Oroho, Pennacchio Seek Answers After Rejection of Public Records Requests in State’s Settlement in Veterans Home COVID Deaths
A series of Open Public Records Act requests from Senate Republicans seeking transparency from the Governor’s Administration about the state’s conduct leading to a settlement with families of COVID victims in New Jersey’s veterans homes have been denied, and Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho and Senator Joe Pennacchio want answers.
Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho and Sen. Joe Pennacchio are seeking answers after the rejection of their Open Public Records Act requests seeking details from the Administration about the state’s conduct leading to a settlement with families of COVID victims in NJ veterans homes. (Pixabay)
“This is what we have come to expect from an Administration that continues to obfuscate the facts, details and rationale behind pandemic-related decisions,” said Pennacchio. “They have consistently denied access to what should be public information. This most recent rejection reinforces the need for a Legislative Oversight Committee with subpoena power.
“It is clear this information will never be forthcoming unless the Administration is forced.”
Stanfield: Murphy Booster Mandate Will Harm Most Vulnerable
Senator Jean Stanfield (R-Westampton) is sounding the alarm about dangerous workforce shortages in the healthcare industry brought on by the latest heavy-handed COVID directive from Governor Murphy.
Sen. Jean Stanfield is sounding the alarm about dangerous workforce shortages in the healthcare industry brought on by the latest heavy-handed COVID directive from Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
Health care providers statewide are grappling with another unwelcome mandate from the Governor’s Office, this time requiring they fire employees who have not yet received the COVID booster shot.
“This mandate will have the exact opposite effect of health and safety. Let’s not parse words; people will suffer due to the lack of care brought on by staff shortages.”
Durr Introduces Bill that Would Give Parents Veto Power on Masks in Schools
Senator Edward Durr has introduced legislation that would require schools in New Jersey to obtain approval from parents before mandating that children utilize “medical devices” such as masks.
Sen. Ed Durr introduced legislation that would require schools in New Jersey to obtain approval from parents before mandating that children utilize “medical devices” such as masks. (Pixabay)
“For nearly two years, New Jersey schools have been subject to the Governor’s dictatorial-style masking orders that blatantly ignore the legislative process and, by extension, the will of the people. This is why now, more than ever before, we need to give parents a greater voice in determining the policies that affect the lives of their children,” said Durr (R-3). “My legislation will leave the decision on whether children should wear masks up to their parents, not Governor Murphy. It’s time to rein in the Governor and restore power to the elected representatives in the Legislature, as intended by our constitution.”
Testa on Murphy’s Funding Announcement for Anti-Crime Technology
Senator Michael Testa responded to Governor Murphy’s announcement that $7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds will be used to fund the purchase of acoustic sensors and gunshot detection technologies, video cameras, and automatic license plate readers to help law enforcement respond to a surge of crime across the state.
Sen. Michael Testa responded to Gov. Murphy’s announcement that $7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds will be used to fund the purchase of anti-crime technology to help law enforcement respond to a surge of crime across the state. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy just let 40% of the prisoners out of our jails, and now he’s spending millions so police can track the people he released who are out on the streets committing crimes again,” said Testa (R-1). “The governor’s progressive logic is dizzying.”
Polistina to Continue Bipartisan Judicial Candidate Review Committee
Committee Reviews Candidates for Superior Court, Office of Administrative Law & Division of Workers’ Compensation in Atlantic County
Senator Vince Polistina announced he will continue a review committee established collaboratively by former Senator Chris Brown and the Atlantic County Bar Association to assist with the initial review and recommendation of various judicial candidates in Atlantic County.
Sen. Vince Polistina announced he will continue a review committee established collaboratively by former Sen. Chris Brown and the Atlantic County Bar Association to assist with the initial review and recommendation of various judicial candidates in Atlantic County. (©iStock)
“After conversations with Senator Brown and other former Atlantic County senators, I’ve decided the committee should continue with its mission of helping to recommend the best judicial candidates for important positions in Atlantic County,” said Polistina (R-2). “We will continue to look for candidates that have undisputed integrity, a high degree of knowledge of established legal principles and procedures, an appropriate judicial temperament, and a record of service to their community.”
Testa Slams Murphy’s Muted Announcement of $3,000 in New Debt for Every Man, Woman & Child in New Jersey
Budget Committee Senator Asks What Happened to Governor’s Promise Last Year to Reduce State Debt by $2.5 billion?
Senator Michael Testa slammed the Murphy administration for an extremely muted announcement last week that the State’s long-term debt had grown by $26 billion despite the governor’s promise to cut billions in debt this year.
Sen. Michael Testa slammed the Murphy administration for an extremely muted announcement last week that the State’s long-term debt had grown by $26 billion. (©iStock)
“The $26 billion increase in debt quietly unveiled by the Murphy administration last week amounts to a new $3,000 financial burden for every man, woman, and child in New Jersey,” said Testa (R-1), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “While the truth was only revealed through obscure financial documents submitted to Wall Street, people on Main Street also deserve to know how much new debt they’re on the hook for under Governor Murphy. It’s a total failure of transparency that’s shocking even for the extremely secretive Murphy administration.”
O’Scanlon: Murphy Administration’s Covid Predictions Consistently, Dramatically Off Would be comical…if government credibility didn’t matter.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) called for the Murphy administration to stop the scare tactics with their continued use of inaccurate, mysterious covid model predictions.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called for the Murphy administration to stop the scare tactics with their continued use of inaccurate, mysterious covid model predictions. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’m sorry folks, but this emperor ain’t wearing any clothes…and someone needs to tell him! The one reliable thing you can take away from the Murphy administration’s predictions…is that they really suck at making predictions!” said O’Scanlon, “One must ask…what is the purpose of New Jersey’s predictions, which are almost always more dire and much less accurate than national modeling, other than to scare people into complying with directives and restrictions? Sacrificing credibility to facilitate compliance is not a good long-term tradeoff. On the flip side, if this isn’t intentional, then they’re just really bad at this. Either way they should just stop and rely on the federal predictions because this is counterproductive. Government credibility is vital in times when you legitimately need public buy-in. The Murphy administration setting fire to that credibility could have dire repercussions.”
DePhillips, Corrado named to Legislature’s Transportation Committees
Assemblyman Christopher P. DePhillips, who is starting his third term serving New Jersey’s 40th Legislative District, has been appointed to sit on the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. Senator Kristin Corrado, who also serves the same district, was named to the Senate Transportation Committee.
Asm. Christopher P. DePhillips, who serves District 40, has been appointed to sit on the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. Sen. Kristin Corrado, who also serves the same district, was named to the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our legislative district is a commuter district, and transportation concerns ranging from traffic to infrastructure improvements to NJ Transit issues are frequently raised by our constituents,” said Corrado. “Our service on the Senate and Assembly Transportation committees will put us in a position to hold the Murphy administration accountable for using federal funds effectively, and for ensuring the governor keeps his promise to fix NJ Transit.”
Polistina: Congratulations to Laura Matos on Her Appointment
Senator Vince Polistina (R-Atlantic) applauds the appointment of Laura Matos on her historic appointment as the only Latina representative on the 2021 New Jersey Apportionment Commission.
Sen. Vince Polistina applauds the appointment of Laura Matos on her historic appointment as the only Latina representative on the 2021 New Jersey Apportionment Commission. (SenateNJ.com)
“Given the significant and increasing diversity of District 2 and New Jersey in general, Chairman Jones has made an excellent choice to include a Latina representative on the commission,” said Senator Polistina. “We need to ensure that all voices are being heard and considered when undertaking such an important task as redrawing New Jersey’s legislative districts.”
Testa: Murphy’s Pandemic Prison Policies Putting Communities, Corrections Officers at Risk
Senator Michael Testa warned that a new round of prisoner releases and pandemic mandates by the Murphy administration will make New Jersey less safe and put corrections officers at risk.
Sen. Michael Testa warned that a new round of prisoner releases and pandemic mandates by the Murphy administration will make New Jersey less safe and put corrections officers at risk. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy used the cover of the pandemic to release 40% of the inmates from New Jersey’s prisons over the last two years,” said Testa (R-1). “With thousands of inmates set free without effective oversight or support, it’s no surprise that some of our cities are struggling with record levels of violent crimes.”
