SINAGRA AND SILVA: DIEGNAN AND BARNES OPPOSED PENSION REFORM THAT DELIVERED $267M IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

SOUTH RIVER -- 18TH District Republican Assembly candidates Joseph Sinagra and Marcia Silva called on their opponents, Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes, to repeat their objections to the historic pension reform now that Governor Christie announced it will deliver $267 million worth of property tax relief this year.


“Assemblyman Diegnan and Barnes were wrong to oppose the pension reform that fixed a long-festering property for taxpayers and public employers that was heightened by their tax and spend policies,” Sinagra said. “I’d like to see them reaffirm their opposition to this historic reform now that it’s delivering $267 million worth of property taxes to homeowners and businesses.


“This is real relief for families and will help enable businesses to create jobs,”Sinagra added.


Governor Christie announced today the total amount of savings enabled by the Legislature’s historic pension reform enacted this summer, which had bipartisan support except for Diegnan and Barnes.


“In the one of the defining votes of their political careers, Diegnan and Barnes voted against taxpayers and public workers, and for more stifling tax bills that destroyed our economy,” Silva said. “Diegnan and Barnes were a road block to reform, but fortunately they were steam rolled.”

“PENPAC ENDORSES NJ 18TH DISTRICT PRO-BUSINESS PRO-JOB ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES MARCIA SILVA and JOE SINAGRA"

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) announced its endorsements of pro-business, pro-jobs candidates seeking General Assembly seats in districts throughout New Jersey.

“Our board of trustees was impressed by these candidates. They understand our philosophy and they want to create jobs, lower taxes, eliminate burdensome regulations and rein in government to make New Jersey more competitive,” said Richard Goldberg, chairman of PENPAC, which is affiliated with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey.

Independent Business Federation picks Joe Sinagra and Marcia Silva over tax-hiking incumbents in NJ's 18th District

Joseph Sinagra and Marcia Silva, 18th District Republican Assembly candidates, received the endorsement of the New Jersey National Federation of Independent Business, yet another sign that the incumbents’ failed tax-hiking policies must be eliminated in order to spur job creation in New Jersey.

“Patrick Diegnan voted to raise taxes by nearly $10 billion over the last decade. Peter Barnes voted for $3.4 billion worth of tax increase, but that’s just because he’s had fewer years to inflict damage on the economy,” Sinagra said. “It’s clear that our opponents have been part of the Trenton Democrat machine, whose tax and spend philosophy placed New Jersey jobs on the endangered species list.

“New Jersey will never be affordable for residents and businesses that create jobs unless we get rid of tax-hikers like our opponents and send Marcia and me to Trenton to implement the responsible fiscal policies our residents deserve and our businesses need to thrive and hire more people,” Sinagra said.

Sinagra, the former Helmetta Council President, and Silva, a former Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor who is now a successful small business owner, pointed to the 156,000 private-sector jobs lost in New Jersey as proof that the taxing policies supported by their opponents are bad for New Jersey, especially because the state has regained 50,000 private-sector jobs over the past two years when Republican fiscal policies have been enacted.

“As a small business owner, I know how important it is to have a stable financial picture in order to plan, grow and add employees,” Silva said. “I am proud that NFIB is supporting Joe and I because we are committed to reducing government spending to make New Jersey affordable for residents and businesses so that we can continue to replace the private-sector jobs our families need right now.

“The Diegnan-Barnes team was complicit in making tens of thousands of New Jersey jobs disappear,” Silva added. “We will bring those jobs back.”

Diegnan and Barnes and Yet Another Tax Increase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mandi Stirone
September 14, 2011 (732) 238-2418

Diegnan and Barnes and Yet Another Tax Increase

LD 18 Assembly Challenger: Gas Tax Just One of 115 Reasons Incumbent

Assemblymen are Out-of-Touch

HELMETTA – Long-time incumbents Patrick Diegnan and Peter Barnes are so used to raising taxes they don’t have any other ideas for New Jersey, Assembly Candidate Joe Sinagra said today in a statement.

“After over 100 tax increases, they just don’t know when to stop,” Sinagra said. “Peter Barnes has said he supports a gas tax increase. Patrick Diegnan was the primary sponsor of a gas tax increase bill. Does it ever end?”

He emphasized that the gas tax – one of the Trenton Democrats’ favorites -- leaves no person untouched.

“This affects everyone: seniors, families, individuals, small businesses. People want to be able to live and work here. People want to be able to take their children out or go visit friends. Diegnan and Barnes want to make that harder for them. There is no limit to what or who these Trenton drones are willing to tax,” he said.

Singara also highlighted the negative impact a gas tax will have on NJ businesses, “At a time when we face 9% unemployment and ‘ZERO’ job growth, Diegnan and Barnes want to force even more businesses to close their doors. This tax is a JOB KILLER, plain and simple.”

Sinagra added, “The Diegan-Barnes Team have increased payroll taxes, utility taxes and they even increased taxes on health care coverage! Not to mention that their cuts to school aid have driven property taxes through the roof.”

Everyday, people in this state have to cut back to make ends meet and, Sinagra said, it’s time Trenton did the same thing.

“Diegnan and Barnes aren’t willing to make any tough decisions to help our state. Their solution to every problem is to leech more money out of the citizens of New Jersey. It’s no wonder a record amount of residents are leaving our state every year.”

“There comes a point where enough is enough. Let’s stop taxing seniors, families, individuals, and businesses out of our state. Patrick Diegnan and Peter Barnes have sent enough people packing, maybe it’s their turn.”

###

Joe Sinagra is running for state Assembly in the 18th Legislative District which includes Edison, East Brunswick, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield, and South River.

The article in which Peter Barnes expresses his support can be found at the link below.

http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2009/10/18th_district_assembly_candida.html

Patrick Diegnan’s Gas Tax Bill A1194 from the 2006-07 Legislative Session is enclosed.

New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories

I was invited to speak at this solemn event held at the Edison Hotel

New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories


Video Title: New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories

Saturday, Sept 11, 2011, Edison Hotel, Edison, New Jersey



http://www.icepn.com/tv/channels/news/news-express/2011/09/13/new-jersey-edison-9-11-11th-years-memories.html

America: still the best country in the world

America is still the best country in the world, regardless of one might think. It is the citizens who make this nation great, when the chips are down these are the people on the front lines rolling up their shirt sleeves and getting their hands dirty. Whether they are home standing knee deep in water piling sandbags, or abroad standing on the front lines defending the freedoms that we all take for granted, it is the average individual who gets up in the morning, and see themselves looking back in the mirror that makes the difference. They are the ones who deserve the credit for making this country what it is. Fortitude, perseverance and innovation have always been the spirit of America.

It is also the people that decide how much freedom they want, not politicians. We only let government make that decision for us if “We the people” allow it. Government is supposed to act in behalf of the people as a whole, and if we as a people do not like that representation, we live in a country where a majority can change that representation.

There is much criticism about the direction of the country, whether it is on the local, state, or federal level, but we all have the freedom of choice to change that course. It is up to the people of this country to make a difference, not government.

If enough people become complacent and do not use their right to vote, some day you may lose that right. If you do not like what is happening, “We the people” have the ability to change it. “We the people” have the option to ‘allow’ government to create policy for us, or ‘make’ government represent the wishes of the people.

America is the sum population of its citizens; do not criticize America for its faults . . . You are America, do something to make it better.

~ Joe Sinagra
Candidate for NJ 18th District Assembly

Edison NJ 9/11 Tenth Anniversary: Remembrance, Renewal, Resilience Tribute

As we stand here today, we can all recall the events of September 11th, 2001 and what we were doing that day, a day that will be stamped forever in our memories.

Ten years ago today, on the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 hijackers took control   of four commercial airliners. Two crashing into the Twin Towers in New York, another into the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania as passengers fought their hijackers. 

That day is more than a memory for the many that lost their loved ones, it changed their lives forever. They will live the reality of those memories for the rest of their lives. 

So many died needlessly, and so many rushed toward the flames to save countless lives.

Over 400 emergency responders perished at the World Trade Center as they tried to save so many innocent victims who were human targets. Even under difficult circumstances hundreds more persisted under the most difficult, dangerous conditions with no regards to their own safety.

Who can ever forget the images that played over and over, day after day for weeks of planes flying into the world trade center, and videos of smoke billowing from the Pentagon? All of us are here today to pay our respects for what happened ten years ago, is a testament to the impact it has made upon all of us.

After the smoke cleared, it was the quietness of the aftermath that made the most impact. Along with the 3000 that perished, all of us died a little bit as we knew it would forever change our perception of US invulnerability. 

But in that perception it also showed the courage of America as we stood united as one nation, undividable under God.

While dying is sad, the biggest tragedy is that life ends so soon. Remembering is what makes it difficult to say good bye.”

May God bless us all, and may we never live to see another September 11.

~ Joe Sinagra