Brown: It’s Time to Return Our American Flags to Full Mast
Senator Chris Brown (R-2) called on Governor Phil Murphy to order the American and New Jersey flags to be raised to full mast.
Sen. Chris Brown called on Gov. Murphy to order the American and New Jersey flags to be raised to full mast. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is time to raise the flag. First, flying our flags for a prolonged period at half-mast minimizes the sacrifices and the honor due to our servicemen and women along with our first responders who died in the line of duty while intentionally putting themselves in harm’s way. Raising the flags acknowledges we will overcome our current circumstances. Consider the fact the American flag is lowered on Memorial Day only from sunrise to noon, after which it is raised to its full, glorious height, symbolizing America’s resilience,”Brown wrote.
Governor Signs O’Scanlon Bill Saving Money on Health Benefits Coverage for Taxpayers, Teachers
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon and signed today by the Governor promises to save New Jersey taxpayers more than $600 million.
Legislation sponsored by Senator O’Scanlon and signed into law today could save New Jersey taxpayers more than $600 million. (SenateNJ)
“This has been a long time coming,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “It has taken almost 10 years of discussion and fighting, desk-pounding and compromise. The result is reform we can all live with that will benefit property taxpayers, teachers, and our students.”
Senator Bucco Resolves Over 1,000 Unemployment Cases for Constituents – and Counting
Senator Anthony M. Bucco announced that his office has now assisted 1,034 constituents with unemployment claims, and counting, since the pandemic’s start on March 15th.
Senator Bucco is reminding residents not to give up if they are having problems getting unemployment, and said his office has assisted more than 1,000 people who are now receiving benefits. (Flickr)
“In this unprecedented and historic time, I’ve made it a priority to do everything that I can to help the taxpayers, families and seniors of my district survive financially from this horrific virus,” said Bucco (R-25). “I’ve heard so many frightening cases from every corner of the district – people struggling to make ends meet, choosing between groceries and their rent, waking up every morning to stress over when they’ll get a paycheck again. Countless news stories have documented the outdated and overrun unemployment claims system in Trenton that has made this process a nightmare for those looking to claim the benefits they’ve earned. The stories can be truly heartbreaking, and demonstrated in some cases the urgent need to get these claims resolved as quickly as possible.”
Pennacchio: Murphy Declares His Unchecked Emergency Powers Could Last for More Than a Year
Reversal on indoor dining demonstrates need for Senator’s Resolution
Governor Murphy unilaterally ripped the rug out from under thousands of New Jersey eateries preparing to welcome indoor customers this week, and Senator Joe Pennacchio said it is time to rein in his unchecked authority.
Senator Pennacchio said Governor Murphy’s emergency powers must be reined in after his unilateral decision to block restaurants from opening for indoor dining this week. (New Jersey State Archives)
“Murphy’s action this week is a painful blow to those who want to get back to normal, employees desperate to return to work, and small, medium and large enterprises seeing their hopes for survival dim with every passing day,” said Senator Pennacchio.
Connors Votes “NO,” Rumpf & Gove Remain Opposed to Common Interest Community Bill
Senator Christopher Connors voted against controversial Common Interest Community legislation S-2261, which was voted on by the full Senate on June 29th of this year.
Sen. Christopher Connors voted against controversial Common Interest Community legislation which was voted on by the full Senate. Asm. Brian Rumpf and Asw. DiAnne Gove have pledged to the bill should it be considered by the Assembly. (©iStock)
The bill number from the previous legislative session was S-2425, which was the subject of an intensive citizen-led petition drive to have the legislation stopped from being enacted.
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove have pledged to oppose S-2261 should it be considered by the Assembly.
Doherty: Murphy’s Flip-Flopping on Indoor Dining Killing Restaurants
Senator Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s order to postpone the opening of indoor dining:
Sen. Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to Gov. Murphy’s order to postpone the opening of indoor dining. (Pixabay)
“The July 2nd reopening date for indoor dining that Governor Murphy had announced presented a glimmer of hope for our local restaurants who have been struggling to pay bills with their dining rooms closed for more than three months. Many restaurants have barely survived to this point and they were already at great risk of going under due to the governor’s previous executive orders. By flip-flopping on his decision to allow indoor dining to resume, Governor Murphy just dashed their hopes and almost certainly ensures that many restaurants will close permanently.
Republican Senators Ask Murphy Administration for Plan to Reimburse Counties for Cost of Vote-by-Mail Primary
Republican senators sent a letter (click here for PDF) to New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way requesting details of the State’s plan to reimburse local governments for the increased costs associated with the all vote-by-mail primary election ordered by Gov. Murphy.
Republican senators asked NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way for details of the State’s plan to reimburse local governments for the increased costs associated with the all vote-by-mail primary election ordered by Gov. Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
The letter was sent by eleven members of the Senate Republican caucus who represent ten of the twelve New Jersey counties that did not receive direct funding from the federal government through the CARES Act for COVID-19 response.
While the governor proposed in May to allocate $250 million of the $2.4 billion in federal aid received by the State to help local governments that did not receive aid directly to pay for coronavirus response efforts, no such support has been delivered by the Murphy Administration to date.
10th District Legislators Oppose Budget Extension
The 10th District legislators voted against a massive $7.7 billion spending bill (S-20) to extend the FY 2020 State Budget after the Murphy Administration pushed this state further into debt amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Catalano voted against a massive $7.7 billion spending bill to extend the budget after the Murphy Administration pushed New Jersey further into debt amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pixabay)
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano issued the following statement to explain how this budget lacks any input from Republican legislators:
“Trenton Democrats have refused to work across the aisle to create a reasonable and affordable budget proposal to get New Jersey back on track after it was impacted by the public health emergency. Republicans have addressed their concerns to Governor Murphy about the many challenges facing our State, including tax revenue losses and an unconstitutional plan to borrow without voter approval. Unfortunately, these matters have been ignored and the Governor has his own agenda separate from the people we represent.
O’Scanlon & DiMaso: Double Barrel Blasting of Restaurant Industry by Governor Today
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) criticized Governor Murphy’s double whammy today when he rescinded his announcement that restaurants will be able to open up indoors at 25% capacity this Thursday and he issued an absolute veto of a sensible piece of legislation that appropriated $100M of the $2.4B in CARES ACT money that New Jersey received from the Federal Government. This bill would have created a loan program for small restaurants that are in desperate need of financial aid.
Senator O’Scanlon, shown during his 30-day tour in support of local eateries, and Assmeblywoman DiMaso chastised Governor Murphy for turning his back on struggling restaurants and businesses. (Facebook)
The legislators issued the following statement:
“It’s a real slap in the face to the restaurant and hospital industry. This bipartisan bill has been sitting on his desk for a month now as restaurants cling to life. Now with this removal of indoor dining hundreds of thousands of restaurants will need even more money as they laid out supplies, staff, and cleaning in anticipation of a reopening. We are killing them with this crushing decision only three days before reopening.
O’Scanlon Bill Reforming Taxpayer Costs of Teacher Health Benefits Coverage Awaits Governor’s Signature
The Assembly today approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that could save New Jersey taxpayers more than $600 million. Endorsed by the Senate in March, the measure now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Senator O’Scanlon’s bill that could save New Jersey taxpayers more than $600 million by reforming teacher health benefits is headed to the Governor’s desk. (SenateNJ.com)
“This has been a long time coming,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “It has taken almost 10 years of discussion and fighting, desk-pounding and compromise. The result is reform that we can all live with that will benefit property taxpayers, teachers, and our students. I’m hopeful the Governor will quickly sign it into law.”
