2013

STATE
LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS
GUIDE

NEW JERSEY
The American Conservative Union took our highly touted Congressional Ratings program to the State Legislatures for the
third year in a row, grading members on their votes on key conservative issues. In 2012, we graded State Legislatures in fifteen
critical states, including Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia. In 2013, we expanded our ratings
to twenty 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.
Throughout the history of our conservative ratings program, the ACU has also become the go-to source for determining
whether an elected officials philosophical rhetoric matches his or her record. Our guides provide a comprehensive analysis of
the legislative landscape over the preceding year. This differentiates us
from other useful guides which may emphasize single areas, like taxes,
Table of Contents
defense, or social policy.
Our annual matrix covers issues running the gamut of legislative action,
including domestic energy production, healthcare, government reform,
climate change, border security, foreign policy, and social issues. These
issues are carefully selected to ensure legislators are scored and rated on the
bellwether conservative topics they voted on over the course of the year.
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. Eventually
we will bring our ratings to all fifty states -- scoring every legislature in
every state, every year.

ACU Board Members.................. 2

A Letter From The Chairman........ 3
How We Selected the Votes........ 4
Conservative All-Stars.................. 4
NJ Assembly Vote Descriptions... 6
House Scores.............................. 8
NJ Senate Vote Descriptions......11
Senate Scores............................13

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

NEW JERSEY 2013 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

Carly Fiorina (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 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

February 6, 2014
Dear Fellow Conservative,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am pleased to present the
American Conservative Unions 2013 State Legislative Ratings for
members of the New Jersey Legislature.
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.

Al Cardenas, ACU Chairman

In 2011, we brought that same commitment to conservative

ideals to the states, rating members in five legislatures. I am pleased to report that, in 2013, we scored
twenty states. This is a part of the ACU plan to bring our ratings to all fifty states scoring every legislature
in every state, every session.
There could not be a more critical time for conservatives to evaluate Americas leadership and hold
them accountable for their actions. Our economy, our international standing, our very moral fiber are
weaker because this administration has put us on a course to bigger government, less freedom, and an
abandonment of traditional values.
With our government expanding faster now than at any time in our countrys history, the ACU intends to
continue to play a major role in giving the American people the tools they need to make informed voting
decisions at every level of government. While some may be disheartened by the results of Novembers
elections, conservatives found themselves in a similar situation after President Obama first took office in
the spring of 2009. The cause of conservatism dramatically reasserted itself in the 2010 elections, with
conservative legislators winning an unprecedented number of elections nationwide. Because of this, our
2013 State Legislative Ratings are vital for voters to make informed choices on the future of our nation.
We can come back even stronger in 2014, but only if we start our march toward victory now.
Thank you for your continued support. I know that together we can ensure Americas best days are still ahead.
Sincerely,

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

2013
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

Conservatives 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
2013 State Legislative Ratings.
New Jersey Senate:
Doherty
Oroho

O Toole
Pennacchio

New Jersey Assembly:

Angelini
Bramnick
Bucco, Tony M.
Carroll
Casagrande

Clifton
DiMaio
Gove
Handlin
McGuckin

Munoz
O Scanlon, Jr.
Peterson
Rumana
Russo

Schroeder
Simon
Webber

ACU Conservatives
ACU Conservatives are those members of the New Jersey Legislature who scored 80 percent or higher on the ACU
2013 State Legislative Ratings.

New Jersey Senate:

Addiego
Bateman
Beck

Bucco, Anthony R.
Cardinale
Connors

Holzapfel
Kean, Jr., Thomas
Kyrillos, Jr.

Thompson

New Jersey Assembly:

Ciattarelli
Dancer
DeCroce

Kean, Sean
McHose
Rible

Rudder
Rumpf
Schepisi

Space
Wolfe

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

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 2013 State Legislative Ratings.
New Jersey Senate:
Beach
Buono
Codey
Cunningham
Gill
Gordon

Greenstein
Lesniak
Madden, Jr.
Norcross
Pou
Rice

Ruiz
Sarlo
Scutari
Smith
Stack
Sweeney

Turner
Vitale
Weinberg
Whelan

Egan
Eustace
Fuentes
Giblin
Green
Greenwald
Gusciora
Jasey
Jimenez
Johnson
Lampitt
Mainor

McKeon
Moriarity
Mosquera
ODonnell
Oliver
Prieto
Quijano
Ramos, Jr.
Riley
Schaer
Singleton
Spencer

Stender
Sumter
Tucker
Vainieri Huttle
Wagner
Watson Coleman
Wilson
Wimberly
Wisniewski

New Jersey Assembly:

Barnes, III
Benson
Burzichelli
Caputo
Caride
Chivukula
Conaway, Jr.
Connors
Coughlin
Cryan
DeAngelo
Diegnan, Jr.

2013
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Assembly Vote Descriptions

1. A 3206 Tax Credit Increase. This bill includes a 50 percent increase in the Neighborhood Revitalization State
Tax Credit program with no offsetting budget cuts. ACU opposes budget-busting bills that are passed outside the
normal budget process and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 25, 2012 by a vote of 48-31.
2. A 4182 Second Amendment Rights. This bill creates a defacto gun registry by linking all firearm permits and
law enforcement records regarding gun ownership into a digital card designed and maintained by the New Jersey
State Police as well as a host of other state agencies, even though the technology to do this does not currently
exist. ACU opposes diminishing Second Amendment rights and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly
on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 43-34, but was vetoed by the Governor.
3. A 3679 Project Labor Agreements. This bill revises the definition of public works projects to permit more project
labor agreements. ACU opposes these agreements that serve to shut out non-union contractors and opposed this
bill. The bill passed the Assembly on February 14, 2013 by a vote of 47-26, but was vetoed by the Governor.
4. A 3553 Early Voting Mandate. This bill would require local governments to set up early voting programs in
addition to absentee ballots at their own expense. ACU opposes this type of unfunded mandate without local
approval and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on March 21, 2013 by a vote of 46-31, but was
vetoed by the Governor.
5. A 2974 Local Control of Education. This bill would allow five counties to take over food purchasing and all
subcontracting for local school districts. ACU supports local control of education and opposed this bill. The bill
passed the Assembly on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 50-27, but was vetoed by the Governor.
6. A 998 Privatization. This bill would add requirements to make it more difficult to privatize government
services. ACU supports privatization efforts and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on May 20, 2013
by a vote of 48-29.
7. A 4233 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would implement the Obamacare Medicaid expansion program.
ACU opposes this expansion of a government program rife with waste, fraud and abuse and that would burden
on New Jersey taxpayers for many years to come. The bill passed the Assembly on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 4632, but was vetoed by the Governor.
8. A 4172 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides $7.4 million in supplemental funding for family
planning services, including organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortion procedures. ACU
opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 20, 2013 by a
vote of 45-29, but was vetoed by the Governor.

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

9. A 3668 State Investments. This bill would prohibit the state from investing its pension and annuity funds in
companies that manufacture so-called assault weapons for civilian use. ACU opposes this type of attack on
legitimate gun manufacturers and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on February 21, 2013 by a vote
of 44-29, but was vetoed by the Governor.
10. A 3878 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to
conduct a public awareness campaign about Obamacares health insurance exchanges. ACU opposes using
taxpayer funds to promote Obamacare and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on April 29, 2013 by
a vote of 45-32, but was vetoed by the Governor.
11. A 4171 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would utilize a provision of Obamacare that allows the
expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services for families with incomes at 200 percent of the
poverty level. ACU opposes these programs that go around the regular budget process and allow taxpayer
payments to organizations that provide abortion procedures and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly
on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 49-27, but was vetoed by the Governor.
12. A 1329 Gun Control. This bill reduces the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines to 10 rounds. ACU
opposes these types of measures that have done nothing to prevent violent crime and opposed this bill. The bill
passed the Assembly on February 21, 2013 by a vote of 45-30.
13. A 3775 Labor Law. This bill would require employers to notify the Department of Labor when relocating a call
center outside the United States and would make them ineligible for some state grant programs. ACU opposes this
type of punitive regulation and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Assembly on June 20, 2013 by a vote of 50-24.

DIEGNAN, JR.

38

17

23

18

26

14

12

20

29

19

33

12

16

17

24

11

25

36

28

25

21

14

18

11

13

12

11

13

13

13

12

10

13

13

10

ACU
Votes

13

12

13

13

13

13

12

12

10

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

10

12

12

13

13

13

12

13

13

11

Votes
Cast

0%

0%

100%

0%

92%

0%

92%

0%

10%

0%

0%

0%

100%

100%

0%

N/A

100%

100%

0%

0%

0%

100%

75%

77%

100%

0%

0%

100%

11%

77%

9%

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; P voted present; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session

DECROCE

EUSTACE

DEANGELO

DANCER

CRYAN

EGAN

COUTINHO

DIMAIO

COUGHLIN

CIATTARELLI

CHIVUKULA

CONNORS

CHIUSANO*

CASAGRANDE

CARROLL

CONAWAY, JR.

CLIFTON

BROWN, C.J.

CARIDE

BROWN, C.A.

CAPUTO

BRAMNICK

BENSON

BARNES, III

BURZICHELLI

BUCCO, T.M.

A 3679

A 3553

A 2974

ANGELINI

A 4182

A 998

ANDRZEJCZAK

A 3206

A 4233

A 4172

A 3668

A 3878

A 4171

District

A 1329

AMODEO

Party

A 3775

ALBANO

Assemblyman Name

NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

LAMPITT

MAINOR

MCGUCKIN

MCHOSE

MCKEON

MILAM*

MORIARITY

MOSQUERA

MUNOZ

ODONNELL

PRIETO

QUIJANO

RAMOS, JR.

RIBLE

RILEY

RUDDER

RUMANA

40

30

33

20

32

23

34

13

31

21

27

24

10

31

30

37

32

27

13

15

22

12

11

13

12

13

12

13

12

13

13

ACU
Votes

12

10

11

12

13

10

13

13

13

12

10

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

11

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

11

13

Votes
Cast

100%

90%

0%

92%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

100%

0%

100%

0%

0%

N/A

0%

92%

100%

0%

0%

92%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

100%

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; P voted present; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session

PETERSON

KEAN, S.

JOHNSON

OLIVER

JIMENEZ

OSCANLON, JR.

GUSCIORA

JASEY

GREENWALD

HANDLIN

A 3679

A 3553

A 2974

GREEN

A 4182

A 998

A 4233

GOVE

A 3206

A 4172

A 3668

34

A 3878

A 4171

GIBLIN

District

A 1329

Party

A 3775

FUENTES

Assemblyman Name

NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

10

WAGNER

WATSON COLEMAN

10

19

35

26

15

38

37

28

35

22

29

24

16

39

39

12

13

13

13

13

10

ACU
Votes

13

13

12

13

13

13

13

13

13

12

11

13

13

13

11

12

13

10

Votes
Cast

92%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

89%

0%

100%

100%

82%

0%

100%

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; P voted present; *Assemblyman did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session

VAINIERI HUTTLE

TUCKER

WOLFE

SUMTER

WISNIEWSKI

STENDER

SPENCER

WIMBERLY

SPACE

SINGLETON

SIMON

WILSON

SCHROEDER

WEBBER

SCHEPISI

36

A 998

40

A 2974

A 4233

A 3553

A 4172

A 3679

A 3668

SCHAER

A 4182

A 3878

RUSSO

A 3206

A 4171

District

A 1329

Party

A 3775

RUMPF

Assemblyman Name

NEW JERSEY 2013 ASSEMBLY VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

2013
STATE LEGISLATIVE
RATINGS GUIDE
NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Senate Vote Descriptions

1. S 2245 Tax Credit Increase. This bill includes a 50 percent increase in the Neighborhood Revitalization State
Tax Credit program with no offsetting budget cuts. ACU opposes budget-busting bills that are passed outside
the normal budget process and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on December 20, 2012 23-12.
2. S 2723 Second Amendment Rights. This bill creates a defacto gun registry by linking all firearm permits and
law enforcement records regarding gun ownership into a digital card designed and maintained by the New
Jersey State Police, as well as a host of other state agencies, even though the technology to do this does not
currently exist. ACU opposes diminishing Second Amendment rights and opposed the bill. The bill passed the
Senate on May 30, 2013 by a vote of 23-17, but was vetoed by the Governor.
3. S 2425 Project Labor Agreements. This bill revises the definition of public works projects to permit more project
labor agreements. ACU opposes these agreements that serve to shut out non-union contractors and opposed this
bill. The bill passed the Senate on January 14, 2013 by a vote of 23-13, but was vetoed by the Governor.
4. S 2364 Early Voting Mandate. This bill would require local governments to set up early voting programs in
addition to absentee ballots at their own expense. ACU opposes this type of unfunded mandate without local
approval and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on March 18, 2013 by a vote of 24-16, but was
vetoed by the Governor.
5. S 1191 Local Control of Education. This bill would allow five counties to take over both food purchasing
and all subcontracting for local school districts. ACU supports local control of education and opposed this
bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 27, 2013 by a vote of 25-10, but was vetoed by the Governor.
6. S 968 Privatization. This bill would add requirements to make it more difficult to privatize government
services. ACU supports privatization efforts and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 13, 2013
by a vote of 21-12, but was vetoed by the Governor.
7. S 2644 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would implement the Obamacare Medicaid expansion
program. ACU opposes this expansion of a government program rife with waste, fraud and abuse and that
would burden on New Jersey taxpayers for many years to come. The Senate passed the bill on June 20, 2013
by a vote of 26-12, but was vetoed by the Governor.
8. S 2825 Taxpayer Funding of Abortion. This bill provides $7.4 million in supplemental funding for family
planning services, including organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortion procedures.
ACU opposes taxpayer funding of abortion and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 20, 2013
by a vote of 25-14, but was vetoed by the Governor.

11

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

9. S 2467 State Investments. This bill would prohibit the state from investing its pension and annuity funds in
companies that manufacture so-called assault weapons for civilian use. ACU opposes this type of attack on
legitimate gun manufacturers and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on May 30, 2013 by a vote of
23-17, but was vetoed by the Governor.
10. S 2673 Obamacare Implementation. This bill requires the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance to
conduct a public awareness campaign about Obamacares health insurance exchanges. ACU opposes using
taxpayer funds to promote Obamacare and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on June 27, 2013 by a
vote of 23-15, but was vetoed by the Governor.
11. S 2824 Obamacare Implementation. This bill would utilize a provision of Obamacare that allows the
expansion of Medicaid coverage for family planning services for families with incomes at 200 percent of the
poverty level. ACU opposes these programs that go around the regular budget process and allow taxpayer
payments to organizations that provide abortion procedures and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate
on June 24, 2013 by a vote of 31-6, but was vetoed by the Governor.
12. S 2188 Labor Law. This bill would require employers to notify the Department of Labor when relocating
a call center outside the United States and would make them ineligible for some state grant programs. ACU
opposes this type of punitive regulation and opposed this bill. The bill passed the Senate on December 20,
2012 by a vote of 22-11, but was vetoed by the Governor.

12

CARDINALE

CODEY

SCUTARI

SINGER

SMITH
17

30

22

36

32

29

28

35

26

40

24

20

13

21

10

14

38

34

23

31

27

39

18

25

11

16

11

12

12

11

11

11

10

ACU
Votes

12

12

12

10

12

12

10

11

11

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

11

12

10

12

10

11

12

11

12

Votes
Cast

0%

75%

0%

0%

8%

0%

0%

0%

100%

100%

100%

0%

0%

0%

100%

92%

86%

0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

80%

0%

90%

0%

100%

92%

0%

83%

75%

89%

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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session

OTOOLE

OROHO

SARLO

NORCROSS

SACCO

MADDEN, JR.

LESNIAK

KYRILLOS, JR.

RUIZ

KEAN, JR., T.

RICE

HOLZAPFEL

GREENSTEIN

GORDON

POU

GILL

PENNACCHIO

DOHERTY

BUONO

BUCCO, A.R.

CUNNINGHAM

BECK

CONNORS

S 2425

S 2364

BEACH

S 2723

S 1191

BATEMAN

S 2245

S 968

S 2644

S 2825

S 2467

S 2673

ALLEN

District

S 2824

Party

S 2188

ADDIEGO

Senator Name

NEW JERSEY 2013 SENATE VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

13

14

VAN DREW

VITALE

WEINBERG

WHELAN
2

37

19

15

10

ACU
Votes

12

12

11

11

12

11

12

10

Votes
Cast

0%

0%

0%

18%

0%

91%

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; P voted present; *Senator did not cast enough votes to be rated in this session

TURNER

3
12

S 1191

S 968

S 2364

S 2644

S 2425

S 2825

THOMPSON

S 2723

S 2467

SWEENEY

S 2245

S 2673

33

District

S 2824

Party

S 2188

STACK

Senator Name

NEW JERSEY 2013 SENATE VOTES

NEW JERSEY 2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE RATINGS

2013

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
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