Kean: SDA Questions Still Must Be Answered Following Delgado-Polanco’s Resignation
Says Murphy Administration Has Not Been Transparent on Employment Matters Preventing Critical Government Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said representatives of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) should be prepared to answer questions about the agency’s operations and employment practices at upcoming Senate Budget Committee hearings following today’s resignation of chief executive officer Lizette Delgado-Polanco.
Sen. Tom Kean said representative of the Schools Development Authority should be prepared to answer outstanding questions about the agency’s employment practices at upcoming budget committee hearings following the resignation of the SDA’s chief executive officer. (SenateNJ.com)
“The resignation of Lizette Delgado-Polanco should not be viewed as a ‘get out of jail free’ card for either the SDA or the Murphy Administration,” said Kean. “The agency should be prepared to send someone to the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday who is capable of answering the outstanding questions about patronage hires and firings and other important operational matters that Ms. Delgado-Polcanco refused to answer at previous hearings.”
Bateman, Freiman, Zwicker on Early Opening of Dinky Line
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16), Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-16), and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16) issued the following joint statement Wednesday regarding the governor’s announcement that the New Jersey Transit Princeton Branch (Dinky) line will be fully restored on May 12—nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.
Sen. Kip Bateman, Asm. Roy Freiman, and Asm. Andrew Zwicker issued a joint statement regarding the governor’s announcement that the NJ Transit Princeton Branch (Dinky) line will be fully restored on May 12—two weeks ahead of schedule. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is extremely welcoming news for the members of our community who rely on the Dinky Line both personally and professionally. Restoring the line ahead of schedule will help riders better plan the various logistical aspects of their daily commuting—a major win as the warm weather approaches. While this is significant progress, there is more work to be done for New Jersey commuters who depend on the other lines that are still suspended. We look forward to these lines being restored in the future to better meet the transit needs of all New Jerseyans.”
Kean to Murphy: NJT Commuters on Raritan Valley Line Deserve to Know When Direct Service Will Be Restored
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Transit must give Raritan Valley Line commuters a solid timeline for the restoration of direct one-seat rail service to Manhattan.
Sen. Tom Kean said Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit must give Raritan Valley Line commuters a timeline for the restoration of direct rail service to Manhattan. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’m extremely disappointed that Raritan Valley Line commuters have not been given any kind of update on the restoration of direct service to Manhattan,” said Kean. “After months of disruption to their lives and inadequate communication from both the Governor and New Jersey Transit, our commuters deserve solid answers on when they should expect to have their one-seat ride again.”
Pennacchio: NJ’s Autism Rates Prove We Need a Better Way to Fund Special Education
In light of the release of a new CDC report showing that the rate of 4-year-old children diagnosed with autism in New Jersey has spiked by 43 percent, Senator Pennacchio is again calling on Legislative Leaders to embrace the Senate Republican school funding reform plan, “Every Child Counts,” which features a better way to fund special education costs Statewide.
In light of new CDC reports showing that certain child autism rates in New Jersey have spiked by 43 percent, Sen. Pennacchio is again calling on Legislative Leaders to embrace the “Every Child Counts” school funding reform plan. (©iStock)
“The fact that more and more kids are being diagnosed with autism in New Jersey is a clear indicator that we have to come up with a better way to fund special education in this state,” Pennacchio said. “Right now, kids with autism or other challenges receive a varying degree of financial support, based on their zip code. That’s wrong. Every child counts. We need a school funding plan that will ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they live.”
Kean Mourns Passing of Former Senate Minority Leader S. Thomas Gagliano
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of former Senate Minority Leader S. Thomas Gagliano:
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s statement on the passing of former Senate Minority Leader S. Thomas Gagliano. (CC0 Public Domain)
“Senator Tom Gagliano exemplified public service throughout his distinguished career. From his days serving in local government in Oceanport to his leadership roles in the Senate and at NJ Transit, Tom will be remembered for his dedication to improving lives in his beloved Monmouth County community and all of New Jersey.”
Oroho, Space, & Wirths Applaud Sussex County Resolution Opposing Murphy Administration’s Sanctuary State Directive
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) today praised the members of the Sussex County Freeholder Board who voted last night for a resolution allowing the public to oppose the Murphy Administration’s “Sanctuary State” directive.
Oroho, Space and Wirths (all R-24) praised the members of the Sussex County Freeholder Board who voted last night for a resolution allowing the public to oppose the Murphy Administration’s “Sanctuary State” directive. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am proud of the supporters of this resolution for taking a strong stand against ‘Sanctuary State’ policies,” said Oroho. “Sussex County is the first to stand up and be counted in support of the enforcement of immigration laws.
Cardinale Sends Letter to Gov & Legislative Leaders on Marijuana and Social Justice
Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39), the ranking Republican on the State Senate Judiciary Committee, sent the following letter to Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin highlighting concerns regarding social justice and pending legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Sen. Gerald Cardinale sends a letter to Gov. Murphy and legislative leaders highlighting concerns regarding social justice and pending legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use. (Pixabay)
Click here to view a pdf of the letter. The full text of the letter also appears below.
Dear Sirs,
As a follow up to Senator Rice’s letter on April 3, 2019, please allow me to associate myself with his remarks, but I would like to add a few thoughts. Social justice is frequently cited in support of legalizing recreational marijuana in Washington and California. Legalization has, if anything, led to a greater proportion of minority incarcerations.
It should raise concern that if New Jersey goes down the same path, we will have a similar result. If we are serious about eliminating racial bias from our Justice System we must get at the source. Some say it’s biased Prosecutors, other blame biased Judges. The Governor and Senate control who become Prosecutors and Judges, so if we tighten up our evaluation of those being considered, we have it in our purview to remedy the problem.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Introduce Victims’ Rights Bill
New Bill Inspired by Local Case Would Ensure Crime Victims Receive the Restitution They Deserve
District 9 lawmakers Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have introduced legislation, S-3352/A-5088, that aims to mandate wage garnishment and participation in enforced community service for certain criminal defendants who fail to make restitution to their victims.
District 9 lawmakers have introduced legislation to mandate wage garnishment and participation in enforced community service for certain criminal defendants who fail to make restitution to their victims. (©iStock)
“This legislation was drafted after we learned that one of our constituents was the victim of theft by an employee whole stole thousands of dollars to support his drug addiction. The thief was convicted in a court of law and ordered to pay restitution. However, he relapsed, failed to show up for work, failed to pay restitution and, subsequently was incarcerated. This incident offers a view of the silent victims of the opioid epidemic – those who are victimized by people struggling with addiction. These cases aren’t discussed enough. The victim in this case, and her family, experienced tremendous financial hardships,” the District 9 lawmakers said.
“New Jersey spends hundreds of millions of dollars to assist addicts with their recovery. It’s time for the State to also recognize those who are victimized by people who committed crimes to support their addiction. Justifiably, our constituent wants restitution so she can begin putting her family’s finances and life back together. We believe our legislative proposal gives greater weight to the rights of victims in cases involving wage garnishment.”
Pennacchio Calls for Hearings on Dangerous Sanctuary State Policies
Directive Create Safe Harbor for Rapists and Murderers
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) called for immediate legislative hearings in response to news of the rape and murder of a New Jersey nanny, Carolina Cano, by an illegal immigrant. This comes in the wake of the State Attorney General’s “Sanctuary State” directive, which went into effect last month:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called for immediate legislative hearings in response to news of the rape and murder of a New Jersey nanny by an illegal immigrant. (SenateNJ.com)
“A nanny was brutally strangled, raped, and tossed into a New Jersey lake by someone who shouldn’t even have been in the country in the first place,” Pennacchio said. “The administration’s dangerous Sanctuary State policy encourages illegal immigrants to seek harbor within our state’s borders.
“My legislation would ensure local law enforcement cooperate with federal authorities to stop these criminals from putting our residents in danger. For the safety of our families, I am calling for immediate legislative hearings to assess these alarming policies. We cannot turn a blind eye to those who have no respect for U.S. law or the sanctity of human life.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Blast Sanctuary Cities in Response to Murder in Jersey City
The rape and murder of a woman in Jersey City by an illegal immigrant who was deported twice, highlights the dangers of sanctuary cities within our state, Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe (all R-10) today said.
The lawmakers, outraged by this preventable tragedy, released the following statement sounding off on the threat to public safety caused by sanctuary cities:
District 10 lawmakers: the rape and murder of a woman in Jersey City by an illegal immigrant who was deported twice, highlights the dangers of sanctuary cities within our state. (Flickr)
“Sanctuary cities jeopardize the safety of millions of our residents, and the life of a young woman has been taken away because our state chooses to arrogantly disregard federal law,” said Senator Holzapfel. “We must not allow criminals, such as Rios to slip through the cracks in our immigration system.”
