Politics & Government

Potosnak: Lance Flip-Flopped on Funding

Democrat lays out federal funding platform.

Democratic congressional nominee Ed Potosnak accused his Republican opponent, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon County) of flip-flopping on his comments regarding federal funding for New Jersey projects.

Lance, in an interview with Patch, said he supports obtaining more federal funds – known as earmarks - for New Jersey, which ranks last in the nation in obtaining federal funding. The remarks came during Lance's tour of downtown Westfield after the town's top downtown official informed the congressman of a need for federal infrastructure dollars.

Potosnak told the Patch this week that he objects to Lance's comments since the incumbent pledged to fight earmarks during his 2008 campaign. Potosnak isn't the first opponent to blast Lance for his comments; failed GOP primary opponents, including David Larsen criticized Lance for accepting federal funds for a series of district projects in his first days in Congress in 2009.

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In April 2009, Lance was named alongside two freshman Republican colleagues – Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kansas) and Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-California) – as "porker of the month" by the group Citizens Against Government Waste for his acceptance of earmarks for district projects. The earmarks Larsen cited during his campaign included funding for new lighting in Cranford and a hike/bike path in Bedminster.

"He's flip-flopping," Potosnak said. "I don't think voters know what to expect from him. Voters who voted for him did so with him saying he would not take [earmarks]. He stabbed them in the back."

Find out what's happening in Cranfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lance, who has stressed his fiscal conservatism in his reelection campaign, said he was not sure how much grant funding would be available from Congress next year due to the economy and the possibility of a Republican majority. Potosnak said Lance is keeping the state from obtaining federal funding.

In the interview, Potosnak continued his criticism of Lance's decision to vote against a bill that would provide federal funds to hire teachers nationwide, including over $200 million for New Jersey. Lance has said he voted against the bill due to provisions in the bill to cut funding for food stamps and changes in tax laws for companies which outsource jobs to other countries. He said Lance's vote helped keep the Garden State at the bottom of the list for federal funds.

Potosnak said that if he's elected he will work with local leaders to identify projects that can get federal funding, especially projects such as obtaining federal funds to assist research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, two of the region's top employers.

In addition, Potosnak said he would focus on transportation funding, trying to shake loose financing for rail projects on the Northeast corridor line and completion of the proposed third rail tunnel under the Hudson River, as well as for highway projects in the district.

"The Northeast corridor needs an upgrade," he said. "We need to ensure that the new tunnel is built and gets the funding it needs."


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