District 40 Legislators Commend Actions to Help North Jersey Flooding Survivors
State of Emergency Declared in Flood-Ravaged Areas, Delivering Aid to Passaic, Bergen & Essex Counties
Senator Kristin Corrado and Assemblymen Christopher DePhillips and Kevin Rooney, (all R-40) thanked Governor Murphy for taking action to ensure that storm survivors have the resources they need to address last weekend’s torrential rain fall.
Pictured: the aftermath of an August 2018 storm that ravaged Little Falls, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas. Sen. Kristin Corrado and Assemblymen Christopher DePhillips and Kevin Rooney have been on the ground to survey the damage and advocate for families impacted in the area. (Edwin J. Torres/NJ Governor’s Office)
After joining the District 40 legislators on a tour of flood-ravaged areas in Little Falls yesterday, Governor Murphy today declared a State of Emergency, so that storm-impacted communities can secure State funds to cope with the damage of last weekend’s catastrophic rain storms.
“Disaster relief is not a partisan issue. We have to reach across the aisle and work together to help every family who was hit hard by this storm. The devastation we have seen in our neighborhoods is heart-wrenching, to say the least. There are people here who have lost everything,” Senator Corrado (R-40) said. “I am so grateful to Governor Murphy for taking immediate action to ensure our communities have the resources they need to rebuild and recover.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Call on NJDOT to Investigate Link Between Recently Completed GSP Exit 91 Interchange and Local Flooding
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) called on the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to investigate if massive flooding that occurred in the Greenbriar I senior community in Brick yesterday is related to the recently completed interchange construction at Exit 91 of the Garden State Parkway.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin called on the NJDOT to determine if the reconfigured GSP Exit 91 interchange led to flooding in the Greenbriar senior community in Brick, and to undertake any necessary improvements to prevent it from happening again. (Brick Twp. Police Department)
“The flooding that occurred yesterday along Burrsville Road and in Greenbriar is unlike anything the area has previously experienced, including during Sandy,” said Holzapfel. “We’re concerned that the recent reconfiguration of Exit 91 has impacted the area to make it susceptible to flooding. The NJDOT needs to investigate and undertake improvements if that’s the case.”
More than 100 homes in and around the Greenbriar I senior community were flooded during a torrential downpour on Monday, August 13th, forcing the evacuation of residents.
“It’s a little suspicious that Greenbriar can go five decades without this kind of flooding, including during Superstorm Sandy, but it’s suddenly underwater a year after the adjacent Exit 91 project was completed,” said Wolfe. “We need to know if changes to the grading or drainage in the area led to this flooding, and we need a plan to prevent it from happening again.”
The 10th District legislators sent a letter today to NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti requesting that the Department examine whether the recently completed interchange at Exit 91 contributed to the flooding, and to develop an action plan to remedy any issues that are identified.
“Residents who lived through years of disruptive construction as Exit 91 was completed now live in fear that the next storm might flood them out of their homes again,” added McGuckin. “We need to determine if this was a freak event that’s unlikely to happen again, or if it’s a direct result of the engineering of the interchange. If there’s something we can fix, we need to find out, and we need to do it immediately.”
Sweeney-Oroho P-3 Bill Becomes Law
Public-Private Partnerships Will Support Building & Highway Projects
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Steve Oroho permitting government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking building and highway infrastructure projects was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bipartisan legislation permitting government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking building and highway infrastructure projects was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
“Public-private partnerships will pave the way for innovative and sustainable infrastructure in New Jersey,” said Senator Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris). “Governments on the local, county, and state levels should be permitted flexibility in financing their capital needs given proper oversight. These partnerships are an important way to stretch scarce public dollars to complete needed projects that will benefit our residents and create jobs and economic growth.”
Pennacchio Renews Call for Mandated Government Transparency
Senator Urges Legislative Action Following News of Murphy Administration’s Failure to Produce Regular Fiscal Reports
In response to reports that Governor Phil Murphy’s administration has failed to produce monthly performance updates to taxpayers, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) is calling for the passage of his “Transparency in Government Act,” legislation that would hold school boards, State and local agencies, and government authorities accountable to all New Jersey residents, by preventing abusive spending of public funds.
In response to reports that Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has failed to produce monthly performance updates to taxpayers, Sen. Joe Pennacchio is calling for the passage of his bill to prevent the abusive spending of public funds. (Pixabay)
“Transparency is an essential public instrument that holds government officials accountable for how they spend taxpayer dollars,” Pennacchio said. “Governor Murphy’s latest lapse in fiscal responsibility exposes the urgent need for a comprehensive website that shows if public money is being spent wisely. Additionally, the creation of a transparency committee places public interest at the forefront. I have been advocating for this bill for many years now. I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will finally be able to work together to deliver honest government throughout the Garden State. ”
In the category of transparency, New Jersey received a C- for from the Public Interest Research Groups (US PIRG.) US PIRG grades each State’s ability to offer accessible government spending data and information to the public.
Gov. Signs Bateman’s $9.7 Million CBT Appropriation for State Park Projects
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman appropriating $9.703 million from constitutionally-dedicated corporate business tax (CBT) revenue to the NJ DEP for State capital and park development, preservation, conservation, and recreation projects.
Gov. Phil Murphy signs Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation appropriating $9.703 million of CBT revenue funds to the NJ DEP for State capital and park development, preservation, conservation, and recreation projects. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey is blessed with some of the most beautiful parks in the country, but we cannot keep them that way without funding regular maintenance, let alone build new ones,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Using constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue is a voter-approved, fiscally responsible way to expand these preservation projects in every part of our state.”
SIGNED: Kean Bill Allowing Out-of-State Licenses to Be Used in NJ
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to allow out-of-state workers who have suffered through a catastrophic event or natural disaster to use their professional licenses in New Jersey.
Governor Phil Murphy has signed Sen. Tom Kean’s bill to allow out-of-state workers to use their professional licenses in New Jersey. The law will help workers who have suffered through a natural disaster or catastrophic event and relocate to NJ. (SenateNJ.com)
“We need to do more to attract highly-trained professionals to New Jersey. Forcing someone to reapply for a license they already have is an unnecessary barrier to employment, particularly for innovative entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed. That’s exactly the kind of worker we want to move here. Let’s not drive them away,” Senator Kean (R-21) said. “Allowing these folks to use an out-of-state license in New Jersey is a commonsense way to grow our economy, and it’s something that many other states already do. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this legislation for years to come.”
Corrado’s Measure to Educate Students on Consequences of “Sexting” Signed Into Law
Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation requiring middle school students to be taught the legal, social, and emotional consequences of “sexting” has been signed into law by the governor.
The new law sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado requires middle school students to be taught the legal, social, and emotional consequences of “sexting.” (©iStock)
“The repercussions of texting sexually explicit images for teenagers can be far-reaching,” Corrado (R-40) said. “Many don’t think about the social trauma, bullying, and heartbreak they could experience if a picture or video falls into the wrong hands, and they often don’t realize they might be creating, possessing, or distributing child pornography with extremely serious legal repercussions. It’s imperative that we teach our kids that ‘sexting’ can ruin their reputations and impact their future.”
Kean: NJ Transit, State Leaders Must Address Engineer Shortage ASAP to Keep Commuters Safe
In light of recent reports, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union, Somerset, Morris) is urging NJ Transit and State leaders to work together to immediately address the engineer shortage at the troubled agency.
Sen. Tom Kean is urging NJ Transit and State leaders to work together to immediately address ongoing problems at the troubled agency, including a catastrophic engineer shortage. (SenateNJ.com)
“More than a year ago, I spoke out publicly at our Legislative Oversight hearings on the need for NJ Transit, public sector unions, and State government leaders to work together to develop solutions to the catastrophic staffing shortages that continue to put thousands of commuters in harm’s way,” Senator Kean said. “It is no surprise that customers are facing a ‘summer of hell part two.’ We’ve known about staffing shortages for quite a while. What is surprising, is that next to nothing has been done to address this crisis.
“This is not a problem that NJ Transit can solve alone – clearly, there are additional steps previous administrations could have taken, and Governor Murphy must be much more aggressive on this front as well. Additionally, my Legislative colleagues and I have proposed a number solutions, such as allowing out-of-state residents to apply for State jobs. Being a rail engineer requires a very specific skill set. We need to expand the pool of potential hires immediately and the best way to do that is to pass legislation I sponsor that would allow us to consider out-of-state applicants.
“Despite what has been recently said in the public arena, New Jersey Republicans have been very vocal advocates for NJ Transit commuters. My colleagues and I have repeatedly advocated for projects such as the Gateway Tunnel, securing one-seat rides, and Port Authority Reform. To say that we have been silent on this issue is just not factual.
Statement from Sen. Kean on Recommendations of Economic and Fiscal Policy Group
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement in response to the recommendations issued by the Economic and Fiscal Policy Group:
Sen. Tom Kean said he’s confident legislators can work together in a bipartisan fashion to accomplish many of the reforms proposed by the Economic and Fiscal Policy Group. (Pixabay)
“I’m glad that the bipartisan Economic and Fiscal Policy Group has recognized the serious long-term fiscal challenges that Senate Republicans have fought for years to resolve for New Jersey taxpayers.
“The members of our caucus have long championed legislative initiatives that are similar to many of the group’s recommendations, including my proposals to create a new tax deduction for charitable contributions to the non-profits that serve our communities and to look at the efficiencies of county and local governments.
“I’m confident that we can work together in a bipartisan fashion on many of these reforms for the betterment of the people of New Jersey.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Restoration of Homestead Benefit Program Funding is a Small Victory in State Budget Process
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove want concerned constituents to know that proposed cuts to the Homestead Benefit Program were avoided in the adopted Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget.
Sen. Connors, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove want concerned constituents to know that proposed cuts to the Homestead Benefit Program were avoided in the FY 2019 State Budget. (©iStock.com)
In April, the 9th District Delegation alerted constituents that Governor Murphy had proposed cutting Homestead rebates in half, and pledged their commitment to reject funding cuts to the vital property tax relief program.
“In what was an otherwise irresponsible and bloated State budget, the proposed $154 million cut to the Homestead Benefit program ultimately never happened, with the funding fully restored in the final approved budget. Certainly, the program has been and remains underfunded, but at least devastating funding cuts that would have proven very financially difficult for affected homeowners were successfully defeated.
