up. We want real reform and we want it now. We expect our State Senator to show up when the Governor has put forward a new plan to control property taxes now. Our Republican Senators made the opening prayer alone, recited the pledge of allegiance alone and then listened as the Senate President, Democrat Steve Sweeney, opened the attendance board to confirm that no other Democrat members showed up for the property tax reform session.”
“High taxes are not a Republican or Democrat issue,” Donohue continued. “Van Drew and the Trenton Democrats should realize that once and for all, and join Republicans to implement real and permanent property tax reform. Today is a sad day for taxpayers thanks to the New Jersey Senate Democrats’ refusal to take their seats and make the tough votes for reform. I am calling on Senator Van Drew to drop the partisan games and show up for the debate when the State Senate convenes tomorrow as Governor Christie has requested.”
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The follwoing release is from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) :
Democrats Don’t Show Up to Work on Property Tax Relief
All seventeen members of the Senate Republican Caucus came to Trenton today prepared to act on Governor Chris Christie’s permanent property tax relief package, but the Democratic Majority failed to show up.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) made the following statement on behalf of all seventeen members:
“The Democrats refused to show up today to fix our property tax crisis while families fight to stay in their homes. There is a real affordability crisis in New Jersey. We must act before another family moves out or another business closes.”
The Republicans arrived to an empty Senate Chamber and began their own meeting to discuss property tax relief. They held the traditional opening prayer and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Democratic Majority never showed up. A quorum call was recorded with all seventeen Republicans present.
“Governor Christie laid out a clear road map for permanent property tax relief that Republicans are prepared to debate right now.
“When will the Democrats decide to show up to work? Why not now?”
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VAN DREW : “TODAY’S SENATE BUDGET HEARING A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WE NEED A DEFINITIVE TIMELINE FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM”
TRENTON — Sen.Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) was in Trenton today sitting on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. This Committee made up of Republicans and Democrats outlined their agenda for this summer session. Topics to be discussed are the Governor’s 2.5% CAP plan, the “tool kit”, and the current school funding formula. The first item on the agenda will be the 2.5% Property Tax Cap. While in Committee today Van Drew reinforced his support of a 2.5% spending cap for government and complimented the Governor on offering the legislature a compromise. He made it clear though that the CAP issue needed to be done sooner rather than later.
“We must control the ever increasing spiral of property taxes. The only mechanism that is guaranteed to stop skyrocketing property tax increases is to cap them,” said Van Drew
Van Drew and his Assembly colleagues prefer a constitutional cap so that it could only be removed by a vote of the people themselves but understand the need for compromise and support a 2.5% cap whether done constitutionally or legislatively.
“I don’t care how we do it whether through law or constitutional amendment but we need to do it soon,” said Van Drew.
The first district team historically has been pushing for fiscal restraint and controlling government costs for years.
Other Areas of cost savings include:
Constitutional rainy day Fund that can never be raided.
Constitutionally banning the diversion and raiding of funds and using those dollars for purposes other than what was intended.
Constitutionally capping the growth of the State of NJ budget.
Reduces the size of the state fleet of vehicles 50% over 5 years.
Stop all excessive printing costs and put information online.
“If we work hard and in a bipartisan manor, we believe we can get NJ back on track for a better and more affordable future. It will require discipline and innovation for all of us.”
The Senator will be back in Trenton tomorrow and as a member of the Budget Committee will be present for the remainder of the summer.
On July 3rd, Senator Jeff Van Drew released the following statement:
“I came to Trenton early this morning prepared to work in any way I could to get a property tax cap in place.
“I applaud Senate President Sweeney and the Governor for being able to come together on a plan that will finally put New Jersey on the road to property tax sanity.
“While I look forward to returning to Trenton on Thursday when my colleagues and I vote to enact this cap into law, I know our work is not done. With the cap discussion over, now we have to turn our attention to the rest of the tool box reforms, so local governments have everything they need to make this relief permanent.”