House passes Conceal Carry Reciprocity, Smith and Pallone vote No

The U. S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 today, 231-198 with six Democrats voting ‘Aye.’  Fourteen Republicans voted against the bill, including Chris Smith and Leonard Lance of New Jersey.  Congressman Frank Pallone, who along with Smith represents Monmouth County, voted against the bill.

“Today, the House took action to protect our citizens’ Second Amendment rights,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in a statement. “The truth is that concealed carry laws save lives. Right now, current law creates confusion for people who cross state borders with a lawful concealed carry permit. The legislation passed by the House today ensures that people who carry their legal firearm across state borders are protected under the law.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Freeholders Postpone Curley’s Harassment Censure

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders have postponed the censure of Freeholder John P. Curley for harassing multiple County employees pending the outcome of proceedings in U.S. District Court in Trenton before Judge Brian R. Martinotti.

Curley filed a federal lawsuit against his fellow freeholders, County Counsel Michael Fitzgerald and County Administrator on Friday in which he asked the Court to issue a Temporary Restraining Order to prevent his censure.  Judge Matinotti did not issue the TRO but summoned the parties to Trenton for a conference on Monday morning. Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon Implores Assembly Speaker To Put Salary Arbitration Cap To A Vote

Senator-elect Declan O’Scanlon

Declan O’Scanlon, the Assembly Republican Budget Officer and the Senator-elect from the 13th Legislative District, today urged Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to allow the New Jersey General Assembly to vote on permanently extending the interest arbitration cap for public worker salaries.

O’Scanlon sent Prieto the following letter:

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Belmar Accountant Stole $1,175,720 From Orthopedic Doctors

Harry Wolfmuller, 70, formerly of Belmar, admitting embezzling $1,175,720 over eight years from the orthopedic medical practice where he was Chief Financial Officer, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick.

Wolfmuller pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Read the rest of this entry »

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Murphy vs. MacArthur: Trump tax plan vote ignites feud

TRENTON — Incoming Gov. Phil Murphy wasted little time in igniting a feud against the only federal lawmaker from New Jersey who supported the House Republican tax bill that would curb the deduction for state and local taxes. Murphy, a Democrat, this weekend singled out U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., who backed the legislation even… Read the rest of this entry »

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O’Scanlon’s road map for Gov-elect Murphy’s success

Senator-elect Declan O’Scanlon

By Declan O’Scanlon Republicans must understand our role. It is our job to be skeptical, to challenge, to question, to offer alternatives to Gov.-elect Phil Murphy and his incoming administration. But, it is also our moral obligation to root for the administration’s success. To wish for or foment failure is to wish ill for all New… Read the rest of this entry »

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Republicans send Trump a message: Hands off N.J.’s big military base

WASHINGTON — Funding for KC-46A refueling tankers at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would speed up and President Donald Trump would be barred from beginning a new round of base closings under legislation setting defense policy for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2018. The $692 billion National Defense Authorization Act, an annual bill setting Congress’ defense policies,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Tony Perry Sworn In As Middletown Township Committeeman

Tony Perry, 27, was unanimously selected by the Middletown Township Committee to fill the vacancy created by Stephen Massell’s resignation as the first order of business of the Committee’s meeting last night at Town Hall.

Senator Joe Kyrillos issued the Oath of Office to the millennial Committeeman as his wife, Allanah held the Bible, and his parents, Scott and Colleen, stood with support and pride. Read the rest of this entry »

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Senator Sam Thompson invited to White House conference on State & Local Government Tax Reform

Senator Sam Thompson (R-LD12) has been invited to the White House.

The senator from Old Bridge who has been hailed as a leader in the fight for tax reform by Americans for Prosperity and the National Federal of Small Businesses, will attend a White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs discussion on State and Local Government Tax Reform and Economic Competitiveness on Thursday afternoon, November 16, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by MMM. Read the rest of this entry »

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Can Gov.-Elect Murphy Make a Go of His Public Bank?

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy often told a story on the campaign trail about how, as a relative newcomer to statewide politics, few people in New Jersey had even heard of him before he jumped into this year’s governor’s race. After his victory last week, the same could be said about one of Murphy’s core fiscal-policy proposals -… Read the rest of this entry »

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