Doherty: Murphy’s Unnecessary Gun Control Push Won’t Distract from His Pandemic Failures
Says New Restrictions Would Put Rural Families at Risk
Senator Michael Doherty said a push for stricter gun laws is a weak attempt by Governor Phil Murphy to distract New Jerseyans from his many failures responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and would put rural residents at increased risk.
Sen. Mike Doherty said a push for stricter gun laws is a weak attempt by Gov. Phil Murphy to distract from his pandemic failures and will put rural New Jerseyans at increased risk. (Flickr)
“Governor Murphy’s push for more gun control is an effort to divert attention from all the damage he’s done to New Jersey over the past year,” said Doherty (R-23). “Unfortunately for the governor, he can’t escape his record of shutting down businesses unnecessarily, destroying two-million jobs, and mismanaging the unemployment system and MVC.”
Testa & Oroho Blast Murphy for Taking Shot at Legal Gun Owners
In response to broad-reaching gun control measures announced today by Governor Murphy, Senator Michael Testa and Senator Steve Oroho said the agenda is a smoke screen that fails to address violent crime in the state and instead targets the rights of law-abiding residents to legally own firearms.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Steve Oroho criticized Gov. Murphy’s new gun agenda as an assault on the rights of hunters and legal gun owners. (SenateNJ.com)
Murphy’s proposals include prohibiting the purchase of rifles and shotguns by those younger than 21 years old, and requiring out-of-state gun-owners moving into the New Jersey to obtain firearm purchaser IDs and register guns.
O’Scanlon Congratulates VNA Community Health Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering for Cooperating to Vaccinate Cancer Patients in New Jersey
Holmdel, NJ (April 15, 2021) – New Jersey state Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Jr. (R-Monmouth) today expressed his delight at the news that VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center (VNACJ-CHC) and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) are collaborating to vaccinate New Jersey cancer patients against COVID-19.
After learning that Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer patients were having a hard time getting vaccines, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon helped arrange to have shots administered by VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center. (Pixabay)
“Great things happen when good people work together to solve a problem in the spirit of service and cooperation,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “For the patients of Memorial Sloan Kettering, the threat of COVID-19 is a life threatening problem. I commend the leadership and employees of both organizations for creating a solution that makes the vaccine available to cancer patients in a timely and efficient manner.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Legislation Would Prohibit Use of COVID-19 Vaccine Passports in NJ
Legislators Say People Shouldn’t Be Discriminated Against Based on Vaccination Status
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (all R-10) are taking action to prevent the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports in New Jersey that could lead to discrimination against people based on their vaccination status.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano are taking action to prevent the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports in New Jersey that could lead to discrimination based on vaccination status. (SenateNJ.com)
“We’re extremely concerned by Governor Murphy’s willingness to consider the use of vaccine passports that could prevent people from working, going to school, or visiting public places,” said Holzapfel. “In a free society that respects individual rights, we believe health decisions should be a personal, private choice that a patient doesn’t have to discuss with anyone but their doctor. Our new legislation would prevent vaccine passports from being employed here in New Jersey.”
Corrado Urges Murphy to Lift Gathering Restrictions for Graduation Ceremonies
Senator Kristin Corrado joined calls for Governor Phil Murphy to eliminate the 200-person limit on upcoming graduation ceremonies saying there should be parity with other types of celebrations that are not subject to outdoor gathering limits.
Sen. Kristin Corrado joined calls for Gov. Phil Murphy to eliminate the 200-person limit on upcoming graduation ceremonies saying there should be parity with other types of celebrations that are not subject to outdoor gathering limits. (Pixabay)
“Parents want to celebrate their children’s graduations without the gathering restrictions that don’t apply to other types of ceremonies and public events,” said Corrado (R-40). “We know outdoor events with social distancing and masks pose little risk, especially when you factor in our progress with vaccinations. At this point, the 200-person limit for outdoor graduation ceremonies is an unnecessary inconvenience that Governor Murphy must address.”
Bucco: Murphy Should Eliminate Outdoor Gathering Restrictions in Advance of Graduations
Senator Anthony M. Bucco called on Governor Phil Murphy to eliminate inconsistent outdoor gathering restrictions in advance of upcoming high school and college graduations.
Sen. Tony Bucco called on Gov. Phil Murphy to eliminate inconsistent outdoor gathering restrictions in advance of upcoming high school and college graduations. (©iStock)
“It makes no sense that many outdoor events continue to be limited to 200 people while a few select others have no limits at all,” said Bucco (R-25). “If Governor Murphy thinks the science supports not having gathering limits for weddings or funerals, the same science should apply to all types of outdoor events, including graduations. The coronavirus doesn’t know the difference.”
Testa/Simonsen/McClellan Launch ‘LD1 Back to Business’ Plan to Match Unemployed Residents with Job Openings
In efforts to help residents get back to work, Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan launched “LD1 Back to Business,” a multifaceted plan to help residents find quality work opportunities, provide resume assistance to job candidates, and dispense beneficial re-employment information.
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan launched ‘LD1 Back to Business,’ a multifaceted plan to help unemployed residents get back to work. (©iStock)
“Our office has fielded countless calls from business owners actively seeking residents in need of full- and part-time jobs,” Senator Testa stated. “Inexcusably, the Department of Labor continues to drag its feet on re-opening One-Stop Career Centers for in-person visits, so our office is once again stepping up to fill in the gaps and help South Jersey residents get back to work.”
Oroho to Murphy: Failure to Open Adult Day Care Programs is Harming NJ’s Most Vulnerable Residents
The lack of access to full adult day care programs is taking a growing toll on thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and today Senator Steve Oroho called on the Governor to authorize the reopening of facilities statewide, including congregate day programs.
Senator Steve Oroho called on Governor Murphy to authorize the reopening of adult day care facilities statewide, including congregate day programs. (SenateNJ.com)
“The young men and women who rely on these programs in their everyday lives have suffered greatly during the pandemic,” said Oroho. “The inability to participate in comfortable, calming activities and to interact daily with others in a productive environment has done unimaginable harm to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The sooner we can open these vital facilities, the better. I hope the Governor understands how important this is.”
Kean Names Testa Co-Chair of Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Senator Michael Testa (R-1) to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Sen. Michael Testa to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus. (Pixabay)
“Senator Testa has been a leader on the legislative manufacturing caucus as it works to secure New Jersey’s future as the go-to destination for high-tech manufacturing,” said Kean (R-21). “He’s worked closely with Senator Oroho, who will continue to play an active role in the work of the caucus after serving honorably as co-chair. I’m proud that Senate Republicans have such a skilled and dedicated team that’s focused on improving the Garden State’s economy.”
Statement from Oroho, Space, & Wirths on Biden’s Gun Control Proposals & Nominee to Be Head of the ATF
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) issued the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s press conference on gun control proposals and announcing his nominee to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms:
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths blasted President Joe Biden’s gun control proposals and denounced his nomination for Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. (Wikipedia Commons)
“We believe that President Biden overstepped his executive authority and the Second Amendment with his gun control proposals. We are hopeful that Republican Attorneys General across the country will bring legal action against the administration. As we have fought the Murphy Administration’s and Democrat legislative leadership’s gun control proposals in New Jersey, we will oppose the President and Congressional Democrats on their gun control schemes.
