Pennacchio: Failure to Recognize Natural Immunity Makes Murphy’s Vaccine Mandate More Confounding
Our Early Pandemic Health Care Heroes Have Now Become the Governor’s Scapegoats
Senator Joe Pennacchio today challenged Governor Murphy to reconsider his aggressive vaccine mandate for health care workers in light of new evidence supporting the efficacy of natural immunity in people who have recovered from COVID infection.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio today challenged Gov. Murphy to reconsider his aggressive vaccine mandate for health care workers in light of new evidence supporting the efficacy of natural immunity in people who have recovered from COVID infection. (Pixabay)
“The Governor and his health commissioner are missing a crucial variable in their COVID spread equation,” said Pennacchio. “People who have survived the virus have a natural defense against future infections. It is the body’s way of protecting itself, and with the rampant rate of transmission we’ve seen in the past few weeks, there are many more residents walking around with powerful antibodies.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin and Catalano Pushing Legislation to Ensure Open Pools and Gyms in Senior Communities
Legislators Re-Introduced Bill to Restore COVID Legal Immunity for Homeowner Associations
The 10th District lawmakers are once again championing legislation that would extend legal protections that shield senior communities from legal action related to COVID.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin and Asm. John Catalano sponsor bills that would reinstate legal immunity from COVID-related lawsuits for senior residential developments. (Pixabay)
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) sponsor bills that would reinstate legal immunity from COVID-related lawsuits for senior residential developments. Legislation providing the temporary protection was enacted last summer but expired on New Year’s Day.
“Inexplicably, the Democrat leadership in Trenton failed to act on crucial legislation extending the protection permanently,” said Senator Holzapfel. “As a result, we’re back where we were last year, with senior communities across the state facing uncertainty as they prepare to open clubhouses and swimming pools for the summer season.
Bipartisan Bills Preserving Open Space in NJ Become Law
Oroho, Corrado Sponsored Measures Utilizing Voter-Approved Funds
A package of legislation supporting open space and contributing to the quality of life in New Jersey was signed by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Kristin Corrado preserving open space and contributing to the quality of life in New Jersey was signed by the Governor. (Morris County Preservation Trust)
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Kristin Corrado appropriates money from constitutionally dedicated corporate business tax (CBT) revenues.
“Farmland preservation is an important program that helps keep farmers on the farm while protecting valuable farming acreage,” said Oroho (R-24). “Protecting undeveloped land is not only in the interest of the farmer, but it’s an important quality of life issue for residents in our densely populated state.”
Hospital Patients Could Benefit from Family Members as Health Care Advocates Under Corrado Legislation
Senator Kristin Corrado will introduce legislation that will improve communication between hospital patients, family members, and health care workers overburdened by the pandemic.
Sen. Kristin Corrado will introduce legislation that would require hospitals to allow a designated family member to act as the patient’s health care advocate during any hospital admittance. (Pixabay)
“Hospitals have been getting slammed with Covid, and policies at some facilities are making it difficult for the families of patients to get information and participate in the care of their loved ones,” said Corrado (R-40).
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Re-Introduce Bill to Reestablish COVID Legal Immunity for Senior Communities
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove re-introduced legislation to prevent the expiration of legal immunity for senior communities from COVID-related lawsuits. The law enacted on June 30 of last year which provided legal immunity from COVID-related lawsuits to senior communities and other planned real estate developments expired Jan. 1, 2022.
Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf and Asw. DiAnne Gove re-introduced legislation to prevent the expiration of legal immunity for senior communities from COVID-related lawsuits. (SenateNJ.com)
The District Delegation’s legislation, companion bills S-177 and A-729, would eliminate the expiration of immunity for planned real estate developments in the event of COVID-19 spread.
Durr: No More Murphy Mandates
Calls for Legislative Leadership to Take Back Power Ceded to Executive Branch
Senator Edward Durr said a nonsensical executive order issued by Governor Phil Murphy yesterday further demonstrates why the New Jersey Legislature must act to limit the emergency powers of the Executive Branch.
Sen. Edward Durr said a nonsensical executive order issued by Gov. Phil Murphy yesterday further demonstrates why the New Jersey Legislature must act to limit the emergency powers of the Executive Branch. (SenateNJ.com)
“Testing seems to be the one thing that’s somewhat effective at stopping the spread of the Omicron variant, so it doesn’t make any sense for Governor Murphy take that away as an option for health care workers,” said Durr (R-3). “Nurses know that, which is exactly why their union blasted the executive order saying it ‘eliminated an important tool in slowing the spread of the virus.’ The same people the governor called heroes not too long ago he’s now calling selfish and refuses to trust.”
Testa Blasts Rutgers for Forcing Students & Taxpayers to Pay for Athletics’ $73M Deficit
Senator Michael Testa blasted Rutgers University for forcing overburdened students and New Jersey taxpayers to pick up the tab for a $73 million deficit after spending on athletics reached a record high of $118 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Michael Testa blasted Rutgers University for forcing overburdened students and New Jersey taxpayers to pick up the tab for a $73 million deficit after spending on athletics reached a record high of $118 million. (SenateNJ.com)
“Once again, taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars are being wasted to pay for Rutgers’ costly and highly publicized financial woes,” said Testa (R-1). “Here we have an athletics department that spends so much money, it rang up a $73 million deficit for the second consecutive year while increasing overall spending to an all-time high. Adding insult to injury, all of this irresponsible spending occurred during a time when so many New Jerseyans and our small businesses were suffering financially.”
O’Scanlon Warns Murphy’s Latest Mandate Contributes to Existing Public Health Crisis
Staffing Shortages Already Place Hospital Patients at Risk in Many Facilities
Senator Declan O’Scanlon challenged the wisdom of Governor Murphy for his executive order today requiring health care workers to be boosted in addition to fully vaccinated, warning the move could backfire.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon challenged the wisdom of Governor Murphy for his executive order today requiring health care workers to be boosted in addition to fully vaccinated, warning the move could backfire. (Pixabay)
“If some is good, more must be better … isn’t a way to make public health policy,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “The Governor’s announcement will have a net negative impact on public health in many facilities already struggling with staff shortages, especially now that our case and hospital admission rates are plummeting. In many systems residents/patients face a more severe health threat from staff shortages than from exposure to doctors or nurses who have not yet been boosted. With case rates plummeting the fear of health workers themselves being out sick is waning as well.”
Durr Resolution Supports Oppressed Ethnic Minority Group in China
Millions of Muslim Uyghurs are Genocide Targets in Western Chinese Territory
State Senator Edward Durr is introducing a legislative resolution condemning China’s oppressive treatment of millions of minority Uyghurs in the nation’s northwest region.
State Senator Edward Durr is introducing a legislative resolution condemning China’s oppressive treatment of millions of minority Uyghurs in the nation’s northwest region. (Pixabay)
“The public needs to know what is happening on the other side of the globe, and the atrocities being leveled against a group of human beings who have done nothing wrong,” said Durr (R-3). “The American people have always had a soft spot for the underdog, and the Uyghurs are certainly the underdogs in China.
O’Scanlon Bill Clearing Barriers for School Districts Considering Consolidation Becomes Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that eases barriers deterring school districts from considering consolidation plans has been signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Declan O’Scanlon that eases barriers deterring school districts from considering consolidation plans has been signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Consolidation does not work in every case, but some districts in the state have identified both financial and educational benefits from merging,” said O’Scanlon (R-16). “This does not force schools to consolidate, but it removes some of the impediments that can prevent districts from proceeding with plans that can benefit both taxpayers and students.”
