Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) announced this morning that he has raised over $100,000 for his campaign for NJ State Senate.  O’Scanlon is seeking the Republican nomination to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate.  So far, O’Scanlon’s competition for the nomination is his running mate for the last three legislative elections, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.

“The job of a State Senator is so much more than going to Trenton and voting on bills,” O’Scanlon said. “The job includes being a leader in the community and the Party.  That means having the resources to support your own campaign, the campaigns of other great candidates and most importantly, civic and charitable organizations in the district.  Senator Kyrillos filled that role as well if not better than anyone.  I am prepared to continue in Joe’s footsteps.”

“I am deeply grateful to my friends and supporters who have enabled me to support great candidates and organizations during my eight year career in the Assembly.  I am humbled that they have stepped up so strongly to support my candidacy for Senate. Between the funds we have and will raise and my own resources, I will see to it that I’m an effective leader on this front in the District and the County.”

O’Scanlon said he is on track to have $350,000 at his disposal by the spring and over $1,000,000 for the general election in November should circumstances call for it. “We live in unpredictable political times,” O’Scanlon continued. “I’m in this race to win.  The Democrats have already declared that they are coming after us. My team will be prepared for any eventuality.  We will make sure that the 13^th district and all of Monmouth County remains the shining example of great local government and sound fiscal policies.  The Monmouth County delegation in Trenton will remain a strong and effective voice for fiscal reform in Trenton.”

Senator Jennifer Beck announced her endorsement of Assembly Declan O’Scanlon for the 13th district senate seat being vacated by Senator Joe Kyrillos.

“Declan was my running-mate when we first ran for the Assembly together in 2005” said Beck. “I had known him for years prior, but I learned during that hard fought campaign what a tireless worker he is and saw first hand his dedication to the residents of New Jersey”

“Declan showed that he is a leader early in his stint in the Assembly, being named Assembly Republican Budget Officer before the end of his second term. He commits himself to knowing all facets of a given policy before he makes a decision. There is no legislator that has been more focused on our looming budget issues or who has proposed more comprehensive solutions” Beck explained. “Assemblyman O’Scanlon stands tall above all other candidates for the State Senate and I look forward to having Declan join me in the upper house of the legislature”.

So far the only other announced candidate for the 13th district senate seat is Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.

For weeks Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger has been sitting on an “imminent” announcement of his candidacy to leapfrog O’Scanlon and Handlin and seek the senate nomination rather than assembly seat that will be vacated by either of the assembly members moving up. Scharfenberger has an issue with his job as the Director of the New Jersey Business Action Center- Office of Planning Advocacy which has prevented him from announcing.

Beck was one of the most prominent and vocal opponents of the the gas tax increase implemented last month.  Her endorsement of O’Scanlon is a signal that the gas tax will not be the litmus test for the senate nomination that Handlin has been touting.

O’Scanlon thanked Beck for her support stating, “I am honored to have Jen’s endorsement and I think this speaks volumes to the support we are assembling. There are few elected officials that are more respected than Senator Beck. Residents here in Monmouth County know first hand how significant this endorsement is”.

Disclosure: Art Gallagher, publisher of MoreMonmouthMusings, is an adviser to Declan O’Scanlon

O’Scanlon: “While I appreciate Amy’s confidence and endorsement for Assembly, I am running for Senate”

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin said she would seek another term in the New Jersey General Assembly if the 13th district County Committee members choose another candidate to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the upper house of the legislature.  So far, the only other candidate for the Senate seat is Handlin’s district mate, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.

“Yes and yes,” Handlin said when asked if she would seek the GOP nomination for Assembly if she failed in her Senate bid and if she wanted O’Scanlon on the ticket as a candidate for Assembly.

“I’ve been top vote-getter across the district by considerable margins every time I’ve run. Along with my anti-gas tax stance, I believe that basic and essential fact makes me the strongest candidate at the top of the ticket in a tough year. But either way, there will be one incumbent Assembly member who can stay on the ticket. As Republicans, we can’t risk losing an Assembly seat by losing a proven incumbent. ”

O’Scanlon said both Assembly seats are open and that he would support Handlin for one of them, if she commits before other candidates come forward.

Disclosure: Art Gallagher, publisher of MoreMonmouthMusings, is an adviser to Declan O’Scanlon

About two years ago, red light cameras in New Jersey went dark, and opponents and supporters began the wait to see if the state Department of Transportation would scuttle or keep the program. Two years later, they’re still waiting. The DOT has yet to render a final report and make recommendations to lawmakers on the ultimate…

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Middletown Township Committeeman Steve Massell at Monmouth County’s Reorganization, January 5, 2017

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he raised $121,075 in the two months since he declared his candidacy for State Senate in New Jersey’s 13th Legislative District.  O’Scanlon is seeking to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate.  Kyrillos announced in late October that he would not seek another term.

“The job of a State Senator is so much more than going to Trenton and voting on bills,” O’Scanlon said. “The job includes being a leader in the community and the Party.  That means having the resources to support your own campaign, the campaigns of other great candidates and most importantly, civic and charitable organizations in the district.  I am deeply grateful to my friends and supporters who have enabled me to support great candidates and organizations during my eight year career in the Assembly.  I am humbled that they have stepped up so strongly to support my candidacy for Senate.”

O’Scanlon said he “shattered his goal” of raising $100K by the end of 2016. He has raised a total of $166K in the current election cycle, including $21K transferred from his 2015 campaign.  He has donated $14K to other candidates and campaign committees since the 2015 election.  He has $114,590.14 cash on hand on December 31, 2016, according to the the quarterly report filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) that was included in his press release.

The Assemblyman, who serves as the Republican Budget Officer in the lower house, said he is on track to raise over $1,000,000 for the general election in November. “We live in unpredictable political times,” O’Scanlon continued. “There won’t be a legislator more prepared than me for the upcoming elections. Raising money shows that my support runs deep throughout this district and I look forward to the upcoming campaign”

Challenging O’Scanlon for the GOP nomination to replace Kyrillos is his district mate, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin.

Handlin has not released her year end quarterly report, which is expected to be available of the NJ ELEC website later this week.  In her last quarterly report, filed in October of 2016, Handlin reported raising $4,100 since the 2015 election.  She had $66,659.34 cash on hand.  $67,454.34 was transferred from previous campaigns.  Handlin donated $4,125 to other candidates and committees from the 2015 election through the end of September, 2016, according to her latest quarterly report.

Disclosure: Art Gallagher, publisher of MoreMonmouthMusings, is an adviser to Declan O’Scanlon

Tony Fiore and Declan O’Scanlon

Tony Fiore, a Monmouth GOP Vice Chairman and a Middletown Township Committeeman announced his endorsement of Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the State Senate next year.

“As a Republican elected official in the largest municipality in the 13th legislative district, the upcoming retirement of Middletown’s Senator Joe Kyrillos is vitally important to us,” Fiore said.  “For the past 28 years we have been extremely fortunate to have Senator Kyrillos representing our district as an advocate for residents and taxpayers of our district and the entire state.  His leadership and advocacy on behalf of our township and our district will be sorely missed.   The next Senator from the 13th must continue to fight for us in Trenton while working with our local leaders to help keep our local municipalities and county under fiscally conservative Republican control.

O’Scanlon is battling his district mate, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, for the Republican nomination to replace Kyrillos in the legislature’s upper chamber.

Fiore’s endorsement of O’Scanlon, of Little Silver, is significant in that it divides Handlin’s hometown support in Middletown.  As the largest town in the northern Monmouth legislative district, Middletown has over 40% of the County Committee votes.  O’Scanlon has strong support in the Two Rivers area (Fair Haven, Little Silver, Oceanport and Rumson) and the Bayshore towns of Atlantic Highlands, Holmdel, Keansburg, Keyport, Union Beach.  The County Committees of Hazlet, Highlands, Marlboro, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright are believed to be divided between Handlin and O’Scanlon at this point.

Fiore, an opponent of the gas tax increase, joins Senator Jennifer Beck, the state’s most vocal opponent of the gas tax increase, in endorsing O’Scanlon. Handlin has been attempting to make the race a referendum on the gas tax increase that was part of the Transportation Trust Fund legislation last fall.  If Handlin fails to make the gas tax a litmus test in the district, she has a difficult path to victory at the yet to be scheduled GOP nominating convention.

Bill highlights differences between O’Scanlon and Handlin in LD-13 Senate Race

Handlin says new law punishes patients for the sins and transgressions of addicts

Governor Chris Christie signed legislation today that compels New Jersey health insurance companies to cover inpatient care to opioid addicts, implements a 5 day limit on the first prescription for opioid painkillers, and requires doctors to discuss the dangers of opioid addiction with patients.

“Everyone in New Jersey is impacted by America’s growing drug addiction crisis, and so I am proud bipartisan legislative leaders expedited the passage of this life-saving healthcare reform that will serve as a national model,” Governor Christie said. “Lives will no longer be put at risk by layers of needless bureaucracy or due to an overabundance of prescribed opioid pills that get into the hands of children and the vulnerable. This is no doubt the strongest law in the country that will provide critical prevention and treatment measures to combat the rampant, deadly disease of addiction.”

The new law is enacts the nation’s strictest restriction on prescription painkillers.

The legislation passed in the State Senate, 33-0, with 7 senators not voting last week. It passed the General Assembly this afternoon, 64-1 with five abstention, moments before Christie signed the new law.

For Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, a Primary Sponsor of the bill, the legislation is personal.

“The mission of this bill is critical to heading off the rampant opioid addiction crisis and salvaging the lives of as many people as possible,” said O’Scanlon (R—Monmouth). “I have had first-hand experience dealing with addiction and wrestling with the random life-and-death decisions of insurance companies regarding treatment availability.”

“I myself have received calls denying treatment for someone I know will die without it,” said O’Scanlon. “I have had unneeded prescriptions handed to me after minor procedures. We need this bill to stop the carnage that is rampantly ravaging families across our state, yielding to no socio-economic, geographic, ethnic, or class boundaries.  Now is the time for us, as a compassionate society, to take real substantive and dramatic action to win this battle.”

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, O’Scanlon’s opponent for the GOP nomination to replace the retiring Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate next year, voted for the bill today, after abstaining on January 30th when the bill was cleared 10-0 by the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.  Handlin referred to addicts as sinners to justify her abstention.

“I am going to abstain in order to underscore the depth of my concern about punishing law-abiding people in pain and constraining their doctors in unworkable ways for the sins of other over whom they have no control,” said Handlin at the Committee hearing, according to NJ 101.5

While Christie was signing the bill, Handlin announced that she would introduce legislation extending the 5 day prescription limit to 7 days and softened her language about addicts from sinners to transgressors.

“We don’t want patients who have a legitimate need for these medications to be punished for the transgressions of abusers,” said Handlin said in a press release announcing she would introduce the bill.

In his remarks to the press after the bill signing, Christie said he would veto a bill that allows first opioid prescriptions of 7 days, but that he would consider a bill that shortens the scripts to 3 days.

This new law ensuress:

• No one will be turned away from treatment for insurance reasons, if a licensed provider prescribes substance abuse disorder treatment;
• Insurance coverage for treatment of a substance abuse disorder will be required and any waiting period that could derail a person’s recovery will be eliminated;
• People diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder will have covered treatment for 180 days, starting the day they need it, including long-term out-patient treatment with no interference from their carrier;
• Covered medication-assisted treatments must be provided without the imposition of prior approval from a carrier;
• Onerous pre-payment obligations imposed by providers will be prohibited, and instead, patients will only be required to pay their copayment, deductible or co-insurance for their treatment;
• Treatment for substance abuse disorders must be covered by the carrier to the same extent as any other covered medical condition without increased copayments, deductibles or co-insurance;
• The Office of Attorney General will be tasked with monitoring this system to prevent waste, fraud or abuse, and to ensure providers are not improperly treating patients or filling beds that could be used by others in need of treatment; and
• A five-day limit on initial opioid prescriptions, lowered from 30 days, to avoid deadly and habit-forming gateway drugs from getting into the hands of children and the vulnerable.

By Declan O’Scanlon

(Editor’s note: This is the original unedited edition of an OpEd published in The Asbury Park Press. “They edited out some good stuff,” O’Scanlon said)

Last month, my brother passed away…..almost exactly 33 years from the day our mother died. He was the same age as my mother when she died, and he died of exactly the same cause – addiction.

Governor Christie’s position that we must treat addiction as something other than a crime, and its victims with compassion rather than scorn, is exactly correct. Addiction – whether you buy the disease designation or not – is for some people a virtually irresistible, destructive force that compels the addict’s cooperation in his own destruction. That concept can be a difficult one to reconcile for those who haven’t had to face it – their own or a family member’s. Unfortunately, that pool of lucky people is dwindling as the heroin epidemic continues to voraciously march through our streets and schools. Alcohol, while not the substance of the moment, continues to take its incessant toll. It’s the substance that took my mom, and my brother.

Alcohol kills slowly. Heroin kills quicker. But they’re both killing our friends and loved ones, and too many of our children.

The cold hard truth is that we as a society must decide that addiction is either more like a bad habit, or more like cancer. Those who argue that we can deny addiction treatment funding and remain a compassionate society buy into the former argument. I don’t deny that the legislation we enacted this week will increase insurance rates. But, just as I wouldn’t argue that a reasonable way to cut rates would be to cease covering cancer treatments, I can’t fail to passionately advocate for funding this public health plague.

On Wednesday, Governor Christie signed into law the strongest drug addiction and treatment reform legislation in the country. New Jersey now requires insurance companies to provide 28 days of treatment without prior authorization. This reform, which Governor Christie boldly called for last month in his State of the State address, will save lives. That is not a guess, not a baseless prediction. It is a guarantee based on first hand experience.

If you are a parent of an addict who is finally ready to get help – after all the nights of horror, and anger and rage, and the broken mirrors and furniture, and the theft of your wife’s wedding ring to sell for the next fix – when you have that brief moment in which they are finally ready for help, it is beyond devastating to get a call from a nameless, faceless bureaucrat telling you that your child’s treatment has been denied or curtailed before it can do any good. Imagine receiving that call knowing the person you love will likely be dead in a few days without help. Until the moment the Governor signed this legislation, the best advice one might give an addict begging for treatment would be to get arrested. Those actually seeking treatment took a back seat to those being forced into it – and least likely to benefit from it.

My brother lived 5 years longer than he would have otherwise by virtue of his receiving treatment. Those were years he had a chance…a chance to hug his children and tell them he loved them, a chance to turn the corner and live 30 more years. Just like so many cancer patients, my brother didn’t turn that corner. He only got a few more years. But his having a shot wasn’t a waste. As the Governor has said, everyone deserves the chance, the hope, the opportunity to get better. The historic law signed this week sends a message to everyone suffering from this affliction – addicts and their families – that their state has not turned its back on them. You are not alone in this struggle. We will keep fighting for you in the long battle against addiction.

We as a compassionate society must agree that it is time to provide our loved ones with the treatment they need. We have to accept the cost to save lives from addiction the same way we accept the cost to save lives from cancer.

The other aspect of the reform law signed by Governor Christie is the reduction in the number of days doctors can initially prescribe opioids.

We have all had doctors hand us a prescription after a minor procedure for far-too-big-a-supply of a far-to-powerful opioid. Thirty days worth of an addictive prescription for a wisdom tooth removal is asking for trouble, both for the patient and for the patient’s children who might come across leftover pills. The 5 day limit on initial prescriptions is perfectly reasonable given that CDC guidelines suggest 3 days is usually sufficient.

The prescription limitation and in-patinent treatment mandate are dramatic new weapons in our fight against this epidemic. But dramatic action is what’s called for when you’re losing a life and death battle. In fact there is no more appropriate time for such action. Those lucky enough not to have been touched by this scourge might resent the cost associated with this legislation. They will resent it until their wife or mother or son or daughter…or brother is the one dying before their eyes. Until then they can protest and complain. And I can be envious of their lucky world. But I have an obligation to prepare the real one to be compassionate when their time comes.

Governor Christie changed the dialogue on addiction by espousing compassion and treatment over scorn and incarceration. His efforts to expand drug courts, strengthen prescription monitoring, and encourage proper disposal of unused medications were the first steps in this long journey. The new law signed on Wednesday was a bipartisan effort of Republican and Democratic officials to act swiftly on the suggestions of former addicts who are now living productive and successful lives in recovery. And about time.

Declan O’Scanlon represents the 13th legislative district (northern Monmouth County) in the New Jersey General Assembly. He is a candidate for the GOP nomination for State Senate in the district.

Declan O’Scanlon and Steve Massell

Middletown Township Committeeman Steve Massell today announced his endorsement of Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon to succeed Senator Joe Kyrillos as the senior legislator for northern Monmouth County’s 13th legislative district.

“As a lifelong resident of Monmouth County and having served these last 7 years on the Middletown Township Committee, I was not only saddened but concerned for the future of our county and state when I heard that Joe Kyrillos was retiring from the Senate,” Massell said.

“For almost 30 years we have had an extraordinary leader in Senator Kyrillos in his character, integrity and statesmanship.  I have known him my entire life and I’m honored to call him a friend.  But, when I heard Assemblyman O’Scanlon was going to bid for his seat I was quickly put at ease.   I have gotten to know Declan over the past 7 years and am confident he will fight for his constituents at the state, county and local levels.  Declan has a proven track record of being fiscally responsible and saving taxpayers millions.

“I can think of no better candidate to fill the senate seat of Joe Kyrillos than Declan O’Scanlon.  As a fellow native of Monmouth County, I know Declan’s roots are deep and his passion to preserve our quality of life is unyielding.

“The Republican leadership we hold in Monmouth County is exceptional and it is critical that we keep it that way in the 13th district.  This is why I am proud to endorse Declan O’Scanlon for State Senate.”

“I am deeply honored to have earned Steve Massell’s endorsement for Senate,” O’Scanlon said. “The Massell family’s tradition of honorable public service to the residents of Monmouth County, especially Middletown, is inspiring to those of us who are in politics for the right reasons.  As a man of faith, family, business and public service, Steve is a shining example of his family legacy.  I look forward to working with Steve for many years to come as we both fight to keep Monmouth County the extraordinary place that it is to raise a family.”

Massell’s endorsement, combined with that of his colleague, Tony Fiore, strikes a blow to O’Scanlon’s opponent, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, on her home turf.  A former Middletown Township Committeewoman and Monmouth County Freeholder, Handlin went to the Assembly after unseating then incumbent Assemblyman Joe Azzolina in the June, 2005 primary.

Without earning 80% plus of Middletown’s County Committee members support, Handlin has little chance of besting O’Scanlon at the Monmouth GOP nominating convention on March 18.  O’Scanlon has strong support in the Two Rivers area, the Bayshore and has made inroads into Handlin’s support in Marlboro.  Middletown has over 90 of the roughly 220 County Committee votes in the district.  With Fiore’s and Massell’s support, O’Scanlon is expected make a respectable showing, if not win, in Middletown.

Disclosure: Art Gallagher, publisher of MoreMonmouthMusings, is an adviser to Declan O’Scanlon

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon that would allow minors as young as 14 years old register as organ donors was passed overwhelmingly, 74-0, in the Assembly on Thursday.  Currently, the youngest a person can register as a organ donor in New Jersey is 18.  The legislation gives parents of minor organ donors the ability to overrule the registration.

O’Scanlon worked on the bill with the NJ Sharing Network, the nonprofit organization that manages the state’s organ transplant system.

“Children in need of organ transplants usually require organs smaller than those an adult can provide,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “Teens will be empowered to memorialize their wishes. The act is both selfless and admirable. The bill may also help to provide parents both guidance and comfort during a time of unimaginable loss.”

The Monmouth County legislator said the initiative is an opportunity for the Legislature to save lives.

“The higher we can get our organ donation registry rates the more lives we’ll save – it’s as simple as that,” said O’Scanlon. “By starting the discussion early in people’s lives, and giving them every opportunity to register, we will unquestionably increase participation rates.

“I hope this bill sparks a much needed discussion in households throughout the state about the importance of organ donation,” added O’Scanlon. “I challenge the public to educate themselves on the importance of this subject.”

Prospective organ donors can register with the state Motor Vehicle Commission when applying or renewing an automobile license, given to those aged 18 or older. However, minors may obtain a non-driver photo identification as young as age 14, a moped license at 15, learning permit at 16, and a provisional license at 17.

“It is tragic that our current laws don’t permit people to choose to register to become organ donors from their very first contact with the MVC,” said O’Scanlon. “That missed opportunity only serves to lower our ongoing registration rates, and literally results in missed opportunities to save lives.”

The bill permits a parent or guardian to override a minor’s wishes and gives the parent or guardian  the final say when asked by an organ procurement organization at the time of the potential donation. Minors are already permitted under the model Uniform Anatomical Gift Act utilized in the majority of states to register in the Donate Life America (DLA) registry.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, the Republican Assembly Budget Officers responded to Democrats’ suggestion the New Jersey’s declining credit rating is solely the fault of the Christie Administration by suggesting Democratic leadership look in the mirror.

O’Scanlon cited downgrade reports from Moody’s and S&P:

“It should come as no shock to anyone who is paying the slightest bit of attention to New Jersey’s economic conditions that:

• “Without meaningful structural changes that improve the affordability of the state’s liabilities, the state’s structural imbalance will persist and/or pension liabilities will grow, and the state’s rating will continue to fall.” Moody’s, Aug. 17, 2015.
• “However, in the absence of a solution to pension and other postemployment liabilities, budget and credit pressure will accelerate and the rating could be vulnerable to further downgrades.” S&P, August 24, 2015.
• “As the problem worsens and the state looks for ways to share this burden, the probability of the state needing to take alternative action, including reductions in state aid, increases.” Moody’s, Oct. 19, 2015.
• “Absent reform…funding the 10% pension contribution schedule and other budget growth would require 3.5% to 4.5% average revenue growth through fiscal 2023, compared to a 3.4% average since 2010. The range of necessary revenue growth will depend on the state’s ability to keep average operating cost growth below the projected inflation rate, which will be challenging over time.” Moody’s, Jan. 20, 2016.

“You can’t have it both ways,” O’Scanlon continued. “You can’t tie the governor’s hands then legitimately complain he’s failed to take action. If Democrat leadership wants to find someone to blame for the state’s dire fiscal situation, I have a mirror for them.

“But rather than casting blame, I’d much prefer we roll up our sleeves and work together to implement the reforms that will fix the situation.”

According to a citizen attending the Assembly Budget hearing today, Assemblyman Troy Singleton (D-Burlington County) and Budget Chairman Gary Schaer insinuated that Governor Chris Christie is to blame for the rating agency’s downgrades of New Jersey bonds.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) testified before the Assembly Education Committee and the Assembly Transportation Committee this morning, imploring his colleagues on the committees to kill legislation that, if passed, would rip off motorists for the benefit of corrupt companies and greedy municipal official.

At the Education Committee, O’Scanlon, the Republican nominee to replace Senator Joe Kyrillos in the Senate next year, testified against bill A3798, a bill that would let the same companies that ran New Jersey’s now defunct Red Light Camera Program monitor school bus cameras and share the revenue generated by tickets with the municipalites.  O’Scanlon said the bill would allow for-profit traffic enforcement at the expense of innocent drivers.

“The ‘Use Our Kids as Pawns to Enrich Corrupt Companies’ legislation, is completely unnecessary. The use of security cameras on school buses is already legal and being operated just fine. This bill simply permits for-profit companies, the very same corrupt and dishonest companies which operated the scandalous red light camera program in New Jersey, to come in and operate the school bus cameras,” said O’Scanlon. “Under this bill stopping 24 feet behind a school bus, rather than the required 25 feet, could land you with a $500 fine!

 “Mark my words, the for-profit companies that would operate school bus cameras won’t be able to make a profit just on people blatantly driving by a school bus.  Of course, even if they could, the temptation to maximize profits by ticketing harmless technical violations will be immense. Why would anyone want to cut these companies into the revenue from genuine violations?

 “Denville and Pemberton both have great systems installed and operating on some of their school buses – and all the revenue goes to the local municipality. Works like a charm – with no corrupt, money grubbing red light camera company involvement whatsoever.  The costs for these cameras can be easily recouped by ticket revenue.  When I say this bill is totally unnecessary, I mean it 100%!”

At the Transportation Committee, O’Scanlon spoke out against  A4336, which removes any sound engineering criteria or safety assessment of speed limits in school zones and A4337 – doubling fines in school zones.  Currently, school zone speed limits must be appropriately looked at by traffic engineers, set typically at 25mph and enforced during reasonable times when school children would be present.

“This ‘speed trap proliferation bill’ permits arbitrary speed limits, and permits those limits to be enforced 24/7, with no consideration to when school children are present. An irresponsible municipal official wants to create a speed trap…maybe to collect more of the doubled fines in the companion bill?  No problem under this bill. That official can simply create one of these zones and it doesn’t matter if it’s 11pm on a Saturday in July, they can enforce any speed limit they want; 25, 15, or even 10mph on what ordinarily might be expected to be a 35 or 45mph roadway when children aren’t present,” O’Scanlon continued.

The bill would also lead to a dramatic increase in drivers racking up license points. “A 15 mph limit means that if you are driving 31 mph at 11pm on a Saturday night, or any time when children are not around, you get a 4-point ticket on top of the ridiculous, unjustified fine. Outrageous? Ridiculous? You bet. We are here today and we are fighting for fair treatment for the beleaguered drivers of New Jersey.”

Democrats punt on property tax reform

Trenton, NJ- Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. invoked a parliamentary rule on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday to force a vote on his bill that would remove the sunset provision on the arbitration cap of police and fireman salaries.

The arbitration cap was institution as part of the 2010 landmark property tax reform legislation that capped New Jersey property tax growth at 2% per year. The initial cap expired in 2014 and was renewed in 2014 with a sunset provision for the end of this year.  O’Scanlon’s bill, A-2123,would make the 2% arbitration cap permanent.

The Democratic majority in the Assembly, including Monmouth County’s Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey, voted against O’Scanlon’s motion to remove the bill from committee for a vote by the full Assembly.

“I serve on the arbitration task force. I helped author the reports and know the data inside and out. The bottom line is that the cap works and is an essential tool for municipalities to keep expenses, and property taxes, within the 2% cap. Every report has said so,” said O’Scanlon. “Public salaries are the biggest costs in local budgets. Basic math tells us that if we let the arbitration cap lapse pay-raises will increase dramatically resulting in one of two outcomes: skyrocketing property taxes or draconian cuts to services municipalities provide. There is no other option. We don’t need to wait for any report to confirm this.”

The Democrats justification for not holding hearings on the bill, or allowing a full vote in the Assembly, is that they are waiting for a report by a special commission.  The commission’s report is due on December 31…the same day that the arbitration cap will expire.

This landmark, bipartisan reform, together with the state’s 2 percent cap on property taxes and the pension and health benefits reforms of 2011 have resulted in the slowest rate of property tax growth in 25 years,” said O’Scanlon, the Republican budget officer. “The arbitration award cap is one of the most important reforms passed to control property taxes.”

Before the cap was extended in 2014, the League of Municipalities said it was their number one priority. Local officials called it the most important cost-saving measure passed. If the legislature fails to act in the next few months towns will have to cut services, lay-off employees and/or increase already nation-high property taxes.

“Property tax increases in this state are a vicious cycle that only this legislature can stop,” continued O’Scanlon. “We have to come together to protect our already-overburdened taxpayers by making the two percent arbitration award cap permanent. It should be noted that this isn’t a hard salary cap. If municipal officials and local taxpayers want to increase the salaries of our dedicated police and firefighters they can chose to do so at any time. This cap simply prevents the state from coming in and forcing salary increases that taxpayers can’t afford.

“The median income in New Jersey is only $72,222, more than $1,300 lower than 2010. Average police and fire salaries increased approximately 15 percent during that same time period – and that’s with the cap in place. If the cap hadn’t been in place it’s likely that salaries would have increased by 3 to 4 times that rate. You don’t need to be a mathematician to understand that that would be catastrophic to municipal budgets. Taxpayers, one way or the other, would suffer that burden.”

O’Scanlon slams Codey’s “ignorant” opposition to retired LEOs carrying guns

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a bill that will allow virtually anyone who ever wore a badge in New Jersey to carry a firearm after they retire. The new bill, signed Thursday, substantially adds to the list of those who can carry firearms in New Jersey to virtually all former uniformed law…

Governor Chris Christie on Friday signed a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon that brings New Jersey’s Emergency Medical Services into the 21st century by requiring the use of technology for data collection by first responders to deliver the best emergency medical care possible.

“For too long, the emergency medical services system in New Jersey has existed without an overarching mandate to collect the kind of information that is needed in today’s rapidly evolving health care and emergency environments. When calls come into 911 and lives are on the line, we now have the opportunity to collect and assess valuable information that will continually improve the quality of EMS,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “This bill puts the patient first, ensuring the best possible care leads to better post-emergency outcomes.”

The bill (A4925) was advocated by a long list of bipartisan collaboration of legislators and stakeholders from EMS, dispatchers, doctors and hospitals. The measure establishes uniform data collection and reporting requirements for emergency medical service providers and dispatch centers. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and better understand the continuity of care that the patient receives.

“The consistent collection of data allows analysis of patient care quality and the performance of the entire scope of the emergency medical system. Solid data is critical for healthier communities and reducing the overall cost of care,” said O’Scanlon. “The EMS community is virtually always on call, always striving to make improvements with their quality of care administered. They understand that we can’t improve what we don’t measure. Their support of this legislation demonstrates the ceaseless and tireless commitment they make to our state every day.”

O’Scanlon noted data tracking and reporting can help expedite treatment at the hospital, where health care professionals can determine the medical needs of a patient before the ambulance arrives at the emergency room. The real-time exchange of data can expose recurring medical emergencies, trends in timing and locations, and patterns in emergency dispatch and response.

The information required by the legislation will also provide a powerful tool in combating a growing opioid epidemic in New Jersey.

“In light of the rampant opioid epidemic, now more than ever we need a reliable, responsive EMS system that works seamlessly with hospitals to secure life-saving treatment. This data will help EMS providers support the communities that need it most. It will ensure that the any overdose medication that is administered is properly recorded,” O’Scanlon said.

Some information is already collected by squads and hospitals internally, but there are presently no uniform metrics assessed and shared with the Department of Health.

The bipartisan bill requirements include:

— All EMS providers report specific detailed information concerning each incident to the Department of Health.

— EMS dispatch centers report to DOH information about each request for emergency medical response.

— Establishing a system for the electronic reporting of EMS dispatch and response information.

— Adopting rules and regulations for performance metrics and protocols of EMS providers.

— Establishing the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Task Force to support and enhance specialized response services.

O’Scanlon said that funding will be available through the Department of Highway Traffic Safety for volunteer EMS squads to purchase the required hardware, if necessary. “Volunteer EMS squads provide an tremendous service to their communities. This new law will result in their enhanced ability to save lives.  In now way will these generous volunteers be burdened to have to raise funds to comply with the implementation of this law.”

“The software for this program does not require a lot of computing power, ” O’Scanlon continued,”and most squads already have sufficient hardware to implement the program.  For those who need assistance, we’ll make sure they get it.”

By Declan O’Scanlon

Vin Gopal and the Easter Bunny photo via @gopalforsenate

Democratic state Senate candidate Vin Gopal, in his Aug. 20 oped “Consolidate small towns,” extolled the virtues of municipal consolidation as if he were presenting a new, fresh approach to the concept. An honest reading of his own words destroys both his credibility on the property tax issue, and his paralyzing duplicity as a candidate.

Let’s concede up front that in order to solve our high property tax problem we will need consolidation and sharing of services. But that’s a very small piece of the essential reform pie.

Gopal, who is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican state Sen. Jennifer Beck in the 11th District, tries to suggest that because those of us — like Beck and me — fighting the fight to reduce property taxes haven’t yet declared victory, he might be able to do a better job. But in his own words he actually says he would make things worse — actually make it harder to consolidate or enact reforms that will reduce property taxes.

We also need to be honest with taxpayers and admit that share/merge polices alone won’t solve our property tax problem. In order to truly cut property taxes we will need to do much more. We will need another round of pension and benefits reform. We will also need to renew, and reassert our dedication to, the other property tax policies passed over the last few years that have dramatically reduced upward pressure on property taxes. Yet Gopal opposes, or has avoided taking a position on, all of these measures.

Gopal, insultingly and untruthfully, says we’ve gotten nothing done. Guess he wasn’t paying attention when we led the nation in passing unprecedented pension and health benefits reform, a substantial and innovative property tax cap and binding arbitration reform. Collectively those reforms have dramatically bent our property tax curve — and are saving taxpayers billions of dollars a year. Let’s not forget that if property taxes marched on at their then-current rate of increase — which was widely expected prior to enactment of our reforms — they would be more than 20 percent higher than they are today.

We all know we still have a long way to go. On that front too, we’re leading the charge and fighting for the next round of reforms essential to truly cutting property taxes. We have written and introduced what must be the next round of health benefits reform that will save billions of dollars a year. I have designed and begun to promote an innovative method to facilitate sharing of police services — the largest line item in most municipal budgets — that, if embraced, will save municipalities hundreds of millions of dollars more. From sick pay reform to civil service and pension reform, we continue to lead the way.

An accurate reading of Gopal’s words proves he has no plan, and no sincere commitment to reducing property taxes. On the contrary, he would harden the paralysis we’ve been battling so hard against, and foster accelerated property tax increases in exchange for support of the special interests to whom he panders.

Those special interests have blocked 99 percent of our efforts to merge/share services, opposed reforms at every opportunity and are bankrolling Gopal’s campaign to the tune of millions of dollars. That’s brainwash money, folks. We shouldn’t permit ourselves to be manipulated by such transparent tactics.

Make no mistake about it: We know exactly what we need to do to cut property taxes and fix our state’s structural deficit. Why haven’t more of these things happened? Because the Democratic majorities running the Legislature slavishly stand against the passage of policies that would permit and promote merger and sharing plans and the other major reforms I outlined above.

The election of Gopal would only strengthen the stranglehold of those majorities. Even worse, we’d be losing one of the fiercest, bravest, most outspoken taxpayer defenders in the Legislature in Beck. God willing there isn’t enough money to wash that reality from District 11 voters’ brains. We don’t need to replace Beck; we need to elect more like her.

Declan O’Scanlon is a Republican assemblyman who represents the 13th Congressional District, which includes 16 Monmouth County municipalities. He is seeking the state Senate being vacated by Sen. Joe Kyrillos.

TRENTON, N.J. – Calling the arbitration award cap one of the most important reforms implemented to control property taxes, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon said today that if the cap isn’t permanently extended taxpayers will face tax increases, draconian cuts to municipal services or both. O’Scanlon was a prime sponsor of the original cap law and vocal advocate of the extension. He was the only legislator appointed by the governor to sit on the Interest Arbitration Task Force.

“There’s no question that the cap has been successful and is an essential tool for municipalities to keep expenses and property taxes contained,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “Every report we’ve done to date has been absolutely consistent and shows the arbitration and tax cap are working together as intended. You can’t keep the tax cap in place without the arbitration cap. You would create a mathematically untenable situation. And it isn’t just police and fire salary costs that are affected, there is a ripple effect throughout all salary expenses.”

O’Scanlon made clear that even delaying action until after the cap sunsets in December would be irresponsible of legislators.

“It’s unfathomable that Democrats are waiting for yet another analysis, which coincidentally, is due the same day the cap is set to expire. It would be completely irresponsible, and a disservice to property taxpayers, to fail to remove the sunset of this essential policy in time for the Legislature to act before the end of this year. Just like the last time the policy expired, the Democrats dithering will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of wasted dollars just in professional fees as towns scramble to file unnecessary arbitration actions to insulate themselves from the Legislature’s paralysis.”

O’Scanlon made his remarks following a press conference sponsored by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and the New Jersey Association of Counties, urging the Legislature to permanently extend the 2 percent binding interest arbitration cap before the law sunsets at the end of this year.

During a June voting session, O’Scanlon made a motion to remove the sunset provision from the police and firefighter arbitration reform law, but Democrats tabled the move along party lines 52-25.

“This isn’t rocket science. It’s basic math. If the cap expires, pay raises will dramatically increase resulting in higher property taxes or service cuts and layoffs,” said O’Scanlon. “Any legislator who says he is serious about making New Jersey affordable and doesn’t take action now to make the cap permanent is speaking out of both sides of his mouth.”

A 2 percent cap on interest arbitration awards was overwhelmingly approved in 2010 by the Legislature after Democratic legislative leaders inserted a provision allowing the rule to sunset after three years.  It was extended in 2014, but will expire on December 31 – the same day a final report on the effectiveness of the cap is due.

The task force annually studies the effectiveness of the cap.  Last year salaries only increased roughly 1.8 percent compared to an estimated 4.69 percent increase without the cap. Those numbers aren’t directly comparable since, prior to the arbitration cap reforms, total value of contracts was understated.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon released today the report of the Arbitration Award Task Force as recommended by four of the eight members. The report outlines the success of the arbitration award cap in enabling municipal officials to maintain budgets within the 2 percent property-tax cap and curb property-tax increases to historically low levels, and recommends making the cap on arbitration awards permanent before the policy is scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31.

“The data contained in this report is beyond clear and convincing; it is overwhelming,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “It would be irresponsible for the Legislature not to take action. In fact, any legislator that fails to advocate for continuation of the arbitration award cap will be, by extension, advocating for the obliteration of the property tax cap and higher property taxes. There is no middle ground here. Mark my words; if the cap isn’t permanently extended taxpayers will unquestionably face much more dramatic property tax increases and cuts to municipal services.”

During a vote Monday to release the report, the task force was deadlocked 4-4. Union representatives blocked the report’s endorsement. O’Scanlon, who voted to release the report, is the only legislator appointed by the governor to sit on the task force.

“I find it unfortunate that while this report, and the voluminous supporting data, is completely consistent with, and draws the same conclusion as, every previous task force report some members are still inclined to keep this information from the public,” O’Scanlon added. “This is particularly distressing given that so many key legislators have specifically said their action is dependent on its release. When it comes to controlling our state’s highest-in-the-nation property taxes these transparent games are totally unacceptable.”

“The data contained in this report is beyond clear and convincing; it is overwhelming. … Mark my words; if the cap isn’t permanently extended taxpayers will unquestionably face much more dramatic property tax increases and cuts to municipal services.” – Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

During a June Assembly voting session, O’Scanlon made a motion to remove the sunset provision from the law, but Democrats tabled the action along party lines 52-25. Democrat legislative leaders have said they would wait for the recommendations in the Task Force report before taking action.

“My fellow legislative leaders have said they needed to see this data prior to taking action. Here it is, and it’s definitive,” O’Scanlon continued. “Union representatives argued for stalling the release of the data and report. The only question remaining is which Democrat legislative leaders will stand with vested special interests and which will stand with beleaguered property taxpayers. To be clear, this isn’t a cap on police salaries. Municipal officials can agree on any level of salary increase they wish.During a June Assembly voting session, O’Scanlon made a motion to remove the sunset provision from the law, but Democrats tabled the action along party lines 52-25. Democrat legislative leaders have said they would wait for the recommendations in the Task Force report before taking action.

“The conclusions the data supports are undeniable. The arbitration award cap and property tax cap are unseverable and essential policies if we are serious about keeping property tax increases at the historically low rates of the last few years. The data and the report confirm what the laws of mathematics dictated from the start, you can’t have an effective cap on property taxes without an identical cap on arbitration awards. We can’t tell local officials their revenues can only increase by two percent, but that the largest line item in their budgets must increase by three percent or eight percent or any amount higher than the tax cap. And it isn’t just police and firefighter salary costs that are effected, there is a ripple effect throughout all salary expenses.”

O’Scanlon also made the case that legislative action is urgent before the arbitration cap sunsets at the end of this year. “It would be completely irresponsible, and a disservice to property taxpayers, to fail to remove the sunset of this essential policy before the sunset at the end of this year. The last time the cap expired the Democrats dithering cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of wasted dollars in professional fees alone as towns scrambled to file unnecessary arbitration actions to insulate themselves from the majority’s paralysis.”

2017 Report of the Governor’s Appointees to the Police and Fire Public Interest Arbitration Impact Task Force
Task Force Report Tabs

Jersey City Police Officers were awarded a 2% pay increase by a state appointed arbitrator this week.

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, not the Democrat nominee for Governor, declared that the best interests of his city’s residents and taxpayers prevailed, according to Hudson County View. 

The arbitrator’s decision will enable Mayor Fulop and the city council to keep their budget within the two-percent levy cap and hold the line on property taxes from substantially increasing.

“This is not a day where we say that we won, but rather that the best interest of the city, its residents and the taxpayers prevailed,” Fulop said in a statement reported by HCV.

“We have negotiated successfully with six of the city’s other unions to adopt measures that correct many of the outdated contract provisions and worked productively with the unions for the benefit of their members and the public. Unfortunately, the POBA chose a different route and an independent arbitrator was required.”

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today called on Fulop to join him in challenging Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to put legislation making the cap permanent up for vote in the Assembly.

“The deal between Jersey City and the police union is a perfect example of the two percent arbitration cap being effectively used to hold down property taxes. Mayor Fulop is one Democrat that isn’t blind to the clear and overwhelming evidence that the cap helps keep property taxes from skyrocketing,” said O’Scanlon. “Mayor Fulop should challenge his ally Speaker Prieto to permanently extend the arbitration cap.  Otherwise, Jersey City taxpayers will suffer with the rest of the state.”

The arbitration cap is set to expire on December 31, the same day a Task Force report on the cap is legally due.  O’Scanlon, a member of the Task Force, released the report’s findings last month, over the objections of the union representatives on the Task Force.   The report concludes that the cap on salary increases for police and firefighters enables towns to maintain their budgets and mitigate property tax increases.  In 2014, the legislature voted unanimously to extend the arbitration cap after a report by the same task force came to the same conclusion.

“If Fulop doesn’t challenge Prieto, Democrats might not do anything and the very tool that enabled, as Fulop said, ‘taxpayers to prevail’ will go away for Jersey City and for taxpayers throughout the state.  Mayor Fulop’s good friend Vinny Prieto holds the key and Fulop needs to turn it.  This new report is almost identical to a previous report that labor unanimously supported without needing anything else.  The only thing different is now we have even more data proving the cap is working and is needed,” added O’Scanlon. “Prieto said he would wait for the report. Well it’s here, it’s convincing and Mayor Fulop proved it.”

The 2017 Report of the Governor’s Appointees to the Police and Fire Public Interest Arbitration Impact Task Force can be found here.