LONEGAN FOR GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2004

CONTACT: Colette Campbell (201) 543-9681

-- “I will lead the fight against any state tax increases.”

LONEGAN: McGREEVEY’S “TAX CONVENTION” RIGGED TO PUSH FOR MASSIVE INCOME/SALES TAX HIKE

Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan today blasted the membership of the state “Tax Convention” as rigged to produce one outcome: higher income and sales taxes on middle class New Jerseyans.

“Whatever this commission comes out with won’t be good.  The overwhelming majority of members are pro-tax increase liberals whose political philosophy can be best described as far-left.  This group is committed to massive tax increases on productive working families across the state in order to create a new income redistribution scheme worthy of Karl Marx,” Lonegan said.

Lonegan said that he will fight whatever proposal the group puts on the ballot.

“Anything this group comes up with will be bad, cost taxpayers more money and expand state government even further,” said Lonegan.  “There is no chance that when you get a dozen ultra-liberals in a room that you will get anything other than an ultra-liberal plan.  I welcome this convention, however, because as the Republican candidate next year I will wrap whatever nutty left-wing scheme they come up with around the neck of my Democratic opponent,” added Lonegan.

“The difference between myself and the dozen or so other candidates considering this race is that I am the only one who will expose this fraud.  No one else seeking the Governorship has spoken out against this anti-middle class, anti-suburban income redistribution scheme,” added Lonegan who as Mayor has kept property taxes far below inflation.  “They will tax anything that moves and most things that don’t,” said Lonegan.  “As Governor, I will lead the fight against higher taxes and push for tax relief for every New Jersey resident, including repeal of McGreevey’s massive tax increases.”

“If people want tax relief, it’s spelled L-O-N-E-G-A-N,” the Mayor said.

Steve Lonegan was reelected Bogota Mayor in 2003 by an 18 point margin in a town carried by both Al Gore and Jim McGreevey by 3-2 margins.  His conservative record, including a virtual spending freeze since 1995 and a 27 percent debt reduction, has been rewarded with three massive election wins and continued GOP control of the local governing body for nine straight elections.

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Paid for by Lonegan for Governor, Inc., P.O. Box 280 Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451-0280