He sucks coke for dick

This. Lots of “tax burden” comparisons purposefully distort the rankings by only using the top marginal rate even though almost no one actually pays that.

New Jersey’s income tax is very progressive, so if you’re low- or middle-income you’re likely paying less than you would in many “low tax” states. It’s only folks who make over $1 million per year that pay the highest tax rate, and even then it’s only applied to every dollar made over $1 million.

It gets better. He used taxpayer money to help build his golf course. And lots of it:

“The cost of cleanup was picked up by taxpayers, and the developer would be allowed to build a course atop the site at its own expense, under strict regulations. In recent years, Liberty National's price tag has been reported as $250 million. About 90 percent of that figure were Superfund cleanup costs.”

He took over $200 million of the taxpayers’ money for this. This shouldn’t be a private club.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-presidents-cup-on-the-hudson

Oh, so that would explain everything, because the quality of the place went down so much from it used to be.

Hopefully they don’t do away with the bar. The vendors on sat were okay but the bar was always a clutch spot to bring friends visiting or just a great place to get out of the house and drink some beers on the waterfront. Tacos and pizza were plenty

Well said. Interested to see how things move after his tenure. Also need to work on getting the local constituency involved more. It’s sad how low of a turnout we see.

Agree that the machine is garbage. Until we focus the same level of scrutiny on our County government, we will be stuck with anointing instead of electing. Abolish the line.

Yeah, lots of people were really enjoying the area prior to the investment.... The place was a waste dump, now Jersey City has hosted The Barclay's, The President's Cup, the Northern Trust, The ICONS Series, and this year the Mizuho America's Open. These are all open to the public. The membership is not capped at 250, but that doesn't really matter for this conversation. Say what you want about inequality, but you live in the NYC area. It is going to be rampant here. You live ~10 miles from BILLIONAIRE'S ROW. What do you expect? Why don't we focus on the things that are making this town worse? JCPD is absolutely useless. 911 calls are not being picked up. Traffic is a god damn nightmare. I get that this issue has tons of buzz words and it feels like injustice, but say what you want, the golf course has helped the city of Jersey City.

He used taxpayer money to help build his golf course. And lots of it:

“The cost of cleanup was picked up by taxpayers, and the developer would be allowed to build a course atop the site at its own expense, under strict regulations. In recent years, Liberty National's price tag has been reported as $250 million. About 90 percent of that figure were Superfund cleanup costs.”

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-presidents-cup-on-the-hudson

I’m all for coalitions but I’m also tired of the Hudson county machine. It’s just frustrating to see how a lot of quality candidates get stonewalled by the old guard unless you kiss the ring.

Up until recently, Bergen county was a republican stronghold. And Monmouth/Ocean County almost always goes red. Here we have a candidate that socially is progressive while still fiscally moderate. That may be enough for some to swing over party lines. That's just my opinion though.

Good news, Jersey City — the story gets better! Paul Fireman used taxpayer money to help build his golf course.

“The cost of cleanup was picked up by taxpayers, and the developer would be allowed to build a course atop the site at its own expense, under strict regulations. In recent years, Liberty National's price tag has been reported as $250 million. About 90 percent of that figure were Superfund cleanup costs.”

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/the-presidents-cup-on-the-hudson

Is this a city or county park?

Seriously.

You should talk to the people in Monmouth and Ocean county. And then look at the split in Bergen county between Democrat/Republican vote counts in last election. 52% Dem and 47% Rep in Bergen county. Not exactly the strongest Democratic numbers you’d expect.

I agree that not everyone can remain as idealistic as when they were elected. But he has admirably brought opponents into his fold. Coalition building is a strength of his.

Yup.

Most high income earners don’t even work in NJ.

And almost the entire states population is no more than an hour from an at least one other state, so sales tax can’t be much higher than an adjacent state.

People also forget our effective sales tax is actually lower than it’s listed since so many daily items like food are excluded. Not to mention UEZ’s are a short drive for many (and walk for those who live in JC).

If sales taxes were higher we’d all just cross state lines for any bigger purchases.

Property taxes are basically all NJ has to generate revenue.

That’s the economics of being a small landmass between 3 major metro areas (people forget some in south Jersey commute go Baltimore/Washington for work).

NY meanwhile can use sales tax and income tax much more heavily. Most of its population can’t easily travel to another state. Even in NYC most people aren’t capable of easily crossing over and taking goods back, lack of vehicles, or too much traffic. NJ to Queens is a trek for example, by car or transit. LI to NJ is a real terrible drive. So people won’t bother for the most part. NJ does get some Brooklyn/SI residents in our malls for things like back to school shopping and Ikea.

I don’t agree with the rate of development in Jersey City, as the infrastructure needs have not kept pace, I.e. getting a bus from the Heights to the City. However, there is a housing crisis in America and we need more housing, not less; density is good. The cost of these apartments are not Steve Fulop’s fault. I like the guy, and I think he’s been a decent leader. But I would be shocked if a Hudson County mayor were elected to Governor - the rest of NJ is not as progressive as we think. We are lucky to have Murphy, who is extremely progressive on social issues, but kind of shitty when it comes to governing cities (see: LSP and Union Dry Dock in Hoboken).

Also, taxes. Literally all his Republican opponent needs to do is say, Look at the taxes in JC. And boom - we’re back under the rule of some shitty Chris Christie wannabe. I’m not sure Fulop is the right candidate but I hope I’m wrong!

And we don’t support the forced take over of our park by private developers acting on behalf of Paul Fireman.

Turnabout is fair play. The point of this campaign isn’t to actually take his golf course. The objective is two fold: 1) to show how ridiculous it is that Paul Fireman claims to support the community but won’t use his own land to build amenities for the “youth” and 2) to show Trenton and Phil Murphy how angry Jersey City is at Paul Fireman and his attempted theft of our public land.

If Paul Fireman and People’s Park Foundation give up on their quest for taking public land, we will surrender ours to take his private golf course.

Sorry, I don't support the forced sale of someone's privately owned land through eminent domain, especially for a park.

This is the most deranged and easily disposed of take I’ve heard yet. Fireman’s exclusive golf course whose membership is limited to 250 people has somehow brought about the revitalization of Jersey City? GTFO here.

LSP is the most visited state park with over six million annual visitors, which is why the DEP wanted to finish the job of environmental remediation, wildlife restoration, and addition of more public active recreation for the benefit of all New Jerseyans. Instead, Paul Fireman has consistently derailed those efforts with his various attempts to take the park’s land for his own.

This park is for the enjoyment of the people of New Jersey; not for Paul Fireman’s personal gain.

Liberty National is hosting an LPGA event in May where the top 24 junior female players in the country get to compete with the LPGA pros. That's kinda cool. The fact is the place was a total dump before the golf course. Hell, there's an argument that the entirety of Jersey City has gotten significantly better and more livable since the investment was made to build the course and beautify LSP. There are about 25 people in LSP at any given time...making more to do and easier access might be great for the park. Either way, bringing professional golf events to JC has clearly done some good. I really don't understand how of the zillions of rich assholes galavanting around the NYC area doing horrible things for their own benefit, this one gets so much attention. I see a lot of positive that has come from Fireman wanting to invest in JC. Sure, he certainly benefits from it, but that's what capitalism is. It's not my favorite but we live in America and that is how it is. There are so many deplorable hills to climb and die on, why choose one that is helping your town?

The 2021 political environment (post Biden, pre Dobbs) was very challenging for Democrats. It's also way different than 2025 might look.

If this election happens one year into a second Trump term, for example, then there's zero chance that any Democrat -- Fulop, Sweeney, Gottheimer, Baraka, that weird AOC wannabe who had a meltdown in the comments about white people the other day, anyone -- would lose a statewide election in NJ. It's just too soon to tell.

Ding ding ding! You hit the nail on the head.

But did he build affordable housing? Did he keep the developers honest when they promised jobs for locals? Or when they made promises to the community in exchange to build?

Do an audit of developers and you will see lies, broken promises and the fleecing of JC taxpayers especially the poor and middle class.