Bucco: With Murphy’s Energy Extremism on Full Display, There Were No Republican Votes to Confirm His BPU Nominees Today
Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) issued the following comments after a pair of Governor Phil Murphy’s nominees to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) failed to gain Senate confirmation today:
A dead humpback whale in Seaside Park on March 2, 2023. It’s one of dozens of dead whales and dolphins that have washed up on area beaches while wind farm surveys are taking place in New Jersey coastal waters. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
“Governor Murphy dumped two BPU commissioners for having the gall to criticize his extreme Energy Master Plan. There were no Republican votes today to confirm replacements who would be nothing more than a rubber stamp for his dangerous and expensive energy policy.
Durr Bill Allowing Certain Military Veterans to Keep Special License Plates Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Edward Durr that allows veterans of military reserve units with at least six years of service to retain special license plates that identify their military service has been signed into law.
Sen. Edward Durr’s bill that allows veterans of military reserve units with at least six years of service to retain special license plates that identify their service has been signed into law. (NJMVC)
“I am proud to honor our veterans of the military reserves with the enactment of this law. All military service members should be honored and recognized for the sacrifices that they have made in defense of the freedoms that we enjoy today,” said Durr (R-03). “This law ends a foolish requirement that forced veterans of the military reserves to relinquish license plates that identified their service to our country. Military reserve veterans may now keep these special license plates and proudly display their service to our country.”
Testa: Time for Murphy to End NJ’s COVID-19 State of Emergency
A day after final congressional approval was given to end the national COVID-19 emergency, Senator Michael Testa said it’s time for Governor Phil Murphy to end New Jersey’s pandemic state of emergency.
Sen. Michael Testa said it’s time for Gov. Phil Murphy to end New Jersey’s pandemic state of emergency and to give up his emergency powers. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey’s ongoing state of emergency gives the governor and state departments the authority to keep unnecessary directives in place, and it allows the governor to continue spending billions in federal relief funds with almost no transparency or oversight,” said Testa (R-1). “It also allows the Murphy administration to circumvent the Legislature and diminish our constitutional authority as a co-equal branch of government. Now that the federal emergency is ending, Governor Murphy needs to recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is over and it’s time to give up his emergency powers.”
VIDEO: Gov. Murphy Is Slashing School Funding While Spending Millions on Pork
Governor Phil Murphy wants to slash $150 million of aid to nearly 200 school districts.
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That’s despite having a $10 billion surplus and spending hundreds of millions on political pork.
Bucco Introduces Bill to Delay 4th Round of Affordable Housing Obligations Until 2028
Senator Anthony M. Bucco has introduced legislation that would delay the fourth round of fair share affordable housing obligations for municipalities from 2025 to 2028.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco has introduced legislation that would delay the fourth round of fair share affordable housing obligations for municipalities from 2025 to 2028. (©iStock)
“The pandemic and related shutdowns and restrictions imposed by Governor Murphy had a major impact on the ability of municipalities to resolve their third-round affordable housing obligations,” said Bucco (R-25). “While towns are still trying to get back on track, the next round is quickly approaching. If we don’t implement a reasonable delay to the fourth round, we’re sure to end up with more confusion, litigation, and unnecessary costs for property taxpayers. This bill offers relief to our towns and much-needed time to keep working.”
O’Scanlon & Testa Say Trenton Democrats Are Prioritizing Pork Over School Funding in State Budget
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Michael Testa said Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats have prioritized funding political pork projects at the expense of schools in their FY 2024 state budget proposal.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Sen. Michael Testa said Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats have prioritized funding political pork projects at the expense of schools in their FY 2024 state budget proposal. (©iStock)
“It says a lot about their priorities when Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats have slashed funding to nearly 200 school districts while building a massive budget surplus and funneling boatloads of pork to their cronies,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “It’s ludicrous to suggest that we can’t afford the extra $50 million it would cost to protect every school district from budget cuts when it took us all of 15 minutes to identify nearly $150 million of political spending that’s being handed out to a favored few in the Democrats’ budget proposal. It’s a safe bet to assume there are hundreds of millions of dollars of pork in the budget, in addition to the $10 billion surplus, that could be better spent protecting our schools from unnecessary funding cuts that will lead to teacher layoffs.”
Singer Applauds Opening of New Heart and Vascular Center in Brick Township
Ocean University Medical Center Unveiled the New $20M Heart Lab on March 24
Senator Robert Singer said the new heart and vascular center will provide residents in Ocean County with access to state-of-the-art facilities designed to treat heart disease.
Sen. Robert Singer said the new heart and vascular center will provide residents in Ocean County with access to state-of-the-art facilities designed to treat heart disease. (SenateNJ.com)
“The opening of this heart and vascular center in Brick is an incredible achievement and something that was urgently needed,” said Singer (R-30). “Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationwide and we need to do everything we can to make sure that individuals who have this condition receive the best treatment available. This facility will give residents in Ocean County access to top physicians and the most advanced medical technology in the nation.”
Second Legislative District Announces Pleasantville Mobile Office
Senator Vince Polistina, along with Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift (R- Atlantic), have partnered with Pleasantville City Councilwoman Carla Thomas to bring services directly, once again, to the constituents.
Senator Vince Polistina, along with Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift, have partnered with Pleasantville City Councilwoman Carla Thomas to bring services directly to the constituents. (SenateNJ.com)
The legislative team, along with Councilwoman Thomas, will be at the Pleasantville Recreation Center from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on March 31 to inform residents of the many State programs afforded to them. This includes, but is not limited to, the senior property tax freeze and some of the veterans property tax relief programs. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn about these programs and also to be able to discuss any issues or concerns they may have with the officials.
Corrado Names Donald S. DeDio Jr. as Chief of Staff
Senator Kristin M. Corrado announced the appointment of Donald S. DeDio Jr. as the new chief of staff in her 40th Legislative District Office.
Sen. Kristin M. Corrado announced the appointment of Donald S. DeDio Jr. as the new chief of staff in her 40th Legislative District Office. (SenateNJ.com)
“Donnie has worked closely with me and my district office staff over the years in various capacities,” said Corrado (R-40). “He brings a wealth of experience to our office having served in various roles in the political and nonprofit worlds and in municipal government. I have no doubt that Donnie will hit the ground running in support of our efforts to fight for our constituents and maintain the high level of service that people have come to expect from our district office.”
Southern Shore Lawmakers Say Unprecedented Whale and Dolphin Deaths Warrant Suspension of Offshore Wind Projects
Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, and Assemblyman Erik Simonsen are intensifying calls to suspend offshore wind projects following an unprecedented number of dolphin deaths on a beach in Sea Isle City.
Sen. Michael Testa, Asm. Antwan McClellan, and Asm. Erik Simonsen are intensifying calls to suspend offshore wind projects following an unprecedented number of dolphin deaths on a beach in Sea Isle City. (Pixabay)
“It has been clear for a long time that Gov. Phil Murphy’s irrational green energy goals, facilitated by offshore wind projects, may pose significant risks to marine life. Since January, New Jersey has recorded an alarming number of whale deaths, and just earlier today, eight dolphins died after washing ashore in Sea Isle City. While the DEP claims there is no link between wind farms and damage to marine life, the logical thing to do would be to pause all offshore wind projects until we have more data,” said Testa (R-Cumberland). “In addition to the health and safety of marine life, our coastal communities and the thriving commercial fisheries rely upon a healthy and safe ocean and these projects pose an unnecessary risk to that. Until the proponents can assure our region that these projects are not playing a part in these incidents, it would be wise to suspend the work.”
