N.J. Lawmakers keep double dipping

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - March 24, 2008 -- A new law is doing little to keep New Jersey lawmakers from doubling up their elected duties and the salaries and benefits that go with them.

Governor Corzine signed a ban on dual-office holding in September.

Since then, the number of lawmakers who hold more than one office has actually increased - from 17 to 19.

That's according to a report by The Star-Ledger of Newark.

The reason is that a grandfather clause allows any lawmaker holding two offices as of February 1st to keep both positions.

Several new legislators who won their seats in November decided to keep their local posts while they still could.

Senate:
Dana Redd, D-Camden - Councilwoman, Camden
Nicholas Sacco, D-Hudson - Mayor, North Bergen
Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen - Mayor, Wood-Ridge
Robert Singer, R-Ocean - Committeeman, Lakewood
Brian Stack, D-Hudson - Mayor, Union City
Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester - Freeholder, Gloucester County

Assembly:
John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester - Mayor, Paulsboro
Ralph Caputo, D-Essex - Freeholder, Essex County
Anthony Chiappone, D-Hudson - Councilman, Bayonnel Ronald Dancer, R-Ocean - Mayor, Plumsted Township
Joseph Egan, D-Middlesex - Councilman, New Brunswick
Elease Evans, D-Passaic - Freeholder, Passaic County
John McKeon, D-Essex - Mayor, West Orange
Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester - Mayor, Washington

Township
Ruben Ramos, D-Hudson - Councilman, Hoboken
Scott Rumana, R-Bergen - Mayor, Wayne
Gary Schaer, D-Passaic - Councilman, Passaic
Daniel Van Pelt, R-Ocean - Mayor, Ocean Township
Joseph Vas, D-Middlesex - Mayor, Perth Amboy

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