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More than $70 billion in wealth left New Jersey between 2004 and 2008 as affluent residents moved elsewhere, according to a report released Wednesday that marks a swift reversal of fortune for a state once considered the nation’s wealthiest.

Conducted by the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College, the report found wealthy households in New Jersey were leaving for other states — mainly Florida, Pennsylvania and New York — at a faster rate than they were being replaced.

“The wealth is not being replaced,” said John Havens, who directed the study. “It’s above and beyond the general trend that is affecting the rest of the northeast.”

 This was not always the case. The study – the first on interstate wealth migration in the country — noted the state actually saw an influx of $98 billion in the five years preceding 2004. The exodus of wealth, then, local experts and economists concluded, was a reaction to a series of changes in the state’s tax structure — including increases in the income, sales, property and “millionaire” taxes.

“This study makes it crystal clear that New Jersey’s tax policies are resulting in a significant decline in the state’s wealth,” said Dennis Bone, chairman of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and president of Verizon New Jersey.

Webmaster's note -  Special Congratulations to Whitney Vaughn who was awarded the $1,000 Strongsville Republican Club Reagan Memorial Scholarship on May 26, 2009.    

The United States of America faces many challenges throughout the next several years. Challenges have always been present in our society, but we can easily overcome them if we adopt the right policies. Throughout history, the best policies have proven to be those that were established by our founding fathers.

Special Congratulations to Whitney Vaughn who was awarded the $1,000 Strongsville Republican Club Reagan Memorial Scholarship on May 26^th.   Whitney is a current member of the club, the President of the High School Republican Club and was instrumental in recruiting other high school students to volunteer at the Victory Center this past fall.    In addition to volunteering Whitney is an outstanding student who lives the ideals of conservative Republicans and is very active in the community here in Strongsville. We wish Whitney continued success at Lipscomb University. 

A big thanks to our scholarship committee and all those who attended the fundraiser on May 13^th for the scholarship fund.   We will continue to build this fund to support students like Whitney. My goal is to grow the fund to support two students, then three, etc.   Hopefully one day it will be large enough that we can live off the interest! Special thanks to State Senator Tom Patton, who sponsored this year’s scholarship. 

As the Republican Party reflects back on the election of 2008, one item that is obvious is that the Republican Party has not connected with the youth of America.  In the election of 2008 Obama’s team was able to not only get the support of young Americans but also got them out to vote.  Our Republican party needs to do a better job of communicating and working with the youth of America and not just when they turn 18.

Republican ideals need to be brought to the attention of kids in their learning years and especially in high school.  It is a challenge, as we know that the teachers union and education is dominated by the left.  However, did you know that at our own Strongsville High School we have a Young Republican Club?   These high school students are tremendous kids who are not afraid to boast they are Republican!  I cannot say enough about the energy, enthusiasm and work ethic they brought to the campaign this past fall.  They spend countless hours at the victory center stuffing envelopes, making phone calls and doing whatever we asked of them!

Dear Fellow Strongsville Republican:

Our March meeting had a tremendous turnout as many of you appear to be concerned about the direction of the country and realize the only way to affect true change is to get involved!  Those of you who were unable to attend missed a pretty impressive line-up of speakers.    State Senator Tom Patton updated the club on the status of various transportation issues and budgeting items that the Senate was considering.  The Senator noted several proposals the federal government was blackmailing Ohio into passing and how he and our fellow Republicans in Columbus were opposing.  He also discussed the major flaws and cost in the Governor‘s proposed plan to build a high speed train connecting Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati and how he was leading the fight on such wasteful government spending. 

Dear Fellow Strongsville Republicans:

Well it didn’t take long for President Obama to show that he is a typical tax and spend Democrat.  His “stimulus” package is nothing more than a pork bill with something in it for every democrat constituent that didn’t receive anything in the last eight years.   All of the substantive tax breaks were either removed or severally cut back so that the effect on American companies is minimal.

Meanwhile, the President has no plan to pay the interest on this $800 billion dollar package and there is already talk of tax hikes in the future to pay for the interest on the new spending.  As Ronald Reagan so eloquently said “Government is not the solution, it is the problem.”  It seems though our new President has not studied the history of the 1980s and is already appearing to be the second coming of Jimmy Carter.

As the President’s true agenda is coming to fruition, it gives us as Republicans the opportunity to demonstrate a viable alternative.  We Republicans do not need to do anything different – we just need to return our basic principles of lower taxes and smaller government.   While we do not have the numbers in Congress to stop the liberal Democratic agenda, we can provide a sound and reasonable alternatives to the American people.