Connors Participates in Refueling Flight with New Jersey Air National Guard
Senator Christopher Connors participated in an orientation flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker with the New Jersey Air National Guard at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Sen. Chris Connors participated in an orientation flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker with the New Jersey Air National Guard at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. (New Jersey National Guard )
“It was a privilege to be able to participate in the refueling exercise with the New Jersey Air National Guard,” said Connors (R-9). “To have the opportunity to be in the Stratotanker itself, and witness firsthand as it refuels a nearby jet, was nothing short of impressive. I would like to thank all of the incredible servicemen and women who organized this exercise and allowed us to get an inside look at some of the dangerous, complex, but necessary work the National Guard engages in every day.”
Republican Leadership Calls for Investigation of Murphy Administration’s Failure to Control Health Care Costs for Public Employees, Retirees & Taxpayers
Notification of 24% Premium Increase Follows News that Governor’s Office Squashed Attempts to Recover Tens of Millions for Failed Cost-Saving Program from Horizon
Republican leadership in the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers.
Republican leadership in the N.J. Legislature called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers. (©iStock.com)
“Governor Murphy has completely failed to control health care premiums paid by the state, local governments, and active and retired public employees,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-Sussex). “The 24% premium increase proposed for most active employees will take thousands more out of their paychecks annually and lead to huge costs for local governments that will translate into higher property tax bills for struggling families. We must investigate the failures that led to these catastrophic premium increases to develop an effective plan going forward.”
Premiums for active employees covered by the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) are set to increase by 24%, while those for school employees and teachers covered by the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) are set to rise by 15.6%
Polistina Congratulates Stockton University President on His Planned Retirement
Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) congratulated Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman, Ed.D., on his planned retirement and thanked him for his service to Stockton and Atlantic County.
Sen. Vince Polistina congratulated Stockton University President Harvey Kesselman, Ed.D., on his planned retirement and thanked him for his service to Stockton and Atlantic County. (SenateNJ.com)
“Since taking the role as Stockton University’s 5th president in 2016, Dr. Kesselman has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education, to empower his students to be the best versions of themselves, and to transform Stockton into the leading university it is today,” said Senator Polistina. “Harvey’s vision for Stockton University was not to just improve the college, but to improve the community and Atlantic County overall. Harvey brought Stockton back to Atlantic City and, with it, paved the way for a one-of-a-kind college experience and vision for the future of the city. I want to congratulate Harvey on his planned retirement and thank him for his service to Stockton and Atlantic County.”
MVC Mobile Unit to Visit Rockaway Township on July 29
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s mobile unit will be open for business in Rockaway Township on Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the municipal building complex.
The New Jersey MVC’s mobile unit will be open for business in Rockaway Township on Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the municipal building complex. (Wikimedia Commons)
“I am happy to be able to work in conjunction with the MVC to bring these services directly to our residents in need,” said Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris/Somerset). “It was a pleasure to work with Councilwoman Mary Noon in securing the MVC Mobile Unit for the Township. Hopefully it will bring much needed relief to the many residents in and around Rockaway struggling to access their nearest MVC agency. I am also incredibly thankful to Mayor Joe Jackson’s assistance with securing the location in the municipal complex parking lot. Since only limited slots are available, I encourage any resident seeking assistance to signup for this service as soon as possible.”
O’Scanlon Responds to NJ Comptroller’s Report on Unlawful Sick Leave Payouts in 57 Municipalities
Calls for education and consequences for those who fail to comply
The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) released an investigative report on July 7 revealing that 57 of the 60 municipalities it surveyed were not following state laws limiting sick leave payments. Senator Declan O’Scanlon sent a letter to Comptroller Kevin Walsh in February 2021 requesting that his office conduct a broader investigation after it uncovered that the law was being flagrantly flaunted in at least one municipality. O’Scanlon praised the Comptroller for his taking up the cause and for the meticulous report.
An OSC investigative report revealed that 95 percent of the municipalities it surveyed were not following state laws limiting sick leave payments. Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, who sent a letter to Comptroller Walsh imploring him to conduct an investigation, commended the OSC for its report. (Pixabay)
“I’m glad we had a hand in initiating this broader study. The most recent report by the Comptroller clearly shows that 95 percent of the municipalities that were surveyed were not following New Jersey’s laws limiting sick and vacation leave payments,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Although I am thankful that a detailed review took place, these results are stunning and clearly demonstrate that limiting payouts by law isn’t enough—we also need to be diligent in educating local officials and enforcing the law to protect property taxpayers by making sure municipalities comply. Reforms don’t work unless they are enacted. Leaving precious property tax savings on the table is a slap in the face to taxpayers. And these costs are potentially significant in many municipalities.”
Oroho Blasts Murphy Administration Weakness After Report Details $850 Million Giveaway to New York
Following a report in The Record detailing how Governor Phil Murphy surrendered $850 million of federal transportation funds to New York that should have come to New Jersey, Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho blasted the Murphy administration for its weak representation of Garden State farepayers and taxpayers.
Following a report detailing how Gov. Phil Murphy surrendered $850 million of federal transportation funds to New York, Sen. Steven Oroho blasted the Murphy administration for its weak representation of Garden State farepayers and taxpayers. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It looks like the longer the Murphy administration negotiated with New York, the worse the deal kept getting for New Jersey,” said Oroho. “If it wasn’t for the federal deadline to come to an agreement, Governor Murphy may have given away even more than the $850 million he ultimately surrendered to New York. It was a total failure.”
Oroho Says Gov. Murphy Has Been Gaslighting Parents on Sex Education Standards
NJDOE Confirms Districts Will Be Penalized for Not Complying with Controversial New Standards
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho said the Murphy administration’s confirmation that school districts will be penalized for not teaching controversial new sex education standards directly undercuts Governor Murphy’s assertions that parents and local school boards control what’s taught in their classrooms.
New Jersey Senate Republicans have proposed the “Three Rs” plan to repeal, replace, and restore to fix New Jersey’s controversial sex education and diversity and inclusion curriculum requirements. (©iStock)
“We have absolute proof that Governor Murphy has been gaslighting parents who have expressed their serious concerns about new sex ed requirements that many believe are inappropriate for young children,” said Oroho (R-24). “After the governor spent all spring telling parents that their concerns about the sex ed mandates were unfounded, the NJDOE is now saying school districts will be punished if they don’t teach students about topics including vaginal, anal, and oral sex as the new standards require. The Murphy administration is sending a message shrouded in a threat that parents and local school boards really don’t have any choice at all when it comes to sex education.”
Bucco: As Inflation Continues to Rise, Trenton Democrats Ignored Easy Opportunity to Help New Jerseyans
Republicans Proposed Ending Tax Bracket Creep to Save NJ Families from $543 Million Income Tax Increase
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Trenton Democrats ignored an easy opportunity to help New Jerseyans struggling with inflation following news that the cost of goods and services is now rising at the fastest rate in more than 40 years.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Trenton Democrats ignored an easy opportunity to help New Jerseyans struggling with inflation following news that the cost of goods and services is now rising at the fastest rate in more than 40 years. (©iStock)
“Inflation doesn’t just impact how much you pay at the grocery store, it also impacts how much you pay in state income taxes,” said Bucco (R-25). “That’s because New Jersey is one of the few states that doesn’t index its tax brackets for inflation, which means cost-of-living pay increases can push workers into higher tax rates where they pay more. In fact, New Jersey families will pay $543 million more in income taxes this year because Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats refused to work with us to fix the problem of tax bracket creep.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Introduce Resolutions Opposing the Redesignation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) announced today that they have introduced resolutions in their respective houses to oppose changing the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve and oppose certain parts of National Park Service’s “Vision 2030” for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths announced they have introduced resolutions to oppose changing the designation of the Delaware Water Gap from a National Recreation Area to a National Park and Preserve. (Pixabay)
“We have heard from many area residents and local officials opposing this change in designation and we support them,” said Oroho, who serves as the Senate Republican Leader. “This idea surfaced roughly seven years ago, and we opposed it then; now it is back, and we will continue to fight it.”
Durr: Millions for Planned Parenthood Means Taxpayer-Funded Abortions
Within the lines of the Democrats’ $50.6 billion budget, state support for Planned Parenthood was doubled to more than $40 million, an increase Senator Ed Durr called “disgraceful.”
Sen. Ed Durr blasted the Administration’s commitment of more than $40 million to Planned Parenthood in the FY2023 budget, saying it will help fund on-demand abortions in the state. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is a sad situation in New Jersey where we have a Governor who is more committed to aborting babies than helping residents struggling to keep their heads above water under his reckless fiscal management,” said Durr (R-3). “While young mothers who carry their babies to term stress over buying formula, paying the rent, and rising taxes, the Murphy Administration has made terminating pregnancies a priority.”
