O’Scanlon: Assembly’s Health Department Budget Hearing Raised More Questions Than It Answered
Says Commissioner Persichilli Must Appear Before Senate Budget Committee
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said the appearance of the Department of Health before the Assembly Budget Committee was a facade, noting the commissioner didn’t answer some very simple questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is being managed.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said the appearance of the Department of Health before the Assembly Budget Committee was a facade, noting the commissioner didn’t answer some very simple questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic is being managed. (©iStock)
“Commissioner Persichilli couldn’t even give a clear answer about what metrics are being used to make critical decisions that impact people’s lives and livelihoods,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Right now, how Governor Murphy is using public health indicators to guide reopenings remains top secret. That’s unacceptable. New Jersey residents deserve to know what the secret formula is that’s controlling their lives, if there even is a real formula.
“What we know for sure, is that the Governor’s seemingly random, slow-roll reopening continues to be the most draconian in the Northeast. Virtually every other state is way ahead of us in opening restaurants – at 50% to 100% – with no apparent negative health impact. These policies are destroying thousands of business and tens of thousands of jobs.
“From the sound of the Commissioner’s evasive answer as to metrics, it appears we’re being guided by someone’s gut feeling on these destructive fronts. The Governor should fire whoever’s gut is telling to him to devastate so much of our economy and simply follow the wise policies and decisions of those competently running the rest of the states in the Northeast!”
Bucco to Meet with Morris County Superintendents to Discuss School Reopenings
Senator Anthony M. Bucco will engage in a virtual meeting with superintendents from across Morris County to discuss their experiences resuming education in the new school year with the many challenges presented by COVID-19.
Sen. Tony Bucco will engage in a virtual meeting with Morris County superintendents to discuss their experiences resuming education in the new school year with the many challenges presented by COVID-19. (Flickr)
“Many of our Morris County schools that transitioned to remote learning in March have now had their first experiences bringing students and teachers back into their classrooms,” said Bucco (R-25). “While we are only a week into the new school year, it’s likely that a lot has been learned already about what works along with what needs to be done to improve the process. I’m looking forward to having this important discussion with our local superintendents.”
Pennacchio: Voter Registration Kiosk Inside Emergency Room is Insane
Says Murphy is Ignoring Logic and Common Sense, and Citizens Should be Allowed to Vote in Person
A recent tweet on Governor Murphy’s official Twitter account promoted in-person voter registration available inside hospital emergency rooms.
Senator Joe Pennacchio called kiosks in hospital emergency rooms to register voters ‘insanity’ and renewed calls for Murphy to allow in-person voting in New Jersey. (Gov. Murphy via Twitter)
“In emergency rooms full of sick patients, the Governor somehow thinks it’s a good idea to urge people to take the time to register to vote, yet he is preventing New Jersey citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote in a booth in a municipal building,” said Pennacchio. “E.R. waiting rooms are breeding grounds for pathogens and the spread of infection. The insanity of this is shocking. You can’t make this stuff up.”
Testa: Democrats’ New Voter Suppression Legislation ‘Pointless’ After Murphy Strips Right to Vote in Polling Booth
Says Gov. Murphy Engaged in Biggest Voter Suppression Scheme in New Jersey History
Noting that Governor Murphy has already issued an executive order stripping New Jersey voters of the right to cast their ballots in a voting booth this November, Senator Michael Testa responded to the introduction of pointless legislation by Assembly Democrats that purports to “protect voters from intimidation through the use of ‘poll watchers’ and law enforcement officers stationed at New Jersey polling sites.”
Noting that Gov. Murphy has already stripped New Jersey voters of the right to cast their ballots in a voting booth this November, Sen. Michael Testa responded to the introduction of pointless legislation by Assembly Democrats that purports to ‘protect voters from intimidation’ at polling sites. (SenateNJ.com)
“Let’s be 100% clear. Governor Murphy is engaged in the biggest voter suppression scheme in New Jersey history,” said Testa (R-1). “Under his executive orders, many New Jersey voters who want to visit their local polling center to cast their ballot securely in a voting booth on Election Day will be prevented from doing so. Instead of scaring New Jerseyans of the Boogeyman for headlines, my Democratic colleagues could help us solve this real example of voter suppression that Governor Murphy is inflicting upon New Jersey. I won’t hold my breath waiting.”
Singer Legislation Expanding Workers’ Comp for ‘Essential Workers’ Becomes Law
A bill authored by Senator Robert Singer, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Senator Linda Greenstein expanding access to workers’ compensation and other benefits for front-line workers sickened by the coronavirus was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
A bill authored by Sen. Robert Singer, Sen. Pres. Steve Sweeney, and Sen. Linda Greenstein expanding access to workers’ compensation and other benefits for front-line workers sickened by the coronavirus was signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey’s essential employees continue to go to work each and every day, inevitably putting themselves in harms way as they serve their communities,” said Senator Singer (R-30). “Frontline workers who contract COVID-19 should have access to financial safeguards and quality medical care. This law will help our heroes receive the lifesaving healthcare they have provided for thousands of New Jerseyans.”
Continue Reading…
O’Scanlon: Suicide is the ‘Other’ Epidemic that Needs a Hard Look
Praises Health Committee for Advancing Legislation to Create a Central Council to Examine Scope of Problem in N.J.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon is advocating for the swift passage of his legislation aimed at studying and reducing suicides in New Jersey.
Senator O’Scanlon’s legislation that would strengthen the state’s capability to study, analyze and prevent suicide was advanced today by the Senate Health Committee. (Flickr)
“New Jersey loses nearly 800 people a year to suicide,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Suicide is a tragedy, but the scattershot way the state deals with suicide monitoring and prevention is a tragedy itself. For decades the bureaucracy dealing with suicide treatment and prevention has grown and split and morphed into a veritable mess of silos, none of which effectively communicate with each other. The time to change this system is now.”
Pennacchio: $21.8 Million Dollar Taxpayer Gift to Netflix Wrong
Netflix Should Be Condemned for Child Exploitation, Not Rewarded
Last week, Netflix was approved for $21.8 million in corporate incentives under New Jersey’s film tax credit program. The funding was approved by the Economic Development Authority for the production of “Army of the Dead,” an upcoming zombie movie being shot in Atlantic City.
Senator Pennacchio said New Jersey’s film tax credit program needs to go, and the award of $21.8 million to Netflix as the company released ‘Cuties’ to American audiences proves the point. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senator Joe Pennacchio, an outspoken critic of New Jersey’s film tax credit, was particularly upset at the award coming off the recent release of the Netflix movie, “Cuties.”
Editorial: Gov. Murphy Wrong to Cut Funding for School-Based Counseling Programs
The following editorial by Senator Michael Testa (R-1) on budget cuts proposed by Governor Phil Murphy to school-based counseling programs for children was published by the Press of Atlantic City on September 13, 2020:
The failure of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration to adequately prepare for the new 2020/2021 school year has placed children across New Jersey, including young and teenage students in my South Jersey legislative district, in harm’s way.
Sen. Michael Testa’s editorial on budget cuts proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy to school-based counseling programs for children was published by the Press of Atlantic City on September 13, 2020. (Pixabay)
The governor’s proposed state budget for next year slashes funding for important school-based counseling programs in a way that appears to ignore that the COVID-19 pandemic has churned out a mental health pandemic in its wake.
Three in 10 parents have reported that their children are “already experiencing harm to their emotional or mental health because of social distancing and closures,” according to a recent Gallup poll.
Testa: Restoring Funding to School-Based Counseling Programs that Murphy Proposed Cutting Not Difficult
Following reports that Governor Phil Murphy has seen the light after being shamed for slashing critically important counseling programs for kids, Senator Michael Testa (R-1) said finding a way to restore funding for the School-Based Youth Services Program is not difficult.
Following reports that Gov. Phil Murphy has seen the light after being shamed for slashing critically important counseling programs for kids, Sen. Michael Testa said finding a way to restore funding for the School-Based Youth Services Program is not difficult. (©iStock)
“We have children who need help coping with the stresses of lockdowns, uncertainty with school, and the many other challenges that have resulted from COVID-19,” said Testa, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “That’s why it was so utterly shocking that Governor Murphy would propose slashing budget funding for critically important mental health support programs for kids exactly when they need extra help. Thankfully, the governor’s mistake is not something that should be difficult to fix.”
Governor signs Bucco/Singleton Bill Saving Jobs and Taxpayer Money
Bipartisan legislation providing protections for school employees covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement was signed into law today.
The Governor today signed legislation sponsored by Senator Bucco and Senator Singleton providing protections for school employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. (SenateNJ.com)
Sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Senator Troy Singleton (D-7), the new law (S-2303) prevents employers from entering subcontracting agreements which could affect the employment of those workers in a bargaining unit during the term of their contract.
“This will provide stability in our schools and help save money on the cost of healthcare for teachers,” said Bucco. “At the same time, it protects the jobs of important school employees during these challenging times. The jobs of cafeteria workers, janitors and other valuable members of our school communities would be safe from outsourcing to vendors while they are protected by contract.”
