Monday, October 20, 2014

DeCroce, Webber on Responsible Solutions to Transportation Funding Crisis

Source: NJ Spotlight -
To new Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox, the challenge is clear, and so is the solution: After years of “taking a Band-Aid approach to everything,” New Jersey’s transportation system is in crisis. The only way out is to raise taxes to replenish the soon-to-be-empty Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) and build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson.


“If we did a 30 cents a gallon gas tax, they (the public) would tar and feather us, and throw us out of New Jersey,” Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce warned, even though that tax hike would still leave New Jersey’s gas tax — currently the second-lowest in the nation at 14.5 cents per gallon — below New York’s 50.6-cent-per-gallon tax. DeCroce said the state should consider a mixture of solutions, such as extending the state sales tax to gasoline, which would generate the equivalent of 24.5 cents per gallon based on an average price of $3.50 a gallon. She also suggested increasing the petroleum products gross-receipts tax, which is levied at the refinery or distributor level; imposing a tax on airport car rentals, as most other states do; and adding a tax on containers that come into Port Newark and Port Elizabeth.
“Crisis is opportunity. We are broke. We can let our infrastructure fall apart and become worse. Or we can put the ‘D’ and ‘R’ aside and pass a revenue enhancer, whatever that is,” Fox said in an impassioned plea to business and labor leaders to fight for a stable, long-term source of funding for highway, bridge and mass transit projects.
“This is not an easy vote to pass,” Fox warned the New Jersey SEED (Society for Environmental, Economic Development) business-labor coalition in Atlantic City Friday, referring to polls showing that most New Jerseyans oppose an increase in the gas tax. “There has to be a revenue enhancer. If it’s a gimmick, we’ve failed. We have to tell legislators we will be there with them. Anyone who thinks we’re going to get this done without a tax is just mouthing words.”
Fox said in an interview following the NJ SEED speech that ideally he would like to increase annual state transportation capital funding from the current $1.6 billion a year to $2 billion. That hike has been recommended by Forward New Jersey, a broad-based pro-transportation coalition headed by State Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken, but one that would presumably require a larger “revenue enhancer” at a time when Christie may be about to launch a bid for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination.
Christie, who had previously ruled out a gas tax increase, said when he announced Fox’s nomination that “everything’s on the table.” When asked if that included a gas tax, he responded testily, “What part of ‘everything’s on the table’ don’t you understand?”
Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce (R-Morris), who also serves on the Assembly Transportation Committee, said there is a growing recognition among Republicans that a revenue increase will be needed to pay for transportation capital projects.
“If we did a 30 cents a gallon gas tax, they (the public) would tar and feather us, and throw us out of New Jersey,” DeCroce warned, even though that tax hike would still leave New Jersey’s gas tax — currently the second-lowest in the nation at 14.5 cents per gallon — below New York’s 50.6-cent-per-gallon tax.
DeCroce said the state should consider a mixture of solutions, such as extending the state sales tax to gasoline, which would generate the equivalent of 24.5 cents per gallon based on an average price of $3.50 a gallon. She also suggested increasing the petroleum products gross-receipts tax, which is levied at the refinery or distributor level; imposing a tax on airport car rentals, as most other states do; and adding a tax on containers that come into Port Newark and Port Elizabeth.
Even Assemblyman Jay Weber (R-Morris), a former state GOP chairman and leading conservative, acknowledged that an increase in New Jersey’s relatively low gas-tax increase was a possibility, although he suggested it should be accompanied by a corresponding cut in the state’s high estate and inheritance taxes.
Political fear of raising the gas taxes is not confined to Trenton.
U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, noted that “just as New Jersey hasn’t raised its gas tax, the federal government hasn’t raised its gas tax either.” And just as New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund is scheduled to run out of money for new projects early in the next budget year, Congress was forced to do a short-term extension when its Highway Trust Fund started running out of money in July.
Finding a funding solution that guarantees the continued flow of federal transportation aid to the states is critical for New Jersey, whose $1.6 billion state Transportation Trust Fund is matched on a dollar-for dollar basis with federal aid, LoBiondo and Fox both noted.
“Am I worried?” Fox said, when asked about the fiscal problems that would be created if Congress was unable to agree on a sufficiently robust federal transportation funding formula. “Of course, I’m worried.”

Friday, October 17, 2014

Webber, DeCroce Named Outstanding Legislators By The NJ Society For Environmental Economic Development

Source: Assembly Republican Press Release -




Assembly Republicans Jay Webber and BettyLou DeCroce today were hailed as Outstanding Legislators by one of the state’s premier economic and environmental advocacy organizations. Webber and DeCroce were presented with the Arthur T. Young Award from the New Jersey Society for Environmental Economic Development (NJ SEED) during its 2014 Economic Summit in Atlantic City.
NJ SEED is dedicated to the creation of private sector jobs to bolster the economy and enhance the environment. Membership includes the business and labor communities.
“Economic growth and environmental protection are compatible policy goals that can and should be pursued together,” said Webber, R — Morris, Essex and Passaic. “NJ SEED recognizes that, and I appreciate its special recognition.”
“I am proud and honored to be acknowledged for promoting reasonable and responsible policies that provide private-sector jobs and economic growth,” said DeCroce, R — Morris, Essex and Passaic. “With the proper balance, we can augment our state’s environmental vulnerabilities and fuel a flourishing economy for New Jersey families.”

Thursday, October 16, 2014

DeCroce Calls For Non-Tolerance of Domestic Violence At All Levels of Sports

Assembly Republican Press Release -
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce introduced a resolution (AR-179) today urging all professional sports teams and leagues to adopt a consistent, zero-tolerance policy across all the leagues regarding domestic violence. Reports of multiple incidents of domestic violence in the National Football League over the last several months have brought this issue to the forefront of national discussion.
“Domestic violence is not confined to one sport or league,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Essex and Passaic. “Any policy adopted should include a structure of fines for violating this rule in addition to any legal ramifications.
“The resolution urges that funds collected from these violations be distributed to victims’ rights organizations,” continued DeCroce. “We cannot avoid dealing with an issue that not only impacts women, but children as well. Athletes are role models. Those who engage in vicious and dangerous attacks must be held accountable.”
More than 40 million women in the United States have experienced some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. New Jersey law enforcement reports over 70,300 offenses were committed in 2011. Sports leagues that implement a no-tolerance policy regarding domestic violence send a clear and powerful message there is no place for this behavior in their profession.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Wolfe-DeCroce Bill Labeling Foods With Genetically Engineered Material Wins Committee Approval

Assembly Republican Press Release -
Provides consumers with more information on product ingredients
Legislation Assemblyman Dave Wolfe and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce sponsor that lets consumers know if a product has been genetically engineered today won approval from the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.
“Just as consumers are interested in a product’s nutritional value, they are entitled to know if a food source has been genetically engineered,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean. “Many countries require this labeling and some states are already in the process of enacting similar legislation.”
The bill, A-1359, defines a food product as being genetically engineered if its contents include more than one percent of materials that are produced or enhanced by acid technology, genetic engineering or bioengineering. Genetically engineered foods are derived from organisms whose genetic material has been changed in a way that does not occur naturally.
“Disclosing that products contain genetically engineered material help shoppers make an informed purchase,” said DeCroce, R-Morris, Passaic and Essex. “Customers today are savvy about the products they buy. It’s in the consumers’ best interest if they are aware of whether this growing technique was used in an item they might purchase.”