District 9 Lawmakers React to Gov’s 2019 State of the State
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: More Misguided Priorities, Spending & Taxes from Trenton
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove conveyed disappointment and concern upon listening to Governor Phil Murphy’s 2019 State of the State Address.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove of the 9th Legislative District conveyed disappointment and concern with Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2019 State of the State Address. (SenateNJ.com)
“After a year of tax increases, excessive government spending, and a crushing imbalance in school funding cuts that disparately hit our area of the state hard, it would seem that, without greater public backlash, 2019 is going to mean more of the same in Trenton.
Oroho: Murphy Failed to Address “Path to Progress” Fiscal Reforms in State of the State
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) expressed disappointment that Governor Phil Murphy failed to address fiscal and structural reforms to lower the cost of government that were proposed by the Economic & Fiscal Policy Workgroup:
Sen. Steven Oroho (R-24) expressed disappointment that Gov. Murphy failed to address government reforms that were proposed by the NJ Economic & Fiscal Policy Workgroup Path to Progress. (SenateNJ.com)
“If the Governor wants to know the real state of the state, all he needs to do is read our Path to Progress report that highlights the significant fiscal challenges that confront New Jersey.
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Kean’s Response to Murphy’s State of the State
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement following Governor Murphy’s State of the State address:
Sen. Tom Kean’s response to Governor Phil Murphy’s State of the State address. (SenateNJ.com)
“If you ask many New Jerseyans if they believe we have a state that is ‘stronger and fairer’ than a year ago, I think you’ll find the answer to be ‘no.’
“For the past year, Governor Murphy has ignored basic fiscal reforms that would lower the cost of government and make New Jersey more affordable for residents and taxpayers.
“It’s not surprising, but it is disappointing, that he failed to demand action on any of those reforms today, too. The result of this ongoing failure is repeated over and over in headlines that highlight the continued flight of residents and employers from New Jersey.
Oroho: NJ’s Tax Policies Trigger Highest Outmigration Nationwide
NJBIA, WalletHub & Moving Company Reports Highlight NJ’s Growing Tax Troubles
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) is again calling for action on fiscal reforms, in light of three recent reports that prove that New Jersey’s high cost of living and bad tax policies are forcing people of all ages, and business owners, to leave the Garden State in droves.
Sen. Steve Oroho reiterates his call for action on fiscal reforms in light of three reports that prove that NJ’s bad tax policies are forcing people to leave in droves. (Pixabay)
The most recent report, released by WalletHub on Jan. 14, named New Jersey as one of the worst places in the country to retire. The NJBIA’s 2018 Regional Business Climate analysis also ranked New Jersey as one of the least innovative and business-friendly state in the region. Additionally, United Van Lines, a national moving company, also released a survey earlier this month identifying New Jersey as the number one state for outmigration.
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Bucco & Oroho: NJ’s High Business Taxes, Lax Oversight of Incentive Programs Has Created Environment for Abuse
Call for Implementation of State Comptroller’s Tax Incentive Audit Recommendations
Senator Anthony Bucco and Senator Steven Oroho said New Jersey’s extremely high business tax burden and lax oversight of tax incentive programs have created an environment for the kinds of abuses that were identified in an audit released this week by the State Comptroller. Further, they called for the implementation of the recommendations offered by the Comptroller to address the deficiencies that were found in the State’s tax incentive programs.
Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Steven Oroho said New Jersey’s extremely high business tax burden and lax oversight of tax incentive programs has created an environment for the kinds of abuses identified in an audit by the State Comptroller. (SenateNJ.com)
“With some of the highest business taxes in the nation, New Jersey provides a significant incentive for corporations to try to claim tax breaks they may not deserve,” said Bucco. “While that’s clearly wrong, it’s also incumbent upon the EDA as the organization that oversees tax incentive awards to ensure that tax credits aren’t claimed improperly. Stricter oversight of these programs is more important than ever following the imposition of $1 billion in new business tax surcharges by Governor Murphy last year.”
The Comptroller’s report highlighted a number of deficiencies at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), the agency responsible for managing the State’s various business tax incentive programs.
Doherty Responds to NJ Comptroller’s Report on Tax Breaks
Senator Says Corporate Tax Breaks Failed to Create Jobs; Demands Action to Combat “Crony Capitalism”
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) is calling for legislative action following the release of a report by the State Comptroller that proved that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has failed to ensure companies that received corporate tax subsidies were using those funds to create jobs.
Sen. Mike Doherty responds to the NJ Comptroller report proving the EDA failed to ensure companies that received corporate tax subsidies were using those funds to create jobs. (WikiMedia)
“While millions of New Jersey residents were struggling to cope with the highest property taxes in the country, the State was handing out millions in tax breaks, and getting little in return,” Senator Doherty said. “As far as I’m concerned, any company that claimed tax breaks and failed to keep their promise to use that money to create jobs has committed tax fraud. The lack of oversight at the EDA is appalling. I am exploring all legislative options to ensure every subsidy that was wasted in this corporate welfare scheme is returned to our taxpayers.”
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Gov. Signs Bateman Bill Expanding Security Funding for Houses of Worship, Nonprofits
Governor Phil Murphy has signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman to permit eligible nonprofits, including houses of worship, to access grants to increase security and keep New Jersey families safe from violence, and threats of bias and intimidation.
Gov. Murphy has signed Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill to expand security funding for nonprofits, including houses of worship to keep NJ families safe from violence, and threats of bias and intimidation. (Flickr)
“We all need be extremely concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism and bias crimes in our country. New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation, but these crimes are happening here, too,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “There was a 32 percent spike in anti-Semitic incidents in 2017 in our state. I am glad to see us take action on a bipartisan basis to stand up to hate and ensure that our houses of worship and nonprofits can continue to be beacons of hope for people in need. No one should be forced to worship in fear.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Start Online Petition Opposing Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have started an online petition in opposition to providing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens in New Jersey.
Concerned citizens can sign the petition online by visiting: www.senatenj.com/sanctuarystate/.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove have started an online petition opposing Gov. Phil Murphy’s efforts to turn New Jersey into a sanctuary state and provide driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. (Wikimedia Commons)
The petition was launched to counter the passage of pending legislation (S-3229/A-4743) that would allow the State to issue driver’s licenses to persons who are “unable to prove lawful presence in the United States.” The legislation is part of Governor Phil Murphy’s effort to turn New Jersey into a sanctuary state.
The 9th District legislators issued the following statement:
“Along with the benefits that New Jersey already has in place for illegal aliens, including free in-state college tuition, allowing them to obtain driver’s licenses will firmly establish New Jersey as a sanctuary state. It’s not surprising in the least that this proposal has drawn outrage from across our legislative district.
Oroho Bill to Increase School Security Funding Becomes Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to increase funding for school security was signed into law.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bipartisan bill to increase funding for non-public school security has been signed into law. (WikiMedia)
“Improving the safety and security of students and faculty in every classroom is paramount,” Oroho said. “Every student deserves a warm and nurturing environment where they’re not afraid to learn. Every teacher deserves a safe workplace where they can focus on educating. Every parent deserves peace of mind knowing their child is protected when at school. I’m glad our collective effort to better guard against violence in more New Jersey schools is now law.”
Pennacchio to Gov. Murphy: Stop Ignoring the Dangers of Legalizing Marijuana
In light of reports that Governor Phil Murphy is making headway on advancing marijuana policy, Senator Joe Pennacchio is urging everyone not to ignore the wealth of evidence demonstrating the dangers of legalizing the drug for recreational use. According to NJ.com, Governor Murphy is scheduled to meet with certain legislators on Jan. 10 to discuss the legislation.
As Gov. Murphy prepares to meet with legislators to discuss marijuana, Sen. Joe Pennacchio is urging everyone not to ignore the dangers of legalizing the drug for recreational use. (Pixabay)
Sen. Pennacchio noted that just this week, Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter, released an editorial highlighting the medical risks of legalization: “What Advocates of Legalizing Pot Don’t Want You to Know: The wave toward legalization ignores the serious health risks of marijuana.”
“When it comes to public safety policy, legalizing marijuana for recreational use is hands down one of the most irresponsible and dangerous laws we could pass in 2019,” Pennacchio (R-26) said. “It is absolutely shocking to see people who have taken an oath to serve the public ignore organizations like the American Medical Association and the New Jersey Police Chiefs, who continue to oppose this policy. I am also astounded by my colleagues’ blatant refusal to acknowledge the myriad of medical studies showing the detrimental health impacts of legalizing marijuana.
