Gopal’s political mentor, Joe Vas, gets out of prison today

Vin Gopal and Joe Vas

Joe Vas, the former Perth Amboy Mayor and Assemblyman who went to prison for campaign finance fraud and money laundering during his 2006 campaign for Congress, which was managed by Vin Gopal, will be released from prison today, according to a report in MyCentralJersey.

Vas was convicted on both federal and state charges, with his sentences to run concurrently.  He finished serving his 6 1/2 year federal prison sentence in February when he was transferred to the custody of the New Jersey prison system. His release today is about 3 weeks earlier than the planned June 2 release date.

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Beck Is Enthusiastic About Gopal’s Challenge

Senator Jennifer Beck

Senator Jennifer Beck welcomed “Camden County Vin” Gopal to the campaign for New Jersey Senate from the 11th Legislative District (parts of southern and western Monmouth County) today.

Beck said Gopal is “Camden County’s hand-picked candidate” and noted that he has failed in his two previous attempts to be elected to public office.

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Beck agrees to co-sponsor bill that would require special prosecutor to investigate Christie

Senator Jennifer Beck has signed on to a bill that would require the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate any criminal complaint against New Jersey’s governor.

Mike Hughes, Beck’s Chief of Staff, verified the story first reported by Politico.  “The Senator’s thinking is that the legislation makes sense for the public’s trust,” Hughes said. “The Attorney General and the County Prosecutors are appointed by the Governor.  Criminal complaints should be investigated independently.”

Hughes noted that if passed, the legislation to would apply to all future governors, not just Governor Chris Christie. Read the rest of this entry »

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Beck and Kyrillos Oppose Giant Power Lines

Senators Joe Kyrillos and Jennifer Beck announced this morning that they have introduced three resolutions in State Senate in opposition to the JCP&L project known as the Monmouth Reliability Project.

The project would drive a 230-kV transmission line on 140-foot-tall monopole towers on a nearly 10-mile path from Aberdeen to Red Bank, cutting through Hazlet, Holmdel, Middletown and across the Navesink River with sight exposure to Fair Haven and Rumson.

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Kyrillos, Beck On Opposite Side Of Gas Tax Debate

Senator Joe Kyrillos yesterday endorsed a $.23 per gallon increase in the New Jersey’s tax on gasoline in order to fund the Transportation Trust Fund for the next 10 years.  Proponents of the tax increase say the fund will only have money for debt service starting at the end of this month, if the state tax on gasoline remains at its current level of $.14 per gallon.

“In total, it is a productivity, prosperity and quality of life package for New Jersey, and very, very significant,” Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) said at a Statehouse news conference, according to NJ.com.

The gas tax increase legislation also reduces the estate tax and taxes on retirement income.

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Sen. Beck Backs New Plan to Triple Estate-Tax Threshold to $2.5 Million

A key Republican lawmaker has broken ranks with Gov. Chris Christie on repealing New Jersey’s estate tax, offering a compromise proposal that would keep the tax in place but significantly reduce how many people are hit by it. The new idea being floated by Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) comes… Read the rest of this entry »

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Christie Says He Will Finish His Term And Enter The Private Sector

Senator Jennifer Beck says she’s pleased with the Governor’s Committment

file photo. Governor Chris Christie and Sen Jennifer Beck , along with Congressman Chris Smith and former Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande at the Ocean Grove boardwalk ribbon cutting in July, 2014

During a lengthy press conference wherein he answered all of the questions of reporters present, Governor Chris Christie said that he will serve the remainder of his term as governor and enter the private sector.  “There is nothing that can change that,” Christie said, ruling out a position in the next presidential administration.

“In between now and then, I will be working as hard as I can doing things right for the people of the State, the same way I have for the last six years,” said the governor.

Christie said that he is not a full time participant in the Trump for President campaign and that his travel out of state for Trump will be occasional.

The Governor’s statements satisfied Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) who yesterday called for Christie to recommit to his job or to resign.

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N.J. Senate, Assembly leaders negotiating on road funding

TRENTON — With an important deadline for New Jersey transportation funding looming, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said he and the Democratic Assembly speaker are “getting closer” on a plan to raise money for roads and bridges. Midway through 2016, the Transportation Trust Fund will run out of money for new projects. Senate Democrats want a $2… Read the rest of this entry »

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Sen Jennifer Beck calls for Tax Administrator’s Suspension

Senator Jennifer Beck

Senator Jennifer Beck today called for Monmouth County Tax Board Administrator Matthew Clark to step down or being suspended, pending the outcome of a reported Monmouth County Prosecutor’s investigation to his relationships with vendors of the the controversial Assessment Demonstration Program that creates new assessments of Monmouth County properties for property tax purposes annually.

“In light of the fact the Prosecutor has an active and ongoing investigation into the Tax Administrator, steps must be taken to suspend him from his day-to-day duties until the Prosecutor’s investigation is complete,” Beck said in a statement issued to the media.  “At present, our taxpayers have lost confidence in the Administrator and until he is either vindicated or indicted, Matthew Clark should step aside.”

The Asbury Park Press reported last week that grand jury subpoenas were served on at least three county towns as well as the Monmouth County government in connection with a criminal investigation to the program.

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State senators get lesson in school overcrowding, underfunding in Freehold Borough

FREEHOLD BOROUGH – State Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Senators M. Teresa Ruiz and Jennifer Beck visited Park Avenue Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon to promote the value of the district’s early childhood education program. The met with teachers and students, watched them read books and heard them sing songs. Then were told that the benefits… Read the rest of this entry »

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