Senate Republicans Propose Returning $4 Billion to New Jersey Taxpayers
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers after the State Treasury revealed billions in unexpected revenues that isn’t needed to balance the budget or meet important priorities.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers. (Pixabay)
The following statement was released today by Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1):
“On Monday, Senate Republicans put out a comprehensive plan for the budget and for effectively utilizing the nearly $6.5 billion of new federal relief funds at New Jersey’s disposal.
Bucco Bill Providing No-Cost State Identification Cards for Homeless and Residents with Disabilities Advances
New Jersey residents who have disabilities or are homeless would be excused from paying fees for state identification cards under Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s bill approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
State residents who have disabilities or are homeless would be excused from paying fees for state identification cards under Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s bill approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Identification Cards are required to open bank accounts, cash checks, travel, and access services,” said Bucco (R-25). “It is important to ensure that the cost of identification cards will not be an obstacle for those with limited funds.”
Bateman Bill Strengthening Shared Service Agreements Between Local Governments Advanced by Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman that would require shared service agreements between local governments to include additional provisions was advanced by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman that would require shared service agreements between local governments to include additional provisions was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“We need to give local governments and municipalities every opportunity to share services in order to eliminate redundancies, reduce costs, and lessen the burden on taxpayers,” said Bateman (R-16). “My legislation will strengthen the service agreements between municipalities so that they can effectively and efficiently provide important services for their residents.”
Republican Budget Committee Members: Murphy Administration Has $11.5 Billion and No Plan to Help NJ
Revenue Update Shows Massive $5 Billion Increase in State Revenues
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues during FY 2021 and FY 2022, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. Combined with nearly $6.5 billion in federal relief funds sent to New Jersey, the Murphy administration now has $11.5 billion in cash and absolutely no plan to use it to help New Jersey.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. (Pixabay)
“The updated revenue figures demonstrate yet again that the information provided by the Murphy administration to the Legislature in recent weeks was grossly inaccurate,” said Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24). “When she last testified before our committee in May, Treasurer Muoio suggested revenues might be adjusted upwards by a few hundred million dollars. We deserve the opportunity to ask the Treasurer why the Murphy Administration’s guidance was off by nearly $5 billion. Further, I believe we should form a special committee with subpoena power to investigate how the Murphy administration has misled lawmakers, the court, and taxpayers on our finances and the billions of dollars Governor Murphy borrowed unnecessarily last year.”
Testa: Hick’s Resignation is a Year Overdue
Responding to the resignation of embattled New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks, Senator Michael Testa (R-1) issued the following statement:
Senator Michael Testa today said the resignation of embattled New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks was long overdue and should have happened last year. (SenateNJ.com)
“Hicks’ departure will not solve the systemic problems within the Department of Corrections, but it is a necessary first step.
Corrado Statement on Resignation of NJDOC Commissioner Hicks
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) issued the following statement in response to the resignation of embattled New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks:
Statement from Sen. Kristin Corrado in response the resignation of embattled New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Marcus Hicks. (SenateNJ.com)
“The resignation of Commissioner Hicks only addresses half of the leadership failure in the Murphy administration that allowed the abuses and sexual assaults at Edna Mahan to continue for too long.”
Senate Republicans Propose Budget Fixes & Reforms to Protect NJ Taxpayers
Republicans serving on the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter (click here for PDF) to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo.
Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo (Pixabay)
They recommended reforms that would protect New Jersey taxpayers, restore transparency to the appropriations process, and ensure billions in new federal relief funds are utilized effectively.
“We’re concerned that Governor Murphy’s budget plan misses important opportunities to provide tax relief to workers and businesses that are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Republican Budget Officer. “We offered detailed solutions to lower income taxes for telecommuters and prevent an avoidable payroll tax increase on small businesses, all while increasing state revenues. It’s a win-win that the Murphy administration would be wise to accept.”
Senate Endorses Governor’s Recommendations for O’Scanlon Bill Allowing Electronic Authorization for Medical Cannabis Patients
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would allow patients to be authorized for medical marijuana by telemedicine received final legislative approval Thursday.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation that would allow patients to be authorized for medical marijuana by telemedicine received final legislative approval Thursday. (Pixabay)
“This will establish a more convenient process for New Jersey residents who rely on medical cannabis to alleviate pain and treat their medical conditions,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “When advisable, medical practitioners will be able to prescribe therapeutic marijuana electronically, without requiring an in-office visit with the patients.
Pennacchio Calls for Resignations of Veterans Homes’ Officials Who Wrongly Accepted Federal COVID Relief Money
Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted the Murphy Administration today after published reports revealed managers at state-run veterans’ homes were paid COVID 19 bonuses they were not eligible to receive.
Senator Joe Pennacchio called for the resignation of eight senior-level managers at NJ veterans’ homes who who accepted COVID hazard pay bonuses they did not qualify to receive. (Pixabay)
“The audacity of these bungling bureaucrats to accept COVID payoffs after the horrors they brought on the residents and healthcare workers is beyond appalling,” said Pennacchio. “Unfortunately, given the Administration’s complete lack of transparency, it isn’t surprising. Repeatedly, the pandemic has been used as a shield to obscure questionable actions from public and legislative scrutiny.”
Corrado: Closing Edna Mahan Won’t Address Leadership Failures That Allowed Abuses of Female Inmates to Continue
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) responded to Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that he intends to close the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women:
Sen. Kristin Corrado responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that he intends to close the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women after his administration failed to heed federal warnings allowing abuses against female inmates to continue. (SenateNJ.com)
“The abuses and sexual assaults that occurred at Edna Mahan were the result of poor leadership by Governor Murphy and NJDOC Commissioner Hicks and their failure to heed federal warnings or hold abusive staff accountable. It’s unclear how closing the facility at taxpayer expense will remedy the leadership concerns that will persist regardless of where the inmates are located. The building didn’t fail these women, the Murphy administration did.”
