GOP STRONG LEADERS URGE REPUBLICANS TO REJECT CORZINE’S SO CALLED ELECTION REFORMS

GOP STRONGFighting For Republican Victories 

GOP Says Corzine's  Proposal Will Strengthen Clout of Public Employee Unions and Raise Taxes

Mike Ramaglia

201-697-7699                                                             September 29, 2008

Mecca -201-852-1067    

 PASSAIC COUNTY  -- New Jersey legislators and counties should reject Gov. Corzine’s new ethics proposals because they will further tilt the balance of power in  New Jersey toward public unions and that will ultimately lead to higher taxes, says the founders of a  Republican political action committee – GOP Strong.

“Gov. Corzine’s plan is another sham designed to protect the public unions that are driving up the costs of property taxes in New Jersey,” says GOP Strong co-chair Mike Ramaglia. 

“Any Republican advocating the adoption of Corzine’s draconian measures should be invited to leave the party,” he added.  

“The reforms we need are more immediate reporting of contributions, an open and fair contract process and  severe limits on donations by public employee unions – the unions that Corzine has been protecting since he got elected,” said Ramaglia.  “Jon Corzine isn’t a governor; he’s union leader.”

Corzine’ plan proposes to limit donations and end wheeling the practice  of a political organization in one county from donating to a political organization in another county. But Corzine proposes no limits on donations from public employee unions.  

“Corzine’s plan will take money out of the political system from the private sector leaving public employee unions with a bigger say in the outcome of elections. That will be a disaster for the taxpayers,” says Robert Fass, a GOP Strong co chair and a business owner.

 “The last thing New Jersey taxpayers need is for public employees to control politicians even more than they do now. The reason taxes are so high in this state isn’t because of pay to play from the private sector, it’s because of salaries benefits and ridiculous pensions given to the public employees that taxpayer are forced to pay for,” added Fass. 

Michael Mecca, a GOP Strong chair and former Passaic County Republican Chairman said: “any Republicans in the legislature dumb enough to support Corzine’s plan will be sewing the seeds of their party’s destruction and the demise of any chance at  real tax reform in New Jersey.”  

Mecca said Democrat politicians and former union members like Passaic County Freeholder Bruce James, thrive on donations from unions that just want the government to spend more money,

“Instead of calling on Freeholder James to stop taking money from contractors, the Passaic County Republican leaders should be calling on him and the freeholder board to reject public union donations and stop kowtowing to unions demand for more benefits and more government spending,” said Mecca.

Mecca said the governor’s ban on wheeling is a dangerous proposal. “Gov. Corzine’s  plan would make it nearly impossible for party building because it would outlaw donations across party lines. That’s just undemocratic and counter to the concept of building stronger organizations in the state,”  said Mecca. “At the same time, the unions will have a greater say in elections leading to pandering legislators caving in to public union demands.” 

Ann Marie Pusterla of Wayne, the fourth GOP Strong co-chair said  Corzine’s so-called reforms should be seen at what they are  - an opportunity for him to get re-elected next year.

  “Jon Corzine will spend millions of his personal fortune to get re-elected and help his Democrat cronies in places like Passaic County hold on to power. But he wants to now make it nearly impossible for anyone who is not a multimillionaire to run an effective campaign against him or his cronies,” said Pusterla.