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.”
Durr Responds After Murphy Says “It’s My Money” While Promising $65 Million of Taxpayer Funds at Campaign Event
Senator Ed Durr responded after Governor Phil Murphy said, “it’s my money, and that’s how it’s going to be spent,” as he promised $65 million of taxpayer funds for a local project while campaigning over the weekend in West New York for a Democrat candidate for mayor.
Sen. Ed Durr responded after Gov. Phil Murphy said, ‘it’s my money, and that’s how it’s going to be spent,’ as he promised $65 million of taxpayer funds for a local project while campaigning over the weekend in West New York. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy just said out loud what most New Jersey Democrats think but dare not say,” said Durr (R-3). “He really believes that funds extracted from taxpayers by government are his to dole out on the campaign trail to buy votes or in the back rooms of Trenton to curry favor with Democratic party bosses. It’s a shocking admission that helps explain why Democrat leaders approved buying a fleet of new taxpayer-funded SUVs for themselves with pandemic relief funds while most New Jerseyans got nothing. This slush fund mentality that’s shared by Governor Murphy and the Democrat insiders who have ruled the Legislature for two decades is exactly why New Jersey has the highest tax burden in the nation for families and businesses.”
Pennacchio Bill to Establish Muslim Heritage Month Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would designate January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would designate January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am extremely pleased that this was signed into law today and I would like to thank Senator Stack for joining me in sponsoring this legislation,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “There are nearly 300,000 Muslim Americans in New Jersey, including numerous current and former elected officials dedicated to public service in their communities. It is long past time to recognize our Muslim brothers and sisters for their contributions to the diverse fabric of New Jersey.”
MEDIA ADVISORY (5/3): Senate Republicans to Hold Independent Hearing on Whale & Dolphin Deaths, Wind Farm Concerns
New Jersey Senate Republicans will hold an independent hearing on Wednesday, May 3 to receive testimony on the surge of whale and dolphin deaths along the Jersey Shore in recent months and potential links to wind farms that are under development. The virtual hearing will be livestreamed on Facebook Live.
WHO: Senator Anthony M. Bucco (Chair), Senator Vince Polistina, Senator Michael Testa, Senator Declan O’Scanlon, and invited guests, including scientists, advocacy groups, local officials, and impacted businesses.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to discuss the surge of whale and dolphin deaths and a potential link to wind farm development.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 3 at 9:45 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live from the Facebook page of the New Jersey Senate Republicans. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
STREAMING LINK: https://www.facebook.com/senatenj/live_videos/
Oroho Calls for Murphy Administration to Dedicate Pandemic Relief Funds to Prevent $1 Billion Payroll Tax Increase
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho called for the Murphy administration to dedicate pandemic relief funds to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund to prevent $1 billion of cumulative payroll tax increases on New Jersey employers.
Sen. Steven Oroho called for the Murphy administration to dedicate pandemic relief funds to the Unemployment Insurance Fund to prevent $1 billion of cumulative payroll tax increases on New Jersey employers. (Pixabay)
“Today’s budget committee meeting with the Department of Labor confirmed that New Jersey employers will be hit with a massive $700 million payroll tax increase on July 1 to help replenish the UI Fund,” said Oroho (R-24), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “That increase follows a $300 million increase that took effect less than a year ago and would push the total payroll tax increase borne by employers to well over $1 billion. There is absolutely no reason the Murphy administration can’t dedicate or repurpose some of the unspent $5 billion of pandemic relief funds at its disposal to prevent this looming and unnecessary tax increase.”
Bucco Honored for Supporting the Rights of Domestic Violence Victims
The Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter (JBWS) and Theresa’s Fund honored Senator Anthony M. Bucco for his work in advocating for the rights and safety of domestic violence survivors.
The Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter and Theresa’s Fund honored Sen. Anthony Bucco for his work in advocating for the rights and safety of domestic violence survivors. (SenateNJ.com)
On April 24, Bucco was named the 2023 Philanthropic Honoree by the Jersey Battered Women’s Shelter. The senator was also recognized as an Outstanding Legislative Partner by Theresa’s Fund, a national non-profit charity based in Arizona, and will be given its Purple Ribbon Award during a ceremony in May.
“As a long-time supporter of both JBWS and Theresa’s Fund, it is truly a privilege to be recognized by organizations that have done so much in preventing domestic violence and supporting victims. If not for the work of these institutions, millions of Americans—including tens of thousands of New Jerseyans—would not receive the help they need,” said Bucco (R-25). “I will always support the mission of these vital organizations and will continue to advocate for the rights, safety, and support of domestic violence survivors. Together, we can prevent these tragic crimes and help individuals on the road to recovery.”
Testa Calls for Passage of “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” Following Congressional Action
Senator Michael Testa called for the New Jersey Legislature to advance a proposal he sponsors to protect women’s sports to complement recent congressional action that is intended to preserve the spirit of Title IX.
Sen. Michael Testa called for the New Jersey Legislature to advance a proposal he sponsors to protect women’s sports to complement recent congressional action that is intended to preserve the spirit of Title IX. (Pixabay)
“Title IX was adopted in 1972 to ensure that girls and women are not discriminated against and have a fair playing field in sports and other school-related activities,” said Testa (R-1). “Sadly, that fair playing field that girls have enjoyed for 50 years is slowly disappearing as more male athletes who identify as transgender are choosing to compete in women’s sports, including swimming, track, and even power lifting. The House of Representatives was absolutely right to take action last week to protect women’s sports from this full frontal assault, and New Jersey shouldn’t hesitate to do the same.”
O’Scanlon and Durr Repeat Call for Moratorium on Offshore Wind Farm Surveys
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Ed Durr renewed their call for Governor Murphy to pause offshore wind farm surveys to investigate if the work is responsible for dozens of whale and dolphin deaths. They also questioned why several recently announced projects to study marine life in the area are being conducted without a pause in the survey work.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Sen. Ed Durr renewed their call for Governor Murphy to pause offshore wind farm surveys to investigate if the work is responsible for dozens of whale and dolphin deaths. (NJ.com)
“While I am happy to see that the Board of Public Utilities will start studying the diversity of marine life around the proposed wind farms, we continue to believe Governor Murphy should pause the survey work related to wind farm development,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “It’s likely they won’t get an accurate picture of the marine life in the area while wind developers are disturbing our coastal waters with sonar blasts, drilling, and other activities. They should have started the marine life surveys before the wind farm work began to get an accurate baseline. A pause of offshore wind preparations would provide ample time for researchers to do their job and deliver accurate results from their studies.”
Steinhardt Hosts DOT Commissioner on Tour of Local Projects
Senator Doug Steinhardt welcomed Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) and other top department staff on a tour this week to review several transportation concerns in the 23rd Legislative District.
Left to right in Warren County: Hope Township Mayor Timothy McDonough; Assemblyman John DiMaio; Phillipsburg Councilman Randy Piazza Jr.; Warren County Commissioner Director Lori Ciesla; DOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti; Senator Doug Steinhardt; Warren County Administrator Alex Lazorisak; and Washington Borough Councilman Christopher Infinito. (SenateNJ.com)
“I was incredibly pleased to have the commissioner and key staff come to the district to see firsthand some of the local road projects that require the State’s attention and assistance,” said Steinhardt (R-23). “Having the commissioner and other top-level DOT representatives on-site to see the actual conditions, and be able to speak to local officials, helps in the planning and the resolution of these projects.”
