Rick Santorum campaigning in Ohio. (Jay LaPrete/Getty Images)

Rick Santorum is mocking Mitt Romney as a “Johnny come lately to the conservative cause.”

Ahead of Wednesday night’s GOP presidential debate in Arizona, Santorum told a tea party gathering in Tucson that Romney proposed a lower corporate tax rate only after Santorum had done so.

The crowd of 400 laughed and clapped when Santorum said America doesn’t need a leader who has been “a well-oiled weather vane.”

The former Pennsylvania senator urged Arizonans to support a courageous conservative rather than politicians who tell voters what they want to hear.

Santorum aimed his sharpest barbs at President Barack Obama. He said the president’s economic plan is  more food stamps and government dependence.”

Arizona’s presidential primary is Tuesday.

Santorum Surges, Obama Leads GOP – Poll

A new survey shows that a surging Rick Santorum is running even with Mitt Romney atop the Republican presidential field, but neither candidate is faring well against President Barack Obama.

The Associated Press-GfK poll shows Obama topping 50 percent support when matched against each of the four GOP candidates and holding a significant lead over each of them eight months before the election.

• NJ Decides: Presidential Election 2012
• INTERACTIVE: GOP Campaign
• INTERACTIVE: AP-gfk Poll

Republicans are divided on whether they’d rather see Romney or Santorum capture the nomination, with Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul lagging behind. It’s a troubling sign for the better-funded Romney as the GOP race heads toward crucial votes in his home state of Michigan, in Arizona and in an array of states on Super Tuesday, March 6.

Arizona finally gets GOP candidates’ attention

A Mitt Romney supporter holds up a sign. (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Rick Santorum is looking for another upset while Mitt Romney is hoping to keep his leading rival at bay as they prepare for the 20th debate of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Santorum arrived ahead of any of his rivals for pre-debate campaigning in Arizona, a state that has long been assumed safe for Romney.

Polls have long shown Romney with a solid lead in Arizona, where all 29 delegates at stake are reserved for the top vote-getter in the primary. None of the candidates has devoted much time to the state, and television ads have been scarce.

In Michigan, on the other hand, Romney, Santorum and their allies have poured money into television ads.

Both Arizona and Michigan hold primaries on Feb. 28.

Unions gearing up to spend big in 2012 election

President Back Obama with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Labor unions are gearing up to spend more than $400 million to help re-elect President Barack Obama and back other Democrats at the federal and state level in a fight for labor’s survival.

Union leaders say they have little choice as they try to beat back GOP efforts to curb collective bargaining rights or limit their ability to collect dues.

The nation’s largest public employee union has already spent $1 million on television ads aimed at weakening GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, the candidate they expect to win the nomination.

But union resources are being spread thin after they spent millions last year to fight anti-union measures in Ohio, Wisconsin and other states. They are also spearheading a recall of Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Freehold native Robert Gibbons and Toms River resident Anthony DeGraaf started the program called United Strong Against Bullying (USA Bullying) along with WWE/TNA superstar and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle which aims to educate and motivate students to stand up against bullying and stand strong in the face of adversity.

The program is in its infancy now, being started as a joint-venture between the two Garden State residents and pro wrestler, who formed an unlikely friendship after the pair worked with him on several other of Kurt Angle’s side ventures. Gibbons’ says that they plan to use the appeal and personality of Kurt Angle in order to convey the message to participants of all ages.

He says USA Bullying’s goal is to continue building onto the work done by other national and statewide organizations while working to improve wherever possible. Hopefully, setting the standard in some areas for others to follow.

He says what makes Angle’s speeches relatable is that while he is a larger-than-life sports entertainment personality; his struggles through life have been very relatable.

“A lot of times people, especially pro wrestlers like Kurt, they’ve been bullied when they were little, and that’s what actually motivated them to be great and be champions and succeed in all of things that they do. ”

The tri-fold message of unity, responsibility, and perseverance is something Gibbons and his partners want to take to schools throughout the area, making sure to reach out not only to the bullied, but the bullies also. He notes that sometimes the worst bullies could be the school’s best athletes.

“You protect the people. You’ve been given physical gifts, either god given or through incredible hard work, and by having those gifts you are responsible for the people that aren’t maybe as blessed as you are. ”

He says that it’s important to let the victims of bullying know, “it gets better” and that they should continue to persevere. Gibbons references the struggles Kurt Angle has faced, from bullying throughout his childhood, to the murder of his Olympic coach, to breaking his back six months before trials, to the unfortunate passing of his brother. He says that while the bullied feel very much like victims, it’s important to let them know they can rise above it.

“We are living and walking proof that if you just stay focused on the positive and find the positive, there’s a positive in every situation. You want to promote that good things can happen from bad situations; it’s what you make of the situation.”

Gibbons says that Kurt Angle has signed on his own personal time to work with the program however they are currently in talks with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) to expand their roster of speakers to include other performers.

Brick Mayor Steve Acropolis (Jason Allentoff/Townsquare Media NJ)

BRICK - Brick Township Mayor Steve Acropolis presents his proposed $82 million  operating budget for 2012 that calls for laying off 77 public works department employees. Acropolis says the move would save almost $8million. Council President John Ducey is against the plan and he says the Council will examine other ways to save money.

OCEANPORT - The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association is close to finalizing an agreement to take control of Monmouth Park racetrack. Report say the group has agreed on lease terms with the New Jersey Sports And Exposition Authority. It should be finalized very soon.

TOMS RIVER – A Stafford-based home contractor heads for trial, accused of fleecing investors for more than $1,000,000. David Haugland was indicted this morning in Ocean County Superior Court on charges of theft, money laundering, and issuing bad checks. Prosecutors contend that Haugland conned investors – and tried to float a fraudulent loan – ostensibly to build homes on three Long Beach Island properties that neither he nor his company owned or controlled. Haugland is free on $75,000 bail.

TRENTON – A lawyer and an investment broker from Marlboro head for sentencing for scheming to skim more than $2,500,000 from mortgage lenders through false applications. Attorney Mark Bellotti, 55, and broker Jonathan Domash, 41, pleaded guilty Tuesday here to charges of theft by deception. Bellotti admitted to an additional count of conspiracy. Prosecutors will recommend five years in prison for Bellotti, and 364 days in jail with five years’ probation for Domash. A third defendant from Hillsborough appears headed for probation.
JACKSON – Solar energy returns to the talking stages in the township’s school district. Officials reportedly are weighing the advantages of renting school roof space to private solar contractors in exchange for discounted energy costs. If an agreement can be developed, the renting firms would receive solar energy credits. School officials anticipate paying about $3,750,000 to power the district next year unless methods are developed to reduce costs. Voters last year rejected a $7,000,000 solar power referendum.

TRENTON – ANew Jersey police officer who calls Matawan home is sentenced to three years in state prison for stealing cocaine from an evidence room he ran. Albert Annuzzi, 47, must serve two years before parole eligibility in accord with the plea agreement he struck last month. Annuzzi served 22 years on the Piscataway police force. He admitted swiping the drugs for personal use.

TOMS RIVER – That whooping cough advisory we told you about last week is developing some legs. Ocean County health officials report 14 cases, mostly in northern-end communities including Lakewood. But they don’t rule out any community for vulnerability to the bacterial lung infection. It’s hazardous for any age, but especially for infants. The Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends a five-stage d-Tap inoculation series. Four shots are given between two and 18 months of age, and a booster is given between ages four and six.

MAYS LANDING – Four months after a suspect was jailed in connection with a fatal shooting in Atlantic City, four more are rounded up. Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel today announced the arrests in connection with the death of Corleone Hayes last November, one of two homicides in the city on the same night. Haneef Graves, 29, has been in custody since his arrest.

BARNEGAT - A 25-year-old from Barnegat is charged with a pair of home burglaries in the past month. Police say they charged Kerri Conroy with theft after tracing a laptop that vanished from a Village Drive home to a third party who claimed to have bought it from Conroy. A Deck Street resident accuses Conroy of taking $210 from a purse while in the victim’s house to use the phone.

ATLANTIC CITY - Atlantic City’s Steel Pier receives final approval for a $6.1 million loan. The pier’s owners will use the money from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to renovate and expand the historic site. The three-year project is expected to cost about $102 million. It calls for new rides, a midway and a food court.

TOMS RIVER – Plans for a homeless shelter on the grounds of a church in the township are being shelved. Leaders of the First Assembly Church of God reportedly got a cool reception to the idea at a community forum that included homeowners beyond the mandatory 200-foot notification radius. Church elders sought parish and community agreement, and support for the mission from local, state and federal government sources. Space in the Youth Ministry Building would have temporarily housed up to 50 men and women.

LONG BRANCH - A Long Branch man remains in the Monmouth County Jail, accused of running down a man on a bicycle with his truck. Reports say 64-year-old Glenn Frattin is charged with attempted murder in the Saturday morning incident on Garfield Avenue. The unidenitifed victim was taken to Monmouth Medical Center.

JERSEY CITY - Snooki and J-Woww have officially arrived in Jersey City for the filming of their new reality show. The spinoff of MTV’s Jersey Shore was originally set to shoot in Hoboken but the Mayor denied producers a filming permit. Security on set is tight. The production company is footing the bill for extra police officers.

LINCROFT – Brookdale Community College’s new president is Maureen Murphy, currently the head of San Jacinto College South in Houston, Texas. She emerged over numerous candidates in a nationwide search following the departure of Peter Burnham last March, amid corruption allegations. She takes office July 1.

TRENTON - For now, shore-based Congressman Jon Runyan remains the only former pro footballer representing New Jersey on Capitol Hill. Ex-Giants linebacker Harry Carson today told Bergen County officials that he’s decided not to oppose five-term Republican Scott Garrett this November. The 58-year-old Hall of Famer now runs a sports marketing and consulting firm.

Governor Christie with CNN's Piers Morgan (CNN)

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie made the national TV rounds, spending an hour with CNN’s Piers Morgan on Tuesday night and doing a short segment on ABC’s Good Morning, America on Wednesday morning talking about gay marriage and his support of Mitt Romney.

On ABC, Christie said he continues to be courted privately to jump into the 2012 presidential race, but says he’s only interested in having Mitt Romney secure the nomination.

Christie tells George Stephanopoulos of ABC’s “Good Morning America” he hasn’t changed his mind about not entering the race. Christie predicts Romney’s sputtering campaign will regain its momentum and that he will be the clear front runner by April. He says the long primary season, something he voted against,  is hurting the Republican candidates and hopes that a lesson will be learned.

Stephanopoulos asked Christie about recent comments by both Rick Santorum and Romney about Obama’s religion. He says the comments are relevant and count, as are all comments by a Presidential candidate, but isn’t someplace he would like to see the race go.

The economy is the important issue in both New Jersey and across the country, according to Christie, and putting people back to work so they can support their families and contribute to the economy.

When asked about the “New Jersey Comeback” he touted in Tuesday’s budget address and if President Obama could make the same “comeback” claim about the US economy, he said the Garden State has added jobs while the country overall under the Obama administration has lost jobs.

“I DON’T COMPROMISE MY PRINCIPALS FOR POLITICS”

Christie discussed gay marriage with CNN’s Piers Morgan on Tuesday night and continued to support putting the issue to a referendum.  “I know this is a very emotional issue and a very divisive issue in my state. The only way we have to amend our constitution in New Jersey – which is by referendum – let’s put it on the ballot and let’s let the people decide.”

Morgan suggested that Christie might be “out of step” with the 7 states that have legalized gay marriage. Christie said he is still in the majority and that he will not compromise his principals for politics. He admits to having “robust discussions” with gay friends but says they do not accuse him of being bigoted.

Additional Christie segments:

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

It includes a modest increase in state aid to schools and the largest ever payment into the public workers’ pension system, but it’s two tax-related proposals that are garnering the most attention and Democrats are bashing both of them.

The $32.1 billion spending plan is more than $2 billion above the current budget. It provides $213 million more for schools over last year. The Christie Administration is projecting revenue growth of 7.3% in the coming year. It is with that revenue that the Administration hopes to fund the first phase of the 10% state income tax cut which is expected to cost $183.3 million in the first year. The legislature would need to approve the tax cut.

“The people have spoken, and they want lower taxes,” says Christie. “So in this budget, I have included the proposal I outlined for you a few weeks ago in the State of the State address. I propose to reduce personal income tax rates, across-the-board, for every New Jerseyan, by 10%, and I propose to begin the three-year phase-in of the cut with this budget. A 10% tax cut for every working New Jerseyan will help families to keep more of what they earn. It will make us more competitive with other states and attract more new jobs to New Jersey. Every New Jerseyan deserves a tax cut. Lower tax rates will relieve over- burdened middle class families. They will keep job creators here.

The Governor also proposes increasing the earned Income Tax Credit from 20% to 25% to provide help for New Jersey’s working poor. Christie explains, “Some hard working, low-income New Jerseyans pay no income tax at all. In this budget I am proposing relief for them, too. In 2010, our disastrous budget situation forced us to trim the Earned Income Tax Credit. With this budget, I propose to increase it, from 20% to 25% over the next two years. With my proposed increase, New Jersey will have one of the most generous state tax programs for the working poor in the nation – with an average annual benefit of 550 dollars.”

Christie’s tax cut and tax credit plans drew huge applause from those in attendance yesterday, but if he was planning a victory lap, he probably doesn’t need to go all the way around the track. The tax reduction proposal requires legislative approval, but Democrats who control both houses are essentially saying it is dead on arrival. They also say Christie is taking credit restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit after he was the one who slashed it in the first place.

Video by Dino Flammia

The Democratic Reaction

• More reaction to the NJ Budget Address

Asked his thought son the income tax cut plan, State Senate President Steve Sweeney said, “He’s wrong and we’re not going to stand back and support an income tax cut that’s only going to benefit the wealthy and give crumbs to the middle class.”

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver says “No matter how the Governor dresses it up, a 10 percent across-the-board income tax cut is still a disproportionately generous gift for the wealthiest among us, one that will have little-to-no impact on the lives of working class New Jerseyans. Even more puzzling is the lack of details on how the Governor intends to pay for his millionaires’ gift. The most glaring omission in his speech, however, was the complete and utter absence of a plan to address property taxes.”

“The governor’s budget plan is just more of the same – tax cuts for the rich at the expense of the middle-class,” says Assembly Democratic Leader Lou Greenwald. “Governor Christie just doesn’t get it. His zeal for tax breaks for the rich while middle-class families struggle with the highest property taxes in the nation is wrong.”

Democrats agree with Christie that the people of New Jersey want lower taxes. They just think he picked the wrong tax to cut. They feel the focus should be squarely on property taxes. They say the average Jersey resident would be lucky to see $100 in savings from the income tax cut plan while millionaire’s would receive over $7,000.

As expected, Christie’s fellow Republicans are very supportive of his spending plan. Senate GOP Leader Tom Kean says, “Reducing the income tax is an investment in our state just like education, state colleges and universities, property tax relief, and support for the disadvantaged. It is a needed investment in job creation for the still far too many workers seeking employment. The Governor’s budget presents us with a choice: continuing to do what has been working for New Jersey’s economy and job market, or return to the days when unchecked taxes, spending, and borrowing turned our state into an economic disaster.”

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick says, “Governor Christie outlined a fiscally responsible budget that will advance the New Jersey recovery for taxpayers and businesses. The Governor’s budget increases state educational aid to its highest level in history, makes the required pension payment of $1.1 billion, and cuts income taxes by 10 percent. As a result of Governor Christie’s leadership, we have a budget that funds core priorities and provides tax relief for every New Jerseyan.”

Municipal aid is down slightly, but the Governor proposes increasing property tax relief aid by nearly $50 million. He plans to reduce transitional aid to the state’s distressed cities by over $56 million. There will be no changes to homestead rebate programs or eligibility for the Senior Freeze program.

Funding for higher education will increase $107 million over the current year. Funding for the state’s hospitals will remain flat at $986 million.

The budget plan includes a payment into the public employees’ pension system of $1.1 billion, the largest single payment in New Jersey history. In the current fiscal year the payment was $484 million.

The spending plan calls for $1 million to recruit and select two State Police training classes. There’s $89 million to support Christie’s $1.6 billion Transportation Capital Plan. $2.5 million would be allocated to establish a mandatory drug court for non-violent offenders all 21 counties. Almost $35 million would be set aside for new community placement for New Jerseyans with disabilities. The State Rental Assistance Program would get $21 million in funding.

The spending plan also includes the continuation of business tax cuts and job growth incentives.

The budget proposal anticipates a $300 million surplus, but State Treasurer Andrew Eristoff says Christie expects to be able to add to the surplus as the year goes on.

The concert took place at the White House as part of the White House Concert Series.  This particular performance was to showcase the blues as part of Black History Month.  Check out the video below!

Now compare that with his performance of “Let’s Stay Together”:

“Let’s Stay Together” or “Sweet Home Chicago”?

Which of the President’s performances do you prefer?

Tim Boyle, Getty Images

Good Morning Listener Friends – today’s Word of the Day:

ad rem

Dictionary.com defines ad rem as

Without digressing; in a straightforward manner

Will you be sure to remember ad rem during your next game of Scrabble!?

Stacy Proebstle, Townsquare Media

Christie’s proposal includes $212 million more for education. Most school districts would see modest increases in state aid. He will also increase financing for preschool by $14.6 million and school choice aid by $14.2 million.

• SPECIAL SECTION: Christie’s NJ Budget Address
• REACTION: Politicians react to Christie’s NJ Budget

The school funds would not fully restore the reductions that Christie implemented when he first assumed office, according to the state School Boards Association.

“We’re making progress towards that…but for the non-abbott school districts, which is approximately 550 school districts in the state…the funding does not bring them back to that level.”

NJEA spokesman Steve Wolmer said while he was relieved to hear about the increase in education funds, the amount isn’t enough.

“It’s a really miniscule amount…let’s be honest…in terms of the total amount of the budget…but it is an increase and that’s important.”

Wolmer said its important to note that Christie cut education funding for the past two years.

“In the past he has cut $1.4 billion to education…so this only restores about one-seventh of that.”

Department of Education officials said individual districts today are expected to receive state aid figures.

The budget also calls for a 6 percent, $107 million across the board increase in funds for higher education, which includes direct aid and tuition aid grants. It comes on the heels of two years of flat or decreased funding.

Municipal aid would remain flat under Christie’s proposal and transitional aid would be cut 56% for financially strapped towns.

“The governor has maintained the same funding levels as last year…and that’s good news…we have to look at the transitional aid figures and what that all means…but the formula aid that provides a dollar for dollar offset in property taxes has remained constant and that is good news” said Bill Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Dressel said the 2-percent property tax cap and other tool kit reform measures like the pension and health benefits bills have helped towns hold the line on spending, but more needs to be done.

“There are a lot more tool kit reforms that need to take place.”

Mayors, who were hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, will be pleased that there won’t be any cuts, said Dressel. “We are optimistic there won’t be any cuts when this is all said and done but that will all depend on the state budget committees and what they decide to do now that they have this blueprint proposal from the governor.”

Dressel said today begins several months of budget negotiations.

“It’s the start of the budget race and it ends the beginning of July…so we’re off and running.”

The Legislature must adopt a balanced budget by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Mario Tama, Getty Images

Supporters say the legislation is absolutely necessary, and it would pump more money into the local economy, but critics insist just the opposite would happen.

Stefanie Riehl, Assistant Vice President for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, says “historically the business community has had concerns about raising the minimum wage – especially in difficult economies like the one that we are in right now…the bill to be considered tomorrow would boost wages by 17 percent, and that would make New Jersey’s minimum wage the 3rd highest in the nation, behind only Washington and Oregon- and it would put our businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”

She says “our recent business outlook survey revealed that for the 3rd consecutive year in a row, more companies are reporting a decline in their actual sales – their profits – than reported an increase…sales are not rising fast enough to accommodate forced wage hikes like the one that’s being proposed.”

Riehl also points out if the measure is passed “that could be a problem when businesses are deciding where to locate, or where to stay or what jobs that they can sustain going forward…when there is a minimum wage increase, that there is sometimes a reduction in the hours (of full-time employees) because again, there is a set amount of money set aside for payroll…I would argue that we’re seeing an unprecedented economic time – so I don’t know that anyone truly understands where that tipping point lies.”

She also says the NJBIA emphasizes increasing wages as a result of people gaining in their skill sets – “so for instance there are state programs that are available that provide workers with basic skills that they need and those skills translate throughout their careers…and that’s what makes them more marketable and that’s what causes an increase in wages that’s not artificial and really will help the person in the end get a better quality of life.”

Governor Christie has indicated he has serious reservations about the legislation.

John Moore, Getty Images

The Dow made a brief stop at 13-thousand on Tuesday before falling back. It still closed up 16 points in a march upward that has now been sustained for the better part of nine months. Mercer County stock expert Ken Kamen says what is different about 2012, versus 2011 is the things that everyone has been worried about for the past year, Europe, The Presidential election, the debt crisis…those things, according to Kamen, people have already decided how they are going to look at from an investor point of view. And Kamen says now they are what he calls, “placing their bets.”

He says the earnings season is still generally positive for most companies. Some company’s returns have still not reached the levels of full recovery, but there are great expectations that they can and will. Fears over higher energy prices and any unknown geopolitical event that may still be out there are the only things in our way right now.