Support Thanksgiving Day off for Union Workers. 

Assembly candidates Frank Cifarelli and Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz stand united with public workers in continuing Friday, November 23, 2007 as a holiday.  Today, we stand with the thousands of workers who will have this benefit pulled from them, (unless it is a vital office need).  Previously, it has been a time honored tradition of Governors to give the day off and that should be honored, until the issue can be addressed formally in negotiations.  

It amazes us that Gov. Corzine is just now deciding to get tough and on the wrong issue. Corzine has backed away from tough decisions and used increase sales tax to fill budget gaps, and then used that money during election time for gimmick rebates. He allowed a water-downed version of a dual office ban, which exempts current legislators. Recently, we saw that 11 public officials - many of them dual office holders - were arraigned on corruption charges. Corzine did not even use his influence to pressure the resignations of two sitting senators, who were alleged of corruption. He called a special session of the state legislature to address the issue of property tax reform and then did not even follow up on the reforms.  He expressed hopes for changing public worker compensation packages, but then only allowed a modest change at the bargaining table.  Individual and Business taxpayers are moving from the Garden State in droves because of lack of affordability and now, he decides to flex his might on what most voters would assume would be a day off from the start.  

Contact: 

Frank Cifarelli (201) 489-6790 

Wojciech Siemaszkiewicz (201) 638-8100