Six Assembly hopefuls share views on issues
Candidates seeking two seats available in Nov. 6 election
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer
Candidates for state Assembly in the 14th Legislative District weighed in on various issues during an Oct. 10 debate at Monroe Township High School.

Adam Bushman

Democratic incumbent Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and her running mate, Wayne DeAngelo; Republicans Tom Goodwin and Adam Bushman; and Libertarians Jason Scheurer and Ray Cragle are all vying to fill two Assembly seats in the Nov. 6 general election. Though the candidates' stances varied on some issues, one thing they all agreed on Adam Bushman was the need for less spending on the part of state government.

"New Jersey operates on the credit card, and they're the credit card company, and they just keep spending and spending and spending," Goodwin said.

Goodwin, a councilman in Hamilton, said New Jersey officials must do what they are asking of municipalities throughout the state - trim down their budgets.

Greenstein, who also serves as Judiciary Committee chairwoman, said zerobased budgeting and garnering input from citizens are necessary to meet that end.

Linda Greenstein

"I agree that if we turned out more lights in Trenton, we would save some money," said Greenstein, who is seeking a fourth two-year term on the Assembly.

DeAngelo echoed her statement, pointing out that school districts in New Jersey are not receiving enough funding

to meet educational needs. Lack of proper funding is the main contributor to rising property taxes, the former council president in Hamilton said.

"How do you lose weight? You go on a diet," Scheurer said.

"Both parties have failed you again. I Linda Greenstein want to give you, the consumer, a choice."

Scheurer ran an unsuccessful bid for Assembly in 2005.

In the area of health care and insurance, Cragle shunned the concept of universal health care and the existing system that he said suffers from too much control Tom Goodwin by lawmakers.

He also said medical insurance is overpriced.

"I feel that medicine is a monopoly created and sustained by the government, and that contributes to high prices," Cragle said.

Tom Goodwin

Bushman, a former Jamesburg councilman and military veteran, said that although he is not necessarily in favor of a universal health care plan, accountability and lower rates are key factors in ensuring a better system.

"As a society, we have to ask ourselves, 'What society wouldn't want to take care of their sick?' " Bushman said.

Greenstein said a major problem in the health care industry is a lack of coordination. Consumer education would help to improve the existing circumstances, she said, but high costs remain the biggest challenge.

Regarding open space preservation, Scheurer voiced a laissez-faire approach.

"The power should be in your own hands ... to decide what you want to do with your own community property," Scheurer said.

According to DeAngelo, more open space could be untouched by attracting developers to revitalize blighted areas, as well as areas that are specifically targeted for redevelopment.

Goodwin complained of politicians kowtowing to developers to whom they have ties.

Proper planning is an essential factor in avoiding overdevelopment, according to Bushman.

"You have to remember, a tree doesn't go to school, [and it] doesn't drive a car," Bushman said. "I want New Jersey to remain the Garden State, and not be known as the Warehouse State."

When questioned on whether immigration issues should be dealt with by state or federal government, Cragle said they should be grappled with on a national level. He added that he did not agree with New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram's directive ordering local police officers to inquire about the immigration status of those committing crimes.

Greenstein agreed that immigration matters should be handled nationally, but said if an individual commits a crime, it is OK to check their citizenship status.

"What I wouldn't want is a witch hunt," Greenstein said. "I blame employers, frankly, for bringing these people in, as well."

DeAngelo said the problem lies with illegal immigrants, who should be subject to the same laws as American citizens. Bushman agreed, adding that he sees immigration as a federal issue.

"My grandparents came to this country through Ellis Island," Bushman said. "Allowing illegal immigration is a disservice to all of those people who immigrated to this country legally."

Scheurer said illegal immigrants are costing New Jersey residents way too much money.

"It's straining all of our services," Scheurer said.

In terms of illegal immigrants who commit crimes, he took a no-nonsense approach.

"I don't care if we have to drive them on a bus and leave them on the steps of Washington, D.C.," Scheurer said.

District 14 spans parts of Middlesex and Mercer counties, encompassing Monroe, Jamesburg, Cranbury, Hamilton, Plainsboro, South Brunswick and West Windsor.

The 14th district is one of three in the state chosen to participate in the Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project, designed in a bill sponsored by Greenstein. The program allows for public funding of political campaigns in order to do away