O’Scanlon & DiMaso Call for Immediate Action on NJ Transit Issues
Legislators: Governor Must Take ‘Whatever Action is Necessary’
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) today called for immediate action to resolve NJ Transit’s ongoing issues:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso are calling for immediate action to resolve NJ Transit’s ongoing issues. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy must take expeditious action to address the major issues plaguing NJ Transit,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “I’m calling on the Governor to take whatever action is necessary, whether it’s declaring a State of Emergency, bringing in out-of-state engineers, or any other solution. We must treat this exigent situation with the seriousness that it demands.”
“We have been hearing from numerous constituents about their never-ending arduous encounters with NJ Transit: delays, safety concerns, and the lack of service entirely,” DiMaso continued. “They should not have to pay for a service that fails to meet basic operation standards on a consistent basis.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin: Murphy’s “Jersey Shore Tax” Negatively Impacting Tourism Economy
Extra Tax of Up to 14% Already Hurting Renters
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10) said Governor Phil Murphy should listen to the concerns of homeowners and small businesses owners along the Jersey Shore who are raising the alarm about the impacts already being felt due to a tax increase the Governor approved last year on short-term beach rentals.
Holzapfel, Wolfe, and McGuckin said Gov. Phil Murphy should listen to Jersey Shore homeowners and small businesses owners impacted by his tax increase on short-term beach rentals. (WikiMedia)
“You shouldn’t have to be a millionaire like Governor Murphy to vacation down the shore,” said Holzapfel. “To charge a family that already stretches to pay thousands for a summer vacation an extra ten to fourteen percent in rental taxes is ridiculous. We’re already hearing that potential customers are responding to the new tax by booking at a much slower pace, which is concerning to the many tourism-driven businesses that make the bulk of their income during the summer months.”
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Pennacchio Calls for Action on Bill Requiring Recurring Audits of NJEDA’s Business Assistance & Incentive Programs
Questions $425 Million in Film Tax Credits Approved by Governor for Program that Doesn’t Work
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) applauded Governor Phil Murphy for highlighting problems with New Jersey’s tax incentive programs through a new report issued by the State Comptroller, but expressed concern that the Governor’s approval last year of $425 million in film tax credits for the entertainment industry sends the wrong message to the public. He also called for the passage of legislation he sponsors requiring recurring audits of all State business assistance and tax incentive programs.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called for the passage of his legislation requiring audits of all State business assistance and tax incentive programs following a concerning report issued by the State Comptroller. (Pixabay)
“While I’m encouraged that Governor Murphy has expressed interest in reforming our state’s wasteful tax incentive programs, I’m concerned that the $425 million of film tax credits he approved just months ago runs contrary to his reform message,” said Pennacchio. “How can you pledge to fight wasteful tax incentives while simultaneously giving away hundreds of millions of dollars to Hollywood for programs that have never proven to work? Those inconsistencies feed into the public’s cynicism of government and politics.”
Brown Bill Providing Free Tuition to Retired Law Enforcement Passes Committee
A bipartisan bill sponsored by State Senator Chris Brown to provide tuition assistance for retired law enforcement officers who retired in good standing due to a disability passed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee recently.
Sen. Chris Brown’s legislation provides tuition assistance for retired law enforcement officers who retired in good standing due to a disability. (SenateNJ.com)
“Men and women whose careers of keeping our families safe are cut short deserve an opportunity to get back on their feet in a new career,” Brown said.
Brown Bill Making Campuses Safer from Violence Advances
Senator Chris Brown’s bill creating the Campus Sexual Assault Commission passed the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee recently.
Sen. Chris Brown’s bill creating the Campus Sexual Assault Commission passed the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee recently. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is heartbreaking and simply unacceptable that women continue to be assaulted on campus. Our college women deserve to be free from fear and their families free from worry. Predators have no place anywhere in society, especially on our college campuses,” said Brown.
Bucco Warns Democrats’ New Wage Mandates Will Lead to Layoffs and Automation
Says Minimum Wage for Unemployed Workers Replaced by Robots or Kiosks is Zero
Senator Anthony Bucco said that a minimum wage plan announced by Democrats yesterday will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said a minimum wage plan announced by Democrats will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies. (Pixabay)
“As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it is to maintain employees’ jobs and benefits when we’re constantly faced with new taxes and expensive mandates from the State,” said Bucco (R-25). “I have no doubt that the huge costs being forced on employers by Governor Murphy and the Democratic legislature will lead to reduced hours for workers, layoffs, and the faster adoption of automation technologies that are already leading to workforce reductions in many industries.”
Kean, Cunningham Bill to Create Campus Sexual Assault Commission Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Senate Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee .
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Sen. Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission cleared the Senate Budget Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“College campuses should be nurturing and secure environments where students can grow and learn without fear,” said Senator Kean (R-Morris/Somerset/Union). “So many survivors have bravely come forward to share their stories. They deserve justice. By establishing a commission, we can develop real deterrents to combat the campus assault epidemic and keep generations of students safe from sexual violence.”
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Kean: NJ Transit Hiring Successes Due to Lifting Public Workers Residency Requirements
More Proof We Should End Limitations Across State Government
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said New Jersey Transit’s recent hiring successes highlight how eliminating residency requirements could benefit all of State government:
Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean said NJ Transit’s recent hiring successes highlight how eliminating residency requirements could benefit all of State government. (SenateNJ.com)
“For years I have called for New Jersey to eliminate the rigid state residency mandates for public employment,” Kean said. “Those hiring limitations are a big part of the reason NJ Transit ended up so short staffed, leading to many cancelled trains and buses for commuters. I am pleased we succeeded in getting NJ Transit exempted from these requirements, which led to recent accomplishments in filling vacancies in their training programs.”
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Singer’s ‘Charlie’s Law’ Requiring Pharmacists to Educate Patients on Safe Drug Disposal Passes Committee
Bill Named for NJ Man Who Lost His Life to Addiction
Senator Robert Singer’s (R-Monmouth and Ocean) bill requiring pharmacists to educate their patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles passed the Senate Health Committee. S-3240 would also require pharmacists to ensure patients can access drug deactivation products.
Senator Robert Singer’s (R-30) bill requiring pharmacists to educate their patients on how to safely discard unused, unwanted, or expired drugs and needles passed the Senate Health Committee. (WikiMedia)
This legislation, “Charlie’s Law,” is named in memory of Charlie Van Tassel, a beloved son and brother who struggled and succumbed to his addiction at the age of 33. Charlie’s family remembers him as an athlete and family prankster who enjoyed music and dancing. He battled addiction for many years before his passing.
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Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill to Assist First-Time Home-Buying Veterans
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation (S-915) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would permit a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf, and Gove that permits a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans. (WikiMedia)
The 9th District legislators made the following remark upon the advancement of their veterans’ initiative:
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