Bucco Bill Providing More Public Notice for Land Development Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that improves public notice for proposed land development has passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Sen. Bucco’s bill that improves public notice for proposed land development has passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (Pixabay)
“People deserve sufficient opportunity to understand the scope of proposed developments that could alter their neighborhoods and communities,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, the current 10-day notice isn’t enough time to review the often-complex proposals and respond effectively. This legislation would require developers to give the public more notice to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to make their voices heard.”
Singer Bill that Would Protect Senior Citizens Living in Retirement Communities Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would prohibit common interest communities, such as condominium associations, from penalizing members who place a unit into a living, revocable trust fund was approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would prohibit common interest communities from penalizing members who place a unit into a living, revocable trust fund was approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (©iStock)
“There are far too many examples of retirement communities extracting large fees from members for making ordinary financial decisions about their property,” said Singer (R-30).“This legislation would protect individuals, especially senior citizens, living in a homeowners’ association, condominium association, or other cooperative, by prohibiting the association from charging unreasonable fees or penalties if a member places their unit into a trust.”
VIDEO: Testa Talks About Wind Farm Concerns & Whale Deaths on Fox & Friends
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) appeared on Fox & Friends this morning to talk about Republican efforts to save whales and dolphins, protect the environment, and prevent economic harm to the Jersey Shore.
Pennacchio Lends Support to Moms Fighting Woke Policies in School Library
Senator Joe Pennacchio expressed his support for a pair of Roxbury mothers who have been sued for expressing their concerns about sexually explicit books in their children’s school library.
Senator Joe Pennacchio (left), Roxbury mother Kristen Cobo (center), and Shawn Hyland of the NJ Family Policy Center. (SenateNJ.com)
“These moms should have the right to raise concerns about their children being exposed to sexually explicit and highly offensive materials in their schools,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “It should not be controversial to suggest that cartoon depictions of young children engaging in sexual acts do not belong in our school libraries. Unfortunately, we were warned when we held our Senate Republican hearing on parental rights last year that this woke sexual indoctrination of our kids would continue to escalate, and that has proven to be the case. I stand by Kristen Cobo and Christina Balestriere for their efforts to safeguard their children.”
Bucco: Let Churches Apply for County Grants to Fix Historic Buildings
Senator Anthony M. Bucco is calling on the New Jersey Legislature to consider his resolution that would allow public funds to be used for the historic preservation of churches or other places of worship.
Sen. Tony Bucco is calling on the NJ Legislature to consider his resolution that would allow public funds to be used for the historic preservation of churches or other places of worship. (Pixabay)
“Some of the oldest churches in the nation are located right here in New Jersey, including some that were constructed years before our founding. These historic buildings offer a direct connection to our past, to a time when the mere existence of our country was not a sure thing,” said Bucco (R-25). “The fact that these institutions are not allowed to even apply for county grants is tragic and it undermines the value that these historic sites provide. My legislation would address this problem immediately by amending our State Constitution to allow public funds to be used for historic preservation of places of worship.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Offshore Wind Turbines at Virtual Hearing
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove (all R-Ocean) expressed their opposition to offshore wind turbines during an independent hearing on whale and dolphin deaths that was held virtually today by New Jersey Senate Republicans.
Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove expressed their opposition to offshore wind turbines during an independent hearing on whale and dolphin deaths that was held virtually by N.J. Senate Republicans. (Pixabay)
The following testimony was submitted into the record on behalf of the legislators:
As coastal legislators, we call on the federal government to leave our oceans alone.
Massive wind turbines drilled into the ocean floor will wreak havoc on the fragile wildlife habitats and marine life that stand to be subjected to this extremely disruptive process.
VIDEO: Senate Republicans Explore Whale Deaths & Wind Farm Concerns at Independent Hearing
New Jersey Senate Republicans hosted an independent hearing today where the surge of whale and dolphin deaths along the Jersey Shore and potential links to wind farms were discussed.
The panel was chaired by Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and included Senator Vince Polistina (R-2), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13).
“We held a very informative hearing this morning on whales and wind farms,” Bucco said after the hearing. “It’s clear from the testimony we received that the wind farm projects were rushed, there’s data demonstrating real harm to marine life, and shore towns and fisheries will face serious economic impacts that have been completely ignored. We believe it makes a lot of sense to put a pause on these projects to investigate the legitimate concerns that were raised today in greater depth.”
Monmouth County Legislators React to Busing Cuts Due to Loss of State Funding
In reaction to the news that Freehold Regional High School District will need to limit busing routes for the families it serves from multiple Monmouth County towns, State Leaders from Legislative District 13 call upon the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to take immediate steps to restore school state aid cuts as a means to fund bus transportation for next school year.
In reaction to the news that Freehold Regional High School District will need to limit busing routes, State Leaders from Legislative District 13 call upon the NJDOE to take immediate steps to restore school state aid cuts as a means to fund bus transportation for next school year. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth), Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) have been staunch advocates for the full restoration of State funding to all schools in Monmouth County since the introduction of the Governor’s FY24 Budget. There is $8 billion in surplus in the State’s coffers; yet, the Department of Education slashed $20 million from Monmouth County schools. While the Legislature has taken action to reverse that decision by returning 65% of that aid, there are schools that will still be left without sufficient funding to address essential services like busing.
O’Scanlon Stands with Residents, Local Officials in Effort to Save National Scientific Landmark
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) expressed his support of local efforts to preserve the historic Horn Antenna in Holmdel. The Horn Antenna, a designated National Historic Landmark, was used by scientists to confirm the Big Bang theory in 1965.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon expressed his support of local efforts to preserve the historic Horn Antenna in Holmdel, which was used by scientists to confirm the Big Bang theory in 1965. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The Holmdel Horn Antenna was invaluable in helping us to understand how the universe began,” said O’Scanlon. “We cannot allow this important historic landmark to be destroyed by development. It is critical that we pursue every avenue to preserve this piece of our history for posterity. I support the efforts of local government officials to investigate options to save the Horn Antenna, and I am proud to see so many of our residents stand up and make their voices known in this fight.”
Bucco Warns that Murphy’s Energy Plan Will Be Financially Devastating as More Households Living Paycheck to Paycheck
Senator Anthony M. Bucco warned that the extreme cost of Governor Phil Murphy’s green energy plan could be devastating for a growing number of New Jerseyans as a new report shows more households are living paycheck to paycheck.
Sen. Anthony Bucco warned that the extreme cost of Gov. Phil Murphy’s green energy plan could be devastating for a growing number of New Jerseyans as a new report shows more households are living paycheck to paycheck. (©iStock)
“Sadly, the United Way’s latest report is yet more proof that millions of New Jersey families are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Bucco (R-25). “When nearly four in ten New Jersey households cannot afford basic necessities like housing, child care, food and clothing, it should be clear that the higher costs that will come with the governor’s extreme energy plan will be devastating. We have millions of young adults, families, and retirees who can’t afford the double-digit increases in their energy bills or the massive expense of replacing affordable gas appliances and cars as Governor Murphy is pushing.”
