NEWS
POLITICS
Democrats in 40th think this may be their year
Wednesday, October 29, 2003 The 40th Legislative District has had only Republican representation since its creation three decades ago. But history hasn't dissuaded Jane Bidwell Gaunt, the latest Democrat to launch a quest for the Assembly.
"It's definitely an uphill battle, but I believe that [the incumbents] are vulnerable," said Gaunt, a Mahwah resident whose running mate is Wayne resident Michael Bradley. Rounding out the Democratic ticket is state Senate candidate Matt Rogers of Ridgewood.
The big issue is property tax relief, and the challengers say the incumbents have failed to provide it during the Republican control of the State House during most of the 1990s.
But Republican state Sen. Henry P. McNamara of Wyckoff and Assemblymen David C. Russo of Ridgewood and Kevin J. O'Toole of Cedar Grove say their Democratic opponents have their own party to blame for property tax increases.
They say they've done well for their constituents and that Governor McGreevey is hindering their efforts to improve life in the district, which includes 12 affluent and middle-class suburbs in northwest Bergen, upper Passaic, and Essex counties.
The district consists of Franklin Lakes, Mahwah, Midland Park, Oakland, Ridgewood, and Wyckoff in Bergen County; Little Falls, Ringwood, Wanaque, and Wayne in Passaic County; and Cedar Grove and Verona in Essex County.
The Democrats say the incumbents haven't been aggressive, noting that District 40 ranks second to last in the state in school aid received.
"We get the least funding because we're not the squeaky wheel," said Gaunt, a clinical social worker and psychotherapist.
The Republicans disagree. They say they've come up with a plan that will bring more money to the district, but the Democratic administration won't pass it.
The incumbents say most of the state income taxes paid by district residents end up being used to satisfy a Supreme Court mandate requiring the state to increase aid for low-income "Abbott" school districts. As a result, those communities are forced to raise property taxes to help cover school costs.
They argue that the state could save $1 billion if school funding were pegged to an average amount spent by all other non-Abbott districts, instead of matching the spending by the wealthiest districts, as required by the courts. Such a switch could ease pressures on property tax rates.
Rogers, an attorney, said cost-cutting efforts should focus on eliminating state mandates that the state can't afford. He said he also would look to find savings through better oversight of redundancy costs among local, county, and state education departments.
The incumbents said they've brought much to the district through Green Acres funding for open space and their support of tax saving initiatives.
O'Toole, an attorney seeking his second Assembly term, criticized the Democrats for reducing NJ Saver homeowner rebates, which were cut this year $500 to $250 to help balance the state's $24.1 billion fiscal 2003-04 budget. The rebate cuts were made, in part, to free up more money for school aid. But many affluent Bergen County towns, including many in the 40th District, did not receive the extra aid.
McNamara, a retired auto dealer who has served as a state senator since 1985, said he fought against cuts to senior citizen property tax freezes in this year's budget. The current state budget closed the program to new enrollees and did not increase the amount of the check.
While the Republicans say McGreevey is to blame for excess spending and reduced aid, the Democrats say they're dealing with an unprecedented deficit inherited from former Gov. Christie Whitman's Republican administration.
Meanwhile, Green Party candidate Philip Passantino of Wayne says he's tired of both major parties' indebtedness to special interest groups. He said both parties are at fault for the district's woes.
"Their hands are tied by special interest groups and their [campaign] donations," said Passantino, a senior facilities clerk at William Paterson University.
Passantino supports raising income tax rates for wealthy residents to bring more revenue to state coffers.
On the issue of auto insurance reform, Russo, an attorney, said he'd like to see no-jury courts for automobile accident liability cases.
"There would be more incentive for the attorneys to settle the cases quickly," said Russo, who is serving his 13th year in the Assembly.
Bradley, a lieutenant in the Bergen County Sheriff's Office, said he'd push for new technology that would give police more resources to fight insurance fraud.
Gaunt is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. She is part of the group working to restructure the state Division of Youth and Family Services and wants to improve child-abuse awareness and prevention. She wants home visits for all new mothers, regardless of income or how many other children they have.
"If we get rigorous with prevention, the cost of child care is going to plummet," Gaunt said.
District 40 is traditionally known for relatively low-key campaigns. This year hasn't been much different, though the Democrats and Passantino were miffed when the Republicans failed to show at a League of Women Voters candidates forum in Wayne last week.
They felt their absence was an example of the incumbents' complacency. McNamara, O'Toole, and Russo all said they had long-standing commitments and asked to have the forum date changed a month ago.
