Politics & Government

DeCroce's Final Speech: An Opportunity to Come Together

Assembly Minority Leader was to speak about working for the good of NJ residents.

The following is the speech Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce was planning to give at Tuesday's joint session of the Legislature . Gov. Chris Christie made reference to the speech when he eulogized DeCroce at the Statehouse. Many of the words speak to a hope and commitment to Democrats and Republicans working together for the good of the state. Here is the speech, in its entirety.

Good afternoon, Madam Speaker, honored guests, colleagues, friends, and family.

First, I want to congratulate Assemblywoman Oliver on her re-election as Speaker and to extend a warm welcome to our newest members ... on both sides of the aisle.

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As we begin the 215th Legislative session, I believe it is beneficial to look back for just a moment at the accomplishments of the 214th session which I believe this body will find useful and can use as a starting point as it takes up the people’s business.

The enactment of the Cap 2.0 law in 2010 was a great accomplishment as the Legislature took a big step in addressing one of the top issues on everyone’s mind–confronting the high property taxes our residents pay. That was certainly a historic moment for the people of New Jersey and showed how we can reach across party lines and act in the best interests of those we serve.

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Republicans and Democrats worked together in taking the first step in changing the way Trenton operates. Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Oliver and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. showed true leadership at a time when people doubted we could come together in a bipartisan way.

Of course the real winners when that law was enacted are the people who live and work in this great state.

And last year, we were able to tackle another critical reform–pension and healthcare benefits.

Once again, the Legislature, along with Governor Christie, worked through our differences to pass historic legislation in order to save programs that were on the verge of fiscal disaster. The medicine was tough, but necessary in order to fix an area of government that has been choking the wallets of taxpayers for too long.

At a time when gridlock in Washington DC threatens to paralyze the country and shut down government, New Jersey showed people across the United States that we can get things done despite our differences. People saw what we could accomplish and some were even probably stunned.

There are those who say there was a political price to pay as these reforms were enacted. And my response to that is that the costs to taxpayers would have been even higher if we hadn’t acted.

Because of our willingness to work together and tackle these kinds of issues, we have positioned New Jersey for better days and a better future. And members of the 215th Legislature, that is what we were sent here to do.

We will solve more problems by working together than apart.

The group of men and women gathered here must share the common purpose of putting what’s best for the people of this state ahead of any personal interest.

Madam Speaker, you have my pledge as the leader of the Assembly Republican caucus, that I will make every effort to work with you on policies that will help the residents and businesses of our state.

The challenges we face will not only require courage and common sense, but a determination to succeed.

With the start of this new session, I know there is an opportunity for legislators in the 215th General Assembly to join together in dealing with these issues.

It is in the best interests of the people of New Jersey that Republicans and Democrats put aside party labels and reach across the aisle to work cooperatively toward solving our biggest problems.

Our constituents deserve nothing less.

Thank you.

- This speech was provided by the Assembly Republican Office.


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