Oroho & O’Scanlon Blast Secretive Health Benefits Deal
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho and Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon released the following statement chiding the Murphy Administration for its handling of the sizeable increase in public employee health benefits costs:
Senators Steven Oroho and Declan O’Scanlon criticized the Murphy Administration’s backroom deal to spare some state workers from costly health benefits increases, but ignored the impact on towns, counties and their employees who will see costs skyrocket. (SenateNJ.com)
“We find the Murphy Administration’s complete lack of transparency regarding higher health care premiums that will result in massive property tax increases to be disconcerting, though it has been a pattern and comes as no surprise.
Testa Bill that Would Increase Benefits for Veterans and Their Spouses Signed into Law
Veterans with service-connected injuries, and spouses of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, may soon receive additional financial benefits from the State of New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Veterans with service-connected injuries may soon receive additional financial benefits from the State of New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa and signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am proud this legislation was signed into law today. It is our duty to ensure the well-being of New Jersey’s veterans and their spouses,” said Testa (R-1). “Some veterans have suffered significant disabilities in the line of duty including permanent paralysis and loss of sight. This bill will offer some much needed financial relief and stability to these injured veterans, and their loved ones, during their time of need.”
Stanfield Bill Establishing “Purple Star Schools Program” Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would establish the “Purple Star Schools Program” in the Department of Education was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jean Stanfield that establishes the “Purple Star Schools Program” in the Department of Education was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
“I am so proud that this legislation was signed into law today. Children of military service members face many unique responsibilities during their school years,” said Stanfield (R-8). “Between K-12, military children can move to different locations six to nine times, which separates them from family and friends as well as familiar social environments. This kind of upbringing means finding the right school is extremely important—and by designating certain educational institutions as ‘Purple Star Schools,’ we can call attention to schools that provide for the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected students encounter.”
LD10 Lawmakers to NJ State School Board – Stop Hiding and Meet Face to Face
The 10th Legislative District lawmakers – Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano – released a statement today blasting the State Board of Education for meeting virtually and avoiding public comment:
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano today called on the State Board of Education to stop hiding and return to in-person meetings so parents can express their concerns. (SenateNJ.com)
“Children are back in school, businesses are open as usual, and our roads and highways are as crowded as ever. It is fair to say the pandemic is in the rearview mirror and New Jersey is back to normal.
Testa, Bucco: NJ Manufacturers Will Be Hard Hit by Shocking Energy Mandates
In less than 90 days, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is expected to enact new rules that could cost manufacturers, businesses, public schools, and apartment complexes millions of dollars to convert boiler systems to electric.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, Republican members of New Jersey’s bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, warned that manufacturers in the state will be particularly hard hit by overzealous new energy mandates. (Pixabay)
Senators Michael Testa and Anthony M. Bucco, Republican members of New Jersey’s bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, warned that the impact will be felt across the state in the form of higher product costs and skyrocketing energy bills.
“This will be nothing short of a man-made economic disaster,” said Testa (R-1). “As usual, the Murphy Administration is diving in without considering the ramifications or the costs. This all is happening too quickly and without the proper diligence.”
Schepisi Implores State Health Benefits Commission Members to Find Alternatives to Devastating Premium Hikes
In a letter to members of the New Jersey State Health Benefits Commission prior to their meeting to consider astronomical increases in health benefits costs, Senator Holly Schepisi urged them to “think ‘outside of the box’ to evaluate other options rather than creating an additional fiscal burden on those already struggling.”
In a letter to members of the State Health Benefits Commission prior to their meeting to consider astronomical increases in health benefits costs, Sen. Holly Schepisi urged them to “think ‘outside of the box’ to evaluate other options rather than creating an additional fiscal burden on those already struggling.” (©iStock.com)
In addition to active state and local workers who could lose $1,500 per year or more under the planned cost structure, Schepisi noted her significant concerns about the impact of the increase on “local governments and school districts that shoulder a disproportionate share of the benefit costs.”
“Higher premiums will break the backs and the budget of local governments and school districts across the state that already pay a significant share of premiums for their employees,” Schepisi wrote. “More importantly, local governments will have to face slashing personnel or programs in order to absorb these unintended increases into their upcoming budgets. For a municipality with 70 governmental employees the additional proposed cost may result in over $500,000 in unanticipated expense.”
Bucco Plan Puts the Brakes on New Jersey’s Auto Theft Epidemic
Attempt to Swipe Land Rover from Gov’s Neighbor Highlights Issue
A brazen attempt to break into a garage and make off with a costly Land Rover in an upscale Middletown neighborhood accentuated the growing auto theft crisis that is spreading across the state.
At the current pace, more than 17,000 cars will be stolen in New Jersey this year. Sen. Anthony Bucco sponsors legislation to curb the crime wave. (Pixabay)
That the targeted property was next door to Governor Murphy’s family estate made the incident newsworthy, but it is hardly unique. At the current pace, more than 17,000 vehicles will be stolen in New Jersey this year.
“Enough is enough,” said an exasperated Senator Anthony M. Bucco, the sponsor of legislation that would give law enforcement new tools to fight an epidemic of car thefts.
Testa Blasts Murphy Administration’s Inaction on Skyrocketing State Employee Health Care Costs
Senator Michael Testa today joined with hundreds of state and local employees in criticizing the Murphy Administration for their inaction to protect workers from as much as a 24% increase in their health care insurance costs. The State Health Benefits Commission is scheduled to hold a vote on the plan on Wednesday.
Hundreds of state and local workers rally outside the Statehouse on Sept. 13 to protest proposed hikes in health insurance premiums. (SenateNJ.com)
“The fact that these premiums are rising so quickly now is proof that the Murphy Administration was artificially tamping down the actual costs of health care while hoodwinking both taxpayers and workers,” said Testa (R-Vineland). “Private sector businesses had to deal with cost increases as they came, but the Governor chose to delay this hit on workers and taxpayers until a time of his choice. It’s bad planning made worse by bad faith.”
ICYMI: Oroho Warns of Fallout from Skyrocketing Health Benefits Costs
Responding to the proposed escalation of health benefits premiums that will increase taxes and crush the budgets of towns, counties and school districts across the state, Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho released the following statement:
Sen. Steven Oroho cautioned that escalating health benefits premiums will increase taxes and crush the budgets of towns, counties and school districts across the state. (©iStock)
“The proposed premium increases will impact hundreds of thousands of state and local government workers, teachers, and retirees who will see their health care costs soar if the proposal is adopted.
Bucco: Cannabis Regulatory Commission Guidance Leaves Too Many Unanswered Questions
Employers Need More Direction to Ensure Workplace Safety
Long-awaited workplace safety guidance issued by New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission this weekend fell short of delivering the specifics New Jersey employers need, said Senator Anthony M. Bucco.
Long-awaited workplace safety guidance issued by New Jersey’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission this weekend fell short of delivering the specifics New Jersey employers need, said Sen. Anthony M. Bucco. (Pixabay)
“Finally, the Commission has come out with some advice, but it has taken far too long and the information they have provided still leaves too many questions,” said Bucco (R-25). “Employers across the state have been desperately waiting on information about what they can and cannot do to ensure safety in the workplace, an issue especially crucial to high-risk environments like construction sites and infrastructure projects.”
