Oroho Bill Renaming State Park to Honor NJ Veterans Passes Legislature
Senator Steven Oroho’s bipartisan legislation, S-542, to pay tribute to veterans by renaming Sussex County’s High Point State Park to “High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial” has passed the full Senate and is now headed to the governor for final approval. The Garden State is home to more than 400,000 veterans.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bipartisan legislation to pay tribute to veterans by renaming Sussex County’s High Point State Park to “High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial” has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Renaming High Point State Park to honor New Jersey’s veterans is an appropriate memorial,” Oroho said. “High Point Park in Sussex County was made possible by Colonel Anthony R. and Susie Dryden Kuser, who generously donated the 10,500 acres that encompasses New Jersey’s tallest point. These generous patriots also sponsored the 220-foot war memorial that towers over that land. My hope is that the park’s new name will serve as a reminder to all park-goers of the valiant sacrifices our military members make at home and abroad to preserve our nation’s freedom.”
Senate Gives Charlie’s Law Final Legislative Approval
Bill Named in Memory of NJ Man Who Passed Away After Battle with Addiction
The New Jersey Senate voted to give final legislative approval to Senator Robert Singer’s (R-30) bill that would require pharmacists to instruct their patients on how to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles.
Charlie’s Law, S-3240, would also ensure pharmacists’ patients can access drug deactivation products.
The State Senate voted to give final legislative approval to Sen. Robert Singer’s bill that would require pharmacists to instruct their patients on how to safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles. (Wikimedia)
Charlie’s Law is named in memory of Charlie Van Tassel, a beloved son and brother who battled addiction for many years before his passing at the age of 33. Charlie’s family remembers him as a successful athlete and family prankster who loved music and dancing.
Kean’s Resolution Honoring Doulas Passes Senate
The State Senate has passed Senator Republican Leader Tom Kean’s (R-21) legislation establishing “Doula Appreciation Week,” in recognition of the support and dedication these professionals provide for mothers and babies in New Jersey.
The State Senate has passed Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation establishing “Doula Appreciation Week,” in recognition of the support and dedication these professionals provide for mothers and babies. (©iStock)
“Doulas provide comfort and care to new moms and babies before, during, and after birth,” Kean said. “Studies show that working with a doula can prevent many labor complications, resulting in healthier and happier outcomes for both mother and child. These invaluable professionals are true lifesavers, whose compassion and expertise are leading to smoother progressions from pregnancy to parenthood.”
Pennacchio Bill to Expand Genetic Testing & Improve Patient Care Passes Senate
SJR-115 Creates Pharmacogenomics Commission to Examine Benefits of Increasing Drug-Gene Testing in NJ
The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored Senator Joe Pennacchio that would create a commission to explore how expanding pharmacogenomics, also known as “drug-gene testing,” could lead to better care and health outcomes for patients in New Jersey.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genetic makeup influences the effectiveness or toxicity of medications.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s bill would create a commission to explore how expanding Pharmacogenomics, or drug-gene testing, could lead to better care and health outcomes for NJ patients. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Genetic testing is already a common standard of care in cancer treatment, as genetic mutations play a role in 5 to 10 percent of all cancers. In fact, certain treatments can be tailored to match a specific mutation found in a patient’s tumor,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) explained. “Medical professionals can also use genetic testing to treat and identify a wide variety of conditions – and prevent potentially dangerous adverse reactions or side effects to certain prescriptions.”
Pennacchio Votes Against Spending $3 Million to Bloat Bureaucracy
Senator Speaks Out Against Wasting Taxpayer Money on Creating a Redundant Agency
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today voted against spending $3 million dollars on legislation that would create a redundant agency that New Jersey taxpayers don’t need.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio today voted against spending $3 million dollars on legislation that would create a redundant agency that New Jersey taxpayers don’t need. (Pixabay)
S-3585, which was up for a vote during today’s State Senate Voting Session, would establish the “Office of Homelessness Prevention,” with the purpose of managing coordination between multiple government agencies and nonprofits – that already should work with each other on a regular basis.
The legislation includes a $3 million appropriation specifically for the new agency created under S-3585.
“Forcing taxpayers to fork over $3 million to create a new bureaucracy to oversee the overseers is lunacy,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Everyone agrees that homelessness is a problem in New Jersey, but we already have agencies that are working to address this crisis. If they aren’t doing their jobs, then we need to figure out why and work to increase oversight and accountability within our existing support structures.”
“This is just another sign that Governor Murphy and his Democratic co-conspirators have no idea how to handle money. More government is never the answer,” Pennacchio added. “The numerous State agencies aimed at combating homelessness already should be working with each other. While I laud the sponsor’s intent to help the homeless, the execution and the price tag outweighs the potential benefit. We would be better off taking that $3 million and writing checks to the homeless directly.”
Corrado Moves to Add Mental Health Education to NJ School Curriculum
Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) bipartisan legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s bipartisan legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum passed the State Senate. (Flickr)
“Empowering students to recognize the warning signs of mental illness, and knowing how to ask for help, will ensure more kids have access to the support and treatment they need sooner, rather than later,” Corrado said. “I strongly believe that educating kids about the significance of mental health will break the stigma and save lives.”
Singer’s ‘Meals on Wheels’ Legislation Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) to make it easier for New Jersey residents to support Meals on Wheels has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer to make it easier for New Jersey residents to support Meals on Wheels has passed the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
S-463 establishes the “Meals on Wheels in New Jersey Fund” and provides for a designation on the State gross income tax return that will permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund.
“Meals on Wheels provides New Jersey’s seniors with more than just a nutritious meal and a friendly smile. These volunteers are an invaluable safeguard for those who may be at risk of injury or illness,” said Singer. “This nonprofit does great work to ensure the elderly stay happy and healthy in their own homes. As our aging population continues to grow, we need to expand opportunities to support organizations like Meals on Wheels.”
Pennacchio Commends Local Teens for Helping Neighbor Reach Dialysis During Snowstorm
5 Parsippany High School Seniors Shoveled Driveway of Neighbor on Kidney Transplant List
Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assemblyman Jay Webber, and Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce (all R-26) visited Parsippany High School on Wednesday March 13 to thank the five senior boys who shoveled their neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm, ensuring she could be safely be transported to dialysis amid the weather.
Pennacchio, Webber, and DeCroce presented ceremonial resolutions to 5 Parsippany High School seniors who shoveled their neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm, ensuring she could be safely be transported to dialysis. (SenateNJ.com)
“Shoveling a neighbor’s driveway may seem like a simple act of kindness, but in this case – it may have very well saved a woman’s life,” Pennacchio said. “We all know the severe injuries one could suffer from as a result of a slip and fall on an icy day. Without the boys’ help, she may have missed her treatment. Parsippany is a stronger community because of their actions.”
Pennacchio: Legal Weed Bill Must Include Marijuana Drug Testing Mandate for Public Transit Drivers
In light of news of a deal on legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) urged the bill sponsors to include a mandate for continued drug testing for public transit drivers so that any driver who tests positive for marijuana is not allowed to put commuters at risk.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio urged bill sponsors to include a mandate for continued drug testing for public transit drivers so that any driver who tests positive for marijuana is not allowed to put the health and safety of commuters at risk. (Pixabay)
“In case Governor Murphy has forgotten, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level and NJ Transit is subject to federal regulations and funding. If a bus driver tests positive for marijuana, he or she should lose their job, whether the drug is legal in New Jersey or not,” Senator Pennacchio said.
“I remain strongly opposed to marijuana legalization on the whole, but if Democrats are determined to get this public safety disaster of a bill signed into law, then the least they can do is add a mandate for continued marijuana drug testing for public transit drivers.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Online Petition Opposing Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens Hits 20,000 Signatures
9th District Delegation Apprises Governor & Majority Party Legislative Leadership of Public Opposition
More than 20,000 people have signed the online petition started by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove as a grassroots effort stop in its tracks legislation that would allow illegal aliens to obtain New Jersey driver’s licenses.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leadership to let them know that their online petition opposing driver’s licenses for illegal aliens has reached 20,000 signatures. (Wikimedia Commons)
The 9th District legislators apprised Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in a recent letter of the intense level of discontentment to allowing New Jersey to become a sanctuary state in a recent letter, which reads as follows:
Dear Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin:
“Please be advised that an online petition established by our delegation opposing the enactment of legislation that would permit illegal aliens to receive New Jersey driver’s licenses has been signed more than 20,000 times.
