In a rare public disagreement among Monmouth County Republicans, Sheriff Shaun Golden, the Party Chairman, slammed Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s effort to win fiscal and public safety reforms from Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney in exchange for three Republican votes in the Senate to legalize recreational marijuana.
Golden took to twitter last night, calling the the proposal “typical Trenton”
Trading away public safety …. typical Trenton – trading away our tax dollars on something that has nothing to do with the issue. How does restoring energy receipts tax back to municipalities = recreational marijuana? Is there a connection, Maybe heat lamps used for growing? https://t.co/9wEOiy96Fm
— Shaun Golden (@sheriffgolden) January 15, 2019
Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, O’Scanlon’s running mate and district office partner in Bell Works, liked Golden’s tweet. DiMaso was Golden’s running mate in 2013 and 2016 and will likely be on the ballot with Golden this year. (Neither Golden nor DiMaso have announced their reelection intentions, but they are both expected to run for new terms in their respective offices this year)
MMM has been unable to reach O’Scanlon and Golden this morning. DiMaso said in a phone interview that she stands with the Sheriff on the marijuana issue. She’s opposed to legalizing recreational use.
“That’s one of the great things about our team,” DiMaso said. “We can disagree on certain issues yet still represent and serve our constituents well”
