Our 4th Liberty Principle is “Post all state, county, local, and public school salaries and contracts on the internet.”   Would implementing our liberty principle stop the abuses mentioned below?   You be the judge.

(The following is a press release from the NJ WatchDog:)

 

DOUBLE-DIPS ADD UP TO MILLIONS FOR 45 ‘RETIRED’ SCHOOL CHIEFS

 

Thomas Butler can take you to school on the study of double-dipping in New Jersey.

 

Since he retired as a superintendent 18 years ago, Butler has held 23 jobs as an interim or temporary chief at public school districts in 12 different counties. While continuing to draw six-figure salaries from taxpayers, he has pocketed $1.2 million in state pension checks.

 

At present, Butler collects $212,340 a year – $135,000 in salary as interim superintendent of Mendham Borough schools in Morris County, plus a $77,340 pension as a retired educator. He says he saves the school district money as it searches for a permanent head.

 

“I’m in this just to help the district out,” said Butler. However, the brunt of double-dipping falls on the state’s troubled pension system, which faces a shortfall of nearly $42 billion.

 

A New Jersey Watchdog investigation found 45 retirees have worked as interim superintendents so far during the current school year. They use a loophole in pension law to collectively receive more than $4 million annually from the state Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund in addition to executive pay from districts.

 

The full story – plus a list of double-dipping superintendents – is now online athttp://newjersey.watchdog.org.  New Jersey Watchdog partnered with NBC 4 New York to produce the investigative report.

Our fourth liberty principle is “Post all state, county, local, and public school salaries and contracts on the internet.”   Matier & Ross of SFGate recently blogged on another reason why every government salary and contract should be posted online, “Alameda County rewards boss: $400,000 … for life:”

Alameda County supervisors have really taken to heart the adage that government should run like a business — rewarding County Administrator Susan Muranishi with the Wall Street-like wage of $423,664 a year.

For the rest of her life.

According to county pay records, in addition to her $301,000 base salary, Muranishi receives:  …

Abuses happen when the light of transparency does not shine on the financial dealings of government officials.   It is human nature for those with power to be tempted to use that power to better themselves at the expense of the governed.   It is so important for people to see how and where every dollar of their tax money is being spent.   If your local or county government do not act in accord with our fourth liberty principle, demand that they do!   Liberty brings prosperity.

(Shout-out to Nate N. for sharing this article with us.)

(Image Source - http://www.vestas.com/files/billeder/Photos/News/Other/transparency_top.jpg)

Senator Ted Cruz has announced that he is proposing an amendment to the Immigration / Amnesty bill being debated in the Senate.   This amendment will allow states (like Arizona) to require voter identification.   Roll Call reports:

Just hours after the Supreme Court ruled that federal law pre-empted Arizona from requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, Sen. Ted Cruz said he would try to change that.

The Texas Republican made the announcement on Twitter:

From MegaVote -

Recent House Votes

FY 2014 Defense Authorization – Passage - Vote Passed (315-108, 11 Not Voting) After voting on a series of amendments, including rejecting one from Adam Smith, D-Wash. to close the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba by the end of 2014, the House passed this bill authorizing spending on the Defense Department and national security programs for fiscal year 2014. Ignoring the White House administration’s threat to veto the bill, they passed a $638.4 billion measure that includes $85.8 billion for war costs, requirements for the Defense secretary to detail military intervention options in Syria, and new guidelines and harsher penalties for sexual assault in the armed services. Sexual assault amendments from Lois Frankel, D-Fla., and Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, making it an offense to abuse one’s authority in the chain of command and establishing mandatory minimum sentences of discharge, dismissal and confinement for certain offenses, respectively, were adopted. Rep. Frank LoBiondo voted YES

Steve Lonegan on the Radio and for Breakfast Tomorrow (Saturday)

Steve Lonegan will be on Radio 92.1 FM (www.wvlt.com) tomorrow (Saturday) from 8AM to 9AM.   And then at the Shore Diner for breakfast from 9:30AM to 10:30 AM tomorrow (Saturday)
The  Shore Diner is at Tilton and Fire Roads by Parkway Exit 36 in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
Just four years ago, the Republican establishment thought Steve Lonegan was too conservative to win in New Jersey.   The did everything they can to make sure Christie, not Lonegan was the Republican nominee to run against Jon Corzine for Governor in 2009.    Christie got 182,000 votes in the 2009 Republican Primary compared to 142,000 votes for Lonegan.But today, Lonegan is the front runner in the special August Republican Primary Election.  He will run against the Democrat choice to fill Frank Lautenberg’s U.S. Senate seat in a special October election.Steve Lonegan is giving conservatives a unique chance to prove what we have been saying all along–that conservative Republicans have a much better chance of winning state-wide office than “moderates”–even in a “blue” state like NJ.

National Tea Party Patriots holding rally against IRS in Washington, DC on Wednesday, June 19.   Buses will leave from the old Shore Mall and other points to converge on DC for the Audit the IRS Rally.   Spaces are still available.  Click here for more information.   The rally is from Noon – 3pm.

First Liberty Principle -  Make all laws and taxes fair and simple.  Apply them equally to everyone

The current tax code is neither fair, nor simple.   Recent news reports and congressional testimony has revealed that the tax laws are not applied equally.   Conservative, Constitutional, Tea Party, Liberty, and 9/12 groups received extra and improper scrutiny that other groups did not.   Liberty brings prosperity.   Complicated, unfair tax laws and enforcement perpetuate an unfair, dishonest, “pay-to-play” political culture in America–and especially in New Jersey.

Seth Grossman back as Executive Director of LibertyAndProsperity.org

The membership re-appointed me last Saturday after the election was over, and I was no longer disqualified from holding a leadership position with the organization.    During my 18 weeks as a candidate, I learned a great deal, and made friends with many dedicated and talented conservatives all over New Jersey.    We now have new opportunities to advance the cause of liberty all over New Jersey that we never had before.    Learn more in future messages and at tomorrow’s breaksfast.

In Liberty,

SETH GROSSMAN, Executive Director
LibertyandProsperity.org

Liberty and Prosperity is not endorsing either candidate for Atlantic County Freeholder, and Linda Biamonte is not one of our members!

The NJ General Assembly passed bill A2172 by a vote of 55-17-5-3.   This bill requires certain health care facilities, e.g. hospitals, to provide the flu shot to their employees.   It also makes it harder for employees to refuse the flu shot.

Some health care employers have attempted to force employees to obtain the flu shot.   Other states, e.g. Rhode Island, have mandated the flu shot for health care workers when the flu is “wide-spread.”   Employees have gone to court to protect their right not to be forced to vaccinate.

Why is government getting involved in this matter?   Do you agree with this measure?   Or do you think this is another instance of government intruding in the lives of citizens and depriving them of their liberty?  Leave your comment below.

Please join us to promote our American heritage of Liberty and Prosperity by marching in the Mainland Memorial Day Parades.   We will assemble at President Dennis Mahon’s home (7 Twelve Oaks Court, Northfield, NJ) at 8am.   The Mahons put forth a wonderful spread for all volunteers before the parades.   We will start marching in the Northfield parade, then drive to and march in the Linwood parade, and conclude with the Somers Point parade.

There is a contentious primary election in the Republican Party here in Atlantic County for the office of Freeholder At-Large.   Two-term incumbent Joe McDevitt is being challenged by union leader Will Pauls.   There is the interesting dynamic of the majority of the Republican Party leadership withdrawing support from Freeholder McDevitt to endorse Mr. Pauls.

Our first of eight liberty principles is:

Make all laws and taxes fair and simple.  Apply them equally to everyone.

There is evidence to indicate that our complex tax laws are/were applied unequally giving more scrutiny to tea party groups, than what is given to non-tea party groups.   Representative Mike Kelly of PA had a wonderful exchange with an IRS representative that points out the unjust situation and gives voice to the sentiments of  many in our country.   The Blaze reports:

Kelly took his time during the hearing on the IRS’s targeting of conservatives to lambaste outgoing head Steven Miller, reminding Miller that while the IRS would like to chalk the organization’s recent actions up to a mistake, regular Americans do not get that luxury when dealing with the IRS.

“If you think it’s uncomfortable sitting over there you ought to be a private individual when the IRS is across from you asking you questions,” Kelly began, and that set the tone for the subsequent four minutes.

Some of the highlights:

• “I have a grandson who’s afraid to get out of bed at night because he thinks there’s someone under the bed that’s going to grab him. And I think most Americans feel that way about the IRS.”
• “This kind of reconfirms that, you know what, they [the IRS] can do almost anything they want to anybody they want, anytime they want. This is very chilling for the American people.”
• “This is a Pandora’s Box that has been opened and I don’t think we can get the lid back on it.”
• “I don’t believe the White House just found out about this in a news report.”
• “I got to tell you, where you’re sitting, you should be outraged — and you’re not. The American people should be outraged, and they are.”
• “This reconfirms everything the American public believes! This is a huge blow to the faith and trust the American people have in their government!”
• “Is there any limit to the scope of where you folks can go?”
• “It’s sure as hell intimidating. And I don’t’ know that I got any answers from you today.”
• “I am more concerned today than I was before. The fact that you all can do just about anything you want to anybody. You know, you can put anybody out of business that you want anytime you want.”
• “And when the IRS comes in, you’re not allowed to be shoddy, you’re not allowed to be run horribly, you’re not allowed to make mistakes, you’re not allowed to do one damn thing that doesn’t come in compliance. If you do, you’re held responsible right then.”
• “This is absolutely an overreach and this is an outrage for all America!”

Senator Jim Whelan has authored S2531 that would establish a mileage tax.   Liberty and Prosperity advocates eight liberty principles to improve life here in New Jersey.   Our first principle is “Make all laws and taxes fair and simple.  Apply them equally to everyone.”   New Jersey has too many taxes and fees.   The way to make our taxes more fair is to eliminate taxes, not create new ones.

Here is Save Jersey’s coverage of Senator Jim Whelan’s mileage tax.