Bucco Ready to Override Murphy Veto of Bill to Aid Struggling Restaurants
Senator Anthony M. Bucco vowed to continue his steadfast support of New Jersey’s small businesses, announcing that he would back an override of the Governor’s veto of legislation to help thousands of struggling restaurants and taverns survive during the pandemic.
Sen. Anthony Bucco vowed to continue his steadfast support of New Jersey’s small businesses, announcing he would back an override of the Governor’s veto of legislation to help thousands of struggling restaurants and taverns survive during the pandemic. (FB/Morristown Partnership)
“Throughout the COVID emergency, the Governor has continued to ignore the legislative branch and instead govern the State like an Emperor through executive orders,” said Bucco (R-25). “This bill passed both the Senate and Assembly unanimously, and the legislature cannot sit by and allow this veto to stand.”
Senate Republicans Call for Override of Murphy’s Veto of Legislation to Save the Struggling Restaurant Industry
The fifteen members of the Senate Republican caucus wrote a letter (click here for PDF) to Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin calling for votes to be scheduled in both houses of the Legislature to override Governor Phil Murphy’s veto of legislation (A-4525) intended to save New Jersey’s struggling restaurant industry.
Senate Republicans called for an override of Gov. Phil Murphy’s veto of bipartisan legislation intended to save New Jersey’s struggling restaurant industry. (SenateNJ.com)
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin,
We write to urge you to schedule votes to override Governor Murphy’s veto of legislation, A-4525, that was intended to help restaurants, bars, and breweries to survive the economic harm caused by nearly a year of indoor dining restrictions due to COVID-19.
Bucco Statement on U.S. Capitol Protests
Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s protests at the United States Capitol:
Statement from Sen. Anthony M. Bucco on protests at the United States Capitol. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The protests turned violent mob yesterday in the halls of our government will leave a disgraceful and embarrassing stain on our nation’s history. All of us who serve in government, elected by the people and for the people, must adhere to the peaceful transition of power that has made us the greatest country on earth and preserved our republic for over 200 years.
Pennacchio Decries Violence in Nation’s Capital
Senator Joe Pennacchio issued the following statement after protests in Washington, D.C. turned violent:
After violence marred protests in the nation’s capital, Sen. Joe Pennacchio said as American’s, ‘we must be tolerant and occasionally accepting of each other’s differences.’ (Wikimedia Commons)
“America began the day with countless numbers of unsung heroes. Moms and dads struggling to feed and educate their children. First responders protecting and insuring the health and safety of all our citizens. Soldiers in too many distant lands protecting them and all of us from those who would cause harm.
Corrado Calls for Calm in Washington, D.C.
State Senator Kristin Corrado urged calm today in response to protests at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.
State Sen. Kristin Corrado urged calm today in response to protests at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Wikimedia Commons)
“This is the United States, and if we truly value our nation’s freedoms, we must adhere to the laws of the land and respect the police and our fellow Americans,” Corrado said.
“The forefathers of our nation, whose vision, wisdom and leadership gave birth to our exemplary Republic, would be distressed and saddened by today’s events,” Corrado added.
Kean & Weinberg Call for Capitol Protestors to Go Home
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg issued the following joint statement in response to the United States Capitol being breached by protestors this afternoon:
Joint statement from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg in response to the United States Capitol being breached by protestors. (Wikimedia Commons)
“What we are witnessing in Washington is not how our democracy is supposed to function. The protestors who have breached the United States Capitol building illegally should go home immediately or face the full force of the law.”
O’Scanlon & Testa Blast Governor’s Veto of Bill to Save Struggling Restaurant Industry
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Michael Testa blasted Governor Murphy’s absolute veto of legislation that would have helped restaurants, bars, and breweries to survive the economic harm caused by nearly a year of indoor dining restrictions due to COVID-19.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Sen. Michael Testa blasted Gov. Murphy’s veto of legislation to save the struggling restaurant industry. (Pixabay)
“The governor’s veto is kicking the restaurant industry while they’re down,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “He should have come to the Legislature during the three months the bill was under consideration if he had concerns. Instead, he said nothing and waited until months after it passed the Legislature unanimously to issue a veto. If the Governor had supported the other forms of relief we had suggested over the last few months, including more aid for restaurants and small businesses through the EDA, this bill might not even be needed. Unfortunately, he hasn’t listened at all and more ‘out of business’ signs will be the result.”
O’Scanlon and Testa are sponsors of the bipartisan legislation, S-3128/A-4525, which would have allowed restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries to expand food and beverage service to outdoor spaces they own or lease, including patios, decks, yards, walkways, parking lots, and sidewalks.
Bucco Questions Murphy’s Decision on Vetoing of Bill to Help Restaurants
Legislation Had Unanimous Support from Both Houses, but Died on Governor’s Desk
Senator Anthony M. Bucco today expressed his complete disappointment with the Governor’s veto of a bill that would have helped thousands of New Jersey restaurants and taverns struggling to survive during the pandemic.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco expressed his disappointment with the Governor’s veto of legislation that would have helped thousands of New Jersey restaurants and taverns struggling to survive during the pandemic. (Pixabay)
The legislation (A-4525) would have expanded opportunities for bars, restaurants, breweries and distilleries to provide outdoor dining.
“This unthinkable veto could be the final nail in the coffin of so many more small establishments that may have been able to save themselves if Murphy would have signed this common-sense bill into law,” said Bucco. “Both houses of the Legislature supported this unanimously, but the Governor, yet again, turned his back on the hard-working restaurant employees and business owners in their time of need.”
O’Scanlon on NJ’s Abysmal Vaccine Rollout Rate: Poor Resource Management, Lack of Communication, Direction & Coordination
Says It’s Totally Undeniable, Totally Unacceptable
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today criticized the administration’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine following news that New Jersey is seriously lagging behind the US average.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon blasted the state’s abysmal vaccination rollout rate and faulted the Administration’s lack of preparation. (DoD via Flickr)
“Somehow we’ve only distributed 30% of our vaccine allotment so far. There are other states at 62% so what’s the issue here?” said O’Scanlon. “Plans were in the works for months, supposedly, and yet we haven’t included all the resources that we could to maximize personnel. We know the private pharmacy industry stands ready with almost a thousand individuals certified to give inoculations. Why haven’t we taken advantage of that? We should be using every tool available to get vaccines out as quickly as possible.
Bucco Commends NJ Safe Haven Program After Infant is Rescued
The Statewide Network Saved Four Babies in 2020
The life of another vulnerable, innocent infant was spared last month when the child was surrendered to one of the state’s Safe Haven sites.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco hailed New Jersey’s Safe Haven program for rescuing another newborn baby in December. It was the fourth time in 2020 that Safe Haven provided a lifeline for a New Jersey infant. (NJSafeHaven.org)
“During the holiday season, this was a Christmas miracle in real life,” said Senator Anthony M. Bucco, a long-time advocate for the compassionate program and sponsor of a law requiring public schools to provide instruction and promote awareness about the New Jersey Safe Haven Infant Protection Act.
