Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Proposed Plastic Bag Fee About Revenue, Not the Environment
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are calling Governor Murphy’s vetoing of legislation that would have imposed a $.05 cent fee on single-use carryout bags a welcome departure from the extensive roll call of tax increases imposed during State Budget deliberations.
9th District Legislators respond to Governor Murphy’s vetoing of legislation which would have imposed a fee on the use of single-use carryout bags (SenateNJ.com)
The 9th District Legislators responded to Governor Murphy’s vetoing of legislation (A-3267/S-2600) which would have imposed a fee on the use of single-use carryout bags provided by certain types of stores to customers. Revenue generated by the fee was to be dedicated to the newly established “Health Schools and Community Lead Abatement Fund.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Restoration of Homestead Benefit Program Funding is a Small Victory in State Budget Process
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove want concerned constituents to know that proposed cuts to the Homestead Benefit Program were avoided in the adopted Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget.
Sen. Connors, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove want concerned constituents to know that proposed cuts to the Homestead Benefit Program were avoided in the FY 2019 State Budget. (©iStock.com)
In April, the 9th District Delegation alerted constituents that Governor Murphy had proposed cutting Homestead rebates in half, and pledged their commitment to reject funding cuts to the vital property tax relief program.
“In what was an otherwise irresponsible and bloated State budget, the proposed $154 million cut to the Homestead Benefit program ultimately never happened, with the funding fully restored in the final approved budget. Certainly, the program has been and remains underfunded, but at least devastating funding cuts that would have proven very financially difficult for affected homeowners were successfully defeated.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose New School Funding Law Cutting Funding to Local Schools
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove lambasted the signing of S-2/A-2, a school funding bill that will mandate funding cuts for 14 school districts in the 9th Legislative District.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove lambasted the signing of a school funding bill that will mandate funding cuts for 14 school districts in the 9th Legislative District. (Wikipedia)
“Governor Murphy’s misdirected decision to sign this bill means funding cuts for more than half of the school districts in our legislative district.
“For very compelling reasons, we voted against the school funding bill that should not have passed the Legislature and wrote the Governor directly calling on him to veto it. In our letter to the Governor, we cited the fact that a number of our constituent school districts that will lose funding were still recovering from the catastrophic damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.
Forced Consolidation: Counterfeit Reform Based on Faulty Premise That Bigger Is Better
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove urged residents to reject the false narrative that forced municipal consolidation will produce a windfall of savings for taxpayers:
Forced or coerced municipal consolidation is an issue that rears its head periodically but, nonetheless, should be taken seriously given its severe and wide-ranging implications for representative government in our state. Residents would be best served by rejecting the false narrative that having Trenton unilaterally redraw the borders of their hometowns by one means or another will somehow produce a windfall of savings.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove urged residents to reject the false narrative that forced municipal consolidation will produce a windfall of savings for taxpayers. (SenateNJ.com)
For the most part, tax bills are high because of the broken state school funding formula and Trenton’s misplaced spending priorities. Smaller government has proven far more effective in providing services as opposed to cities, and the State, for that matter. So the question remains: why are smaller and mid-sized municipalities, as a whole, even being labeled as culprits of high taxation?
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Budget Process One-Sided Debate – Higher Taxes and No Spending Cuts
Following the conclusion of State budget deliberations which centered on how much to raise taxes, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove reemphasized the pressing need to control government spending and oppose extreme taxation policies that drive residents out of the state.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove reemphasized the pressing need to control government spending and oppose extreme taxation policies that drive residents out of New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“While we certainly had our disagreements with Governor Christie, the bipartisan conversation with Democrats almost always centered on cutting taxes with the understanding that New Jersey is unaffordable for far too many taxpayers and businesses.
“Now, with one-party control of Trenton, a circus-like atmosphere took hold over budget deliberations as new tax and fee increases were proposed on a daily basis with no discussion or consideration, whatsoever, given to actually cutting state spending. It would be almost comical if the stakes weren’t so high for our state.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Creation of New Fee-Imposing Government Entities
Consistent with their longstanding record of protecting ratepayers, the 9th District legislative delegation intends to vote against legislation to permit municipalities and counties to finance the creation, operation, and maintenance of stormwater utilities through the imposition of user fees and the issuance of bonds.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove said they will vote against legislation permitting local governments to finance stormwater utilities through new user fees and debt. (Pixabay)
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are resolutely opposed to the companion legislation, S-1073 and A-2694, and in an effort to bring constituents up to speed issued the following statement:
“Ratepayers are looking for relief, not another government bureaucracy that will charge them more fees and cost them more money they don’t have or need to pay other taxes.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: No Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens
Having voted against illegal aliens receiving in-state tuition and tuition assistance, the 9th District Delegation will be voting against providing driver’s licenses to persons in our country illegally if and when the bill is voted on by the State Legislature.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove (R-9) will vote against providing driver’s licenses to persons in our country illegally if and when the bill is voted on by the State Legislature. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have been sharply critical of the introduction of companion legislation A-1738 and S-1340 entitled the “New Jersey Safe and Responsible Driver Act,” which would establish driver’s licenses for New Jersey residents who “cannot prove lawful presence in the United States.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Slippery Budget Deal Cut Homestead Rebate Payment in Half
Responding to complaints from irate homeowners, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are providing background as to why their Homestead Rebates are half of what they were promised when the current budget passed:
Connors, Rumpf & Gove explain why homeowners will only receive a portion of the Homestead Benefit they are owed under Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed FY 2019 state budget. (SenateNJ.com)
“During last year’s State Budget negotiations, a slippery deal was struck to fund only half the Homestead Benefit Program in the current Budget and delaying the other half of the payment until the start of a new fiscal year, which would begin this July.
“Wanting no part of this deal, our delegation voted against the State Budget in view of the fact that many of our constituents rely heavily on property tax relief programs, such as the Homestead Rebate, to be able to afford to remain in their homes. Worse, there was only an agreement – but no guarantee – that additional funding would be included in the following State Budget to compensate slighted homeowners for the half of the Homestead Rebate they didn’t receive.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Hail Signing of Law to Prevent Offshore Drilling in State Waters
Coastal legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are hailing the signing into law of legislation A-839/S-258, which will prohibit offshore exploration, development and production drilling for oil or natural gas in State waters, State tidal waters and submerged lands in State waters.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove hail the signing of legislation which will prohibit offshore exploration, development and production drilling for oil or natural gas in State waters. (Flickr)
Senator Connors, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove all joined as cosponsors of A-839/S-258 which was introduced by the First Legislative District delegation.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Pro-Illegal Alien Bills Disenfranchise Rights of Legal Citizens
Consistent with their long-standing position on illegal immigration, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove sharply criticized the New Jersey Legislature for passing legislation (S-699) to provide illegal aliens with taxpayer-funded tuition assistance.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove sharply criticized the New Jersey Legislature for passing legislation to provide illegal aliens with taxpayer-funded tuition assistance. (SenateNJ.com)
The 9th District legislators voted against the tuition assistance bill as well as the legislative resolution (SCR-55) which opposes a question on the 2020 census form that would ask whether a person is a citizen.
