2012

STATE
LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS
GUIDE
NEW JERSEY
ACU Presents 2012
State Legislative Ratings
The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted
Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures for the second
year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative
issues. Last year, we graded State Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and
Virginia. This year, we are expanding our ratings to fifteen states.
ACU first began rating members of Congress in 1971. Since then,
our ratings system has become the most important conservative
measuring stick in American politics- the gold standard for voters
seeking more information on their representatives records.

Table of Contents
ACU Board Members
A Letter From The Chairman
How We Selected the Votes
Conservative All-Stars
NJ Assembly Vote Descriptions
House Scores
NJ Senate Vote Descriptions
Senate Scores

2
3
4
4
6
8
11
12

This expansion of our Conservative Ratings program is part of

Chairman Al Cardenas vision for building on successful ACU
initiatives and taking the fight for conservative principles to the state
and local levels. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring our
ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state,
every year.
New Jersey State Capitol Building, Trenton, NJ

American Conservative Union 1331 H St. NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005 (202) 347-9388 conservative.org

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

ACU Board Members

Al Cardenas (Chairman)
Thomas S. Winter (First Vice Chairman)
Donald Devine (Second Vice Chairman)
Becky Norton Dunlop (Treasurer)
Jameson G. Campaigne, Jr. (Secretary)
Joe Bast
Jeffrey Bell
Morton C. Blackwell
Ambassador John Bolton
Floyd Brown
Muriel Coleman
Dr. Larry Eastland
Paul Erickson
Carly Fiorina
Charlie Gerow
Alan M. Gottlieb
Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Asa Hutchinson
David A. Keene
Suhail A. Khan
James V. Lacy
Michael R. Long
Honorable Serphin Maltese
Carolyn D. Meadows
Cleta Mitchell
Joseph A. Morris
Grover G. Norquist
Ron Robinson
Allen Roth
Matt Schlapp
Fred L. Smith, Jr.
Lewis K. Uhler
Kirby Wilbur

ACU Foundation Board Members

Cleta Mitchell (Chairman)
Van D. Hipp, Jr. (Treasurer)
Carolyn D. Meadows (Secretary)
Al Cardenas
Amy Noone Frederick
Tim Goeglein

22

Millie Hallow
Colin A. Hanna
David Keene
Robert Luddy
Ambassador Roger F. Noriega
Thomas S. Winter

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

December 17, 2012

Dear Fellow Conservative,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the
American Conservative Unions 2012 State Legislative Ratings
for members of the New Jersey Legislature.

Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman

Since 1971, our Congressional ratings have become the gold standard in holding every member of
Congress accountable for their voting record on the most important issues facing our nation. Last year we
brought that same commitment to conservative ideals to the states, by rating members in five legislatures.
I am pleased to report that this year we will score 15 states. This is part of the ACU five-year plan to bring
our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every cycle.
It is important, now more than ever, that Americans have the information to elect true conservatives into
office. Now approaching four years under the failed leadership of President Barack Obama, America needs
to rein in reckless spending, restore our standing in the international community and return to the
traditional values that made our nation so great. Starting in 2010, the liberal policies of the Obama
administration have energized a national grassroots conservative movement, where we seek to bring change
to state and local governments nationwide. Because of this, our 2012 State Legislative Ratings are vital for
voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation.
We are dedicated to supporting the efforts of courageous conservative leaders fighting for limited
government, promoting prosperity and individual freedom, and defending traditional values. Standing by
voters around the nation, ACU is leading the way to encourage and help the next generation of
conservative leaders, beginning at the state level.
Thank you for your continued support. I know that together we can ensure Americas best days are
still ahead.
Sincerely,

Al Cardenas
Chairman, American Conservative Union
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 347-9388 Fax: (202) 347-9389
www.conservative.org

2012
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

How We Selected the Votes

The American Conservative Union is taking our hightly touted Congressional Ratings program to State Legislatures
for the second year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. Last year, we graded State
Legislators in the critical battleground states of Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. This year, we are
expanding our ratings to fifteen states.
ACU first began rating members of Congress in 1971. Since then, our ratings system has become the most important
conservative measuring stick in American politics- the gold standard for voters seeking more information on their
representatives records.
This expansion of our Conservative Ratings program is part of Chairman Al Cardenas vision for building on successful
ACU initiatives and taking the fight for conservative principles to the state and local levels. This is part of the ACU
five-year plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states- scoring every legislature in every state, every year.

Conservative All-Stars of the New Jersey Legislature

Defenders of Liberty
ACU Defenders of Liberty are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 100 percent on the ACU
2012 State Legislative Rating and cast a vote for each adjudicated vote.

New Jersey Senate:

New Jersey General Assembly:

Anthony R. Bucco
Michael J. Doherty
Steven V. Oroho
Joseph Pennacchio

Jon M. Bramnick
Chris A. Brown
Anthony M. Bucco
Gary R. Chiusano

Sean T. Kean
Gregory P. McGuckin
Alison Littell McHose
Nancy F. Munoz

David P. Rible
Donna M. Simon
Jay Webber

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

ACU Conservatives
ACU Conservatives are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 80 percent or higher on the
ACU 2012 State Legislative Ratings.
New Jersey Senate:

New Jersey General Assembly:

Dawn Marie Addiego

Gerald Cardinale
James Holzapfel
Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr.
Kevin J. OToole
Samuel D. Thompson

Mary Pat Angelini

Christopher J. Brown
Michael Patrick Carroll
Jack M. Ciattarelli
Robert D. Clifton
Ronald S. Dancer

BettyLou DeCroce
John DiMaio
DiAnne C. Gove
Amy H. Handlin
Declan J. OScanlon, Jr.
Erik Peterson

Scott Rudder
Scott T. Rumana
David C. Russo
Holly Schepisi
Robert Schroeder
David W. Wolfe

True Liberals of the Garden State

True Liberals of the Garden State are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 0 percent on the ACU
2012 State Legislative Ratings.
New Jersey Senate:
James Beach
Barbara Buono
Richard J. Codey
Sandra B. Cunningham
Nia H. Gill
Robert M. Gordon

Linda R. Greenstein
Raymond J. Lesniak
Fred H. Madden, Jr.
Donald Norcross
Nellie Pou
M. Teresa Ruiz

Paul A. Sarlo
Nicholas P. Scutari
Bob Smith
Brian P. Stack
Stephen M. Sweeney
Shirley K. Turner

Joseph F. Vitale
Loretta Weinberg
Jim Whelan

New Jersey General Assembly:

Peter J. Barnes, III
Daniel R. Benson
John J. Burzichelli
Ralph R. Caputo
Marlene Caride
Upendra J. Chivukula
Herb Conaway, Jr.
Sean Connors
Craig J. Coughlin
Albert Coutinho
Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr.
Timothy J. Eustace
Angel Fuentes
Thomas P. Giblin

Jerry Green
Louis D. Greenwald
Reed Gusciora
Mila M. Jasey
Angelica M. Jimenez
Gordon M. Johnson
Pamela R. Lampitt
Charles Mainor
John F. McKeon
Paul D. Moriarty
Gabriela M. Mosquera
Sheila Y. Oliver
Vincent Prieto
Annette Quijano

Ruben J. Ramos, Jr.

Celeste M. Riley
Troy Singleton
L. Grace Spencer
Linda Stender
Shavonda E. Sumter
Cleopatra G. Tucker
Valerie Vainieri Huttle
Connie Wagner
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Gilbert L Wilson
Benjie E. Wimberly
John S. Wisniewski

2012
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

New Jersey General Assembly Vote Descriptions

1. A 2647. Government Regulations. This bill added burdensome regulations to small business by requiring
new posting notices informing workers of their right to be free from gender inequality. ACU opposes adding
these unnecessary and ill-defined regulations and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed this bill on June 25,
2012 by a vote of 51-27.
2. S 1. Same Sex Marriage. This bill legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey. ACU supports traditional marriage and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on February 16, 2012 by a vote of 42-33.
3. A 2168. Housing. This bill would create a new state bureaucracy to use taxpayer funds to buy foreclosed
properties and turn them into affordable housing. ACU opposes increased spending for these purposes that
would also have the effect of taking some properties off local tax rolls, increasing the tax burden on other taxpayers and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 28, 2012 by a vote of 44-33.
4. A 3200. Budget Bill. This bill made appropriations for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year that made major increases
in spending and increased taxes while leaving out the Governors proposed income tax cut. ACU opposes this
type of fiscal irresponsibility and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of
48-31.
5. A 1998. Cap and Trade Bill. This bill supports New Jerseys participation in a regional cap and trade program
to reduce greenhouse gases. ACU opposes these schemes as an unnecessary decrease in energy in domestic
energy supplies and consequently an increase in energy costs for all consumers and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 24, 2012 by a vote of 45-33.
6. A 3204. Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would add a $7.5 million appropriation for family planning services. These funds could be used to fund Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide abortion
services. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on
June 25, 2012 by a vote of 46-31.
7. A 3201. Millionaire Tax. This bill increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income over $1 million
contingent on passing another bill enhancing the homestead benefit. ACU opposes these types of tax increases
to pay for increased spending and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote
of 47-31.
8. A 2171. Health Care. This bill would implement the insurance exchange created by the national health care
bill passed in 2010. ACU opposes the implementation of these exchanges which mandate the type and cost of
insurance people must buy and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on March 15, 2012 by a vote of
41-35.

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

9. A 575. Domestic Energy Production. This bill would ban the treating of wastewater in New Jersey generated by drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. ACU opposes this effort to demonize domestic
energy production and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on June 21, 2012 by a vote of 56-19.
10. A 566. Energy Subsidies. This bill provides a tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicle charging stations.
ACU opposes this type of specific energy subsidy that picks winners and losers in the marketplace and opposes this bill. The Assembly passed the bill on March 15, 2012 by a vote of 54-20.
11. AR 86. Campaign Finance. This resolution expresses strong opposition to the U.S. Supreme Courts Citizens
United decision and calls upon Congress to amend the Constitution to overturn it. ACU supports the decision as an enhancement of free political speech and opposes this resolution. The Assembly passed the resolution on October 18, 2012 by a vote of 49-23.

BROWN

BUCCO

Burzichelli

Caputo

Caride

CARROLL

CASAGRANDE

S1

A 2168

A 3200

A 1998

A 3204

A 3201

A 2171

A 575

A 566

AR 86

11

10

11

11

11

10

ACU Votes

11

11

10

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

10

11

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

11

11

Votes Cast

0%

0%

10%

100%

0%

90%

10%

82%

9%

0%

0%

0%

0%

82%

90%

0%

100%

73%

91%

0%

0%

0%

100%

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

100%

73%

36%

ACU %

+ in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence

Eustace

Fuentes

Diegnan, Jr.

DECROCE

DeAngelo

Egan

DANCER

DIMAIO

Coutinho

Cryan

Connors

Coughlin

Conaway, Jr.

+
+

CIATTARELLI

CLIFTON

BROWN

Chivukula

Benson

BRAMNICK

CHIUSANO

Barnes, III

AMODEO

ANGELINI

Albano

Assembly Member Name Party

A 2647

NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

+
-

HANDLIN

Prieto

+
-

RIBLE

Riley

RUDDER

RUMANA

RUSSO

A 2168

S1

A 3200

A 1998

A 3204

A 3201

A 2171

A 575

A 566

AR 86

10

11

10

11

11

11

11

ACU Votes

10

11

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

10

11

11

10

11

Votes Cast

100%

100%

100%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

91%

88%

0%

9%

100%

0%

0%

36%

0%

100%

100%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

90%

0%

0%

0%

90%

0%

ACU %

+ in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence

Quijano

Ramos, Jr.

O'SCANLON, Jr.

PETERSON

O'Donnell

Oliver

McKeon

Milam

MUNOZ

MCHOSE

Mainor

MCGUCKIN

Lampitt

Moriarty

KEAN

Mosquera

Johnson

Jasey

Jimenez

Greenwald

Gusciora

GOVE

Green

Giblin

Assembly Member Name Party

A 2647

NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

10
-

WOLFE
+

S1

A 2168

A 3200

A 1998

A 3204

A 3201

A 2171

A 575

A 566

AR 86

10

11

11

ACU Votes

10

11

11

11

11

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

11

10

Votes Cast

100%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

100%

89%

10%

ACU %

+ in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence

Wisniewski

Watson Coleman

WEBBER

Wagner

Vainieri Huttle

Wilson

Tucker

Wimberly

Sumter

Spencer

Stender

SCHROEDER

Singleton

SCHEPISI

SIMON

Schaer

Assembly Member Name Party

A 2647

NEW JERSEY 2012 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

2012
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Senate Vote Descriptions

1. S 1930. Government Regulations. This bill added burdensome regulations to small business by requiring
new posting notices informing workers of their right to be free from gender inequality. ACU opposes adding these unnecessary and ill-defined regulations and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 21,
2012 by a vote of 26-8.
2. S 1. Same Sex Marriage. This bill legalized same sex marriage in New Jersey. ACU supports traditional
marriage and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2012 by a vote of 24-16.
3. S 1566. Housing. This bill would create a new state bureaucracy to use taxpayer funds to buy foreclosed
properties and turn them into affordable housing. ACU opposes increased spending for these purposes that
would also have the effect of taking some properties off of local tax rolls, increasing the tax burden on other
taxpayers and opposes this bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of 21-18.
4. S 2013. Budget Bill. This bill made appropriations for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year that made major increases
in spending and increased taxes while leaving out the Governors proposed income tax cut. ACU opposes this
type of fiscal irresponsibility and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of
24-16.
5. S 1322. Cap and Trade Bill. This bill supports New Jerseys participation in a regional cap and trade program
to reduce greenhouse gases. ACU opposes these schemes as an unnecessary decrease in energy in domestic energy supplies and consequently an increase in energy costs for all consumers and opposes this bill. The Senate
passed this bill on March 13, 2012 by a vote of 22-16.
6. S 788. Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill would add a $7.5 million appropriation for family
planning services. These funds could be used to fund Planned Parenthood and other groups that provide
abortion services. ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill
on June 25, 2012 by a vote of 27-11.
7. S1147. Millionaire Tax. This bill increases the gross income tax rate on taxable income over $1 million
contingent on passing another bill enhancing the homestead benefit. ACU opposes these types of tax increases
to pay for increased spending and opposes this bill. This bill passed the Senate by 24-16 on June 28, 2012.
8. S 2135. Health Care. This bill would implement the insurance exchange created by the national health care bill
passed in 2010. ACU opposes the implementation of these exchanges which mandate the type and cost of insurance people must buy and opposes this bill. This bill passed the Senate on March 15, 2012 by a vote of 22-9.
9. S 253. Domestic Energy Production. This bill would ban the treating of wastewater in New Jersey generated by drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. ACU opposes this effort to demonize domestic energy
production and opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill on June 25, 2012 by a vote of 30-5.
11

12
D
R
D

Buono

CARDINALE

Codey

D
D
R
R
R
D
D
D
R
R
R
D
D
D
D
D
D
R

Gordon

Greenstein

HOLZAPFEL

Kean, JR.

KYRILLOS, Jr.

Lesniak

Madden, Jr.

Norcross

OROHO

O'TOOLE

PENNACCHIO

Pou

Rice

Ruiz

Sacco

Sarlo

Scutari

SINGER

S1

S 1566

S 2013

S 1322

S 788

S 1147

S 2135

S 253

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

78%

0%

0%

22%

0%

13%

0%

100%

86%

100%

0%

0%

0%

100%

78%

83%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

71%

0%

100%

0%

100%

67%

0%

67%

63%

100%

ACU %

+ in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence

R
D

DOHERTY

Gill

BUCCO

BECK

Cunningham

Beach

CONNORS

BATEMAN

ALLEN

Party

ADDIEGO

Senator Name

S 1930

NEW JERSEY 2012 SENATE VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

Whelan
-

S1

S 1566

S 2013

S 1322

S 788

S 1147

S 2135

S 253

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

0%

0%

0%

50%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

ACU %

+ in favor of the ACU position; - in opposition to the ACU position; (+) announcement in favor of the ACU position; (-) announcement in opposition to the ACU position; X did not vote; I Ineligible to vote; E Excused absence

D
D

Weinberg

Van Drew

Vitale

R
D

THOMPSON

Sweeney

Turner

D
D

Stack

Party

Smith

Senator Name

S 1930

NEW JERSEY 2012 SENATE VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2012 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

13

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The American Conservative Union

The American Conservative Union (ACU) is Americas
oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization.
Founded in 1964, ACU represents the views of Americans
who are concerned with economic growth through lower
taxes and reduced government spending and the issues
of liberty, personal responsibility, traditional values, and
national security.
As Americas conservative voice, ACU is the leading entity
in providing conservative positions on issues to Congress,
White House Administration Officials, State Governments,
the media, political candidates and the public.
The ACUs marquee initiatives include the annual
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and
the annual Ratings of Congress guide.
Under the leadership of ACU Chairman Al Cardenas, the
organization remains the standard bearer of conservatism in
America. Chairman Cardenas is dedicated to growing the
national conservative movement through the expansion of
ACU programs, unprecedented outreach and advocacy
especially to young, emerging activists and an extended
reach into local and state issues. Among these inaugural
efforts are the expansion of conservative rating to State
Legislatures and a first-ever series of regional CPACs in
states across the country, building on the legacy of the
annual national CPAC event in our Nations Capital.
For more information on the American Conservative
Union, please visit our website at www.conservative.org.

Contact Us
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 347-9388

conservative.org