Pennacchio/Testa Introduce a Series of Vaccine Bills to Support Parental Rights & Improve Legal Recourse for Adverse Reactions
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa have introduced legislation that is designed to give parents more information about the vaccines offered to their children and provide improved legal recourse when adverse reactions to vaccinations occur.
Legislation by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Michael Testa would give parents more information about the vaccines offered to their children and provide improved legal recourse when adverse reactions to vaccinations occur. (Pixabay)
“This legislation is intended to improve upon the haphazard approach to vaccinating our children, which often occurs with no warning to parents and little opportunity to make well-informed choices,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Parents deserve to be told in advance of an appointment about vaccinations that will be recommended, and given information about vaccine ingredients, efficacy, and risk. Vaccines should be treated no differently than any other drugs. They deserve the same scientific scrutiny that we give to all medicines. A parent has a right to know what is being injected into their child’s body and that it has been properly tested.”
Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill To Assist First-Time Home-Buying Veterans
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would permit a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans was released by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Christopher J. Connors, Asm. Brian E. Rumpf and Asw. DiAnne C. Gove sponsor a measure that would help veterans purchase their first homes with down payment assistance grants from municipal development trust funds. (©iStock)
The 9th District Legislators made the following remarks upon the Senate’s passage of their veterans’ initiative, S-957:
“Simply, the intent of our bipartisan legislation is to help first-time home-buying veterans realize the dream of owning their own homes, which as we all know can be financially challenging in this state.
Kean Bill to Support Veterans Seeking Higher Education Clears Committee
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country was approved by the Senate Budget Committee. (Flickr)
“Going to school while serving is a difficult undertaking in itself, let alone trying to manage the traditional college semester timeline around deployment dates and other military obligations,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey should do everything in its power to be more accommodating to the brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Offering military members the flexibility to register late for classes and refunds for course tuition that conflicts with deployments is a small way to express our gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to defend our country.”
Testa: Murphy Energy Plan Could Be Expensive Boondoggle for Families & Businesses
Senator Michael Testa said Governor Phil Murphy’s plan to upend New Jersey’s energy supply could cost New Jersey tens of billions of dollars.
Sen. Michael Testa said Gov. Murphy’s plan to upend New Jersey’s energy supply could cost be an expensive boondoggle that costs families and businesses tens of billions of dollars. (Pixabay)
“The proposed Energy Master Plan that was recently unveiled by Governor Murphy could cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars each to convert gas appliances to electric,” said Testa (R-1). “The governor’s plan could also force our utility companies to spend billions of dollars on new electric infrastructure which customers would ultimately pay through higher energy bills. What are we doing?”
As Two Innocent Men are Released, Pennacchio Calls for Creation of Innocence Study and Review Commission
Urges Action on His Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Wrongful Convictions
Senator Joseph Pennacchio called on Legislative leaders to vote on his bipartisan bill that would establish the “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission.”
Pennacchio is calling for action in light of news that Kevin Baker and Sean Washington, two wrongfully convicted men who spent nearly 25 years in prison, have been exonerated and freed.
From left: Exoneree Anthony Ways, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Exoneree Jean Dorval, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nick Scutari, Exoneree Rodney Roberts, and advocate Lesley Risinger. All were present for the 2018 committee passage of this bill, which would bring justice to the wrongfully convicted. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our criminal justice system is nowhere near perfect, and innocent victims are suffering behind bars for decades because of our state’s failure to address systematic flaws,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We can and must do more to create a pathway to justice. By studying and solving the failures that keep innocent people confined behind bars, we can ensure that others are not forced to suffer the same injustices.”
O’Scanlon Bill Protecting Senior Freeze Reimbursements for Seniors Approved by Panel
Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation to allow seniors to downsize their homes without jeopardizing property tax reimbursements was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
The bill (S-566) would allow an eligible homeowner to receive reimbursement immediately following a move to a new home, rather than waiting almost two full years as required under current law.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon’s measure would allow homeowners eligible for the Senior Freeze program to qualify for reimbursement following a move to a new home, rather than waiting almost two full years as required under current law. (©iStock)
“The Senior Freeze provides needed property tax relief for older homeowners, including many who are struggling to make ends meet on fixed incomes,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “While the majority of senior citizens live in one- or two-person households, only a small percentage of them reap the savings provided by selling their family home and downsizing.
“This measure will ensure if an eligible homeowner does move to a smaller, more affordable home, it will not jeopardize their reimbursement,” O’Scanlon explained.
Oroho/Singleton Bill to Strengthen Labor Law Enforcement Clears Senate Committee
Bipartisan legislation targeting illegal labor practices, sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Troy Singleton, cleared the Senate Labor Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation would create the Office of Labor Law Enforcement to crack down on businesses that blatantly disregard rules and mistreat workers. (©iStock)
“Everybody pays a price when bad actors violate ethical labor practices,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren and Morris). “Not only do employees suffer, the effects of illegal labor actions take a toll on the economy and harms law-abiding employers and taxpayers. The state needs better enforcement of labor laws to crack down on businesses that blatantly disregard rules and mistreat workers.”
Consequences of NJ’s Illegal Alien Driver’s License Law Will Detrimentally Impact Legal Citizens
Sanctuary State Policies Forcing the Hand of ICE and Homeland Security
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove remarked on two major developments involving illegal immigration likely to impact New Jersey residents:
Connors, Rumpf & Gove remarked on two major developments involving illegal immigration likely to impact New Jersey residents. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Extremists committed to establishing New Jersey as a sanctuary state are setting up our state for large-scale problems that legal, law-abiding taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill for in the end.
“While New Jersey is rolling out the red carpet for illegal aliens with taxpayer-funded entitlements, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents recently arrested 115 persons caught in New Jersey in a five-day sweep. The sweep included a Brazilian national wanted in his home country for murder. According to a press release issued by ICE, “This targeted enforcement action focuses on the arrest of individuals convicted of serious crimes and are a threat to public safety.”
Pennacchio: Kearny, an American War Hero, Deserves Better
The New Jersey Senate passed a bill this week that would honor suffragist Alice Paul with a statue in Washington, D.C.
Paul’s image would replace one of American war hero Philip Kearny, a move Senator Joe Pennacchio called unnecessary and unfair.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said removing a statue honoring Philip Kearny, a New Jersey war hero who made the ultimate sacrifice, is unnecessary. (SenateNJ.com)
“Alice Paul was a fantastic leader in the campaign to pass the 19th amendment and allow women to vote,” Pennacchio said. “Our nation and our democracy is stronger, thanks to her vision and tenacity. She deserves every accolade we can give her.
“It troubles me that to memorialize her place in history, we feel the need to tear down the honor of another hero, a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Pennacchio added.
Brown Bill Creates Grant Program to Support Vet-Friendly College Campuses
The Senate Higher Education Committee recently released a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Chris Brown that would establish an annual grant program to recognize public colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of veteran programs and services.
Sen. Chris Brown’s legislation establishes an annual grant program to recognize public colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of veteran programs and services. (SenateNJ.com)
“Every time I hear about another veteran committing suicide or losing their home, I feel we should and can do more to help our veterans find stability and purpose in civilian life,” said Brown. “Earning a college degree can play a large role in helping a veteran transition into civilian life, but while on campus, veterans should have access to other support services.”
