Caroline and Declan

Asbury Park Press

Trenton Times
New Jersey Outdoor Alliance
New Jersey Probation Association
Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey 

New Jersey Association of Realtors

 National Federation of Independent Business Owners

New Jersey Taxpayer Alliance "Taxpayer Champions"

New Jersey State Nurses Association 

Caroline
NJ Policemens Benevolent Association
 
Declan
Agudath Israel- Legislator of the Year
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce- Legislator of the Year

Only "A" Rated Republican in the Assembly by Veterans of Foreign Affairs 

Full Text of APP Endorsement

GOP Incumbents in 12^th District

Incumbent Republicans Caroline Casagrande and Declan J. O'Scanlon Jr. are the best-qualified candidates for the two available Assembly seats in the 12th Legislative District, having proved themselves over the last two years to be fierce fighters for the district and for taxpayers.

Being in the minority party, they haven't accomplished nearly as much as they would have liked in their first term, but they have been consistent voices for fiscal responsibility, smaller government and property tax relief.

They are opposed by Democrat John Amberg of Tinton Falls, a public school teacher in Irvington; Green Party candidate Steven Welzer of East Windsor, a retired state worker; and Manalapan Township Committeewoman Michelle Roth.

Casagrande and O'Scanlon have proposed a "cut, cap and contribute" plan to reduce spending and property taxes. They would cut state spending, impose a cap on future spending increases and require that the savings from budget cuts and the spending cap be constitutionally dedicated to property tax relief.

They also support bringing public employee contributions to health insurance premiums in line with the private sector, requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for any new taxes and eliminating health and pension benefits for part-time employees. They also support giving the public the right to put referendum questions on the ballot through initiative and referendum, and convening a constitutional convention on property taxes.

In addition to proposing sensible ethics reforms and legislation to curb spending during their first two-year term, Casagrande and O'Scanlon have addressed local constituent issues, opposing civilian housing at Naval Weapons Station Earle and Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to increase Parkway and Turnpike tolls by 800 percent.

Amberg does not have the experience to do the job. Welzer believes the way out of the state's fiscal crisis includes raising and redistributing taxes. Roth is a credible candidate, but not strong enough to warrant unseating either of the incumbents.

Casagrande and O'Scanlon concede there is no "magic bullet" to fix what ails New Jersey. But their cogent plans and passion for effective, affordable and honest government have earned them the right to re-election to a second term.