Oroho Responds to Murphy Administration’s Release of Overdue Proposal for Using Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
Senate Republicans Proposed a Comprehensive Plan in April
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) responded to the Murphy Administration’s release of a long-overdue proposal for the allocation of billions in federal pandemic relief funds that were delivered to New Jersey in May through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Sen. Steven Oroho responded to the Murphy Administration’s release of a long-overdue proposal for the allocation of billions in federal pandemic relief funds. (Pixabay)
“I look forward to finally having the opportunity to review the Murphy administration’s proposal for using billions in federal relief funds that were sent to New Jersey six months ago,” said Oroho, the Senate Republican Budget Officer and incoming Republican Leader. “At first blush, however, it appears the administration’s plan is grossly incomplete and fails to address key needs for New Jersey. Many months ago, Republicans offered a detailed proposal that would help workers and small businesses, support tenants and landlords, invest in infrastructure improvements, fix broken computer systems at unemployment and the MVC, and prevent unnecessary tax increases on employers. Unfortunately, most of those important priorities still haven’t been addressed.”
Schepisi: There are Lessons to be Learned from Studying Impact of Remote Classes on Students
National Study Blamed Pandemic for ‘Significant Learning Losses’
Senator Holly Schepisi today called for the Legislature to act swiftly in lame duck and pass a bill that would require the Commissioner of Education to prepare a report on learning loss and the operation of public schools during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Sen. Holly Schepisi called for the Legislature to advance a bill that would require the Commissioner of Education to study and report on the pandemic’s impact on student learning and the operation of public schools. (Pixabay)
“We’re going to have to help students make up the educational ground they lost during the pandemic, and the first step is understanding the severity of the problem,” said Schepisi (R-39), citing a national study that concluded student learning suffered substantially from remote schooling due to COVID.
Bucco: Murphy Must Stop Hiding Costs from New Jersey and Disclose Financial Implications of Impractical Energy Master Plan
Governor Phil Murphy and his appointees to the Board of Public Utilities have yet to disclose the price tag on his far-reaching energy master plan announced nearly two years ago, and Senator Anthony M. Bucco today chided the front office for its lack of transparency with New Jersey families. At an NJBIA meeting in February 2020, administration officials shared the BPU was conducting a cost study that would likely be released the following month. Over a year and a half later, no cost analysis has been shared with the public, yet the Administration continues to move forward on its implementation.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco criticized Gov. Murphy for withholding the financial impact of his Energy Master Plan will have on New Jersey families and businesses. The plan is expected to cost a family of four more than $210,000. (SenateNJ.com)
“J.P. Morgan is often quoted as saying ‘if you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it,’ and that is certainly the case with this sweeping energy plan that could upend the economy and devastate state residents,” said Bucco (R-25). “I’m calling on the legislature to do its job, begin oversight of the Administration’s plan and request the BPU finally disclose all outside experts cost analyses immediately. The election showed this Administration must stop placating the far-left wing of his party and instead focus on affordability for residents.”
O’Scanlon: Murphy Issuing Another $400 Million of State Debt Despite Having Billions in Cash
Murphy’s New Debt Will Cost NJ Taxpayers Unnecessary Interest Payments for Decades
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) questioned a decision by Governor Phil Murphy to increase State debt by $400 million to fund projects at New Jersey’s colleges and universities when his administration is sitting on billions in cash that could fully fund the proposed capital program.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon questioned a decision by Gov. Phil Murphy to increase State debt by $400 million to fund projects at New Jersey’s colleges and universities when his administration is sitting on billions in cash that could fully fund the proposed capital program. (Pixabay)
“State support for our institutions of higher education has long been lacking, but that doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye to cost when we decide to make an important investment,” said O’Scanlon, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “I don’t think it makes sense for Governor Murphy to propose increasing State debt when his administration is sitting on a windfall of billions upon billions in cash that remains untapped. His plan will stick taxpayers with unnecessary debt and interest payments for decades when he should be working to increase affordability.”
Pennacchio & Testa: Murphy Administration’s Vaccine Mandates Ignore Science of Natural Immunity
Senators Point to New Analysis in The Lancet, Say Governor Continues to Cherry Pick Science to Support Overbearing Executive Orders & Mandates
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa said Governor Phil Murphy continues to ignore the science of natural immunity and of COVID-19 in general as his administration forges ahead with vaccine mandates and continues unnecessary pandemic restrictions.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Michael Testa said Gov. Phil Murphy continues to ignore the science of natural immunity and of COVID-19 in general as his administration forges ahead with vaccine mandates and continues unnecessary pandemic restrictions. (©iStock)
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Murphy administration has cherry-picked the science on COVID-19 to impose overbearing executive orders and a slew of unnecessary mandates on New Jerseyans,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We’re now dealing with Governor Murphy’s sweeping vaccine mandates on hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans that completely ignore the science of natural immunity, which we’re learning could result in a greater risk of adverse vaccine reactions for some who were already infected. It’s hard to trust the governor’s pandemic policies when he refuses to trust the science that should inform his decisions.”
Pennacchio Bills Would Shine Light on Education in Public Schools
Require Increased Transparency So Parents Are No Longer Left in the Dark
Senator Joe Pennacchio sponsors two bills increasing transparency and making it easier for mothers and fathers to keep up with what’s happening in their children’s classrooms.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio sponsors two bills increasing transparency and making it easier for mothers and fathers to keep up with what’s happening in their children’s classrooms. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio’s legislation supports parents who, after closely observing their children through a year of remote learning and hearing about controversial issues being advanced by some school districts, are becoming more engaged than ever in the education process.
Pennacchio Introduces Bill Promoting Election Transparency and Integrity
Legislation Requires Open-Source Paper Ballot Voting Systems
To restore the public’s confidence, Senator Joe Pennacchio introduced legislation that would increase the transparency and reliability of elections in the state.
To restore public confidence in elections, Sen. Joe Pennacchio introduced legislation that would require open-source paper ballot voting systems in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. Recently, the public has begun questioning the accuracy and security of the election process,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “People have the right to demand elections that are fair and honest, and this bill would help restore faith in the process.”
Bucco Sponsors Bill Bolstering NJ Savings Plan for Disability-Related Expenses
Senator Anthony M. Bucco has introduced legislation that would help families provide financial support for family members with disabilities.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco has introduced legislation that would make it easier and more advantageous for individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for disability-related expenses. (Pixabay)
Known as the New Jersey Disability Savings Act, Bucco’s bill expands the New Jersey Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (ABLE), adding benefits that would make it easier and more advantageous for individuals with disabilities and their families to save money for disability-related expenses.
Testa & Pennacchio Bill Would Keep Critical Race Theory Out of New Jersey Public Schools
New Legislation Also Prohibits Public School Teachers from Engaging in Political, Ideological & Religious Advocacy in Classrooms
Senator Michael Testa and Senator Joe Pennacchio have introduced legislation that would prevent critical race theory (CRT) from being taught in New Jersey public schools. The bill would also prohibit public schools teachers from engaging in political, ideological, or religious advocacy in their classrooms.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Joe Pennacchio have introduced legislation that would prevent critical race theory from being taught in New Jersey public schools. (©iStock)
“Critical race theory is a thinly-veiled effort to legitimize discrimination under the guise of an intellectual social theory,” said Testa (R-1). “Our legislation ensures that New Jersey’s public schools will not teach students that it’s okay to judge others or themselves or to treat people differently based on broad stereotypes that some inappropriately ascribe to an entire race or gender. We believe every person deserves to be treated as an individual.”
Testa Bills that Would Increase Benefits for Veterans and Their Spouses Clears Committee
Veterans with service-connected injuries, and spouses of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, may soon receive additional financial benefits from the State of New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and approved today by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa that would provide additional financial benefits to veterans with service-connected injuries, and spouses of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, was approved today by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (©iStock)
“It is our duty to ensure the well-being of New Jersey’s veterans and their spouses,” said Testa (R-1). “These bills will offer some much needed financial relief and stability to our injured veterans, and their loved ones, during their time of need. And, for those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, this legislation will help ease the tax burden that surviving spouses face. These benefits are hard-earned and well-deserved for those who have sacrificed so much to protect our country.”
