WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
1. Promotion and eventual enactment of a “Fair School Funding” formula to create a mechanism to equitably distribute state aid to our schools.
2. Keeping a watchful eye on spending and inappropriate borrowing.
3. Supporting continued efforts to improve efficiency of State Government operations
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
I believe that the market provides an excellent foundation for the distribution of services. The delivery of educational services to the children in the state is no different. When competition is eliminated in the market, including in our schools, we set the stage for mediocre outcomes. I support programs that will challenge the faculty, administrators, and students alike. This may take the form of charter schools, voucher programs, or school attendance outside of one’s home district.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
I have introduced legislation to change the school funding mechanism in the state. S2924 and SCR162 both address the inequalities in the current court imposed “Abbott” decisions. The school fund, collected progressively via the state income tax, is to be distributed for the equal benefit of the people of the state. I believe both bills move us closer to the school funding ideal that our constitutional drafters envisioned.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
I am not satisfied with the planning initiatives that have been implemented to date. COAH has resulted in unreasonable mandates that have hindered growth. The Court’s decisions on this subject need to be overturned. I have introduced legislation, (SCR45) that will clarify that “affordable housing” is not a right. The mandate that each taxpayer is to contribute to provide state subsidized affordable housing to others only makes homeownership less affordable for those who pay the bill.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
I do not support more state subsidies for conservation and renewable energy projects. The market is again a great mechanism to encourage both conservation and innovation. State subsidized programs have not, in my opinion, been a good value for the taxpayer. I believe that we should make NJ more attractive for industry by ending expensive mandates for companies that do business here. When we are competitive, we will attract new industry and new jobs that will get the state back on track.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
I do not think our infrastructure is crumbling. It does require maintenance, and we have a funding source for that which is the transportation trust fund. The money in that fund has been greatly diminished due to a borrowing spree from prior administrations. We now have to pay back those loans. While it is difficult to deal with postponing upgrades to our transportation system, we must pay down our debts first. I will not support an increase in the gas tax.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
For the majority of property taxpayers in New Jersey, implementation of my “Fair School Funding” proposal would provide meaningful property tax relief quickly. Please visit my website at www.fairschoolfunding.com for more details on my proposal.
WINNER: Michael Doherty - Incumbent:
We spend too much time on special interest issues and need to spend more time addressing the concerns of the taxpayers. We must enact a fair school funding plan, control our borrowing addiction and say no to bonding for projects like casinos, stadiums and expensive tunnel projects. Once we have our fiscal house in order we need to employ a pay as you go approach. When the legislature can focus on the limited constitutional functions of government, I believe, things will get better.
Full Name:
Michael J. Doherty
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
2009
Phone:
908-835-0552
Birthday:
05/24/1963
Education:
BS, United States Military Academy at West Point; JD, Seton Hall University School of Law
Public Service:
Warren County Board of Freeholders, Director, 2002-2003, Deputy Director, 2001, NJ Assembly 2002-2009, Senate 2009-Present
John Graf Jr.:
Educational funding, shared services, and pay to play/ethics in government.
We need to get both sides of the political aisles to work together and stop fighting to make the others look bad. The "lets get re-elected" game has got to stop once and for all! We need to put people before politics!
John Graf Jr.:
While I support a certain amount of qualified Charter Schools in the State, I truly believe that Governor Christie and his educational leadership team has taken the Charter School and voucher initiatives way to far. Public schools that have productive systems are going to be hurt in the end and we will not be providing the BEST education opportunities for our children. We need to invest in the public schools that we have and look at the possibility of more shared services initiatives.
John Graf Jr.:
My opponent (Michael Doherty) is proposing what he calls "Mike's Fair School Funding Plan" in an effort to fool voters in his 23rd Legislative District (and around the State) that the Abbott funding issue is denying their school districts the funding that they deserve. While I believe that the Abbott funding formula needs to be addressed, I feel that the Doherty Plan would hurt autistic, developmentally disabled, Vo-Tech, and many others students with special needs. His plan is too extreme!
John Graf Jr.:
Sprawl and the damage it causes to the environment of this State must be a "watchdog" priority for New Jersey. Only with proper planning through regional planning initiatives can we ensure that does not occur. I would favor looking into continued Open Space funding initiatives (allowing for more local input) on what is needed and how it can best be funded. I am, however, leery of some special deals that are being made for certain political donors who have potential Open Space properties.
John Graf Jr.:
I do not support the Governor's plan, as I feel that he is abandoning the crucial work that has been done over the years to protect NJ. One only needs to look at the records -- since NJ became a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008, global warming pollution is down by 15 to 30 percent. Efficiency and conservation programs financed by funds generated in the regional RGGI auction have delivered significant energy and cost savings to residential and business ratepayers.
John Graf Jr.:
Having been a former staff member of the NJDOT, I have seen the good work that the Transportation Trust Fund has done to keep our transportation infrastructure moving forward. Unfortunately, the past few administrations have waited too long to deal with this issue and are now trying to scramble to do a quick fix and come up with solutions that are band-aid approaches. These political leaders need to stop worrying about getting re-elected and start working together to get the job done.
John Graf Jr.:
As a member of the Somerset County Business Partnership Board of Directors, I have worked with local, county and state leaders to drive SHARED SERVICES as a method to provide relief for property taxpayers. There is countless waste in all of these areas and we We need to put this initiative into a more direct "mandate" for all municipalities and end the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) mentality! Shared Services works and now is the time to drive it home for the benefit of everyone involved.
John Graf Jr.:
We need to get the LEADER of our State (Governor Christie) to stop acting like a "little spoiled brat kid" and to start working together. On the federal, state, county & local levels of government, all we are seeing is FIGHTING -- and no real progress. Politicians in office today are once again more concerned about getting re-elected and not voting their conscience (and the will of their constituents). The Republican leaders are scared to vote against Governor Christie -- and that's a shame!
Full Name:
Rev. John Graf, Jr.
Party:
Democratic Party
Incumbent:
No
Phone:
908-781-0470/Home
908-285-8965/Cell
Birthday:
June 16, 1958
Education:
BA, The American University, Washington, DC (1981)
1 year of study at Glassboro State College (1976-77)
Public Service:
Governor Jon Corzine appointment to The Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustee (July, 2009-Present);
Somerset County Bar Foundation Board (2005-Present); Somerset County United Way Board of Trustees (Chair 2003-2005, Board Member 2000-2005); Rutgers University Women's Basketball Cagers Club (1986-Present; President 2005-2010); Adult Day Center of Somerset County Advisory Board (2004-Present); Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (Chair 2002-2004, Board Member 1998-2004); Friends of Somerset County Youth Board of Directors (Vice Chair/Member 2002-2010); Brook Arts Center Advisory Board (2003-2007);
Somerset County Office on Aging “Seniors on Parade” Talent Show (Producer/Director 2002-2009);
PeopleCare Center “Taste of Somerset” (Co-Chair 1999-Present); Somerset County Business Partnership Board of Directors (2000-Present); Somerset County Business Partnership “Culinary Invitational” (Co-Chair 2000-2009);
Spirit of Somerset Awards Committee (Founder/Co-Chair 2000-Present); New Jersey Friends of Teen Arts Board of Trustees (Chair/Member 2001-2003);
Somerset Treatment Services Board of Directors (1999-2005, 2007-Present); Alternatives, Inc. Board of Directors (1998-2005, 2007-Present); PeopleCare Center Board of Directors (1999-2003, Advisory Board 2003-Present); Somerset County Heritage Trail Association Board of Trustees (2000-2003);
New Jersey Governor’s Advisory Council on Volunteerism & Community Service (Chair 1995-1998); Governor’s Delegate, New Jersey Commission on National & Community Service (1995-1998); New Jersey Violent Crimes Compensation Advisory Board (1988-1991, 1996-1998);
Bedminster Township Hills Housing Corporation (Mayor's appointment 1995-1997); Bedminster Hills-Parkside Board of Directors (1993-1995); Somerset County Park Commission Open Space Referendum Committee (1991-1992);
Branchburg Rotary Club (1990-1995); Somerville-Bridgewater Rotary Club (2007-2009/current on leave of absence); Somerset County Mental Health Board (1990-1994); Plainfield Area Visiting Nurses Association Board of Directors (1988-1991); New Jersey Crime Victims Rights Coalition (Board Member & Communications Director 1987-1991); Somerset County Mental Health Association Board of Directors (1986-1990); New Jersey Victims for Victims Organization (Founder/President 1986-1991);
South Plainfield Cultural Arts Commission (Founder/Chair 1981-1985); South Plainfield Democratic Organization “Young Democrats” (Chair 1972-1976); South Plainfield Democratic Organization (Member 1968-1985); Somerset County Democratic Organization (Co-Finance Committee Chair 2008-Present); Bedminster Township Democratic Committee (Finance Committee Chair 2010-Present); Somerset County Republican Organization (Campaign Team Member 1986-1995).
Daniel Z. Seyler:
1. HOUSING: approximately 5,000 low cost dwellings are needed in Northern New Jersey.
2. TAX RELIEF for Seniors and qualified disabled persons.
3. INITIATIVE & REFERENDUM introduced with 100 signatures on a petition.
PLEASE VISIT njdistrict23.com for more information.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
I like the idea of Charter Schools. I want to also see a voucher program where each school age
child receives a VOUCHER TICKET that they may spend on the school of their choice and their parent's
choice. In a free enterprise system, the schools could compete for the student's attendance.
The voucher ticket, as I see it, would not include transportation out side of a child's school district.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
The towns are required to provide schooling for children from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Creativity may be needed to help the towns fulfill their obligations.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
Sprawl can be slowed with minimum lot sizes.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
CONSERVE ENERGY, Insulation will pay for itself in heating and cooling fuel savings.
REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
A. The people who benefit from the infrastructure should pay for that benefit
through a usage fee. 1. tolls on highways 2. increased registration fees
3. work with the federal government to tax gasoline so taxes are collected
from across state borders and distributed fairly. Any other suggestions
to implement a fair way of increasing income are welcome.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
What I am proposing is "SENIOR FREEDOM". With SENIOR FREEDOM, the Senior's property tax will be decreased. With my plan, a Senior or a qualified disabled person receives a reduction for their present Real Estate assessment for 1,000 square feet of housing area. In other words, my proposal is, if a Senior's dwelling is assessed based on 2,000 square feet of space, the Senior will be taxed for only 1,000 square feet of that area. Rebates will be unnecessary, people will keep their money.
Daniel Z. Seyler:
Government seems like a circus, the Senators and Assembly play combat games for
the press coverage, it seems they make deals behind closed doors. It seems
nothing worthwhile is accomplished in Trenton except for the construction of
new State Administration buildings.
Full Name:
Daniel Z. Seyler
Party:
Independent
Incumbent:
No
Phone:
908~859~0986
Birthday:
3/31/1955
Education:
Pennington School, Pennington, New Jersey
Radford College, Radford, Virginia
Trenton State College, Ewing, New Jersey
Warren County Community College, Washington, NJ
Warren county VO-TECH, Washington, NJ
e.thePeople
