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False and Misleading Op-Ed Published in a Norcross Paper 

 … this is so intellectually dishonest I cannot believe philly.com ran it. ~~ Veteran NJ reporter

We smell a rat.

Check out this Op-Ed published today at Philly.com:  A Republican greens can support

Would a NJ based news outlet  or editor – with knowledge of the Governor’s environmental record – publish that misleading steaming pile of crap?

Could the fact that a misleading Op-Ed, written by a NY State political consulting firm,  was published in Philly.com be related to the fact that the overall editor of Philly.com is Lexie Norcross, daughter of owner George Norcross, also listed on the masthead as director Alessandra T. Norcross?

Just asking.

Is Gov. Christie pushing back as a result of the recent negative press he’s gotten on his environmental record (e.g. see this and this and this)?

[Update – her is NJEF Report Card on Christie – the Gov. got a “D”, which, in my view, is generous.]

Is the author of the Op-Ed working with the Republican Party or Christie campaign?

I sent Mr.Figliola a note, with a rapid fire rebuttal and question – see below, along with his reply:

Anthony – I just read your Op-Ed and felt compelled to reach out because you made serious errors of fact.

The NJEF did endorse Christie in 2009, but since has repudiated that and strongly criticized the Governor.

It is simply a lie to note the 2009 NJEF endorsement and not the more recent position.

You also fail to mention that Gov. Christie diverted almost $1 billion from the Clean Energy Fund that supports renewable energy; unilaterally withdrew NJ from RGGI, the northeastern states climate emissions trading pact; supported natural gas pipelines from the Pennsylvania fracking fields; and vetoed fracking ban and wastewater disposal bills.

You fail to note Gov. Christie’s regulatory and enforcement dismantling, including the controversial DEP “Waiver rule” now pending NJ Supreme Court review as a result of a lawsuit by virtually every environmental group in the state.

And of course, you also fail to note Christie’s failure – as promised during the 2009 campaign – to develop a stable source of funding for Open Space, while letting the Green Acres funds be depleted.

Last, Christie has absolutely no environmental accomplishments to point to.

No Governor in recent NJ history comes even close to that terrible record on the environment.

Please stop lying.

I close with a question: are you being paid by the Republican Party or the Governor’s campaign?

[Update – a knowledgeable source wrote me to add:

He forgot to mention NJ was second in solar when Christie came in and dropped to 3rd we would be further behind if were not for the stuff that got approved before Christie .He crashed solar last year.

Here is Mr. Figliola’s reply:

Dear Bill,

Thank you for the lovely note.  I am neither paid by the Republican Governors Association, Republican Party or Gov. Christie’s campaign. In fact, I had spent my career as a Democrat in New York. I was writing an objective piece looking at the overall impact of Christie’s environmental record on solar versus other states which has been substantial as you know.

This is purely an objective opinion of what is taking place in New Jersey.  Have a great day and thanks for the feedback.

Kind regards,

Anthony

ps – NJEF must correct the record on this – publicly and ASAP.