By David Marcou -- August 18th, 2010

Senator Donald Norcross released this statement in response to the DRPA’s announced reform agenda this morning:

"We must acknowledge that what is going on at the DRPA is just part of a culture of fraud and abuse across the state.

The Government Reality Check Act is the first real step required to reform this culture, which has allowed perks and privileges supported on the back of taxpayers. Only by bringing consistency, transparency, and accountability to all of New Jersey’s many authorities, commissions, local and state offices can we truly hope to prevent and erase the practices that put private interests above the public good.

We cannot defeat this problem piecemeal. We need to confront it head on -- at every level of government across the entire state. The Government Reality Check Act achieves this goal.

Join me in making a real difference for all New Jersey taxpayers by supporting the Government Reality Check Act."

FYI...

August 15, 2010

Mr. Gene Williams

Executive Editor

The Courier-Post

301 South Cuthbert Boulevard

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Dear Mr. Williams,

As we discussed this morning, I am deeply concerned about the errors of fact in reporter Eileen Stilwell’s story on the DRPA. These errors directly attack my honesty and integrity and are untrue. I am appalled that easily checked facts, such as votes at the DRPA, either were not checked or ignored. Some things never even occurred during the time period in question. Others were not approved or voted upon by me. These kinds of errors are the result of either negligence or malice.

Here are the major errors:

By Kevin McArdle - NJ101.5 FM - August 13, 2010

State Senator Don Norcross and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty are calling for a statewide offensive against spending and ethics abuses by enacting sweeping reforms that would apply to all public bodies - from the Governor's Office and the Legislature on down to county and local governments, state and county colleges and universities, school and fire districts, and including all independent state, county, and local authorities in New Jersey.

"It's time to cut up the government credit card," says Moriarty. "This law will be a reality check for all public officials and employees. While the great majority of them are honest, diligent workers who serve the public well, others have taken advantage of a system that offers too much opportunity for abuse."

By Max Pizarro - POLITICKERNJ - August 12th, 2010

State Senator Donald Norcross (D-Camden) and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester) say they have what amounts to the biggest crack down bill yet on deadbeat pols and hacks who abuse the system.

The pair of South Jersey lawmakers - the first running in a second election in November and the second up for re-election in a battleground district next year - say their legislation would eliminate or blunt government perks like luxury car stipends and housing allowances to personal drivers and government-issued credit cards. They promise strict new ethics standards, "such as a revolving-door policy banning officials from working with certain private employers for two years after leaving their government jobs."