Testa, McClellan & Simonsen Bill Designating Historic Cape May Home as NJ’s Harriet Tubman Museum Signed by Governor
The historic Howell House on Lafayette Street in Cape May is now officially recognized as the Harriet Tubman Museum in New Jersey.
The historic Howell House on Lafayette Street in Cape May is now officially recognized as the Harriet Tubman Museum in New Jersey under legislation sponsored by Senator Testa and Assemblyman McClellan and signed by Gov. Murphy. (Wikipedia)
Governor Murphy today signed legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (A-3201/S-2585) to honor Tubman, a legendary abolitionist and advocate for women’s voting rights.
“Harriet Tubman was fiercely committed to equality for all people, black or white, male or female,” said Testa. “Through her tireless persistence, this determined woman helped bring about two historic society advancements that changed American society forever – she personally helped lead dozens of southern slaves to freedom in the north, and she was instrumental in the women’s suffrage movement.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Murphy’s Budget Plan Is a Disaster in the Making
As part of their continuing constituent outreach efforts, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove issued the following statement regarding the recent developments on the proposed FY2021 State Budget:
Connors, Rumpf & Gove issued the following statement regarding the recent developments on the proposed FY2021 State Budget. (Pixabay)
“The constant onslaught of tax and fee increases proposed under the Governor’s State Budget deal will cost taxpayers far more, in the long run, than they would make on any one-shot tax rebate that will be issued down the line on Trenton’s timetable.
Bateman: New Jerseyans Shouldn’t Be Fooled by Gov. Murphy’s Outrageous Spending Plan
Senator Kip Bateman warned taxpayers not to be fooled by the gimmicks in Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal that are intended to hide the real cost of his middle-class tax increases and distract from the decades of damage his borrowing scheme will inflict upon New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman warned taxpayers not to be fooled by the gimmicks in Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposal that are intended to hide the real cost of his middle-class tax increases and distract from the decades of damage his borrowing scheme will inflict upon New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy’s gimmicky rebate scheme is a sad attempt to try to distract taxpayers from the billions in higher taxes and borrowing costs they’ll pay for decades under his outrageous spending plan,” said Bateman. “It’s like walking into a store where all of the prices have just been raised by 20% and being told the 10% off coupon they’re handing you will save you money. People are smarter than that.”
Pennacchio: Murphy Continues to Obscure Truth About Nursing Home Tragedies
Legislative Investigation Necessary to Uncover Systemic Problems that Put Lives at Risk and Rob Residents of Dignity
Senator Joe Pennacchio called the four nursing home bills signed Wednesday by Governor Murphy “a legislative distraction that fails to address the root causes of failings that accounted for more than 7,000 deaths in nursing homes.”
Senator Pennacchio called the four nursing home bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Murphy ‘a legislative distraction that fails to address the root causes of failings that accounted for more than 7,000 deaths in nursing homes.’ (Flickr)
“The Governor continues to whitewash the systemic problems that plague facilities,” said Pennacchio. “State government policies led to the deaths of one of every 10 residents in nursing homes, and Murphy refuses to defend those decisions.”
Senate Committee Advances Bateman Bill Enhancing Online Access to BPU Records
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an online electronic public records access service cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today.
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an online electronic public records access service cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today. (SenateNJ.com)
Committee chairman Bob Smith also sponsors the bipartisan bill (S-2611).
“It’s time to modernize the process, make it easier for users to submit filings and make comments, and improve public access to documentation, rule-makings and meeting schedules,” said Bateman (R-16). “These long overdue improvements will enhance efficiency and transparency at BPU. This bill will also make is easier for ratepayers to stay informed about changes that could affect their pocketbooks and services.”
Statements from Senate Republican Budget Committee Members on Democrats’ Tax Deal
The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee issued the following statements in response to a tax deal announced by Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders today.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to a tax deal announced by Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders. (Pixabay)
Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“Year after year, IRS data shows that New Jersey continues to lose significantly more taxable income from high wage earners leaving the state than it gains from those who are moving in from elsewhere. The Democrats’ tax deal will accelerate that trend, make our State’s finances more unstable, and ultimately drive taxes higher for everyone. While the tax deal may seem like good progressive politics for Democrats with their elections on the horizon, it’s a bad economic move that will only dig the Garden State into a deeper financial hole over the long run. Harmful schemes like this have been happening for years, but the Democrats keep pulling the wool over people’s eyes. They still have done nothing to enact structural reforms that would lower costs for taxpayers.”
Oroho Measure To Help Prevent Power Outages During Violent Storms Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to ensure the ability of electric utility companies to trim branches and trees around power lines to prevent unnecessary outages has passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation to ensure the ability of electric utility companies to trim branches and trees around power lines to prevent unnecessary outages has advanced. (Pixabay)
“Whether it be a powerful snowstorm, torrential rain events, or damaging winds, we’ve experienced many disruptive storms over the past decade that have left numerous customers without power for extended periods,” said Oroho. “Downed trees and overgrown shrubs near power lines are often to blame for these widespread outages. Power line maintenance is a critical issue that must be addressed to help protect the public’s safety and general welfare during destructive weather events.”
Pennacchio Bill Powering Electric Vehicles Clears Committee
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee today advanced Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislation that would expand access to charging stations for drivers of electric vehicles.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Pennacchio that would encourage gasoline stations to add electric vehicle charging stations was advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
Pennacchio’s bill (S-938) streamlines the approval process for installing recharge portals at gasoline service stations, making it more convenient for drivers to plug in and “fill up” their batteries.
“The number of electric vehicles on New Jersey roads is growing, and the trend will only increase in the future,” said Pennacchio. “This bill would help the availability of charging locations keep pace with the expanding usage of zero-emission transportation.”
O’Scanlon Decries Murphy ‘Timidity Tax’ on NJ Economy
Calls for Governor to Raise Indoor Dining Limit to 66% of Capacity Immediately
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today called for Governor Murphy to increase the capacity limit on indoor dining to 66% immediately in advance of weather inhospitable to outdoor dining.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called for Gov. Murphy to immediately increase the capacity limit on indoor dining to 66% in advance of weather inhospitable to outdoor dining. (Pixabay)
“We’ve been months behind surrounding states reopening indoor dining and our economy has suffered greatly for it,” said O’Scanlon. “At this point, we are facing our first ‘colder’ weekend with only 25% indoor dining allowed. The Governor said it would be 10 days before they could determine the impact from our Labor Day weekend reopening. Well, here we are twelve days later and no significant increase in cases or RT. We need to go to 66% indoor dining immediately. Without doing so we’ll just see yet another weekend pass – this one with chilly weather – and dozens of businesses fall victim to the Governor’s Timidity Tax.”
Bucco: Murphy Shouldn’t Divert Clean Communities Funding & Undo Decades of Environmental Progress
Successful Litter Abatement Program Funds Local Trash Cleanups While Creating Savings for Property Taxpayers
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Phil Murphy shouldn’t divert budget funds that have been dedicated for decades to a statewide litter abatement program that has helped to clean-up New Jersey while providing savings for property taxpayers.
Roxbury High School students conducting a roadside trash cleanup in 2019 in coordination with the Roxbury Twp. Clean Communities program. (TAP/Roxbury High School)
“Over the past several decades, New Jersey has made great strides through the Clean Communities program to collect litter, educate residents, and protect our environment,” said Bucco (R-25). “The program has been so successful that no governor or Legislature has proposed cutting funding over the past two decades, even in the toughest of fiscal times. I’m sure that if Governor Murphy takes the time to examine the many successes of Clean Communities, he’ll understand why there has long been bipartisan opposition to raiding the program’s dedicated funds for other purposes.”
