O’Scanlon & DiMaso Bill Enhancing Public Property Investment Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) to extend the length of certain public property leases, S3456/A4897, was signed today by Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso’s legislation to extend the length of certain public property leases and support commuters who use ferries was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
“This law will enable private infrastructure investment, adding massive value to public property which has been leased,” O’Scanlon said. “By enacting this law, we are clarifying that public property leases should be allowed to extend past the typical 24-month period, as long as the capital improvement has a life expectancy of more than 20 years, or is valued above $300,000. We are also encouraging private investment that will return long-lasting yields for public property and at the same time allow for increased services – such as additional ferry services. We’ve worked extensively with Senator Vitale and Monmouth County to ensure that we accomplished what was needed in this bill.”
Pennacchio Statement on Anniversary of State Trooper Foerster’s Murder
Urges Action on Legislation Calling for Cop-Killer Chesimard’s Extradition from Cuba, So Family Can Finally See Justice Done
State Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement marking the 46 anniversary of the brutal slaying of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster, who was murdered by Joanne Chesimard on May 2, 1973.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio marks the 46th anniversary of the brutal murder of State Trooper Werner Foerster, by Joanne Chesimard who fled to Cuba for asylum where she remains today. Pennacchio sponsors legislation calling for her extradition. (FBI)
Chesimard was convicted of murdering Trooper Foerster and sentenced to life in prison, but subsequently escaped and has been living under the protection of political asylum in Cuba ever since. Senator Pennacchio has long-sponsored a bipartisan resolution calling for her extradition to the United States.
“Our hearts go out to for the Foerster family as they continue to cope with this unimaginable loss. No child should blow out a birthday candle, graduate, or walk down the aisle without their father by their side. Trooper Foerster was a pillar of strength for his family, and his brothers and sisters in arms at the State Police. That pillar crumbled 46 years ago today when Joanne Chesimard pulled the trigger.
“That convicted killer belongs in jail, and justice will not be served until we bring her back to serve out her sentence. Clearly, we cannot count on Cuba to take action. We must do the right thing and demand her extradition now.
Thompson: Elmwood Park Case Proves We Need a Stronger Voter Fraud Deterrent
Mayor’s Arrest Sheds Light on Urgent Need for Senator’s Bill to Up Penalties for Extreme Voter Fraud
Following news that Elmwood Park Mayor Frank Caramagna has been arrested and charged with election tampering, Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) said that this case serves as yet another example why New Jersey must immediately enact his bill to increase penalties for voter fraud. Caramagna resigned from his position on Sunday and was subsequently arrested on Monday. He won the 2017 election by a narrow margin, with vote-by-mail ballots giving him the edge to win.
Following news that the Mayor of Elmwood Park has been arrested and charged with election tampering, Sen. Sam Thompson said that this case serves as yet another example why New Jersey must immediately enact his bill to increase penalties for voter fraud. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Mayor of Elmwood Park has been charged with fraudulently filling in numerous vote-by-mail ballots to secure a narrow margin of victory on Election Day. It’s as if he walked right into the ballot box and pulled the lever as many times as it took for him win,” Senator Thompson said.
“Anyone who makes such a brazen attempt to undermine the will of the people of New Jersey deserves a punishment that fits the crime. How many more examples do Democrats need to pass my bill to increase penalties and safeguard our elections from voter fraud? Let’s get it done now.”
Doherty: Jersey City’s School Funding Lawsuit Should Be Thrown Out
Says City Abused the System for Decades, Getting Billions It Didn’t Deserve
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) said a lawsuit filed by the Jersey City Board of Education against the State to challenge planned school funding cuts should be thrown out:
Sen. Doherty said a lawsuit filed by the Jersey City Board of Education against the State to challenge planned school funding cuts should be thrown out. (SenateNJ.com)
“After stealing billions of school aid from the rest of the State for decades, Jersey City’s lawsuit should be tossed in the garbage.
“Jersey City has a long history of abusing PILOT agreements, manipulating the school funding formula, and fighting a citywide reassessment, all in an attempt to hide the city’s growing wealth and shift the cost of operating their schools from local taxpayers to the rest of the state.
“As a result of this scheme, Jersey City collected billions more in State school aid than it deserved, while rural and suburban districts across New Jersey got less as a result of this diversion.
“The city should drop the lawsuit and consider itself lucky that it collected as much as it did for so long.”
O’Scanlon: We’re Ready to Work with Education Commissioner to Modernize School Funding Formula
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said Senate Republicans are ready to work with Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet who testified at a budget hearing today that the State school funding formula needs to be modernized.
Sen. O’Scanlon said Senate Republicans are ready to work with Education Commissioner Repollet who testified at a budget hearing today that the State school funding formula needs to be modernized. (Flickr)
“I was pleased to hear Commissioner Repollet acknowledge in his testimony today that the State school funding formula needs to be modernized,” said O’Scanlon. “He cited a number of serious problems with the current approach, including a process that hinders predictability in school aid, one day enrollment counts that skew aid calculations, and a broken system for funding special education. Senate Republicans agree, and we have a school funding plan that addresses all of these issues. We would be glad to work with the commissioner on the enactment of our legislation.”
Oroho’s Foreclosure Bill Package Signed into Law
A bill package sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho, Senator Troy Singleton, Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, and Senator Ronald Rice which will tackle the surge in foreclosures and streamline pending cases was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
A bipartisan bill package sponsored by Sens. Oroho, Singleton, Addiego, and Rice which will tackle the surge in foreclosures and streamline pending cases was signed into law by Gov. Murphy. (iStock)
The impetus for these new laws stems from the May 2017 report released by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Special Committee on Residential Foreclosures. This report was the culmination of work from key stakeholders in the process such as the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
“Foreclosures are tragic situations for New Jersey families that can also create public safety as well as quality of life issues for surrounding communities,” said Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Doing our part to reduce the foreclosure rate statewide will protect families, make neighborhoods safer, and provide children the stability they need both at home and at school. I am proud Governor Murphy signed our bipartisan bill package into law. Stable homes will lead to happier households and better neighborhoods throughout our state.”
Kean: SDA Questions Still Must Be Answered Following Delgado-Polanco’s Resignation
Says Murphy Administration Has Not Been Transparent on Employment Matters Preventing Critical Government Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said representatives of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) should be prepared to answer questions about the agency’s operations and employment practices at upcoming Senate Budget Committee hearings following today’s resignation of chief executive officer Lizette Delgado-Polanco.
Sen. Tom Kean said representative of the Schools Development Authority should be prepared to answer outstanding questions about the agency’s employment practices at upcoming budget committee hearings following the resignation of the SDA’s chief executive officer. (SenateNJ.com)
“The resignation of Lizette Delgado-Polanco should not be viewed as a ‘get out of jail free’ card for either the SDA or the Murphy Administration,” said Kean. “The agency should be prepared to send someone to the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday who is capable of answering the outstanding questions about patronage hires and firings and other important operational matters that Ms. Delgado-Polcanco refused to answer at previous hearings.”
Bateman, Freiman, Zwicker on Early Opening of Dinky Line
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16), Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-16), and Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16) issued the following joint statement Wednesday regarding the governor’s announcement that the New Jersey Transit Princeton Branch (Dinky) line will be fully restored on May 12—nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.
Sen. Kip Bateman, Asm. Roy Freiman, and Asm. Andrew Zwicker issued a joint statement regarding the governor’s announcement that the NJ Transit Princeton Branch (Dinky) line will be fully restored on May 12—two weeks ahead of schedule. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is extremely welcoming news for the members of our community who rely on the Dinky Line both personally and professionally. Restoring the line ahead of schedule will help riders better plan the various logistical aspects of their daily commuting—a major win as the warm weather approaches. While this is significant progress, there is more work to be done for New Jersey commuters who depend on the other lines that are still suspended. We look forward to these lines being restored in the future to better meet the transit needs of all New Jerseyans.”
Kean to Murphy: NJT Commuters on Raritan Valley Line Deserve to Know When Direct Service Will Be Restored
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Transit must give Raritan Valley Line commuters a solid timeline for the restoration of direct one-seat rail service to Manhattan.
Sen. Tom Kean said Gov. Phil Murphy and NJ Transit must give Raritan Valley Line commuters a timeline for the restoration of direct rail service to Manhattan. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’m extremely disappointed that Raritan Valley Line commuters have not been given any kind of update on the restoration of direct service to Manhattan,” said Kean. “After months of disruption to their lives and inadequate communication from both the Governor and New Jersey Transit, our commuters deserve solid answers on when they should expect to have their one-seat ride again.”
Editorial: Our School Plan Will Lower Taxes and Make Every Child Count, Republican Legislator Says
The following editorial by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) detailing the new Senate Republican school funding reform plan, “Every Child Counts” was published on April 17, 2019 on NJ.com.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s editorial detailing the new Senate Republican school funding reform plan, Every Child Counts, was published on April 17, 2019 on NJ.com. (Wikimedia Commons)
For far too long, children and taxpayers around New Jersey have been the victims of an unfair school funding formula that punishes kids, simply because they live in the wrong zip code. This has to end. I believe that every child deserves the same opportunity to get a great education, regardless of where they live.
That’s why I was proud to stand at a State House press conference recently with my Senate Republican colleagues, school district superintendents, and education advocates to unveil a new, comprehensive school funding reform proposal to fix this problem, once and for all.
This new legislative package is intended to fix an inefficient and unfair process for funding education that fails students and taxpayers in all types of communities across New Jersey.
Our “Every Child Counts” plan provides for a more equitable distribution of State school funding to every child, every year.
We believe the reforms we have proposed will lower property taxes, improve the quality of education in our classrooms, and protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable children.
