Corrado Calls on FEMA to Approve Essex and Morris Counties for Ida Relief
Senator Kristin Corrado today called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare Essex and Morris counties major disaster areas so that residents could receive emergency relief funding.
Sen. Kristin Corrado called on FEMA to declare Essex and Morris counties major disaster areas so that residents could receive emergency relief funding. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am shocked and disappointed that both Essex and Morris counties were not declared major disaster areas by FEMA. The damage left by Tropical Storm Ida was quite severe, and many people in those counties require substantial federal assistance for recovery efforts,” said Corrado (R-40). “I visited several towns in both counties to survey the damage and noticed immediately that there were numerous homes and small businesses that were permanently damaged from extreme flooding. There is absolutely no reason to exclude the people of Essex and Morris from receiving essential federal support.”
O’Scanlon: Murphy’s Payroll Tax Increase Will Be the Next Disaster to Hit NJ Businesses
Urges Democrat Legislators to Sign Petition to Force a Special Legislative Session to Prevent Unnecessary Harm to Employers
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) warned that the looming payroll tax increase that Governor Phil Murphy will impose in October is the next disaster that will hit New Jersey’s struggling employers.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon warned that the looming payroll tax increase that Gov. Phil Murphy will impose in October is the next disaster that will hit New Jersey’s struggling employers. (©iStock)
“While Governor Murphy expressed sympathy for small businesses impacted by recent flooding and storm damage, he still plans on walloping them again next month with a big financial hit they can ill afford,” said O’Scanlon, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “Unlike Hurricane Ida, the next disaster that will target New Jersey’s struggling employers is completely avoidable and preventable.”
Kean Urges President Biden to Add Union & Morris Counties as Declared Major Disaster Area
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean urged President Joseph Biden to add Union and Morris counties to the list of New Jersey counties that have been declared major disaster areas following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida:
Sen. Tom Kean urged President Biden to add Union and Morris counties to the list of New Jersey counties that have been declared major disaster areas following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’ve been touring Morris and Union counties and meeting with homeowners and business owners who suffered devastating flood damage as a result of Ida,” said Kean (R-Union/Morris/Somerset). “It’s clear they have the same urgent need for federal support as the six New Jersey counties that have already been declared major disaster areas. I urge President Biden to extend the major disaster declaration to Union and Morris counties to ensure that all of our communities get the help they will need for a full and successful recovery.”
Senate & Assembly Republicans Call for Special Legislative Session to Stop Employer Tax Increase & Stabilize UI Fund
Petition Circulated to All Legislators Pursuant to NJ Constitution to Force Gov. Murphy to Call a Special Session
The Republican members of the Senate and General Assembly are taking action to force Governor Phil Murphy to convene a special session of the Legislature to adopt legislative solutions to prevent a payroll tax increase on employers, repay debt, and restore stability to the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund.
Senate and Assembly Republicans have circulated a petition to legislative Democrats that would constitutionally require the governor to call a special session if signed by a majority of the members of each house of the Legislature.
Senate and Assembly Republicans have launched a petition to force Gov. Phil Murphy to convene a special session of the Legislature to adopt legislative solutions to prevent a payroll tax increase on employers, repay debt, and restore stability to the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy wants to raise taxes on small businesses and nonprofits that are struggling to survive the economic impact of the pandemic,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean. “We’re calling on our Democrat colleagues who have witnessed the struggles of Main Street employers and listened to the desperate pleas of their constituents begging for help with unemployment to join us in petitioning the governor to call a special session of the Legislature. There is no reason for any Democrat in the Legislature to stand by and watch as Governor Murphy inflicts unnecessary harm upon their constituents and other New Jerseyans. By joining us in signing the petition, they can make this a bipartisan call to action.”
Corrado to Murphy: Reopen State Government Offices Now, October 18 is too Late
Senator Kristin Corrado called on Governor Phil Murphy to reopen State government offices, including unemployment walk-in centers, immediately.
Sen. Kristin Corrado called on Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen State government offices, including unemployment walk-in centers, immediately. (©iStock)
“We’ve heard too many excuses from Governor Murphy for his refusal to reopen walk-in unemployment centers. October 18 is a month and a half away—that’s not good enough,” said Corrado (R-40). “My office continues to hear from hundreds of unemployed workers who can’t resolve their claims online or over the phone to get the benefits they’re owed. It’s unbelievable they still can’t walk into an unemployment center to quickly resolve whatever issues they’re having in a face-to-face conversation. Governor Murphy needs to reopen these walk-in centers and other public-facing offices immediately.”
Pennacchio Rebukes Democrats for Political Game that is Harming Atlantic County Families
Calls on Senate Democrats to Allow Polistina to Take his Senate Seat Immediately
New Jersey is saddled with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and Atlantic County, at 11.1 percent, has the highest percentage of residents out of work. More than any other area of the state, Senator Pennacchio said, they need help from their State Senator ensuring that people get the unemployment benefits they deserve.
With a state-high unemployment rate of 11.1, Atlantic County residents deserve help from their senator, and Trenton Democrats are standing in the way, Sen. Joe Pennacchio said. (SenateNJ.com)
“How can the Trenton Democrats do this to residents of the 2nd Legislative District and Atlantic County? It’s shameful,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The Governor’s unemployment fiasco has resulted in thousands of residents not getting their checks or having them delayed.
Singer/Connors/Holzapfel/Thompson/O’Scanlon Call on NJ Homeland Security to Vet Incoming Afghan Refugees
Question Ability of Federal Officials in Kabul to Keep Local Communities Safe
Almost 10,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the turmoil in their homeland will be coming to New Jersey, and Senate Republicans are calling on New Jersey’s Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness to ensure they are thoroughly vetted.
In a letter to the director of New Jersey’s Homeland Security and Preparedness, Sens. Singer, Connors, Holzapfel, Thompson and O’Scanlon emphasized the need to vet and screen refugees coming to the state from Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senators Robert Singer, Chris Connors, Jim Holzapfel, Sam Thompson and Declan O’Scanlon today wrote to NJ Homeland Director Laurie R. Duran emphasizing the need to protect New Jersey residents from possible terrorists who may have circumvented checkpoints and federal screening on the ground in Kabul before boarding flights to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Senate Republican Leadership Calls on Senate President Sweeney to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Say Atlantic County Families Can’t Afford to Wait Months for Help
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23. (SenateNJ.com)
The following joint statement was issued by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.
Senate Republican Whip Pennacchio Blasts Democrats for Refusing to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Says Senate Democrats Are Making Specious Argument in Weak Attempt to Justify Not Holding a Quorum
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Senate Democrats are making specious arguments in a weak attempt to avoid holding a Senate quorum that would force them to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2).
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said Senate Democrats are making specious arguments in a weak attempt to avoid holding a Senate quorum that would force them to recognize the swearing-in of Sen. Vince Polistina. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s unbelievable that Democrats are saying they won’t hold a quorum because doing so would result in dozens of their bills becoming law,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “You would think the majority party would want the bills they chose to sponsor and move through the legislative process to be enacted. It’s a specious argument that’s clearly just another excuse to keep Vince Polistina from getting to work immediately for the people of the 2nd Legislative District.”
Senate Republican Whip Pennacchio Chastises Democrats for Not Accepting Polistina into Senate
Calls Democrats’ Action Petty Election Year Politics
Senate Republican Whip Joe Pennacchio released the following statement on the swearing-in Monday of Vincent Polistina, replacing former Senator Chris Brown who stepped down to accept a job in the Murphy Administration:
Senator Joe Pennacchio today called on Legislative leaders to recognized Vincent Polistina as the Senator of the 2nd Legislative District so he can work on behalf of his constituents. (SenateNJ.com)
“Senator Polistina should be rightfully recognized as the representative of the residents of the 2nd Legislative District. To the extent that some may have concerns regarding the legitimacy of the swearing in, it’s important to acknowledge there are remedies. We don’t have to bring everyone back to Trenton for a swearing in. The Senate can quorum remotely, and Polistina can take the oath anywhere, any time.
