August 6th, 2008                                                          

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                                                                                                                       Contact 609-677-0707

                                       

 

          The following statement was issued today by Atlantic County Republican Freeholder Frank Sutton and his running mates Manny Aponte and Tom Ballistreri.

 

          “Let there be no mistake, the proposal put forward today by Sens. Whelan and Van Drew is a tax increase on New Jersey citizens.  Their goal is to extract more money from the pockets of the state’s people to cover a shortfall in the state budget, the same kind of thinking which the Democrats have consistently and relentlessly embraced to bring this state to the brink of bankruptcy.

 

          “Offering the idea as nothing more than an increase in fines for motor vehicle violations is a lame attempt to disguise a tax increase.  Putting mounds of whipped cream on a hot dog doesn’t change the truth that it’s still a hot dog.

 

          “There was ample opportunity for Democrats like Whelan and Van Drew to consider specific cuts to the state budget which would have allowed funds to be re-allocated to support State Police patrols in rural communities.  They and their Democrat colleagues in the Legislature flatly refused to do so, knowing full well that the taxpayers in the affected communities would be hit with punishing increases in their property tax bills.

 

          “Both Senators supported the budget, despite their being well aware that it would require the affected municipalities to pay the cost of State Police patrols.  If they had the best interests of their constituents at heart, they would have demanded the budget be amended and the payment requirement removed.  They failed to deliver and the news conference today was a lame and transparent attempt to avoid responsibility for their failure.   

 

          “No matter how they try to disguise their proposal, it is and always will be a tax increase and a clear sign that both of them failed in their obligation to represent the best interests of the people who have relied historically on State Police protection.”

 

           

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Paid for by Atlantic County Republican Committee.  Michael Goloff, CPA, Treasurer.