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Senate Republicans Urge Murphy Not to Cut School Aid
Gov. Murphy’s Proposed Budget Cuts Funding to Nearly 200 School Districts
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee urged Governor Phil Murphy not to cut school aid in his proposed budget for districts that are already struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican senators urged Gov. Phil Murphy not to cut aid this year for school districts grappling with virtual education, technology costs, and planning for a safe return to classrooms. (Pixabay)
In a letter to Governor Murphy today (click here for PDF), the senators said, “we believe that while schools are grappling with virtual education, technology costs, and planning for a safe return to our classrooms, no school should have its aid cut.”
Under the governor’s proposed budget, approximately one-third of New Jersey’s school districts would have to contend with budget cuts despite an overall $600 million increase in proposed State spending on school aid.
Vitale & Singer Harshly Condemn Chiropractor Board for Reinstating License of Sex Offender
Senator Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Senator Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, issued the following joint statement harshly condemning the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for reinstating the professional license of Bryan Bajakian, a convicted sex offender:

Sen. Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Sen. Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, harshly condemned the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for reinstating the professional license of a convicted sex offender. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is a decision that defies common sense and ignores the safety of the public the board is responsible for protecting. Anyone who thinks it’s a good idea to reinstate the license of a convicted sex offender who preyed on children can’t be trusted to exercise their oversight responsibilities, or to even to heed their own mission statement directing the board to ‘protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey.’
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Massive State Spending in Proposed Budget Should Have Taxpayers and Businesses Very Worried
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove offered the remarks following Governor Phil Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget Address:

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf and Asw. DiAnne Gove offered remarks following Gov. Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2022 State Budget Address. (SenateNJ.com)
“The numbers don’t lie. Spending has increased more than 30 percent since Governor’s Murphy’s first year, to the surprise of few. His most recent proposed State Budget is chock full of spending for new programs or increases for existing ones.
Oroho: Murphy’s Election-Year Budget About Protecting One Job, His Own
As Predicted, Governor Builds Massive Multi-Billion Dollar Budget Surplus to Go on Spending Spree While He Campaigns for Reelection
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Senate Republican Budget Officer, said the State budget plan for FY 2022 outlined by Governor Phil Murphy today is focused solely on boosting the governor’s reelection campaign:

Sen. Steven Oroho said Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State budget plan is solely about boosting the governor’s reelection campaign. (Pixabay)
“Let’s be perfectly clear. Governor Murphy’s election-year budget is about protecting one job, his own.
“Senate Republicans have been warning since last June and July that the Murphy Administration was peddling a false doom-and-gloom financial picture despite clear evidence that New Jersey’s finances had rebounded quickly as lockdowns eased.
“Instead of heeding our calls last spring and summer to fund urgently needed relief programs, the governor chose to sit on a growing pile of cash while one-third of New Jersey’s small businesses closed and nonprofits and families struggled.
Kean Statement on Passing of Superior Court Judge Peter Barnes
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Superior Court Judge Peter J. Barnes III:

Statement from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean on the passing of Superior Court Judge Peter J. Barnes III. (CC0 Public Domain)
“For the past 25 years, Judge Barnes has honorably served New Jersey. From his time as a councilman in Edison to his recent service on the bench, Peter lived up to the family tradition of public service exemplified by his father and brother.
Bateman Bill Advancing Clean Water Projects Signed
Authorizes New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to Finance Vital Improvements
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman ensuring crucial clean water environmental infrastructure projects move forward became law today.

More than 170 important clean water infrastructure projects will be eligible for funding with the signing of Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill authorizing the NJIB to issue loans for Fiscal Year 2021 work. (Pixabay)
With the governor’s signature, A-5054/S-3211 authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend additional sums to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for Fiscal Year 2021.
Kean Statement on the Passing of Sen. Gerald Cardinale
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39):

Sen. Gerry Cardinale passed away this morning at age 86. Click for high resolution. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our Senate Republican family is deeply saddened by the passing of our longest serving member, Senator Gerald Cardinale.
“Gerry, the dean of our caucus, was a trusted voice in the Senate for nearly four decades. Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice. We are all better legislators for having served with him.
“Please join us today in praying for Gerry and his family. Rest in peace, Senator, and thank you for everything you have done for New Jersey.”
Pennacchio Resolution Seeks Reinstatement of Federal Orders to Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable
Senator Joe Pennacchio today introduced a resolution urging President Biden’s administration to lift the regulatory freeze on orders to reduce the cost of crucial prescription drugs for Americans.

Legislation introduced by Sen. Joe Pennacchio urges President Biden’s administration to lift the regulatory freeze on orders to reduce the cost of crucial prescription drugs including insulin and epinephrine. (SenateNJ.com)
To address reports of pharmaceutical companies charging exorbitant rates for life-sustaining insulin for diabetics and epinephrine for allergy sufferers, then-President Donald J. Trump signed a series of executive orders on July 24 to decrease significantly the prices charged to the public.
Senate Clears Oroho Bill to Bring Jobs to Rural Communities
Rural businesses across the state would get a boost under legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and approved today by the Senate.

Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill would require the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to establish the Rural Business Development Program to help employers in small communities. (©iStock)
Oroho’s bill, S-2771, requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish the Rural Business Development Program to help enterprises in small communities survive the pressures of the pandemic and into the future.
Senate Clears Bateman Measure Expanding Influence of NJ Infrastructure Bank
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and approved by the Senate today would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to finance aviation and marine infrastructure projects.

Sen. Kip Bateman sponsors legislation that would authorize the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to finance aviation and marine infrastructure projects. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, A-5057/S-3190, was passed by the Assembly in December and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.