[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20639]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING NORTH JERSEY MAYORS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSH GOTTHEIMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 21, 2017

  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the mayors of 
North Jersey, who convened last weekend for my Fifth District Mayors 
Summit. I'm proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these local 
leaders to help save residents' property tax dollars, improve our 
schools, and get police and firefighters the tools and resources they 
need to protect our communities from crime and terror.
  I am humbled every day to have the opportunity to work with our 
mayors. This past weekend, I watched first-hand as they put party aside 
and worked across the aisle to help claw back federal tax dollars in 
their towns--an urgent need, now more than ever, given the tax hike we 
are facing.
  In North Jersey, we are paying far too much in taxes, and not getting 
enough in return. My District pays some of the highest taxes in the 
nation; yet, we only get 33 cents back for every dollar that we send to 
Washington. Compare that to ``Moocher States,'' like Mississippi, which 
gets $4.38 on the dollar. These states are giving themselves relief and 
sticking New Jersey with the bill.
  The Tax Hike Bill passed yesterday is only going make matters worse--
gutting our State and Local Tax deductions, increasing our taxes, and 
lowering our property values. We must continue working hard at the 
local level to blunt the impact of this harmful legislation and stop 
New Jersey from becoming America's piggy bank.
  In New Jersey, we must be vigilant about clawing back as many federal 
tax dollars as possible to boost our return on investment for roads and 
bridges, for firefighters and law enforcement, and the resources they 
need to help fight crime and lone wolf and homegrown terror. Working 
closely with my office, and my Director of Return on Investment, these 
mayors have already seen record successes this year to support our 
cops, firefighters, and towns. For example, in Paramus, the police 
department will be hiring five new post-9/11 veterans as police 
officers, thanks to a $1.875 million federal COPS grant. Harrington 
Park also brought back nearly $213,000 in AFG grants to help protect 
firefighters and our families. These are dollars that would be going to 
Alabama and Mississippi if we didn't fight to claw them back here. Our 
bipartisan work together is about fighting for North Jersey and helping 
our residents reduce their property tax burden.
  I'm leaving no stone unturned and hope that by shining a light on 
these public servants, our mayors can build on their success and save 
more money for their towns and taxpayers. Getting this done is all 
about problem solving, and reaching across the aisle to do what's right 
for our communities. These are not Democratic or Republican issues; 
they are about what's best for New Jersey.
  This holiday season, I am thankful for the twenty-one mayors and 
leaders who attended our summit, rolled up their sleeves, and put in 
the weekend hours to help their towns. Countless other mayors, 
councilmen, and councilwomen across the District have also worked 
around the clock. Currently, as we head into the new year, I rededicate 
myself to being their partner in making towns and communities even 
safer, more prosperous, and more affordable.
  Alpine Mayor Paul Tomasko
  Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz
  Dumont Councilman Carl Manna
  Emerson Mayor Lou Lamatina
  Fair Lawn Councilwoman Lisa Swain
  Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona
  Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer
  Hackensack Mayor John LaBrosse
  Harrington Park Mayor Paul Hoeschler
  Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet
  Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali
  Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager
  Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera
  Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna
  Ramsey Mayor Deirdre Dillon
  River Edge Councilman Thomas Papaleo
  Rochelle Park Committeeman Michael Warren
  Teaneck Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin
  Westwood Mayor John Birkner
  Wyckoff Mayor Rudy Boonstra
  Wyckoff Administrator Bob Shannon

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