Bramnick Statement on MLK Day
Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21) issued the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
On MLK Day, Sen. Jon Bramnick honored the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrated how to be a true leader. His words from decades ago continue to be just as meaningful today. We honor his life and his immeasurable contribution to our country.”
Corrado: Property Taxes Continue to Increase Under Murphy’s Tenure
It’s bad enough the average property tax bill in New Jersey is more than $9,000, but it’s far higher in many areas of the state. Senator Kristin Corrado noted it is strange the Governor is bragging that the state’s worst-in-the-country property taxes have gotten worse.
It’s bad enough the average property tax bill in NJ is more than $9,000, but it’s far higher in many areas of the state. Sen. Kristin Corrado noted it is strange the Governor is bragging that the state’s worst-in-the-country property taxes have gotten worse. (Pixabay)
“Residents have repeatedly cited property taxes as their top concern,” said Corrado. “Families living in average homes, with three bedrooms and a couple baths are paying almost $800 in property taxes every month — or more than $9,200 this year. Boasting about that is delusional.”
Corrado Seeks Details on Department of Health’s Vaccination Promotion Aimed at Children
Commercials Featured Kids Asking Santa for COVID Shots
Senator Kristin Corrado wrote to New Jersey’s health commissioner seeking financial details about the Department of Health’s holiday season advertising campaign featuring school-age children asking for COVID shots.
Sen. Kristin Corrado wrote to New Jersey’s health commissioner seeking financial details about the Department of Health’s holiday season advertising campaign featuring school-age children asking for COVID shots. (NJ Department of Health)
“In reality, these insensitive commercials were nothing more than political gamesmanship masquerading as public service announcements,” said Corrado (R-40). “State residents deserve to know how much they cost and how they were paid for. I am seeking transparency and justification for the expenditure.”
O’Scanlon Says Governor’s Expansive Emergency Powers Must Be Limited & Effective Oversight Established
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said Governor Phil Murphy has wielded immense powers through emergency declarations during the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated why the Legislature must limit executive authority and establish effective oversight.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said Gov. Phil Murphy has wielded immense powers through emergency declarations during the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrated why the Legislature must limit executive authority and establish effective oversight. (SenateNJ.com)
“As we’ve learned over the past two years, the Governor of New Jersey has an astonishing amount of power under state law once they declare a State of Emergency or a Public Health Emergency,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “They can shut down schools and businesses, force people to stay home, and mandate compliance with an unimaginable breadth of orders and directives that impact all facets of life. There’s absolutely no requirement that an emergency declaration not continue in perpetuity or any provision that the Legislature must provide oversight of executive orders. Many New Jerseyans agree it’s simply too much power for one person to wield.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: Governor Murphy Continues to Circumvent Legislature and Rule by Executive Fiat
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) called Governor Murphy’s renewal of his public health emergency powers, which were set to expire on January 11, a blatant disregard for the legislative process.
District 10 lawmakers called Governor Murphy’s renewal of his public health emergency powers, which were set to expire on January 11, a blatant disregard for the legislative process. (©iStock)
“One individual should not be able to have such a far-reaching impact on our state for so long without the input of the entire Legislature,” said Senator Holzapfel. “The New Jersey Legislature, as envisioned in our State Constitution, should be playing a more direct role in determining the state’s pandemic response. As elected officials, our objective is to provide for the public’s general welfare—and the Legislature should be having more of a say on issues that affect our constituents’ lives. The Governor’s unilateral reign is antithetical to that purpose.”
Stanfield, Torrissi and Umba urge all legislators to take a stand against mandates
Senator Jean Stanfield, Assemblyman Michael Torrissi and Assemblyman Brandon Umba pushed back on Governor Phil Murphy’s new Public Health Emergency and urged every state lawmaker to do the same.
Senator Jean Stanfield, Assemblyman Michael Torrissi and Assemblyman Brandon Umba pushed back on Governor Phil Murphy’s new Public Health Emergency and urged every state lawmaker to do the same. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy made every Democratic legislator a deal that his mandates would end on January 12. Well January 12th came and went, but his mandates are still here,” Stanfield said.
“It’s time for every Democrat in Trenton to stand up with Republicans and call an end to the madness, or step aside and let those who want to govern have their spot,“ she continued.
Doherty: Murphy Empowered by Legislature’s Inaction to Rule Like a King
Senator Michael Doherty said the New Jersey Legislature’s inaction in limiting executive authority has empowered Governor Phil Murphy to rule like a king.
Sen. Michael Doherty said the New Jersey Legislature’s inaction in limiting executive authority has empowered Governor Phil Murphy to rule like a king. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy’s declaration of a new ‘Public Health Emergency’ in defiance of the Legislature demonstrates exactly why we must assert ourselves as a co-equal branch of government and limit his emergency powers,” said Doherty (R-23). “We’re supposed to have a governor with limited authority under our New Jersey Constitution, but Murphy has been empowered by the Legislature’s inaction to rule like a king. ”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Governor Murphy Refused to Give Up Emergency Powers
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove said Governor Murphy has refused to give up his emergency powers after the Legislative Leadership decided against scheduling a vote on legislation (SCR-165/ACR-223) that would have extended certain emergency orders and directives.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove said Governor Murphy has refused to give up his emergency powers after the Legislative Leadership decided against scheduling a vote on legislation that would have extended certain emergency orders and directives. (Pixabay)
The 9th District legislative delegation issued the following statement:
“Many of our constituents are incensed by the Governor’s heavy-handed use of emergency and executive powers. We agree and, consistent with the views of our constituents, our delegation wants a new direction for our state that promptly and effectively ends the failed policies of the past.
Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick Now a State Senator
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick is now a State Senator after taking the oath of office today.
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick is now a State Senator after taking the oath of office today. Click for full size. (SenateNJ.com)
“I may have a different title, but I’ll return your call just as fast,” said Senator Bramnick (R-21).
Bucco: Murphy Taking NJ Backwards by Declaring New Public Health Emergency
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Phil Murphy has taken New Jersey backward by declaring a new “Public Health Emergency” related to COVID-19:
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Gov. Phil Murphy has taken New Jersey backward by declaring a new ‘Public Health Emergency’ related to COVID-19. (Pixabay)
“While Governor Murphy always talks about moving New Jersey ‘forward,’ he’s taking a giant leap backward by reinstating a new public health emergency,” said Bucco (R-25). “Despite what the governor has said, his action was not taken ‘in consultation with the Legislature.’ His own party said they weren’t consulted, and neither were Republicans. In fact, the Legislature chose to not extend his emergency powers when given the opportunity yesterday. Governor Murphy’s decision both circumvents legislative oversight and breaks his deal with his own party’s leadership. We need to give people hope that life is returning to normal, not returning to one man’s rule by executive order.”
