Durr Says Murphy’s New Gun Restrictions Are “Empty Solutions”
Senator Ed Durr said new gun restrictions signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy are empty solutions that will not protect New Jerseyans from violent crime.

Sen. Ed Durr testified against new gun restrictions signed today by Gov. Murphy when the bills were considered by the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee on June 23, 2022. (NJ Senate Republicans/YouTube)
“Not a single one of the new restrictions that Governor Murphy is imposing on law-abiding gun owners today will do anything to protect New Jerseyans from tragic attacks like those in Highland Park, Uvalde, and Buffalo,” said Durr (R-3). “These are empty solutions that will not stop violent criminals who will ignore every new gun law that’s enacted. All these bills will do is put more legal gun owners at risk of being prosecuted for unintentional technical violations of the law.”
Testa: New Legislation Needed to Counter NJ ABC’s “Disastrous and Destructive” New License Conditions Limiting Brewery Activities
Responding to Friday’s issuance by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC) new license conditions that severely restrict local breweries from operating freely and fairly, Senator Michael Testa (R-Vineland) announced he will introduce new legislation to counter these rules and let freedom ring for breweries.

Sen. Michael Testa announced he will introduce new legislation to counter the rules recently issued by the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control that restrict local breweries from operating freely and fairly. (Pixabay)
“These disastrous and destructive new conditions are an affront to the freedoms that our breweries should enjoy in pursuing their goals and trying to find a place in our state’s economy,” said Testa. “In my opinion, the ABC fell far short treating our local breweries fairly, which we must address with new legislation to aid these small businesses.”
Senate Approves Pennacchio Bill that Would Streamline Application Process for Veterans Benefits
Bill Would Simplify the Statutory Definitions of ‘Veteran,’ ‘Disabled Veteran,’ and ‘Service-Disabled Veteran’
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would streamline the application process for veterans benefits was approved last week by the New Jersey Senate.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would streamline the application process for veterans benefits was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“The men and women who served our nation in the armed forces deserve to have access to the benefits they earned without having to go through excessive government red tape,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Currently, there are numerous statutory definitions of the terms ‘veteran’ and ’disabled veteran.’ This makes it extremely difficult for some service members to apply for benefits. In fact, there are over 20 definitions of the word ‘veteran’ alone. My legislation will reduce the number of definitions so that the brave men and women who served our country can more easily access the benefits they deserve.”
Holzapfel Slams $100M Giveaway to Rutgers Athletics
Senator Jim Holzapfel criticized New Jersey democrats for earmarking $100 million in the state budget for a Rutgers University basketball arena and football practice facility while simultaneously slashing school aid to Brick and Toms River.

Sen. Jim Holzapfel criticized New Jersey democrats for earmarking $100 million in the state budget for Rutgers athletics while simultaneously slashing school aid to Brick and Toms River. (Pixabay)
“It’s outrageous that the democrats are cutting funding to nearly 200 school districts while giving a huge gift to Rutgers athletics,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “Our public K-12 schools need to be funded first, period. Spending $100 million on something like this shouldn’t even be considered while our school children’s programs are being cut and teachers are being laid off. This is some of the most egregious fiscal behavior I’ve seen in years.”
Corrado Bill Addressing School Bus Shortage Signed by Governor
The New Law Extends the Regulated Service Life of School Vehicles by One Year
School districts and transportation companies will be able to keep buses on the road for another year under legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and signed into law today.

School districts and transportation companies will be able to keep buses on the road for another year under legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado and signed into law by the Governor. (SenateNJ.com)
Previously, school buses manufactured since 2007 could remain in service until the end of the school in June, 20 years after the date of manufacture, and vehicles produced between April 1977 and January 2007 had a 15-year service life.
Pennacchio Bill Supporting Education of Military Children Becomes Law
Provides Additional State Funding to School Districts with Students Living on Military Installations
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would provide additional state school aid to districts impacted by the loss of federal impact aid was signed today by the Governor.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would provide additional state school aid to districts impacted by the loss of federal impact aid was signed by the Governor. (Pixabay)
For more than 70 years, school districts educating the children of active military parents have received impact aid from the federal government, but recently, the support from Washington has faded.
“This additional funding is much deserved,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “School districts take on the responsibility to educate the children of service members, and they deserve to be funded.”
Testa Stands Up for Taxpayers Ignored by Murphy’s Bloated $50 Billion Budget
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) issued the following statement after speaking and voting against a bloated $50 billion state budget proposed by Governor Murphy and Democrats that fails to provide significant relief to taxpayers:

Sen. Michael Testa speaking against the FY 2023 State Budget during a floor debate in the New Jersey Senate on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. (SenateNJ.com)
“I spoke up for New Jersey’s taxpayers who were left out of Governor Murphy’s $50+ billion budget. Trenton had a chance to do right by the taxpayers and small businesses who make this state work, but it didn’t do that.
“A few insiders decided they know how to spend your hard-earned tax money better than you do. They think they know better than you. We wanted to send your tax overpayments back to you. That’s freedom.
Singer’s Potentially Life-Saving Legislation Awaits Action by Gov. Murphy
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly this week.

Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4107/S-2768, updates the State’s regulations of emergency medical services, including allowing a single paramedic who arrives at the scene of an emergency to begin treatment immediately, rather than waiting for a second medic.
“This is a critical piece of legislation that will save lives,” said Singer (R-30). “We have heard the frustrations of paramedics who found themselves in situations where people desperately needed help, but their hands were tied by regulations that forced them to wait for support from another authorized responder.
O’Scanlon Bill Strengthens Protections for Victims of Workplace Abuse
Expands Ban on NDAs in Employment Contracts to Include Non-Disparagement Clauses
More than three years after legislation was signed into law banning the use of non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts that silenced abuse victims, Senator Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute sexual assault and harassment victims and shield predators.

More than three years after a law was signed banning the silencing of abuse victims with non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute assault and harassment victims and shield predators. (SenateNJ.com)
O’Scanlon’s bipartisan measure, S-2930, expands prohibitions established by S-121 in 2019. Also sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker, it bars provisions in contracts that waive certain rights or remedies and emphasizes that the current law on non-disclosures also bars certain non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Vote Against Murphy-Democrat $50 Billion State Budget
9th District Delegation: Budget Goes Big on Spending, Small on Tax Relief
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove voted “NO” on the FY2023 State Budget which was approved on Wednesday by the New Jersey Legislature. They said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review the state’s massive $50 billion spending plan, which was released late Monday night by Democrats.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove voted against the budget and said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review massive $50B spending plan. (Wikimedia Commons)
This year, Assemblyman Rumpf joined the Assembly Budget Committee and consistently testified in favor of limited government as a sustainable means of providing immediate tax relief and funding the state’s core obligations.