December 22, 2011

State Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) issued the following statement congratulating Governor Christie for coming to a contract agreement with state employees represented by the IFPTE and SEIU:

“The Governor promised that there would be someone fighting for the taxpayers at the negotiating table, and this contract makes good on that promise.”

“Through a commitment to collective bargaining, the contract agreed to by the Administration, SEIU, and IFPTE is fair to employees and taxpayers alike, and reflects the economic realities facing private sector workers across our state.”

“This approach to labor negotiations is a model that I hope future Administrations will follow, as it puts taxpayers’ interests first.”

January 10th, 2012

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth) issued the following statement mourning the death of Assemblyman and Republican leader Alex DeCroce:

“Alex DeCroce was my friend with whom I served for over twenty years in the legislature. Words cannot adequately express the sorrow we all feel today, nor our condolences to Betty Lou and the DeCroce family. May Alex rest in peace and his legacy never be forgotten in the halls of the State House.”

January 17th, 2012

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth) issued the following statement on Governor Christie’s State of the State Address:

“Through a commitment to living within our means and restoring predictability to our business climate, new jersey has turned the corner and is creating sustainable, private sector jobs.

“Governor Christie’s leadership has made the change possible. I applaud him for not caving to the overheated rhetoric of those who would prefer we continued to take orders from the special interests in Trenton.

“What we are doing is working- and it is a credit to Governor Christie’s willingness to make difficult but necessary decisions.”

January 30, 2012

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth) today congratulated outgoing DOBI Commissioner Thomas Considine for his accomplishments over the course of the past two years:

“New Jersey businesses and consumers had a strong advocate in Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Thomas Considine. During his time at the Department, Tom helped repeal 21 burdensome regulations, improved the responsiveness of the department to the industry’s needs, reformed personal injury protection regulations to help contain auto insurance increases, and established the Bureau of Fraud Deterrence. Quite simply, Tom Considine was an outstanding Commissioner of Banking and Insurance and I wish him all the best in his return to the private sector.”

December 22, 2011

With the help of Gov. Chris Christie and State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos, Mayor Scott Aagre and the Township Committee of the Township of Hazlet are pleased to announce that the Township has entered into a contract to purchase approximately 4.7 acres of property located off of Scott Drive, backing up to Waackaack Creek, from Mr. and Mrs. Edward McNamee for $265,000.  Mr. and Mrs. McNamee have generously agreed to donate an adjacent 5.8 acres to the Township.  The property contains significant wetlands, which will be preserved as open space. 

The purchase price is being funded from a grant from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to preserve the estuary of the harbor.  Hazlet would like to especially thank the Port Authority for working so closely with the Township to acquire this important wetlands resource.  The Township would also like to thank State Senator Joseph Kyrillos for his efforts in bringing all parties together. 

The funding from the Port Authority will be made through the Raritan Baykeeper, Inc., and the Township extends its thanks to the Baykeeper organization as well as to Greg Remaud, their project manager who has been actively assisting the Township in its effort to acquire this property.

The township would also like to specifically thank Governor Christie for his securing of the funding necessary to complete this agreement. The commendable combined efforts of Governor Christie, Senator Kyrillos, the McNamees, the Port Authority, the Baykeeper, and the Township have culminated in an agreement to preserve a thriving wildlife and wetlands corridor, to extend from Raritan Bay, inland through Hazlet Township, continuing into Holmdel Township. 

To protect the Township and the public interest, the contract provides that the Township will be performing environmental searches before it closes title on the property.  If all goes well, a closing on the property is anticipated in 2012.

For additional information, please contact Mayor Scott Aagre by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at (732) 620-0387.   

December 20, 2011

Trenton - State Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) issued the following statement regarding the agreement between the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association to keep Monmouth Park open through 2012:

“It has been a long and at times difficult process, but I am pleased that horse racing will continue at Monmouth Park for the 2012 season.  The agreement reached between NJSEA and the Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association last night will ensure that a vital industry for Monmouth County and New Jersey survives.  There is a great deal of work to do in the New Year to build a stronger racing industry that can stand on its own without taxpayer assistance.  Monmouth Park is an important part of the fabric of our state and I will continue to work with the Governor’s office and all relevant players.”

December 16, 2011

Bill Extends Tax Credits to Companies that Create Jobs, Invest in New Jersey

Trenton—  Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) seeking to create jobs and business investment in New Jersey has received full Senate approval. The Grow New Jersey Assistance Program established by S-3033 provides tax credits to businesses that invest at least $20 million in New Jersey and retain or create at least 100 jobs.

Kyrillos lauded the bill as an incentive for firms to relocate or expand operations in the state.  “This legislation will help businesses put people back to work by reducing the tax burden of those that make a commitment to New Jersey,” he said.  “Businesses that make a substantial investment of jobs and capital in New Jersey will receive a tax break from state government. This is exactly the kind of incentive program we need to bring New Jersey’s economy back.”

Businesses that qualify will receive a $5000 credit against its tax liability for each job created or retained in state under the program for up to 10 years. Senator Kyrillos joins Senator Ray Lesniak (D- Union) as co-prime sponsor of the measure.

The measure awaits action in the Assembly.

December 15, 2011

Senators Joe Kyrillos, Kip Bateman, and Kevin O’Toole today attempted to provide tax relief to New Jersey residents by forcing votes on long-stalled legislation eliminating payments for unused sick leave for public employees, providing voters the opportunity to opt their community out of civil service rules, and implement accountability in the state’s numerous independent authorities and commissions.

Rebuffed by their colleagues, the Senators issued the following statements condemning the Majority’s reluctance to consider legislation that would save taxpayer dollars:

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth), S-2220 (CV)

“It’s really quite sad that the best excuse Democrats can find for caving to Trenton special interests on terminal leave reform is that public employees will commit fraud unless they are paid not to do so. Public employees should be fired if they inappropriately use sick time, not rewarded for following the rules. Sick leave is not deferred compensation, it is time made available to an employee in the event he or she falls ill. The Majority’s stalling tactics have reached new levels of absurdity, and are costing New Jersey taxpayers dearly.”

Senator Kip Bateman (R- Somerset), S-2039

“I do not understand why the Majority doesn’t trust voters to opt out of an antiquated civil service system that drives up the cost of government, makes it harder to find efficiencies in local government workforces, and is a barrier to shared services. This is a decision that is well within the rights of taxpayers, who are paying for the increased costs that can result from civil service rules, to make for themselves. Denying voters the choice to save tax dollars through an open referendum is simply wrong in a state with the highest property taxes in the nation.”

Senator Kevin O’Toole (R- Essex), S-2654

“Rampant waste, secrecy, and abuse exposed at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Authority is proof positive that we must act to bring accountability to the state’s independent authorities and commissions. How many more outrageous contracts and overpaid political patronage jobs do we need to uncover at these agencies before the Majority is convinced of the need for action? There are public dollars at stake here, and it is readily evident that those dollars are not being spent wisely by the state’s independent authorities and commissions under the laws that currently exist.”

December 8, 2011

Trenton— Outraged at news that Lower Township will pay out nearly $1 million in terminal leave payments to its employees for unused sick and vacation time, Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex), sponsor of legislation to end sick leave payments for public employees, called for terminal leave reform to be completed before the end of the current legislative session.

"Lower Township's taxpayers are being forced to pay for a needless, wasteful, and unjustifiable benefit that is enjoyed in virtually no other work environment," said Kyrillos. "While we can negotiate and compromise over the details of a final bill to fix this problem, there should be no debate about the fundamental idea that any future sick leave earned by an employee should not carry cash value. Abandoning the idea that sick leave is for when an employee is sick rather than deferred compensation would be a slap in the face to taxpayers."

The Press of Atlantic City reports that the Lower Township Council made an emergency appropriation of $900, 000 to fund terminal leave payments for employees this year, including three employees receiving checks in excess of $100, 000. Terminal leave payments are responsible for several cents on the municipal tax rate.

"We cannot allow this to go on any longer," said Kyrillos. "There is simply no good reason to assign cash value to sick leave that is not used by an employee. Taxpayers are being gouged for no reason other than inaction in Trenton."