Pennacchio & Corrado Frustrated by Murphy’s Pick for Assistant CEO at Menlo Park Veterans Home
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Kristin Corrado today questioned Murphy’s selections of new leadership at the veterans home in Menlo Park.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Kristin Corrado questioned Murphy’s selections of new leadership at the veterans home in Menlo Park, where more than 100 residents died. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Governor’s bold idea for new leadership to fix our veterans homes is to bring back those who failed the first time around,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “I can’t believe that’s the best he could do.”
Testa/Gopal Bill to Increase Funding for Arts, Historical Heritage and Tourism Advances
A bill sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and Senator Vin Gopal that would increase the allocation of revenues from the hotel and motel occupancy fee toward arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes was passed out of the Senate Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
Sen. Michael Testa’s legislation allocating more revenue from the state hotel and motel occupancy tax to tourism is advancing in the Senate. (Wikimedia Commons)
Under the bill, S-2986, 100 percent of the hotel and motel occupancy fee revenues would be allocated, up from the current level of 40 percent.
Kean Bill Strengthening ‘Shore Protection Fund’ Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that increases the funding for the “Shore Protection Fund” from $25 million to $50 million has been advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that increases the funding for the “Shore Protection Fund” has been advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Bing Maps)
“All of our shore communities and their local economies depend on us preserving our valuable coastline,” said Kean (R-21). “By doubling the amount of money that goes to the ’Shore Protection Fund,’ we will ensure that homes, small businesses, beaches, and boardwalks are properly maintained and protected from environmental factors such as erosion and sea-level rise.”
TOMORROW (3/5): Independent Hearing to Examine Murphy Administration’s Handling of Nursing & Veterans Homes, LTC Facilities During Pandemic
Senate and Assembly Republicans will livestream an independent hearing tomorrow to review Murphy administration policies that led to nearly 8,000 deaths and substantial hardship in New Jersey’s nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care (LTC) facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate and Assembly Republicans will livestream an independent hearing on Friday, March 5 to review Murphy administration policies related to nursing homes, veterans homes, and LTC facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. (FB Live event page)
The legislators will hear from family members of residents and caregivers who have been impacted by the crisis along with advocates and experts.
WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (R-26), Assemblyman Christopher D. DePhillips (R-40), and invited guests.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to review Murphy administration policies related to nursing homes, veterans homes, and LTC facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Friday, March 5 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live. Click here for the event page.
District 12 Lawmakers Slam Murphy Administration For Slashing School Funding
Sen. Samuel Thompson and Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state, including those represented by the lawmakers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Sen. Samuel Thompson, Asm. Ron Dancer, and Asm. Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state. (Pixabay)
The lawmakers received an email from Department of Education Acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan outlining Murphy’s proposed state aid cuts to nine of the 17 schools they represent. The schools are among the 193 districts statewide that would receive less aid under Murphy’s budget proposal.
Testa Calls on Murphy to Cut the Hypocrisy and Follow the Rules on NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
The glaring absence of a member of a social justice organization on New Jersey’s newly established Cannabis Regulatory Commission is a troubling oversight that should be remedied, Senator Mike Testa said today.
Sen. Mike Testa said the glaring absence of a member of a social justice organization on New Jersey’s newly established Cannabis Regulatory Commission is a troubling oversight that should be remedied by Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
The commission is charged with determining who can legally grow and sell marijuana in New Jersey.
“This is more than minor error, it is an embarrassing mistake by a Governor who doesn’t feel the need to follow his own rules,” said Testa (R-1). “It is difficult to respect Murphy’s legalization efforts when he can’t even honor the clear and unambiguous language within the law.”
Vaccination Distribution Plans Should Include Senior Communities Say Shore Lawmakers
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Ned Thomson (R-Monmouth/Ocean) are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to ensure vaccinations can be provided in senior communities and to allocate the resources needed for such a program.
Sen. Robert Singer, Asm. Sean Kean, and Asm. Ned Thomson are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to ensure vaccinations can be provided in senior communities. (Pixabay)
“We have heard from many constituents who live in adult communities (age 55 and older) that they would like to be vaccinated at a site within their community,” said Singer. “Many of the people who live in these age restricted communities are older and many do not drive or drive long distances.”
Pennacchio: NY Legislature Got it Right – Strip Governor of Emergency Powers
Senator Says New Jersey Should Follow Suit
Senator Joe Pennacchio today called on the New Jersey Legislature to follow New York’s lead and strip away Governor Murphy’s Pandemic emergency powers.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called on the New Jersey Legislature to follow New York’s lead and strip away Governor Murphy’s pandemic emergency powers. (SenateNJ.com)
Murphy declared the Public Health Emergency as the COVID crisis took aim at the state on March 9, and it has been extended by executive order a dozen times, most recently on Feb. 17.
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan: Murphy Administration Sitting on $350 Million in Federal Rental Assistance Funds While People Suffer
First District Legislators Say NJ Can’t Afford Repeat of Governor’s CARES Act Inaction
Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan expressed concern that the Murphy Administration has not put $350 million of rental assistance funding to use more than a month after it was received from the federal government.
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan expressed concern that the Murphy Administration has not put $350 million of rental assistance funding to use more than a month after it was received from the federal government. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy Administration is sitting on millions of federal rental assistance funds that could be put to use today to help both tenants and landlords,” said Testa (R-1). “There’s been a total lack of urgency from the governor while all sides of the rental community are suffering. It’s unreal.”
Testa/Simonsen/McClellan Kick Off Business Recovery Tour
Sen. Michael Testa and Asm. Erik Simonsen tour Cape May Mall & Small Businesses
Nearly a year after the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic and state shutdown, the First Legislative District Team kicked off their Business Recovery Tour by visiting Cape Island Foods headed by business owner Carl Spatocco.
The First Legislative District Team kicked off their Business Recovery Tour by visiting Cape Island Foods headed by business owner Carl Spatocco. (SenateNJ.com)
“We take every opportunity we can to shop local and we encourage our residents to do the same,” said Testa. “These small businesses are the glue that holds our district together. We are fighting for the safe and sensible reopening of South Jersey. Supporting our small businesses is the first step towards making that happen.”
