Durr/McCarthy Patrick Support NJEDA Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction
District 3 lawmakers Senator Edward Durr and Assemblywoman Bethanne McCarthy Patrick expressed their support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction to combat food insecurity.

District 3 lawmakers Sen. Ed Durr and Asw. Bethanne McCarthy Patrick expressed their support for the NJEDA Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction to combat food insecurity. (Pixabay)
“The scarcity of nutritious food in many parts of New Jersey has forced families to rely on dried, processed, or tinned products which have far fewer nutrients than fresh food,” said Sen. Durr. “This initiative will help expand access to disadvantaged communities across the Garden State so that all New Jerseyans can have access to healthy food options.”
10th District Legislators: DEP and BASF Settlement of Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site Falls Short
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano continue to pledge their support of Save Barnegat Bay and Toms River Township by opposing the Department of Environmental Protection’s settlement with the current owners of the Ciba-Geigy superfund site, BASF.

Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin, and John Catalano continue to pledge their support of Save Barnegat Bay and Toms River Township by opposing the DEP’s settlement with the current owners of the Ciba-Geigy superfund site, BASF. (©iStock)
The settlement which was announced this week by the state Department of Environmental Protection with the BASF chemical company has been a primary source of stress, concern, and health problems for residents. Toxic waste from the site contaminated groundwater resulting in a cancer cluster among children.
Bucco: Listening to Parents is The Right Thing to Do
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said that it is time for Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats to start listening to New Jersey parents after a Monmouth University poll indicated that the majority of parents support parental notification policies in schools.

Sen. Anthony Bucco said that it is time for Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats to start listening to New Jersey parents. (Pixabay)
“If Governor Murphy believes that suing school districts is the right thing to do perhaps he should start listening to parents. It is abundantly clear that New Jerseyans do not want the Murphy administration to be their co-parent in the classroom,” said Bucco (R-25). “Trenton Democrats and Governor Murphy have shown that they are fighting for the wrong priorities and parents are speaking out about these extreme priorities. Senate Republicans are ready to reverse this trend and end this unnecessary litigation that has been forced upon parents and school boards.”
Singer: Government Has No Authority to Trump Parental Rights
In response to the recent ruling issued against three Monmouth County school districts, Senator Robert Singer said that the decision to grant the injunction was wrong and that the government’s duty to keep the public safe and enforce laws does not trump basic parental rights.

Sen. Bob Singer said that the decision to grant the injunction was wrong and that the government’s duty to keep the public safe and enforce laws does not trump basic parental rights. (©iStock)
“The judge overseeing this case got it wrong by issuing that injunction against the schools. The government does not have the authority to wedge themselves between parents, their children, and the schools that they attend,” said Singer (R-30). “As a father, I can say that there is no more important relationship than that of a parent and their child. Telling schools to cut parents out of the equation is the definition of government overreach and makes schools liable for those student’s mental health needs. Parents deserve to know every aspect of their child’s life.”
Bucco Says AG Should Get Back to Addressing Crime and Car Thefts, Not Injecting Government Between Parents and Kids
In response to a lawsuit filed by the attorney general against multiple school districts over parental notification policies, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said that the government should stay out of the parent-child relationship, let parents raise their own children, and get back to addressing rising crime.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said that the government should stay out of the parent-child relationship, let parents raise their own children, and get back to addressing rising crime. (Pixabay)
“It’s ridiculous that while criminals are breaking into homes and stealing cars out of our driveways, the State attorney general continues to focus on identity politics. The Murphy administration has made it clear that they are more focused on activist lawsuits that limit the rights of parents to know what’s going on with their children at school than crime and public safety,” said Bucco (R-25). “This lawsuit is an obstruction of parental rights. Schools should have the ability to implement policies that parents and teachers feel are appropriate for their children. Governor Murphy and the attorney general should not be standing in their way.”
District 10 Lawmakers Intend to Introduce Parental Rights Bill
Lawmakers Call For a Special Voting Session to Protect Parental Rights
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano announced that they intend to introduce legislation that will defend parental rights in response to the Murphy administration’s recent lawsuit targeting school districts to stop parental notification on matters involving their children.

District 10 lawmakers announced that they intend to introduce legislation that will defend parental rights. (Pixabay)
“It is abundantly clear that Governor Murphy and our activist attorney general are going after schools who do not support their radical identity politics. Not only is this misguided, but it is also utterly absurd that they are actively trying to take away parental rights,” said Sen. Holzapfel. “The Murphy administration needs to step aside and stop trying to keep parents in the dark about their own children. Legislators should return to Trenton to vote on our proposed legislation to restore parental rights and prevent the government from getting in between parents and their right to know about their children.”
District 1 Lawmakers Express Support for Food Desert Tax Credit Auction
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Antwan L. McClellan and Erik K. Simonsen expressed their support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJDEA) Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. This auction will raise substantial funds that are critical in combating food insecurity, the lawmakers said.

District 1 lawmakers expressed support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJDEA) Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. (Pixabay)
“Investing in food deserts improves the quality of life for residents living in these areas. This auction will raise millions of dollars to help communities that are struggling with food insecurity increase their access to fresh nutritious food,” said Sen. Testa. “Every New Jerseyan deserves healthy and affordable food options regardless of where they live. Improving food security is critical in developing a stronger, safer New Jersey.”
Bucco: Governor Murphy’s Electric Vehicle Mandate Goes “Too Far, Too Fast, and is Too Costly”
Ban on Gas-Powered Vehicles Limits Consumer Choice
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Murphy’s rule to ban vehicle manufacturers from selling gas-powered cars in the State by 2035 is going too far, too fast, and will be too expensive for lower- and middle-class families.

Sen. Anthony Bucco said Gov. Murphy’s rule to ban vehicle manufacturers from selling gas-powered cars in the State by 2035 is going too far, too fast, and will be too expensive for lower- and middle-class families. (Wikimedia Commons)
“If Governor Murphy cared about middle- and lower-class families then he wouldn’t keep pushing these regressive high-cost energy policies. If vehicle manufacturers are only allowed to sell EVs in the State, there will come a time when EVs are the only choice for our residents unless they take their business out of State,” said Bucco (R-25). “These extreme energy policies are going too far, too fast, and will cost working families too much to implement successfully. Consumers should have the option to purchase and drive EVs, hybrids, and gas-powered vehicles. The government has no right to limit the choice of consumers.”
O’Scanlon: Rutgers Ongoing COVID Vaccine Mandate ‘Ludicrous’
Senator Declan O’Scanlon sharply criticized Rutgers ongoing COVID vaccine mandate as being out of step with science and logic following news that Rutgers University is continuing to require students to provide proof of immunization from COVID-19 or face possible dis-enrollment from the school.

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sharply criticized Rutgers ongoing COVID vaccine mandate as being out of step with science and logic. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s baffling to see that from what should be a leading voice of science-based rationality, comes arbitrary garbage,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “We now know for an absolute fact that the COVID vaccine protects no one except the recipient of the vaccine. Broad-based policies like this should only be enacted with the goal of protecting individuals from someone else’s action or inaction. It’s not the job of Rutgers, or Governor Murphy, or anyone else to enact a policy to protect me from myself and my own decisions– or from some perceived protection of my own self due to my own decisions.”
Oroho & O’Scanlon Offer Support for Small Businesses
Republican Budget Committee members Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following joint statement in support of New Jersey retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving a questionable proposal that would authorize online sales of lottery tickets:

Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon issued a joint statement in support of NJ retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving the online sales of lottery tickets. (Pixabay)
“We believe that the Division of Lottery is misinterpreting state law and does not have the authority to authorize online lottery sales. The Division should not make this short-sighted decision because they would be negatively impacting small businesses all throughout New Jersey. Online lottery sales could significantly reduce licensed retailer’s revenues and put their small businesses in direct competition with the State. Authorizing online sales of lottery tickets pose additional financial concerns that will deprive convenient stores of necessary revenue from ancillary sales. Not to mention, online sales of lottery tickets increase the likelihood that underaged individuals will find a way to make these purchases. We’ll be monitoring the Division’s decision very closely tomorrow and are prepared to introduce a legislative remedy if this proposal is approved. We must protect small businesses and consumers.”