Kean/Singleton Bill Making Trunk Fighting a Crime Becomes Law
A bill sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Troy Singleton making trunk fighting with dogs an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree was signed today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Troy Singleton making trunk fighting with dogs an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree was signed by Governor Murphy. (©iStock)
The new law, S-975, defines trunk fighting as enclosing two or more dogs in the trunk of a motor vehicle and instigating them to fight to the death.
Testa Condemns Rocket Barrage on Israel
Senator Michael Testa addressed the ongoing rocket attacks on Israel with the following statement:
Senator Michael Testa condemned the air strikes on Israel and pledged support for the Israeli people. (Flickr)
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the innocent families in Tel Aviv as the loss of life and destruction continues to mount. More than 700 rockets have landed in Israeli neighborhoods in the last two days and there appears to be no end in sight. This barbaric aerial barrage is uncalled for and must be stopped.
Bucco Bill Easing Tax Burden on Small Businesses Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco to ensure that PPP loans that are forgiven by the Federal Government are exempt from New Jersey’s gross income tax was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco to ensure that PPP loans that are forgiven by the Federal Government are exempt from New Jersey’s gross income tax was signed into law by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am pleased that this legislation was signed today. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the small business community in New Jersey. I can name dozens of family restaurants, small retail shops, and other establishments that have either closed their doors forever or are struggling everyday to stay open,” said Bucco (R-25). “During this extremely difficult time, small business owners should not have to worry about additional taxes. My legislation will eliminate the State tax and keep the State from profiting off the backs of businesses that continue to struggle during the pandemic.”
Schepisi Introduces Legislation Requiring Face-to-Face Interaction to Address Unemployment Delays
To help address the ongoing unemployment delays in New Jersey, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39) and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) have introduced legislation to help residents get the benefits they have earned by requiring state employees to work in person if their job requires face-to-face interaction with the public.
To help address the ongoing unemployment delays in New Jersey, Sen. Holly Schepisi and Sen. Michael Testa have introduced legislation to require state employees to work in person if their job requires face-to-face interaction with the public. (SenateNJ.com)
“I have heard from so many constituents who have been waiting months to get their unemployment payments. These delays are indefensible and have significantly impacted thousands of New Jersey families,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Trying to settle claims online or via email clearly has not worked. Yet, in most cases, the problems could be easily solved with a face-to-face discussion with a Department of Labor specialist. My legislation will get State workers back to their desks where they can meet face-to-face with New Jerseyans and solve the problems in a timely manner.”
Republican Budget Members: Health Commissioner Continues to Dodge Questions, Refuses to Repeal Outdated Policies
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said repeated claims by New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli at a budget hearing today that the Murphy administration has been transparent about pandemic response are demonstrably false. Further, they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed to aid in New Jersey’s recovery
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has not been transparent during the pandemic or at today’s budget hearing, and they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed. (SenateNJ.com)
“Mourning families, concerned legislators, and investigative journalists have all bemoaned the wall of secrecy that has been put up by the Murphy administration and the Department of Health about tragic policy decisions that led to the massive loss of life in our nursing homes,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Commissioner Persichilli cannot claim to have been transparent when her department has systematically denied public records requests and she has refused invitations to testify before legislators and the public.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: Democrats’ Rush to Eliminate Qualified Immunity for Police Would Threaten Public Safety, Drive Costs for Property Taxpayers Higher
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano of the 10th Legislative District warned that a rush by Democrats to remove certain legal protections for law enforcement would severely threaten public safety and drive the cost of property taxes higher.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano warned that a rush by Democrats to remove certain legal protections for law enforcement would severely threaten public safety and drive the cost of property taxes higher. (Flickr)
They pointed to legislation recently introduced by Trenton Democrats, S-3730, which would eliminate qualified immunity as a defense for law enforcement officers.
“Qualified immunity is an important defense for police officers that discourages frivolous personal lawsuits every time they arrest someone,” said Holzapfel. “Eliminating this protection would encourage a flood of lawsuits not just against individual officers, but against towns and police departments as well. Town budgets would be crushed by skyrocketing insurance rates and expensive legal fees. It’s not just police officers who would pay the price of removing qualified immunity, but property taxpayers too. This is another example of attempting to prohibit police from doing their jobs, which ultimately results in our citizens’ safety being compromised.”
Pennacchio/Oroho/Bucco Bill Providing $10 Million to Support Lakes Advances
Measure Would Help Fund Maintenance of Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, Other Lakes in Highlands & Pinelands
The Senate Environment Committee has advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Steven Oroho, and Senator Anthony M. Bucco to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey.
The Senate Environment Committee has advanced $10 million of funding sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Sen. Steven Oroho, and Sen. Tony Bucco to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our lakes are critical to the ecological and economic well-being of New Jersey, but they have been consistently underfunded by the State,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This appropriation represents the most significant investment in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake in recent memory, if not ever. We’ll continue fighting to make this funding permanent to ensure our lakes get the support they need each and every year.”
The legislation, S-3618, makes a supplemental appropriation of $10 million for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.
Panel Clears Bateman Bill Emphasizing NJ’s Clean Energy Goals
The state has embraced ambitious energy goals under the 2019 Energy Master Plan, and today the Senate Environment and Energy Committee approved Senator Kip Bateman’s bill codifying those targets.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to codify ambitious clean energy goals endorsed by the state under the 2019 Energy Master Plan cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Pixabay)
“These are the goals we are aiming for, and these are the goals we will achieve,” said Bateman (R-16). “The numbers reflect a very aggressive approach, but technological advancements make them feasible, and with the support of New Jersey residents, we are already making strides in the right direction.”
Bucco, DePhillips & DiMaso Introduce Bill to Help Struggling Bars & Restaurants
Proposal Creates Four-Month Sales Tax Holiday for Food & Beverage Establishments
Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso have introduced legislation to provide tax relief to bars and restaurants struggling to recover from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic.
Sen. Tony Bucco, Asm. Christopher DePhillips, and Asw. Serena DiMaso introduced legislation to provide tax relief to bars and restaurants struggling to recover from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic. (Pixabay)
“Our local bars and restaurants and the hundreds of thousands of workers they employ across New Jersey have suffered enormously due to the restrictions imposed by Governor Murphy during the pandemic,” said Bucco (R-25). “Nearly 40% of our restaurants have closed temporarily or permanently, while many that remain face financial challenges that may be difficult to overcome without assistance. Our proposal to create a sales tax holiday would help this important industry to survive long enough for our state’s reopening to support their full recovery.”
O’Scanlon Calls Latest MVC Closure ‘Outrageous’
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today criticized the Murphy administration following news that the Eatontown Motor Vehicle Commission would be closed for two weeks after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said the Murphy Administration is relying on outdated, unnecessary policies when the Motor Vehicle Commission closes a facility for two weeks or longer after an employee tests positive for COVID. (WikiMedia Commons)
“The fact that we are still somehow closing MVC locations for two weeks for quarantining and ‘deep cleaning’ after one employee tests positive is absolutely outrageous,” said O’Scanlon. “Nowhere is still observing such heavy-handed, unscientific policies . . . not Home Depot, not supermarkets, not car dealerships, not doctors’ offices, not restaurants . . . no one. And none of these entities is suffering any ill health impact.
