Karen Carroll:
Jobs, retraining and education for people of all ages in NJ would allow our state to bring back the quality of life that so many middle class families are struggling to hold on to.
Health care for students, women and children living in or near poverty levels.
Improve rural transportation options.
Karen Carroll:
New Jersey's public education system is one of the best in the nation, and I believe that withdrawing money to pay for charter schools and private schools would be a mistake. Education in this country has always been the great "equalizer," allowing students from disadvantaged backgrounds to compete on the same educational arena as those students who are more affluent. Reducing money for public education is just one more blow to the middle class in New Jersey.
Karen Carroll:
A long time problem in NJ. Perhaps part of the answer lies in the possibilities for more regionalization instead of so many individualized school districts. Changes should come from the communities with the participation of elected officials, parents/taxpayers, school administrators and teachers. Villainizing teachers and pulling funding from public schools is not the answer.
Karen Carroll:
The state should continue to adopt regional planning programs and municipalities have got to fairly participate. Each city and town needs to recognize and be responsible for the impact of their actions on their neighbors. Sprawl has historically been the result of little or no planning when it comes to residential and commercial building. Considerations for transportation, education and public infrastructure are often neglected in the rush for ratables.
Karen Carroll:
No, I do not support his energy master plan. I believe we should be looking for ways to maintain and improve air and water quality and preserve our open spaces. Businesses looking to do business NJ can find an educated and productive workforce with a high quality of life because of our environmental regulations. We learned the hard way not to trust the polluters to police themselves. We should not be going backward on these issues.
Karen Carroll:
Our infrastructure is crumbling, and anyone driving on the roads in NJ can see that. A large part of the answer to the funding issue is the new program proposed by President Obama. We should be lobbying our Members of Congress to support the President and bring that money into our state to repair and rebuild dams, bridges, roads and tunnels. This will not only improve the roads, it will create jobs.
Karen Carroll:
I think regionalization and shared services are key to maintaining our quality educational systems, our public safety and public works systems at a more reasonable cost. We have got to get beyond the idea that each municipality must have a separate schools, road departments and police departments. Americans have always found that sharing the costs provides a better result. Now we need to elect office holders with the courage to do just that.
Karen Carroll:
People don't seem to feel any responsibility for each other anymore. Nearly every religion in the world has some version of the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We just don't seem to follow that path any longer. We really are our brother's keepers.
Full Name:
Karen Carroll
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
No
Phone:
732-868-5152
Education:
Raritan Valley Community College; Rider University
Public Service:
Former President and Associate Director of Women’s Health & Counseling Center, Somerville
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
1. Implement meaningful reforms that will continue to ensure public institutions are run efficiently at all levels 2. Promote and provide incentives for companies to not only do business in New Jersey, but hire our residents too as a means to economic recovery. 3. Change our educational funding formula to provide for real property tax reform and fair funding for all students in this state.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
I believe competition is a catalyst for greater ingenuity and continued improvement in any area of society including our educational system. I also believe parents and students have a right to choose where they go to school no matter what school they attend and should have all options available to them including vouchers, charter schools, and school choice. New Jersey ranks #1 in the nation for highest property taxes and education costs account for a large portion of the tax bill, they should at least have the right to choose where they send their children to be educated.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
Senator Doherty and I have legislation pending in both Houses of the Legislature that would establish a funding formula for the distribution of school aid based on projected enrollment. This has been noted as the only education funding formula that is Constitutional and fair to all students in this state. Should this legislation pass, 85% of property owners would see an immediate reduction in their property taxes. Please visit http://fairschoolfunding.com/ to learn more about the potential savings for the majority of property tax payers in this state.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
I believe local government entities have done a better job in this legislative district in developing their own growth plans. Last session I sponsored ACR216 which would have clarified the housing rights of state residents under the State Constitution and prohibited laws requiring municipalities to provide housing opportunities through zoning and land use regulations. I believe the passage of these type of mandates have contributed to the continued rising cost of local governments which has been passed on to the taxpayers of this state.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
I believe incentives included as part of New Jersey's energy master plan has assisted some markets during a period of economic stagnation. However, this intrusion into the free market has resulted in, once again, the disruption of our market as can be attested to by those who recently installed solar power with the expectation of receiving monthly compensation through the Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC). The economic laws of supply and demand have impacted the rate of return for these investors due to a saturation of the market.Thus, more government isn't always better for the public.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
Our transportation infrastructure is the cornerstone of our economy. We have a funding mechanism in place that works called the Transportation Trust Fund. The problem in New Jersey is that we don't hold anyone accountable for mismanagement of these funds. I do not support further borrowing or increased tolls. I support paying down the debts incurred by past administrations while simultaneously putting forth a meaningful transportation infrastructure plan that will ensure the safety of all.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
As I noted in a previous question, Senator Doherty and I have legislation pending in both Houses of the Legislature that would establish a funding formula for the distribution of school aid based on projected enrollment. This has been noted as the only education funding formula that is Constitutional and fair to all students in this state. Should this legislation pass, 85% of property owners would see an immediate reduction in their property taxes. Please visit http://fairschoolfunding.com/ to learn more about the potential savings for the majority of property tax payers in this state.
WINNER: John DiMaio - Incumbent:
We need to return to our basic principles provided for us in the Constitution. When did policy become implemented for the few rather than the majority? It has become so prevalent in New Jersey that this erroneous application transcends all levels of government including school boards and local governments. This is not only misguided but frankly, frightening since many of men and women had given their lives in the pursuit of upholding our Constitutional beliefs. We must make ourselves well informed and return to our basic principles that have guided many before us.
Full Name:
John DiMaio
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
2009
Phone:
908-684-9550
Birthday:
11/27/1955
Education:
Hackettstown High School
Public Service:
Warren County Board of Freeholders, 2000-2009, Director, 2008, 2001; Town of Hackettstown, Mayor, 1991-1999, Councilman, 1980-1990
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Scott McDonald:
The candidate has not responded to repeated requests to answer questions.
Full Name:
Scott McDonald
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
No
Phone:
908-689-8959
Birthday:
07/25/1958
Education:
DeVry Technical Institute, 1979
Public Service:
Mayor, Washington Borough, 2000; Councilman, Washington Borough, 2001-present, 1996-1999, 1993-1994
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
1.Create jobs by making NJ more attractive for business expansion and opening a new business. NJ needs to be more competitive with other States and Countries by reducing taxes and unnecessary regulations.
2. Reduce property taxes by changing the school aid formula to be more equitable and to treat all children equally.
3. Make NJ fiscally sound by reducing debt and unnecessary programs.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
The State should adopt policies that allow all children to receive a good education. I will support any program that will further these goals. I have supported school choice legislation and will continue to support such legislation when appropriate.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
I believe that the current school aid funding formula is flawed and needs to be re-written. The current formula is too easily manipulated without any meaningful audits and does not treat children equally.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
I support strong local planning that takes into consideration regional impact. I support voluntary voter approved farmland and open space preservation programs.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
I support most of the Governor's energy master plan.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
We should be use budget surpluses to reduce debt to provide the additional revenue needed to pay for transportation infrastructure upgrades. NJ could have reduced debt by $500 Million this past year using the budget surplus. I do not support increasing NJ already crushing debt burden nor do I support tax increases.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
The State needs to reduce the unpaid mandates it places upon local government and performing schools. State laws and regulations need to be changed to make shared services and regionalization of services easier and more cost effective. In addition, I support changing the state school aid formula to make the distribution of State funds more equitable.
WINNER: Erik Peterson - Incumbent:
legislative district map that results in a legislature that reflect the voters' will.
Full Name:
Erik Peterson
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
2009
Phone:
908-237-4694
Birthday:
03/08/1966
Education:
BA, North Carolina State University, Business Management; JD, Temple University School of Law
Public Service:
Hunterdon County Freeholders, 2006-2009, Director, 2008, Deputy Director, 2007
e.thePeople
