NJ Business Matters: The Blog of the CIANJ

Jersey Votes Against Business As Usual

Yesterday New Jerseyans went to the polls and delivered the message to Trenton that the tax-hiking solution to all the state's ails over the past few years are no longer good enough. Voters rejected two bond initiatives - one to spend $450 million to construct stem cell research facilities (with no defined way to pay for their completion) and one to take last year's sales tax increase and dedicate it to property tax relief (thus increasing the likelihood of another sales tax increase in the next few budget cycles).

The stem cell research bond is unfortunately par for the course in NJ public policy. The original plan included less dollars and a facility located in New Brunswick, but political bosses in other parts of the state found that unacceptable. So the final bond act called for more money to construct three facilities. Spreading facilities across the state lessens the ability to attract top talent as they would be scattered - we'd spend more money to get less.

With about 95 percent of the precincts counted as of 12:20 a.m., both initiatives were losing by more than 72,000 votes.

Although the two issues seem unrelated at first blush, opponents turned the debate on their merits into a referendum on the state's financial health.

"People are saying enough is enough with the borrowing, and that we shouldn't be venturing into highly risky business ventures," said Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan, who campaigned against both proposals.

Congratulations to the 37 PENPAC endorsed candidates who will serve in the New Jersey legislature next year.

District 7

Senator Diane Allen (R)

District 8

Assemblywoman-elect Dawn Marie Addiego (R)

District 12

Assemblywoman and Senate Candidate Jennifer Beck (R)

Assemblyman-elect Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. (R)

Assemblywoman-elect Caroline Casagrande (R)

District 13

Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R)

Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R)

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R)

District 16

Senator-elect Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R)

Assemblyman Peter Biondi (R)

Assemblywoman-elect Denise Coyle (R)

District 17

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D)

District 20

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D)

District 21

Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. (R)

Assemblyman Eric Munoz (R)

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R)

District 23

Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R)

Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R)

Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow (R)

District 24

Senatator-elect Steven Oroho (R)

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (R)

Assemblyman-elect Gary R. Chiusano (R)

District 25

Senator Anthony Bucco (R)

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R)

Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R)

District 26

Senator-elect Joe Pennacchio (R)

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R)

District 30

Senator Robert W. Singer (R)

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone III (R)

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer (R)

District 36

Senator Paul Sarlo (D)

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D)

District 39

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R)

Assemblyman John E. Rooney (R)

Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (R)

District 40

Senator-elect Kevin J. O’Toole (R)

Assemblyman David C. Russo (R) 

Vote for Business

In case you've forgotten, tomorrow is Election Day in Jersey, with all 120 seats up for election in the New Jersey General Assembly and State Senate. We open the week with the lead story from Friday's CIANJ Business Beat, including candidates endorsed by PENPAC, affiliated with CIANJ.

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC), affiliated with CIANJ has interviewed candidates, reviewed questionnaires and analyzed voting records. The PAC sought to find candidates whose viewpoints were in alliance with the CIANJ's Legislative Agenda and who adhere to free enterprise principles in order to make New Jersey an even greater place to live, work and conduct business.

To review a list of legislative districts indexed by municipality, visit the New Jersey legislature's website.

"In the coming legislative session, lawmakers will make decisions on many significant policy issues, regarding asset monetization, balancing the state budget and healthcare reform, all of which will have an enormous impact on

New Jersey businesses and their operations,” said PENPAC Chairman Richard Goldberg.  “That is why it is critically important that New Jersey business men and women support candidates whose policies will promote economic investment, stabilize taxes, and allow businesses to thrive and create jobs in the State of New Jersey.”

PENPAC is proud to endorse the following 2007 candidates for the New Jersey Senate General Assembly:

District 2

Senator James J. McCullough (R)

District 3

Assembly Candidate Phil Donohue (R)

District 7

Senator Diane Allen (R)

Assembly Candidate Brian Propp (R)

Assembly Candidate Nancy Griffin (R)

District 8

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Francis L. Bodine (D)

Assembly Candidate Dawn Marie Addiego (R)

District 12

Assemblywoman and Senate Candidate Jennifer Beck (R)

Assembly Candidate Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. (R)

Assembly Candidate Caroline Casagrande (R)

District 13

Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R)

Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R)

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R)

District 14

Assembly Candidate Adam R. Bushman (R)

District 16

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R)

Assemblyman Peter Biondi (R)

Assembly Candidate Denise Coyle (R)

District 17

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D)

District 18

Assembly Candidate Joseph Sinagra (R)

District 20

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D)

District 21

Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. (R)

Assemblyman Eric Munoz (R)

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R)

District 22

Assembly Candidate Robert Gatto (R)

District 23

Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R)

Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R)

Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow (R)

District 24

Senate Candidate Steven Oroho (R)

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (R)

Assembly Candidate Gary R. Chiusano

District 25

Senator Anthony Bucco (R)

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R)

Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R)

District 26

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Joe Pennacchio (R)

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R)

District 30

Senator Robert W. Singer (R)

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone III (R)

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer (R)

District 36

Senator Paul Sarlo (D)

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D)

District 38

Senate Candidate Robert Colletti (R)

Assembly Candidate John Driscoll, Jr. (R)

District 39

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R)

Assemblyman John E. Rooney (R)

Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (R)

District 40

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Kevin J. O’Toole (R)

Assemblyman David C. Russo (R)

PENPAC Gathers to Support Pro-Business Candidates

Last night more than one-hundred business leaders gathered in support of PENPAC, the Private Enterprise Political Action Committee. All two of you regular blog readers (hi mom and dad!) know that last week, PENPAC released its list of 47 endorsed candidates for the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly.

Last night’s event gathered those dedicated to free enterprise principles, smaller government and job creation. A special thanks to the following legislators who stopped by to show their support and appreciation.

• Senator Anthony Bucco
• Senator Gerald Cardinale
• Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce
• Senator Tom Kean, Jr.
• Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole
• Assemblyman David Russo
• Senator Paul Sarlo

Supporting Those Who Realize NJ Business Matters

Tonight the Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) will host its Second Annual Wine and Dine in support of pro-business candidates for the New Jersey legislature. Lucky for us, the Record is running an article on business PACs and the way in which they choose candidates.

NEWJOBS PAC is operated by our friends at the NJBIA, the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey and other regional chambers. PENPAC, affiliated solely with CIANJ, released its list of 47 pro-business and pro jobs candidates last week.

As CIANJ President emeritus and PENPAC Chairman Rich Goldberg declares,

PENPAC, which holds a rigorously free-market perspective, backs candidates solely on their position on the issues, regardless of their party affiliation or their power in Trenton, said Chairman Richard Goldberg.

He said the PAC trustees paid particularly close attention to the candidates' position on issues of paid family leave and a proposed law that would require a company that gets a state tax break to pay union-level wages. Another key issue is a candidate's position on a proposal to provide health care coverage for all state residents. The association believes all three proposals would hurt business.

As a result, PENPAC backed just five Democrats among the 47 endorsed candidates. They included Sarlo and Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, D-Passaic. The PAC expects to donate $70,000 to candidates this year.

The October issue of COMMERCE Magazine will feature endorsed candidates and a column by the Chairman on the importance of supporting pro-business candidates, which we will link to once it's available.

If we don't vote for business and job growth, legislators won't either.

The Envelope Please...

This morning, the Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) released its list of endorsed candidates for the 2007 legislative elections. Following a lengthy process of questionnaires, interviews and voting analysis, the PAC has chosen to support the following candidates in their quest to make New Jersey an even greater place to live, learn and do business.

We'll link to the PENPAC press release which is full of pithy quotes, but the complete list of endorsed candidates is pasted below.

District 2

Senator James J. McCullough (R)

District 3

Assembly Candidate Phil Donohue (R)

District 7

Senator Diane Allen (R)

Assembly Candidate Brian Propp (R)

Assembly Candidate Nancy Griffin (R)

District 8

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Francis L. Bodine (D)

Assembly Candidate Dawn Marie Addiego (R)

District 12

Assemblywoman and Senate Candidate Jennifer Beck (R)

Assembly Candidate Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. (R)

Assembly Candidate Caroline Casagrande (R)

District 13

Senator Joseph Kyrillos (R)

Assemblyman Sam Thompson (R)

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R)

District 14

Assembly Candidate Adam R. Bushman (R)

District 16

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R)

Assemblyman Peter Biondi (R)

Assembly Candidate Denise Coyle (R)

District 17

Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D)

District 18

Assembly Candidate Joseph Sinagra (R)

District 20

Senator Raymond J. Lesniak (D)

District 21

Senator Thomas Kean, Jr. (R)

Assemblyman Eric Munoz (R)

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R)

District 22

Assembly Candidate Robert Gatto (R)

District 23

Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R)

Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R)

Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow (R)

District 24

Senate Candidate Steven Oroho (R)

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (R)

Assembly Candidate Gary R. Chiusano

District 25

Senator Anthony Bucco (R)

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R)

Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R)

District 26

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Joe Pennacchio (R)

Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R)

District 30

Senator Robert W. Singer (R)

Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone III (R)

Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer (R)

District 36

Senator Paul Sarlo (D)

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer (D)

District 38

Senate Candidate Robert Colletti (R)

Assembly Candidate John Driscoll, Jr. (R)

District 39

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R)

Assemblyman John E. Rooney (R)

Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (R)

District 40

Assemblyman and Senate Candidate Kevin J. O’Toole (R)

Assemblyman David C. Russo (R)

PENPAC-Endorsed Candidates Successful in Primary Campaigns

Four candidates endorsed by the Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) were successful in their Primary Elections yesterday. PENPAC is affiliated with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey.

Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (R-26), Assemblywoman Alison McHose (R-24), and Assemblyman David Russo (R-40) all won primary contests in their bids to return to the General Assembly. Assemblyman Kevin O'Toole (R-40) won his primary campaign to be elected to the State Senate. Congratulations to all four who have been guided by the principles of limited government and lower taxes as a way to make New Jersey an even greater place to live, learn and do business.

Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R-24) was defeated in his campaign to move to the New Jersey Senate. Congratulations to Freeholder Oroho on his victory.

PENPAC will consider further endorsements in all 120 legislative races over the summer.

PENPAC Endorses Assemblywoman McHose for Re-Election

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) today announced the endorsement of Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (R-24) for re-election to the General Assembly. On key issues, Assemblywoman McHose has voted for policies that would expand the state’s economy and help create jobs.

“PENPAC is proud to support candidates who have embraced free market principles of limited government, reduced regulation and less spending.” said PENPAC Chairman Richard Goldberg, “Assemblywoman McHose has demonstrated a commitment to these principles and the General Assembly would benefit from her return.”

PENPAC is affiliated with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), a free enterprise advocacy association comprised of 850 businesses located throughout the state. For decades, PENPAC has endorsed candidates of any political party who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the state’s economic vibrancy, business climate and to creating jobs. This election cycle, PENPAC has also endorsed Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (R-26) and Assemblyman David Russo (R-40) for re-election to the General Assembly and Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R-24) and Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole (R-40) for election to the State Senate in their primaries. Following the Primary Election, PENPAC will consider further endorsements in all 120 legislative races.

“The business community and state’s citizens’ needs legislators in Trenton committed to principles that will allow New Jersey’s businesses to remain in the state and to grow. The vision of all five endorsed candidates can move N.J. toward that goal,” Goldberg concluded.

Labels: PENPAC

PENPAC Endorses Four Pro-Business Candidates in Primary Races

See coverage on PoliticsNJ.com

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) today announced the endorsement of four candidates in the upcoming Primary election with proven records of making New Jersey a better place in which to live, work and do business. PENPAC endorsed Assemblyman Alex DeCroce (R-26) and Assemblyman David Russo (R-40) in their campaigns to be re-elected to the General Assembly. The group also endorsed Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R-24) and Assemblyman Kevin O’Toole (R-40), who are seeking the support of Republican voters to move up to the State Senate.

“PENPAC has long-supported candidates who have taken important stances promoting free enterprise and limiting the intrusion of government.” said PENPAC Chairman Richard Goldberg, “Our legislature has made many decisions that have impacted our state’s economy, and today we are proud to again support these four candidates who have supported the business community during their many years of service in the state legislature.”

PENPAC is affiliated with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ), a free enterprise advocacy association comprised of 850 businesses located throughout the state. For decades, PENPAC has endorsed candidates of any political party who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the state’s economic vibrancy, business climate and to creating jobs. Following the primary election, PENPAC will consider the candidacy of all candidates seeking election to the New Jersey General Assembly and Senate who are guided by the same principles that led to the four endorsements announced today.

“Assemblymen DeCroce, Gregg, O’Toole and Russo agree that in order to create jobs and improve New Jersey’s economy, the legislature must reduce taxes and cut the oppressive regulatory burdens that currently face the business community. That is why they have earned the support of PENPAC and the business community,” Goldberg concluded.

Labels: PENPAC