District 10 Lawmakers to Introduce Bill Prohibiting State Agencies from Fining One Another
In response to the Department of Environmental Protection issuing a fine against the Division of Fish & Wildlife, Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano will introduce legislation that will prohibit state agencies from imposing civil penalties on other state agencies or bureaus.
In response to the DEP issuing a fine against the Division of Fish & Wildlife, District 10 lawmakers will introduce legislation that will prohibit state agencies from imposing civil penalties on other state agencies or bureaus. (©iStock)
“In light of the conflict that has unfolded between the DEP and one of its own divisions, we must take the extraordinary step of introducing legislation to restore some common sense to New Jersey’s regulatory policies,” Senator Holzapfel said. “No state agency should be able to fine another state agency much less a division of one. New Jersey taxpayers have had enough of these legal loopholes that only serve to expand an already bloated government bureaucracy.”
Durr Sponsors $4.32 Billion of “Give It Back” Property Tax Relief for Towns & Counties
Senator Ed Durr is sponsoring legislation that would provide $4.32 billion of “Give It Back” property tax relief to every town and county in New Jersey, including more than $100 million to the 3rd Legislative District.
Sen. Ed Durr is sponsoring legislation that would provide $4.32 billion of “Give It Back” property tax relief to every town and county in New Jersey, including more than $100 million to the 3rd Legislative District. (Pixabay)
“For too long, Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats have ignored South Jersey and chosen a few favored towns with connections to party bosses to get relief while everyone else has gotten nothing,” said Durr (R-3). “Senate Republicans believe that every town and county in New Jersey deserves a fair share of property tax relief. Under our plan, local governments in the 3rd Legislative District would receive more than $100 million to pay down debt, reduce property taxes, or fund local projects of their choosing, including paving roads and building parks.”
Senate Advances Corrado Bill that Would Address Teacher Shortage
School districts in New Jersey may soon be able to hire recently retired teachers to fill gaps in staffing thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and approved yesterday by the New Jersey Senate.
School districts in New Jersey may soon be able to hire recently retired teachers to fill gaps in staffing thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado and approved by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“This sensible legislation will allow increased flexibility for school districts to hire recently retired, qualified individuals to return to the classroom to help address the statewide teacher shortage,” said Corrado (R-40). “Closing down schools during the pandemic and switching to online learning was a devastating policy that caused tremendous learning loss. This bill will help alleviate the consequences that were a result of that policy and get our students and our schools back on track.”
9th District Delegation: Trenton Doesn’t Get that the Cost of Living is too High for Residents
As the FY2024 State Budget hearings wind to a close, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are calling on the Murphy Administration and their legislative colleagues to make tax relief and corresponding government spending cuts priorities to best serve the interests of taxpayers.
As the FY2024 State Budget hearings wind to a close, District 9 lawmakers are calling on the Murphy Administration and their legislative colleagues to make tax relief and corresponding government spending cuts priorities. (Pixabay)
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:
“Unrelenting inflation has only exasperated the high cost of living in New Jersey that has the unenviable distinction of the highest property taxes in the nation. The State Budget is the state’s controlling document and, therefore, needs to be the centerpiece of fiscal reform and providing the financial security taxpayers desperately need.
Senate Republicans Announce $4.32 Billion of “Give It Back” Property Tax Relief for Towns & Counties
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) announced a plan to provide $4.32 billion of “Give It Back” property tax relief to New Jersey’s towns and counties.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Sen. Michael Testa announced a plan to provide $4.32 billion of “Give It Back” property tax relief to New Jersey’s towns and counties. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy administration is sitting on billions of dollars of unallocated debt relief funds while towns and counties with substantial needs are being ignored,” said O’Scanlon, the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Instead of letting that money waste away and get devalued by inflation, we are proposing to ‘Give It Back’ to towns and counties on a per capita basis to help them pay down debt and meet their important capital needs. Our proposal is a fair and transparent way to provide every New Jerseyan, every county, and every town with real property tax relief. There’s no other tax relief plan offered by anyone that comes close to what Republicans are proposing.”
Steinhardt Announces $2.6 Million in Transportation Grants for Warren County
Senator Doug Steinhardt announced today that $2.6 million will be allocated toward building the Phillipsburg Riverfront Heritage Trail and improving access to public roads throughout Warren County.
Sen. Doug Steinhardt announced today that $2.6 million will be allocated toward building the Phillipsburg Riverfront Heritage Trail and improving access to public roads throughout Warren County. (Pixabay)
“These grants will help fund the construction of a riverfront trail system that will provide unique heritage and recreation tourism opportunities and act as a springboard for Phillipsburg’s downtown revitalization efforts,” said Steinhardt (R-23). “For this remarkable project, I would like to thank Phillipsburg Councilman Randy Piazza who’s push for recreational rail to trail systems is a major reason for this project even getting off the ground. Without his consistent support, and that of his father, this project may have never become a reality.”
Pennacchio & Bucco Vote “NO” on Bill that Would Pack More High-Density Housing into Towns
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Anthony M. Bucco voted against legislation today that they warned would lead to higher-density housing developments in many New Jersey towns.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco voted against legislation today that they warned would lead to higher-density housing developments in many New Jersey towns. (Pixabay)
“We’ve heard from mayors that they’re getting crushed by new affordable housing mandates that are changing the nature of their towns for the worse,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “A bill just passed by the New Jersey Senate would add to the problem by allowing even higher densities of new housing to be built in places that are close to public transportation. That will only increase the strain on schools and other public services and the long-term costs to property taxpayers.”
Senate Clears Oroho Bill Bolstering Protections of our Financial System
The New Jersey Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would increase financial safeguards for state domiciled insurance companies.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that would increase financial safeguards for state domiciled insurance companies was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“At a time when banks and insurance companies are facing steep economic challenges, we must find ways to maintain economic resiliency,” said Oroho (R-24). “By closely aligning state laws with federal regulations we can foster greater financial stability and safeguard the integrity of security agreements made between federal home loan banks and their member insurance companies. This legislation would not only benefit policyholders, but it would also ensure greater protection of our financial system.”
Senate Approves Stanfield Bill that Would Update Funding for Environmental Infrastructure Projects
The New Jersey Senate advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would approve the updated Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Plan of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB).
The NJ Senate advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Jean Stanfield that would approve the updated Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Plan of the NJIB. (Pixabay)
“The funds authorized by this legislation will not only create jobs in New Jersey, but will also preserve and protect our local environment, which is critical to our quality of life,” said Stanfield (R-8). “Environmental infrastructure project loans include millions in funding for various clean water projects for towns in the 8th District like Evesham MUA and Medford Lakes.”
Senate Clears Senator Bramnick’s Bill to Teach Students How to Cope With Grief
The New Jersey Senate approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Jon Bramnick and Joseph Cryan that instructs school districts to teach students how to cope with grief and loss.
Sen. Bramnick with student Ava Quezada after the New Jersey Senate approved bipartisan legislation that instructs school districts to teach students how to cope with grief and loss. (SenateNJ.com)
“Grief is one of the hardest emotions to understand and manage as an adolescent,” said Bramnick (R-21). “Although grief and loss are difficult for any person to go through, we have the tools to teach kids healthy ways to cope and teachers who are eager to provide support. This legislation ensures that our high school students learn how to effectively manage the physical, emotional, and behavioral impacts of grief.”
