Cross-posted at Conservatives with Attitude! and Red County!

Assemblymen Michael Doherty and Michael Patrick Carroll have introduced a concurrent resolution (ACR-216) that would lead to amending the state Constitution to remove the affordable-housing obligations placed upon local municipalities as a result of the Mount Laurel court decision.

If both houses of the Legislature approve it, the declaration would be submitted for voter approval at the next general election. The resolution will also prohibit state government from imposing laws that would overturn or interfere with a municipality’s zoning ordinances.

The amendment says that no law shall require any municipality to “create, fund or implement any program to provide housing for all income levels by means of land use regulation, or by fee assessment.”

“Nowhere in New Jersey’s Constitution is there a mandate for the state or local towns to provide affordable housing,” said Mr. Doherty, a Republican representing 24 of Hunterdon’s 26 municipalities. “There is not even an acceptable definition of what constitutes ‘affordable.’
“Our intent is to take such nebulous terms out of the hands of the court system and ultimately let the voters decide whether they should subsidize new housing in their towns. The infrastructure costs associated with this directive are enormous, and are ultimately borne by the taxpayer. This resolution will correct a misguided public policy.”
Mr. Carroll said the amendment “restates — for a judiciary that wrote its own policy preferences into the Constitution — that property tax payers owe no obligation to subsidize development of any kind.

We commend the efforts of Assemblymen Doherty and Carroll for taking this first step towards ending COHA mandates. Of course, Steve Lonegan has been very much at the forefront of this issue as well, with one of his priorities being to put this issue before the voters via referenda should he win the governorship.

Ultimately, this is exactly what needs to happen in order to re-establish the right of the people to govern themselves and thwart a renegade NJ Supreme Court.

Read more COAH news here:

• Impact on Randolph, NJ/Highlands Area: We’re being pressured to sign on
• Marlboro team trounces COAH in resolution

Cross-posted at Red County.

(Hat tip to Alice @ Alice’s Restaurant Blog)

And here is an interview from this weekend with Art Gallagher at MoreMonmouthMusings.

In a press release today Lonegan came out with guns blazing, taking dead aim at Christie on a couple of fronts. First and foremost, Lonegan challenged the heretofore silent Christie for specifics on the issues.

With just three days until the first campaign debate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Lonegan warned a potential opponent “vapid doubletalk will not beat Jon Corzine.”

Lonegan aimed his comments at former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who Lonegan says has avoided comment on virtually every single issue of importance including most recently a question about COAH on Monday night…

…“I look forward to debating Mr. Christie.  So far, his alleged campaign has been one of intellectually insulting platitudes and statements so banal that even his strongest supporters are starting to ask questions,” Lonegan said.  “I know because every day more and more are coming over to our team.”

He also criticized Christie for running a ‘Dewey-like campaign’ — referencing the failed campaigns of the two-time Presiential candidated Thomas Dewey in 1944 and 1948 which were devoid of substance.

“Mr. Christie’s speech tonight to the New Jersey Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors — ‘Looking forward to the future’ — bears an uncanny resemblance to Dewey’s 1948 campaign theme ‘Your future lies ahead of you’.”

“This kind of mindless drivel is the reason people don’t vote,” Lonegan said.  “Vapid platitudes and vague platforms won’t motivate fed up taxpayers to come to the polls this November,” Lonegan said.  “Taxpayers want a leader who will stand up and speak out, not someone who cowers in a corner, hiding from controversy.”

Moreover, Lonegan said his campaign would essentially model itself after Ronald Reagan who won the Presidency – and New Jersey – twice through being bold and true to conservative principles.

“Ronald Reagan won New Jersey twice because he took bold stands that sharpened his differences with Jimmy Carter and the liberals, just as I did by winning three times by double-digit margins in a town that voted 64% for Barack Obama,” Lonegan said.  “Chris Christie, on the other hand, couldn’t even win his own primary for renomination as Freeholder, finishing sixth out of six and losing by a 2-1 margin.”

“The only way we’re going to beat Jon Corzine is with a clear line between what we believe and what he has done,” Lonegan explained.  “We’re not going to beat Corzine by being Corzine.  We’re not going to beat Corzine by trying to run away from who we are.  “We’re going to beat Corzine by standing tall for working families and always putting taxpayers first.  That’s how we’re going to win the Governorship.  That’s how we’re going to take the State Assembly this November.  And that’s how we’re going to pick up downballot offices from Freeholder to Mayor to Township Committee and Council.”

“We’re going to stand tall, stand together and stand as one — fighting for taxpayers and in defense of our towns and our conservative values,” Lonegan explained.

The Lonegan campaign, with over a million dollars in the bank, has also begun to air ads throughout the state. To hear Steve’s ad click here.

And to hear Steve’s latest interview with NJ 101.5FM. This interview can be heard here.

We wish Steve the best as he forges ahead with his campaign. New Jersey desperately needs conservative change and we believe he is the man to do it.

Note: This weekend’s debate will take place at the Somerset County Federation of Republican Women at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 50 Fox Chase Run, Branchburg, will run from 8:30-10 am

This is cross-posted at RedCounty.com.

Part I

Part II

 

Dovetailing with this, I highly recommend this terrific post by Alice Shope.

To me, though, the question remains: is the New Jersey media paying attention? Or will they just continue to be cheerleaders for Chris Christie?

Understanding the state’s problems and having real solutions to those problems is what really matters. But Christie’s record on the issues is mostly unknown. As my fellow blogger Michael Illions has pointed out on Conservatives with Attitude! the only things we do know about him are not too encouraging for conservatives.

Is he still Pro-Choice and Anti-2nd Amendment like he was in the 90’s when he ran, and lost, for the State Assembly.

Does he really believe that illegal immigration is not really illegal or a crime, and just a paper work mishap, like he suggested at a press conference?

Does he really believe, like Jon Corzine does, that the answer to ‘Big Government’ is that there are to many towns/municipalities in New Jersey, again like he suggested at a press conference?

In fact, Christie’s comments about illegal immigration caught the attention – and wrath – of Lou Dobbs which led to this segment on his TV show:

Ouch!

Sorry, as I said it’s not enough just to have a strong prosecutorial record. Christie now needs to step forward and find a way to explain his comments on illegal immigration. And quite soon, he also needs to come forward and clearly present his views on the many vital issues facing the state.

While I’m on the subject of Christie’s candidacy, a while back I posted here at GSP that the media and some bloggers were already attemping to anoint him the Republican nominee (this, of course, even before he entered the race). Since Christie announced his intention this is exactly what we have been subject to.

- We have article like this one from the Courier Post Online: Christie’s entry into the race is good for voters Based on what?

- Or this from NJ.com: “For the GOP, the news is welcome.” Really? Who did they speak to in the GOP? Did they do a poll?

- An article at centraljersey.com entitled, Christie for governor sounds right for voters, gives us this little gem as if they speak for voters (let alone Republican voters): 

Things are looking up for New Jersey, believe it or not. Christie’s candidacy has long been assumed, and he has been viewed for years as the Republicans’ best chance to unseat Gov. Jon S. Corzine. That he is, and the GOP should rally around him, beginning right now.

- Even outfits like redstate.com knee-jerkingly tried to spur their ‘army’ on to support him, seemingly ignorant of Christie’s stance on the above-mentioned issues as well as the credentials of a candidate like Steve Lonegan.

- Heck, even radio talker Steve Malzberg, who is as conservative as they come, has thrown his support to Christie while not even having the other candidates, Steve Lonegan and Richard Merkt, grace his airwaves.

Frankly, as a voter who is concerned about issues I’m tired of this celebrity-like mentality we have vis-a-vis our political candidates. Whether or not Christie is the best person for this job, voters deserve a serious candidate. They should listen carefully to what they say and what their solutions are. They should make judgments about their character and leadership abilities. They shouldn’t be making their choice based on name recognition, how they look on camera, or who Internet bloggers and ‘journalists’ say is their ‘best bet’ to win.

‘Hunger’ because you could just sense that those who came out tonight care deeply about their state and want to see an end to the runaway liberalism that is destroying New Jersey. Their appetite for change is strong and their reaction to Steve’s message was nothing short of enthusiastic.

‘Opportunity’ because this election is set up perfectly for conservatives to contrast their vision with the failed liberal policies of John Corzine and his liberal comrades in Trenton. New Jersey is now the epitome of bad government. It is the very symbol of how liberal policies – such as the socialist COHA experiment - create an environment that suffocates taxpayers and causes people and businessowners to leave.

This election also represents opportunity because it provides the Republican Party with its first major  chance to right the ship with a return to conservative principles of fiscal responsibility, individual freedom and less government.

As a conservative, the failure of some of our party’s leaders to stick to conservative principles and communicate them in a compelling and articulate manner has been disappointing. I hate to have to include George W. Bush among them but that unfortunately is the case.

But if there’s one thing about Steve Lonegan, this is absolutely not the case. His message is clear. His message is inspiring. And after you hear him speak you can’t help but believe that Steve is fully prepared to be Governor.

When Steve lays out his bold agenda, including…

1. A 20% cut in state government
2. Abolishment of the destructive COHA policies via referendum
3. Abolishment of Abbot District funding by way of executive order

…there is no hesitation. You know he is serious and will follow through on these commitments. This is why Steve has successfully raised over $340,000 in just a few short weeks.

Steve now has a leg up over his opponents, as his campaign has qualified for matching funds. Thus, the campaign will have nearly $1 million in the bank already.

So, if you are a conservative or Republican in New Jersey I would urge you to go and see Steve in person as he continues to travel to each county in New Jersey to deliver his pro-taxpayer message. Republicans can win in New Jersey despite the fact that Democrats have owned the state for some time. But it will require those of you who have become disenchanted to join us in this movement to restore good government to New Jersey.

Sussex County — Saturday, January 10th — 10 am — County Technical School, 105 North Church Rd. (Route 94) — Sparta

Morris County — Saturday, January 10th — 4 pm — Parsippany Elks, 230 Parsippany Road — Parsippany

Ocean County — Tuesday, January 13th — 7 pm — Holiday Inn — 290 Route 37 East — Toms River

Union County — Wednesday, January 14th — 7 pm — Rahway Italian-American Club, 530 New Brunswick Avenue — Rahway.

Monmouth County — Thursday, January 15th — 7 pm — Freehold Elks Club — 73 East Main — Freehold.

Gloucester County
Monroe Republican Club
120 Glassboro Road, Williamstown
Saturday, January 3 — 10 am

Cape May County
Avalon Country Club
1506 N. Rte 9, Cape May Court House
Saturday, January 3 — 12:30 pm

Atlantic County
Galloway Twp. Library
306 Jimmie Leeds Rd.
Galloway Township
Saturday, January 3 — 3 pm

Bergen County
Elks Club Paramus
200 Rte 17 N
Tuesday, January 6 — 7 pm