Corrado Bill Addressing School Bus Shortage Signed by Governor
The New Law Extends the Regulated Service Life of School Vehicles by One Year
School districts and transportation companies will be able to keep buses on the road for another year under legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and signed into law today.
School districts and transportation companies will be able to keep buses on the road for another year under legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado and signed into law by the Governor. (SenateNJ.com)
Previously, school buses manufactured since 2007 could remain in service until the end of the school in June, 20 years after the date of manufacture, and vehicles produced between April 1977 and January 2007 had a 15-year service life.
Pennacchio Bill Supporting Education of Military Children Becomes Law
Provides Additional State Funding to School Districts with Students Living on Military Installations
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would provide additional state school aid to districts impacted by the loss of federal impact aid was signed today by the Governor.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would provide additional state school aid to districts impacted by the loss of federal impact aid was signed by the Governor. (Pixabay)
For more than 70 years, school districts educating the children of active military parents have received impact aid from the federal government, but recently, the support from Washington has faded.
“This additional funding is much deserved,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “School districts take on the responsibility to educate the children of service members, and they deserve to be funded.”
Testa Stands Up for Taxpayers Ignored by Murphy’s Bloated $50 Billion Budget
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) issued the following statement after speaking and voting against a bloated $50 billion state budget proposed by Governor Murphy and Democrats that fails to provide significant relief to taxpayers:
Sen. Michael Testa speaking against the FY 2023 State Budget during a floor debate in the New Jersey Senate on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. (SenateNJ.com)
“I spoke up for New Jersey’s taxpayers who were left out of Governor Murphy’s $50+ billion budget. Trenton had a chance to do right by the taxpayers and small businesses who make this state work, but it didn’t do that.
“A few insiders decided they know how to spend your hard-earned tax money better than you do. They think they know better than you. We wanted to send your tax overpayments back to you. That’s freedom.
Singer’s Potentially Life-Saving Legislation Awaits Action by Gov. Murphy
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly this week.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation bolstering advanced life support services across the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration after passing both the Senate and Assembly. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4107/S-2768, updates the State’s regulations of emergency medical services, including allowing a single paramedic who arrives at the scene of an emergency to begin treatment immediately, rather than waiting for a second medic.
“This is a critical piece of legislation that will save lives,” said Singer (R-30). “We have heard the frustrations of paramedics who found themselves in situations where people desperately needed help, but their hands were tied by regulations that forced them to wait for support from another authorized responder.
O’Scanlon Bill Strengthens Protections for Victims of Workplace Abuse
Expands Ban on NDAs in Employment Contracts to Include Non-Disparagement Clauses
More than three years after legislation was signed into law banning the use of non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts that silenced abuse victims, Senator Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute sexual assault and harassment victims and shield predators.
More than three years after a law was signed banning the silencing of abuse victims with non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute assault and harassment victims and shield predators. (SenateNJ.com)
O’Scanlon’s bipartisan measure, S-2930, expands prohibitions established by S-121 in 2019. Also sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker, it bars provisions in contracts that waive certain rights or remedies and emphasizes that the current law on non-disclosures also bars certain non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Vote Against Murphy-Democrat $50 Billion State Budget
9th District Delegation: Budget Goes Big on Spending, Small on Tax Relief
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove voted “NO” on the FY2023 State Budget which was approved on Wednesday by the New Jersey Legislature. They said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review the state’s massive $50 billion spending plan, which was released late Monday night by Democrats.
Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove voted against the budget and said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review massive $50B spending plan. (Wikimedia Commons)
This year, Assemblyman Rumpf joined the Assembly Budget Committee and consistently testified in favor of limited government as a sustainable means of providing immediate tax relief and funding the state’s core obligations.
O’Scanlon Highlights Delayed & Failed Tax Relief in Democrats’ Budget
Senator Declan O’Scanlon highlighted the delayed and failed tax relief in the FY 2023 State Budget that Governor Phil Murphy will sign today, including a payroll tax increase that takes effect tomorrow, ANCHOR rebates that won’t be delivered until 2023, and child tax credits that won’t help parents until 2024, and tax bracket creep that remains unaddressed.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon highlighted the delayed and failed tax relief in the FY 2023 State Budget, including a payroll tax increase that takes effect on July 1, ANCHOR rebates that won’t be delivered until 2023, and child care tax credits that won’t provide relief until 2024, and tax bracket creep that remains unaddressed. (©iStock)
“The delayed and failed tax relief efforts in the Democrats’ budget when the state is ridiculously flush with funds will go down as one of the biggest missed opportunities in New Jersey history,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Republican Budget Officer. “Sadly, Democrats opted for huge increases in pork spending and the establishment of massive slush funds that will do nothing to help New Jersey families suffering today from high gas prices, soaring inflation, and property taxes.”
Pennacchio Bill Bolstering Businesses Developing Fusion Energy and Technology Clears Senate
Provides that Companies Could be Eligible to Apply for EDA Incentive Programs
Senator Joe Pennacchio’s bill supporting fusion energy by ensuring companies working to develop the new technology could be eligible to apply under certain economic incentive programs was endorsed by the Senate this week.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s bill supporting fusion energy by ensuring companies working to develop the new technology could be eligible to apply under certain economic incentive programs was endorsed by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“Fusion energy has limitless potential to produce safe, clean, renewable electric power,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This technological breakthrough could someday soon change the world. If Trenton plays this right, New Jersey will be positioned to become a global leader in this promising new power source.”
Senate Endorses Corrado Bill Extending Service Life of School Buses
The Measure was Prompted by a Shortage of New Vehicles
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado to address the ongoing scarcity of new school buses was cleared by the Senate today.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado to address the ongoing scarcity of new school buses was cleared by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
Corrado’s bill (A-3990/S-2593) extends the statutory service life of school buses by one year, providing relief for school districts and transportation companies scrambling to find replacements.
“The price of new buses and bus parts have skyrocketed since the pandemic and continuing supply chain problems,” said Corrado (R-40). “This bill would provide a respite, allowing safe vehicles to remain in service a little longer and providing time for the supply of new vehicles to catch up with demand.”
Senate Clears Schepisi Bill that Would Help Individuals with Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries
Legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that would establish minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for brain injury services was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“Unlike other Medicaid community-based services, reimbursement rates for brain injury services have remained static in recent years despite growing costs. This threatens the ability of providers to meet the complex needs of individuals with brain injuries and provide services within a safe and fulfilling community environment,” said Schepisi (R-39). “And yet, despite the similar model of care, reimbursement rates for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with intellectual and developmental disabilities have not only increased, but have actually restructured to account for inflationary trends. My legislation will align brain injury service rates with intellectual and developmental disabilities service rates to ensure that people with brain injuries can continue to thrive and reach their optimal recoveries in community settings.”
