Dateline: Trenton

With New Jersey's 213th Legislative Session now behind us, AFP-NJ can unveil its Final 2008-2009 Legislative Scorecard.

Americans for Prosperity's 2008-2009 Scorecard rates the performance of New Jersey's 120 legislators on votes critical to taxpayers. The Scorecard focuses on over 50 bills introduced during the two year assembly session that effect taxes and businesses in the most over taxed state in America.

It is our contention that the bills scored will either lead to higher taxes, increased government regulations, or add to the state's mountain of debt. These bills are destructive to the prosperity of businesses of all sizes within the state, and will result in more hard earned money taken by government from the people of New Jersey. Fundamentally, each "Yes" vote for these bills were for a bigger, more intrusive government.

The coveted A rating (90% or above) was earned by the following Assembly Members and Senators.

A Rated Assembly Members

Alison Littell McHose (R- 24)
Gary Chiusano (R- 24)
Michael Carroll (R- 25)
Jay Webber (R- 26)
Richard Merkt (R- 25)
David Russo (R- 40)

A Rated Senators:

Michael Doherty (R- 23)*
Andrew Ciesla (R-10)
Joseph Pennacchio (R-26)

*Mr. Doherty moved from the Assembly to the Senate November 7th, bringing his extraordinary record with him.

In the Republican caucus, the lowest-rated Senators were Sean Kean (R-11)and Bill Baroni (R-14). Each received failing "F" grades with scores of 58% and 55%, respectively. In the Assembly, Joe Malone (R-30) came in last amongst his fellow Republican Assemblymen at 58%.

In the Democratic caucus, every legislator received a failing "F" grade; the majority of which scored below 20%. Two Democrat Senators, John Girgenti, (D-35) and Brian Stack, (D-33) tied for the lowest "F" rating at 2%.

Taxpayers Zeros

Two Democrat Assembly members managed to receive a triple "F" score, with a disappointing rating of ZERO.

Cleopatra Tucker (D-28)
Joan Quigley (D-32)

What's Next

Within the coming weeks, AFP will be organizing activists to descend on Trenton and hand deliver report cards to their Assemblymen/Assemblywomen and Senators. Please stay tuned for more details on this event.

To see a one-page handout of AFP's 2008-2009 Legislative Scorecard, please click here.

To see our detailed Legislative Scorecard, please click here.