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Testa & Durr: Despite Democrat Fearmongering, Nobody Is Looking to Ban Books
Senator Michael Testa and Senator Ed Durr said that despite fearmongering from Governor Phil Murphy and Trenton Democrats, nobody is looking to ban books of any kind.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Ed Durr said that despite fearmongering from Gov. Phil Murphy and Trenton Democrats, nobody is looking to ban books of any kind. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It’s a total misrepresentation for Democrats to say that parents are looking to ‘ban books’ simply for expressing their concerns about the unrestricted availability of content that’s not age-appropriate in their school libraries,'” said Durr (R-3). “Nobody is looking to stop adults from buying these books or suggesting that parents shouldn’t be able to provide them to their children at their discretion. Any suggestion by Governor Murphy or Trenton Democrats that children’s access to books in school libraries has to be all or nothing is just fearmongering of the worst kind. We believe there are workable solutions that could address the concerns of parents and ensure continued access to books with sexual content with reasonable restrictions.”
Testa Renews Call for Criminal Justice Reforms to Help Towns Maintain Law & Order
Senator Michael Testa is calling on the New Jersey Legislature to approve criminal justice reform bills that would help towns to reverse a trend of lawlessness by drunk and rowdy teenagers. His comments followed a weekend of chaos in several Shore communities, including Ocean City, which adopted strict new beach and boardwalk restrictions to try to maintain law and order.
Sen. Michael Testa is calling on the New Jersey Legislature to approve criminal justice reform bills that would help towns to reverse a trend of lawlessness by drunk and rowdy teenagers. (Flickr)
“The lawlessness that I saw play out in our Shore towns over Memorial Day weekend was shocking. Large crowds and pop-up parties continue to cause damage to local communities and it will only get worse as summer approaches,” said Testa (R-1). “Underage drinking, vandalism, and drug use were all on display with very little consequences to those in attendance. Residents and tourists fear for their safety and business owners will suffer the consequences unless the Legislature and the Governor step up and address this issue head on.”
Bucco Bill Giving Municipalities More Options to Purchase Firefighting Equipment Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that enables municipalities to extend the time to permanently finance the purchase of new firefighting apparatus was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill that enables municipalities to extend the time to permanently finance the purchase of new firefighting apparatus was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Municipalities are facing greater financial pressures amid the challenges brought on by multiple years of high inflation,” said Bucco (R-25). “Rising costs coupled with financial constraints have made it difficult for municipalities to finance the purchase of expensive vehicles and equipment. This legislation extends the period of usefulness for firefighting vehicles and equipment from ten to twenty years so municipalities can extend the time those capital items can be permanently financed.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Introduce Bill to Create Fund for Volunteer Fire Companies
9th District Delegation Bill Would Appropriate $10 Million for Volunteer Fire Company Fund
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. The 9th District delegation’s legislation would establish the “Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program” along with a special non-lapsing State fund that would receive an initial appropriation of $10 million to support the operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies.
Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. (Pixabay)
The concept for the delegation’s legislation is strongly supported by the Borough of Pine Beach’s governing body. The governing body of Waretown has also stated its support for the establishment of a fund to support volunteer fire companies.
Schepisi Introduces Bill to Honor Victims of Fentanyl Poisoning and Raise Awareness
Senator Holly Schepisi introduced a joint resolution, SJR-128, to designate July 14th of each year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day.
Sen. Holly Schepisi introduced a joint resolution, SJR-128, to designate July 14th of each year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day. (Pixabay)
“Most people are unaware of the fact that a loved one can die, not just by taking heroin, but rather what they believe to be a prescription pill given to them by a friend. Counterfeit pills made to look like Xanax, Valium and Ativan containing Fentanyl are poisoning our children, our friends, our neighbors and has become an epidemic in New Jersey,” said Schepisi (R-39). “This is an issue that hits close to home for thousands of other New Jersey families as Fentanyl recently accounted for more than seventy-five percent of drug related deaths in the state. Far too many young Americans, like Max Lenowitz, a son, an athlete, and a friend to so many, have had their lives cut short because of Fentanyl poisoning. This resolution would honor individuals like Max and raise awareness for the thousands of other victims who have tragically lost their lives to this lethal drug so we can work to prevent further deaths from occurring.”
Singer Bill Honoring WWII Veteran Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would designate a portion of State Highway Route 71 in honor of World War II veteran John Tarantino was advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill that would designate a portion of State Highway Route 71 in honor of World War II veteran John Tarantino was advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“United States Military Veteran John Tarantino exemplified true leadership and valor as a dedicated servant to both country and community,” said Singer (R-30). “After returning home from war-torn Europe, Mr. Tarantino provided unwavering support for veterans across the country. In recognition of his service on and off the battlefield, this bill will formally commemorate his legacy by naming a portion of Route 71 as the John Tarantino Highway.”
Committee Advances Holzapfel Bill Cracking Down on Noisy, Illegal Mufflers and Exhaust Systems
The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel that would increase penalties for modifying car mufflers or exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy.
The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel that would increase penalties for modifying car exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy. (Pixabay)
“Across New Jersey, many communities and neighborhoods are being disturbed by cars that have excessively loud and illegal exhaust systems,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “The noise generated by these cars is incredibly disruptive, especially at night. This legislation will hold people accountable for installing these systems, which do nothing but increase noise pollution, and help bring some peace and quiet back to our streets.”
Oroho Bill Protecting Homebuyers from Pitfalls of ‘House Flipping’ Advances
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho that would increase protections for homebuyers when purchasing recently renovated properties was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill that would increase protections for homebuyers when purchasing recently renovated properties was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (©iStock.com)
“Homebuyers sometimes fall into a money pit when purchasing a house that was inadequately renovated by a real estate investor,” said Oroho (R-24). “Requiring short-term resellers to disclose that their work is up to code is a vital measure to safeguard homebuyers from acquiring properties that could be unsafe or require costly repairs. This legislation ensures greater transparency in the home buying process and enhances accountability for investors who flip houses.”
Stanfield Bill Expanding Small-Dollar Property Tax Refunds Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would increase the dollar amount limit for property tax refunds and certain cancellations made by authorized municipal employees was advanced by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Jean Stanfield’s bill that would increase the dollar amount limit for property tax refunds and certain cancellations made by authorized municipal employees was advanced by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Small-dollar tax refunds and cancellations can create administrative inefficiencies within local governments,” said Stanfield (R-08). “By increasing the dollar limit for authorized municipal employees to process certain transactions, we can streamline this administrative process and reduce unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. This legislation would enable local governments to provide small-dollar refunds and certain cancellations for homeowners more efficiently.”
Bucco & O’Scanlon: Let’s Help New Jersey to Stay Safe this Summer
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Declan O’Scanlon said it’s time to undo some mistakes that were made with juvenile criminal justice reforms to help New Jersey stay safe this summer.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said it’s time to undo some mistakes that were made with juvenile criminal justice reforms to help New Jersey stay safe this summer. (Flickr)
“We warned two years ago that stripping police of their ability to hold law-breaking teens accountable would lead to chaos in our communities, especially those with beaches and boardwalks during the summer season,” said Bucco (R-25). “That proved to be the case in several of our shore towns over the Memorial Day weekend. The problem of drunk, rampaging teens is so bad that many towns are now imposing curfews on their beaches and boardwalks that will impact families and businesses as well. It’s also proving to be a problem in other towns across New Jersey that have parks and other recreational facilities where teens congregate. The Legislature has an obligation to fix its mistake and allow law enforcement officers to actually enforce the law.”
