Thompson Statement on Cash Bribery Voter Fraud Scheme
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) released the following statement in response to news of a fifth person implicated in a vote-by-mail bribery scheme in Hoboken:
Senator Sam Thompson released the following statement in response to news of a fifth person implicated in a vote-by-mail bribery scheme in Hoboken. (SenateNJ.com)
“This most recent conviction represents yet another example of the intentional abuse of our vote-by-mail system.
“Our elections and our very democracy will continue to be undermined until we implement better safeguards and deterrents, including stronger penalties like those I have proposed, to combat this type of voter fraud.”
Thompson is a sponsor of S-3184, which would increase penalties for extreme cases of voter fraud to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The legislation was formally introduced on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.
Oroho, Space, & Wirths Commend Firefighters on Budget Victory
Once again First Responders come through in a big way
Today Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) commended firefighters and their families for taking immediate action and acquiring a promise in writing that will eliminate a line in the budget raiding dedicated funds towards firefighter relief programs.
Oroho, Space, & Wirths commended firefighters and their families for taking immediate action and acquiring a promise in writing that will eliminate a line in the budget raiding dedicated funds towards firefighter relief programs. (Pixabay)
“This is good news for firefighters and their families,” said Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “I look forward to receiving the official budget update with this budget language being struck out.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Launch Online Petition Calling on Gov. Murphy to End Devastating Cuts to Local School Funding
Sign the petition at https://www.senatenj.com/saveourschools/
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have launched a new online petition in opposition to massive school funding cuts proposed by Governor Phil Murphy in his FY 2020 State Budget proposal.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove launched an online petition to give their constituents the opportunity to oppose massive school funding cuts proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy in his State Budget proposal. (©iStock)
The 9th District legislators said the petition and included commenting tool are intended to give their constituents the opportunity to tell the Governor how they feel about the impact his school funding proposal would have on their local school districts.
Pennacchio Calls for AG Investigation Following Report that Teacher Who Inspired ‘Pass the Trash’ Law Has Been Hired – Again
In light of news that a New Jersey teacher who was fired from a number of schools due to allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior with children had recently been hired for yet another teaching job in New Jersey, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today sent a letter to State Attorney General Grewal calling for an investigation.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio has sent a letter to NJ AG Grewal requesting an investigation, in light of a May 5 NJ.com report detailing that a teacher who inspired the senator’s “pass the trash” law has been hired in New Jersey again. (©iStock)
Shawn Cier was also the subject of a previous NJ.com investigation that inspired Senator Pennacchio and his Assembly colleague Jay Webber to draft what is commonly known as the “Pass the Trash” law, which was signed into law in April of 2018 by Governor Phil Murphy.
Click here to view a PDF of Senator Pennacchio’s letter to Attorney General Grewal.
O’Scanlon: Taking $33M Without Firefighter Engagement “Baffling”
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) issued a statement today following news that the Governor has proposed taking $33 million from the State Firefighters Relief Fund designed to pay for burials of fallen firefighters and financial assistance for firefighters in need:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called Gov. Murphy’s proposal to divert $33 million from the State Firefighters Relief Fund “baffling.” (Pixabay)
“It is beyond confusing, and frankly shocking, that the Administration was not more proactive in reaching out to stakeholders after the comptroller’s report on the status of the relief fund was released. Although the fund appears to be flush, it could quickly and easily be depleted if we were to mismanage any reallocation of funds and completely destroy the initial intent of the fund: to aid needy firefighters.
O’Scanlon: Jersey City Teacher Contract Punishes Kids & Taxpayers Statewide; Lawsuit Indicates Stunning Lack of Self Awareness
Senate Budget Committee member Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) released the following statement on the newly finalized teacher contract in Jersey City, and the lawsuit filed by the Jersey City School Board demanding more state aid.
In his statement, O’Scanlon calls the contract a shameful plan to skirt around critically-needed benefit reforms, at the expense of innocent kids and taxpayers in Jersey City, and across the state:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said Jersey City’s newly finalized teacher contract is a shameful plan to skirt around critically-needed benefit reforms, at the expense of innocent kids and taxpayers in Jersey City, and across New Jersey. (Wikimedia)
“It takes a lot of guts to sue the State for more school funding, and then finalize a teacher contract that amounts to a shameful give-away that could negatively impact kids statewide. The audacity of such hypocrisy is astounding. Every family and taxpayer in New Jersey should be appalled.
Oroho, Space & Wirths Slam Murphy’s Budget Raid of Firefighter Relief Funds
Dedicated Funds to Help Brave First Responders in Need Have to Be Protected
Today, Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) voiced their outrage about a line in the budget raiding dedicated funds towards firefighter relief programs.
Oroho, Space & Wirths expressed outrage at Governor Murphy’s raid of firefighter relief funds in his proposed State budget for next year. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Murphy administration has patted itself on the back about how they have reduced raids on dedicated funds,” said Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “Funds for the firefighter relief programs have been sacrosanct whereby past administrations and legislatures have said ‘hands off;’ this administration must do the same.”
Senator Pennacchio to Hold a Fusion Energy Symposium
Sen. Joe Pennacchio will hold a symposium on fusion energy with leaders from academia and industry at the State House Annex on Thursday, May 23. Pennacchio is a long-time advocate of the development of fusion as an energy source and has sponsored legislation in the New Jersey State Senate encouraging the support and development of fusion power.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio will hold a symposium on fusion energy with leaders from academia and industry at the State House Annex on Thursday, May 23. (SenateNJ.com)
Achieving commercial development of fusion energy would revolutionize the world economy. It would signal a new era of economic and scientific development worldwide. July 20th is the anniversary of the American achievement of landing men on the moon. What better time to assess the needs and funding for a new great achievement – by the United States, and now with other countries around the world?
Who: Senator Joe Pennacchio; experts from national laboratories, businesses, and researchers in the field who will present their work, and share their knowledge of what is being undertaken, and what lies ahead.
What: Fusion Energy Symposium – Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) will sponsor a hearing on the topic: “What are the Prospects and Requirements for the Early Development of Fusion Energy, and what are the Implications for the U.S., New Jersey, and the World?”
Where: State House Annex, Committee Room 6
When: Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bateman Clarifies Position on EDA & NJ’s Tax Incentive Programs
In light of recent reports, Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) issued the following statement clarifying his position on the EDA and New Jersey’s tax incentive programs:
Sen. Kip Bateman clarifies his position on the EDA, noting that any incentive program should be administered “fairly with appropriate oversight.” (SenateNJ.com)
“I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify my remarks last week regarding New Jersey’s tax incentive program, which I feel were taken out of context. I was on vacation with my family and traveling out of state, and I was not aware that Senate and Assembly Republican leadership issued a joint statement on these programs. To be clear, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by Leaders Kean and Bramnick,” Bateman said.
Republican Leaders Call for Legislative Hearings on Business Incentive Programs
In an effort to examine the impact of the Economic Development Authority’s business incentive programs, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick are requesting legislative hearings by a bipartisan committee.
In an effort to examine the impact of the EDA’s business incentive programs, Sen. Tom Kean and Assemblyman Jon Bramnick are requesting legislative hearings by a bipartisan committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“We truly believe that there has been over the years a well-intentioned and bipartisan effort to raise up our struggling cities, like Camden, and there is no better way than by helping them to grow their own local economies,” said Kean (R-Union). “We agree that every government program deserves scrutiny and that tax incentives should be evaluated as to their continued effectiveness. The way in which we encourage and invest in our businesses needs to be as dynamic as the emerging industries we hope will make New Jersey their long-term home.”
