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Gottheimer announces 357% increase in federal tax dollars clawed back from Washington to New Jersey

Releases new North Jersey reporting of federal dollars clawed back from the Moocher States to support local firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs

NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Wednesday announced that New Jersey’s Fifth District has clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since taking office. For 2021 alone, the federal tax dollars clawed back amount to an average savings of more than $750 for each household in the Fifth District.

Through Gottheimer’s work with mayors, councils, first responders, and nonprofits, the Fifth District has realized a far better Return on Investment on the tax dollars North Jersey residents send to Washington every year.

Gottheimer highlighted successes across the Fifth District, particularly with the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, the LESO 1033 excess resources program, USDA Rural Development (RD) grants, Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS), and FEMA Non-Profit Security Grant program (NSGP).

In Congress, Gottheimer has helped lead efforts to stop the end of the LESO 1033 excess resources program from helping local first responders access equipment they need.

Gottheimer visited the Oradell Police Department today to highlight how the LESO 1033 program, AFG program, and the GSA Federal Surplus Property Program have helped the Borough’s Police Department and Volunteer Fire Department claw back resources to help keep themselves and the community safe, including helping the Borough’s first responders acquire flood lights, generators, an ATV and snowblower, trucks, boats, and a waterdog to carry and transport 325 gallons of water. Since 2020, the Oradell Volunteer Fire Department has clawed back more than $200,000 from Washington through the AFG program.

“I am proud to announce today that we are now up 357 percent in our federal tax dollars that we’ve clawed back to Jersey from Washington, helping to lower our property taxes, to make life more affordable and safer, and to improve the Fifth District in so many ways. In fact, in 2021 alone, we clawed back more than $750 for every single North Jersey household — dollars going back into the pockets of our hardworking families when they need them most,” Gottheimer said. “We’ve clawed back dollars from the Moocher States to help us here, to help firefighters put out a blaze, help law enforcement protect us from terror, and protect the children in our schools. That’s more federal tax dollars clawed back from Washington for storm clean-up, generators, and trucks, boats for floods, repairs, gear to help EMTs, and help emergency management. And by clawing back more to Jersey, our mayors, councils, and first responders have lifted significant costs off of our town budgets and helped provide critical tax relief to our residents on their property tax line — it’s a win-win for us all.”

Gottheimer and his Return on Investment team have visited all 79 towns in the Fifth District to raise awareness of the availability of federal grant dollars, written congressional letters of support, convened 15 Mayor Summits to train local leaders on how to apply for grants, hosted 15 grant workshops, sent thousands of letters and scores of emails to local leaders, and held more than 600 meetings with local officials.

Local officials and first responders interested in applying for federal grants can learn more on Gottheimer’s website and are encouraged to contact Gottheimer’s Glen Rock office at 201-389-1100.

Gottheimer’s new Return on Investment Report for 2021 can be found here.

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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