Testa Celebrates Murphy Retreat on Schools’ Covid Test Mandate as Win for Science & Freedom
Senator Michael Testa today welcomed an executive order signed by the Governor that closes the book on heavy-handed COVID mandates for teachers.
Sen. Michael Testa welcomed an executive order that closes the book on heavy-handed COVID mandates for teachers before schools resume in September. (Pixabay)
“It was never clear why it took so long, but educators no longer have to worry about unnecessary vaccination requirements and repetitive testing,” said Testa (R-1). “This is a victory for science and personal freedoms, and welcome news for teachers who have one less worry as they prepare to go back to school in the coming weeks.”
The order signed today immediately lift his demands that school districts as well as childcare centers require that their employees to be vaccinated or be subjected to regular COVID testing. Separately, the testing requirement for State workers and contractors will end on Sept. 1, the governor said.
“The case is closed, and I don’t think it would have happened without the persistent, sensible resistance and leadership from Republican lawmakers who pressured the Governor to do the right thing,” Testa noted. “I am proud that our efforts had an impact.”
Throughout the pandemic, Testa has been a staunch advocate for policies that recognize the medical realities of acquired natural immunity.
“Insisting vaccinations were necessary to protect our schools from the virus reflected a disregard for science, and continuing the mandates this long defied logic,” said Testa. “The pandemic threat has evolved, and finally, the Administration’s directive has matured as well.”
Legislative Leaders Announce Appointment of New OLS Executive Director & Legislative Counsel
The four leaders of the New Jersey Legislature announced the appointment of Maureen McMahon, Esq. as Executive Director and Gabriel R. Neville, Esq. as Legislative Counsel of the Office of Legislative Services (OLS).
The four leaders of the New Jersey Legislature announced the appointment of Maureen McMahon, Esq. as Executive Director and Gabriel R. Neville, Esq. as Legislative Counsel of the Office of Legislative Services. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am honored and humbled by the support of the Legislative Services Commission in my appointment as Executive Director of the Office of Legislative Services,” said McMahon. “I look forward to serving the Legislature in this capacity and continuing to work with the dedicated and talented staff at OLS.”
“I am fortunate to have spent many years working with the great people at OLS,” said Neville. “I thank the Legislative Services Commission for the opportunity to serve the Legislature in the role of Legislative Counsel.”
Pennacchio Recognizes the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence
Calls for Passage of Legislative Resolution Urging U.N. to Give India Permanent Seat on Security Council
Senator Joe Pennacchio urged all New Jerseyans to join him in recognizing and celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence on Monday, August 15.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio urged all New Jerseyans to join him in recognizing and celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence on Monday, August 15. (Wikipedia)
“We would like to congratulate India as it celebrates 75 years of independence from colonial rule,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We welcome our friendly relations with India, its support for democracy, and the role the nation has taken in urging peaceful solutions to conflict on the world stage.”
India became an independent nation on August 15, 1947 through the passage of the Indian Independence Act by the British Parliament.
Corrado Calls on Murphy to Immediately Lift COVID-19 Testing Mandate for Teachers & School Employees After CDC Changes Recommendations
Senator Kristin Corrado called on Governor Murphy to immediately lift his COVID-testing mandate for unvaccinated teachers and school employees after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today that testing healthy students and employees is no longer recommended.
(Pixabay)
“It’s been clear for some time that forcing healthy teachers and school employees to submit to burdensome and expensive COVID testing was unnecessary,” said Corrado (R-40). “Now that the CDC has changed its guidance, Governor Murphy has absolutely no excuse to continue dragging his feet on lifting his testing mandate. He should do it today.”
Senator Polistina Introduces Bill to Increase Law Enforcement Presence in Schools
Bill Would Allow for County Sheriffs to Hire Class III Officers for School Security
Senator Vince Polistina introduced legislation this week that would allow County Sheriffs to hire and place Class III officers in schools to assist with security.
Sen. Vince Polistina introduced legislation this week that would allow County Sheriffs to hire and place Class III officers in schools to assist with security. (Pixabay)
“As our children prepare to return to the classroom, parents shouldn’t be losing sleep with concerns about the safety of their kids,” explained Polistina (R-Atlantic). “Many New Jersey towns do not have local police departments that can place an officer within their schools. Under this legislation, a County Sheriff could hire a retired police officer to work within the schools, during the class day and events, to ensure the highest quality of safety and security.”
Testa Introduces Breweries Bill to Allow Garden State Brewers Greater Freedom & More Control Over Their Business’ Future
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) introduced his breweries bill Monday in the State Senate to allow brewers more freedom and control over their small businesses which are growing jobs and opportunity across New Jersey.
Sen. Michael Testa introduced his breweries bill Monday in the State Senate to allow brewers more freedom and control over their small businesses which are growing jobs and opportunity across New Jersey. (©iStock)
“I believe that brewers building a business in our state deserve to have more say in how they run their operations because the term ‘free enterprise’ applies to them as well,” said Testa. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and with legislators across the aisle to ending these bureaucratic obstacles and fix a dysfunctional system.”
Senate Republicans Propose Special Committee to Investigate Massive Increase in Public Employee Health Benefit Costs
Proposed Premium Hikes Up to 24% Will Squeeze Local Budgets, Drive Property Taxes Higher
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) have introduced legislation to form a special legislative committee with subpoena power to investigate massive proposed premium increases for the health plans that cover state government, local government, and school employees.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon have introduced legislation to form a special legislative committee with subpoena power to investigate massive proposed premium increases for the health plans that cover state government, local government, and school employees. (©iStock)
“The proposed premium increases will impact hundreds of thousands of state and local government workers, teachers, and retirees who will see their health care costs soar if the proposal is adopted,” said Oroho, the Senate Republican Leader. “These higher premiums will also have a huge impact on school districts and local governments that pay a large portion of the total premiums for their employees. Any higher costs they pay will translate directly into higher property taxes for our families. We must investigate the failures that led to these catastrophic premium increases to develop an effective plan going forward.”
Durr Blasts NJEA for KGB-Like Effort to Have Teachers Report Parents Who Express Concerns
Senator Ed Durr blasted the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) for urging teachers to submit reports about parents and community groups that have expressed concerns about school-related matters that involve their children.
Sen. Ed Durr blasted the NJEA for urging teachers to submit reports about parents and community groups that have expressed concerns about school-related matters that involve their children. (NJEA)
“The NJEA is so afraid of parents that they’re resorting to KGB tactics to squash any effort in local communities to challenge the indoctrination of children in our schools,” said Durr (R-3). “If a parent or group of parents express concerns about curriculum, teaching materials, or age-inappropriate books in school libraries, the clear threat is that they’ll be reported to and attacked by the NJEA.”
Singer Praises AG Nominee Platkin’s Support for Jewish Community
Following the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of the nomination of Matt Platkin to serve as Attorney General, Senator Robert Singer praised the Acting Attorney General’s support for Lakewood and the Jewish community:
Sen. Robert Singer praised Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin’s support for Lakewood and the Jewish community. (©iStock)
“Our Jewish community in Lakewood and surrounding towns has been targeted with hate crimes, stabbings, and vile anti-Semitic social media posts in recent years,” said Singer (R-Ocean). “Whenever those issues arose, Matt Platkin was a partner in helping us to protect the rights of our community and fight for justice. He did that as chief counsel to the governor, and I have no doubt he’ll continue to do it once he’s confirmed as Attorney General.”
Testa Blasts Murphy, DOL Over Lack of Transparency for Latest UI Tax Hikes
Senator Michael Testa slammed the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) and the Murphy administration for their failure to notify business owners in a timely manner about new unemployment insurance payroll tax hikes.
Sen. Michael Testa slammed the New Jersey Department of Labor and the Murphy administration for their failure to notify business owners in a timely manner about new unemployment insurance payroll tax hikes. (Pixabay)
“As far back as March 2021, it was obvious to anyone paying attention that the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund was facing a serious financial crisis. I, along with my Republican colleagues, offered a sensible solution—we called on Governor Murphy to stabilize the UI Fund using a portion of the billions in federal pandemic relief funds that New Jersey was given, a proven solution used by many other states,” said Testa (R-1). “Time and again the Murphy administration and their allies declined to even consider this common-sense option. Instead, to maintain the solvency of the Fund, they continued to both borrow money from the federal government and raise taxes on small businesses—which were already struggling to survive under the Governor’s irrational lockdowns. Finally, adding insult to injury, the Murphy administration can’t even notify businesses about the payroll tax hikes in a timely manner.”
