STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

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2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State

Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states.

1 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY ACU Presents 2012 State Legislative Ratings The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states. ACU first began rating members of Congress in Since then, our ratings system has become the most important conservative measuring stick in American politics- the gold standard for voters seeking more information on their representatives records. Table of Contents ACU Board Members A Letter From The Chairman How We Selected the Votes Conservative All-Stars NJ Assembly Vote Descriptions House Scores NJ Senate Vote Descriptions Senate Scores This expansion of our Conservative Ratings program is part of Chairman Al Cardenas vision for building on successful ACU initiatives and taking the fight for conservative principles to the state and local levels. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. New Jersey State Capitol Building, Trenton, NJ American Conservative Union 1331 H St. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC (202) conservative.org

ACU Board Members Al Cardenas (Chairman) Thomas S. Winter (First Vice Chairman) Donald Devine (Second Vice Chairman) Becky Norton Dunlop (Treasurer) Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr.

2 ACU Board Members Al Cardenas (Chairman) Thomas S. Winter (First Vice Chairman) Donald Devine (Second Vice Chairman) Becky Norton Dunlop (Treasurer) Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr. (Secretary) Joe Bast Jeffrey Bell Morton C. Blackwell Ambassador John Bolton Floyd Brown Muriel Coleman Dr. Larry Eastland Paul Erickson Carly Fiorina Charlie Gerow Alan M. Gottlieb Van D. Hipp, Jr. Asa Hutchinson David A. Keene Suhail A. Khan James V. Lacy Michael R. Long Honorable Serphin Maltese Carolyn D. Meadows Cleta Mitchell Joseph A. Morris Grover G. Norquist Ron Robinson Allen Roth Matt Schlapp Fred L. Smith, Jr. Lewis K. Uhler Kirby Wilbur ACU Foundation Board Members Cleta Mitchell (Chairman) Van D. Hipp, Jr. (Treasurer) Carolyn D. Meadows (Secretary) Al Cardenas Amy Noone Frederick Tim Goeglein Millie Hallow Colin A. Hanna David Keene Robert Luddy Ambassador Roger F. Noriega Thomas S. Winter 2

December 17, 2012 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2012 State Legislative Ratings for members of the New Jersey

Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman Since 1971, our Congressional ratings have become the gold standard in holding every member of Congress accountable for their voting record on the most important issues

I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every cycle.

Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and return to the

3 December 17, 2012 Dear Fellow Conservative, On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the American Conservative Union s 2012 State Legislative Ratings for members of the New Jersey Legislature. Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman Since 1971, our Congressional ratings have become the gold standard in holding every member of Congress accountable for their voting record on the most important issues facing our nation. Last year we brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, by rating members in five legislatures. I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every cycle. It is important, now more than ever, that Americans have the information to elect true conservatives into office. Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and return to the traditional values that made our nation so great. Starting in 2010, the liberal policies of the Obama administration have energized a national grassroots conservative movement, where we seek to bring change to state and local governments nationwide. Because of this, our 2012 State Legislative Ratings are vital for voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation. We are dedicated to supporting the efforts of courageous conservative leaders fighting for limited government, promoting prosperity and individual freedom, and defending traditional values. Standing by voters around the nation, ACU is leading the way to encourage and help the next generation of conservative leaders, beginning at the state level. Thank you for your continued support. I know that together we can ensure America s best days are still ahead. Sincerely, Al Cardenas Chairman, American Conservative Union 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC Tel: (202) Fax: (202)

4 How We Selected the Votes 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states. ACU first began rating members of Congress in Since then, our ratings system has become the most important conservative measuring stick in American politics- the gold standard for voters seeking more information on their representatives records. This expansion of our Conservative Ratings program is part of Chairman Al Cardenas vision for building on successful ACU initiatives and taking the fight for conservative principles to the state and local levels. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year. Conservative All-Stars of the New Jersey Legislature Defenders of Liberty ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 100 percent on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Rating and cast a vote for each adjudicated vote. New Jersey Senate: Anthony R. Bucco Michael J. Doherty Steven V. Oroho Joseph Pennacchio New Jersey General Assembly: Jon M. Bramnick Chris A. Brown Anthony M. Bucco Gary R. Chiusano Sean T. Kean Gregory P. McGuckin Alison Littell McHose Nancy F. Munoz David P. Rible Donna M. Simon Jay Webber 4

5 ACU Conservatives ACU Conservatives are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. New Jersey Senate: Dawn Marie Addiego Gerald Cardinale James Holzapfel Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. Kevin J. O Toole Samuel D. Thompson New Jersey General Assembly: Mary Pat Angelini Christopher J. Brown Michael Patrick Carroll Jack M. Ciattarelli Robert D. Clifton Ronald S. Dancer BettyLou DeCroce John DiMaio DiAnne C. Gove Amy H. Handlin Declan J. O Scanlon, Jr. Erik Peterson Scott Rudder Scott T. Rumana David C. Russo Holly Schepisi Robert Schroeder David W. Wolfe True Liberals of the Garden State True Liberals of the Garden State are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 0 percent on the ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings. New Jersey Senate: James Beach Barbara Buono Richard J. Codey Sandra B. Cunningham Nia H. Gill Robert M. Gordon Linda R. Greenstein Raymond J. Lesniak Fred H. Madden, Jr. Donald Norcross Nellie Pou M. Teresa Ruiz Paul A. Sarlo Nicholas P. Scutari Bob Smith Brian P. Stack Stephen M. Sweeney Shirley K. Turner Joseph F. Vitale Loretta Weinberg Jim Whelan New Jersey General Assembly: Peter J. Barnes, III Daniel R. Benson John J. Burzichelli Ralph R. Caputo Marlene Caride Upendra J. Chivukula Herb Conaway, Jr. Sean Connors Craig J. Coughlin Albert Coutinho Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. Timothy J. Eustace Angel Fuentes Thomas P. Giblin Jerry Green Louis D. Greenwald Reed Gusciora Mila M. Jasey Angelica M. Jimenez Gordon M. Johnson Pamela R. Lampitt Charles Mainor John F. McKeon Paul D. Moriarty Gabriela M. Mosquera Sheila Y. Oliver Vincent Prieto Annette Quijano Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. Celeste M. Riley Troy Singleton L. Grace Spencer Linda Stender Shavonda E. Sumter Cleopatra G. Tucker Valerie Vainieri Huttle Connie Wagner Bonnie Watson Coleman Gilbert L Wilson Benjie E. Wimberly John S. Wisniewski 5

6 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY New Jersey General Assembly Vote Descriptions 1. A Government Regulations. This bill added burdensome regulations to small business by requiring new posting notices informing workers of their right to be free from gender inequality. ACU opposes adding these unnecessary and ill-defined regulations and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of S 1. Same Sex Marriage. This bill legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey. ACU supports traditional marriage and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on February 16, 2012 by a vote of A Housing. This bill would create a new state bureaucracy to use taxpayer funds to buy foreclosed properties and turn them into affordable housing. ACU opposes increased spending for these purposes that would also have the effect of taking some properties off local tax rolls, increasing the tax burden on other taxpayers and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 28, 2012 by a vote of A Budget Bill. This bill made appropriations for the Fiscal Year that made major increases in spending and increased taxes while leaving out the Governor s proposed income tax cut. ACU opposes this type of fiscal irresponsibility and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of A Cap and Trade Bill. This bill supports New Jersey s participation in a regional cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gases. ACU opposes these schemes as an unnecessary decrease in energy in domestic energy supplies and consequently an increase in energy costs for all consumers and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 24, 2012 by a vote of A Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would add a $7.5 million appropriation for family planning services. These funds could be used to fund Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide abortion services. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of A Millionaire Tax. This bill increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income over $1 million contingent on passing another bill enhancing the homestead benefit. ACU opposes these types of tax increases to pay for increased spending and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of A Health Care. This bill would implement the insurance exchange created by the national health care bill passed in ACU opposes the implementation of these exchanges which mandate the type and cost of insurance people must buy and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on March 15, 2012 by a vote of

7 9. A 575. Domestic Energy Production. This bill would ban the treating of wastewater in New Jersey generated by drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. ACU opposes this effort to demonize domestic energy production and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 21, 2012 by a vote of A 566. Energy Subsidies. This bill provides a tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations. ACU opposes this type of specific energy subsidy that picks winners and losers in the marketplace and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on March 15, 2012 by a vote of AR 86. Campaign Finance. This resolution expresses strong opposition to the U.S. Supreme Court s Citizens United decision and calls upon Congress to amend the Constitution to overturn it. ACU supports the decision as an enhancement of free political speech and opposes this resolution. The Assembly passed the resolution on October 18, 2012 by a vote of

8 NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES A 2647 S 1 A 2168 A 3200 A 1998 A 3204 A 3201 A 2171 A 575 A 566 AR 86 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Assembly Member Name Party Albano D % AMODEO R % ANGELINI R + X % Barnes, III D % Benson D % BRAMNICK R % BROWN R % BROWN R X + X % BUCCO R % Burzichelli D % Caputo D % Caride D X % CARROLL R % CASAGRANDE R % CHIUSANO R % Chivukula D X % CIATTARELLI R X % CLIFTON R % Conaway, Jr. D % Connors D % Coughlin D % Coutinho D % Cryan D % DANCER R % DeAngelo D - X X % DECROCE R X % Diegnan, Jr. D % DIMAIO R X X % Egan D X % Eustace D % Fuentes D % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 8 8

9 NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES A 2647 S 1 A 2168 A 3200 A 1998 A 3204 A 3201 A 2171 A 575 A 566 AR 86 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Assembly Member Name Party Giblin D % GOVE R X % Green D % Greenwald D % Gusciora D - - X % HANDLIN R X % Jasey D % Jimenez D % Johnson D % KEAN R % Lampitt D % Mainor D % MCGUCKIN R % MCHOSE R % McKeon D % Milam D % Moriarty D % Mosquera D % MUNOZ R % O'Donnell D % Oliver D % O'SCANLON, Jr. R + X X - X % PETERSON R % Prieto D % Quijano D X % Ramos, Jr. D % RIBLE R % Riley D % RUDDER R X X % RUMANA R X X % RUSSO R X % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 9

10 NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES A 2647 S 1 A 2168 A 3200 A 1998 A 3204 A 3201 A 2171 A 575 A 566 AR 86 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Assembly Member Name Party Schaer D X % SCHEPISI R + X X % SCHROEDER R X X X X % SIMON R % Singleton D X % Spencer D % Stender D % Sumter D % Tucker D % Vainieri Huttle D % Wagner D % Watson Coleman D - - X % WEBBER R % Wilson D % Wimberly D % Wisniewski D % WOLFE R X % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 10

New Jersey Senate Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY 1. S 1930. Government Regulations.

11 New Jersey Senate Vote Descriptions 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY 1. S Government Regulations. This bill added burdensome regulations to small business by requiring new posting notices informing workers of their right to be free from gender inequality. ACU opposes adding these unnecessary and ill-defined regulations and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 21, 2012 by a vote of S 1. Same Sex Marriage. This bill legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey. ACU supports traditional marriage and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2012 by a vote of S Housing. This bill would create a new state bureaucracy to use taxpayer funds to buy foreclosed properties and turn them into affordable housing. ACU opposes increased spending for these purposes that would also have the effect of taking some properties off of local tax rolls, increasing the tax burden on other taxpayers and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of S Budget Bill. This bill made appropriations for the Fiscal Year that made major increases in spending and increased taxes while leaving out the Governor s proposed income tax cut. ACU opposes this type of fiscal irresponsibility and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of S Cap and Trade Bill. This bill supports New Jersey s participation in a regional cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gases. ACU opposes these schemes as an unnecessary decrease in energy in domestic energy supplies and consequently an increase in energy costs for all consumers and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on March 13, 2012 by a vote of S 788. Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would add a $7.5 million appropriation for family planning services. These funds could be used to fund Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide abortion services. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of S1147. Millionaire Tax. This bill increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income over $1 million contingent on passing another bill enhancing the homestead benefit. ACU opposes these types of tax increases to pay for increased spending and opposes this bill. This bill passed the Senate by on June 28, S Health Care. This bill would implement the insurance exchange created by the national health care bill passed in ACU opposes the implementation of these exchanges which mandate the type and cost of insurance people must buy and opposes this bill. This bill passed the Senate on March 15, 2012 by a vote of S 253. Domestic Energy Production. This bill would ban the treating of wastewater in New Jersey generated by drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. ACU opposes this effort to demonize domestic energy production and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of

12 NEW JERSEY 2012 SENATE VOTES S 1930 S 1 S 1566 S 2013 S 1322 S 788 S 1147 S 2135 S 253 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party ADDIEGO R X X % ALLEN R X % BATEMAN R % Beach D % BECK R % BUCCO R % Buono D % CARDINALE R X X % Codey D % CONNORS R X + X % Cunningham D % DOHERTY R % Gill D % Gordon D % Greenstein D % HOLZAPFEL R X X + X % Kean, JR. R % KYRILLOS, Jr. R X X % Lesniak D % Madden, Jr. D % Norcross D X 0 8 0% OROHO R % O'TOOLE R X + + X % PENNACCHIO R % Pou D % Rice D X % Ruiz D % Sacco D % Sarlo D X X 0 7 0% Scutari D % SINGER R % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 12

13 NEW JERSEY 2012 SENATE VOTES S 1930 S 1 S 1566 S 2013 S 1322 S 788 S 1147 S 2135 S 253 ACU Votes Votes Cast ACU % Senator Name Party Smith D % Stack D % Sweeney D % THOMPSON R X % Turner D - - X % Van Drew D X % Vitale D % Weinberg D % Whelan D % + in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence 13

15 Save the Date March 14 th - 16 th CPAC is a project of conservative.org

16 The American Conservative Union The American Conservative Union (ACU) is America s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization. Founded in 1964, ACU represents the views of Americans who are concerned with economic growth through lower taxes and reduced government spending and the issues of liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values, and national security. As America s conservative voice, ACU is the leading entity in providing conservative positions on issues to Congress, White House Administration Officials, State Governments, the media, political candidates and the public. The ACU s marquee initiatives include the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and the annual Ratings of Congress guide. Under the leadership of ACU Chairman Al Cardenas, the organization remains the standard bearer of conservatism in America. Chairman Cardenas is dedicated to growing the national conservative movement through the expansion of ACU programs, unprecedented outreach and advocacy especially to young, emerging activists and an extended reach into local and state issues. Among these inaugural efforts are the expansion of conservative rating to State Legislatures and a first-ever series of regional CPAC s in states across the country, building on the legacy of the annual national CPAC event in our Nation s Capital. For more information on the American Conservative Union, please visit our website at Contact Us 1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC Phone: (202) conservative.org

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS GUIDE NEW JERSEY The American Conservative Union took our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to the State Legislatures for the third year in a row, grading members