Sorry! We couldn't find what you're looking for. Try this instead!

Supporting Families Impacted by 7,100+ COVID Nursing Home Deaths Showing their support for the families of the more than 7,100 lives lost in long-term care facilities due to the tragic mistakes made under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Anthony M. Bucco both spoke at the ‘Voices for Seniors’ New Jersey Rally at St. Joseph’s Senior Assisted Living and Nursing Center in Woodbridge on September 30, 2020. “So many families have been impacted by the pandemic, but those who have lost loved ones in nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care facilities are still seeking answers about this preventable tragedy,” said Kean (R-21). “For the past five months, Senate Republicans have called for a thorough, bipartisan, and transparent investigation into the more than 7,100 deaths in long-term care facilities. The families and loved ones of victims deserve to hear the truth and be given the peace of mind to know that those responsible are being held accountable.” Continue Reading…

Governor Murphy today signed Senator Steve Oroho’s resolution establishing an annual Manufacturing Week in New Jersey. “New Jersey has one of the most educated and skilled workforces in the nation, and our key geographic location provides manufacturers with the infrastructure for ready, wide-scale distribution of products and services,” said Oroho, the co-chair of the bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. Continue Reading…

As if the more than $700 million of tax increases in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget signed by Governor Murphy this week wasn’t enough, New Jersey residents will be paying more at the gas pump as a 9.3-cents-per-gallon increase goes into effect tomorrow. “Get out there now and fill your tank,” said Senator Sam Thompson. “The timing of this increase couldn’t be worse, but there is never a good time to pile yet another tax on the backs of families in this tax-happy state. Continue Reading…

Senator Kristin M. Corrado and Senator Steven Oroho blasted the Murphy Administration for deliberately and deceitfully turning the School Development Authority (SDA) into an unabashed patronage pit. A report published by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation confirmed that top officials in Gov. Murphy’s inner circle were well aware of the patronage hiring spree by disgraced former SDA chief Lizette Delgado-Polanco. “This investigation confirms what we have known for two years – the Murphy administration encouraged, approved, and then vehemently denied blatant nepotism and cronyism,” said Corrado (R-40). “Firing highly qualified government employees and hiring family and friends who lack sufficient skills is the epitome of abuse of power and personal greed. The Murphy administration must be held fully accountable for their aversion to the truth.” “The truth that has finally come to light through the SCI report confirms our worst suspicions of improper and unethical wrongdoings,” said Oroho (R-24). “The hiring practices of the Murphy Administration must be further investigated to put an end to nepotism and political patronage and to help restore the public’s faith in state government.” Continue Reading…

Says the Loss of Life at Veterans’ and Nursing Homes Demands Inquiry The coronavirus pandemic began hitting New Jersey and Massachusetts at close to the same time, and it wasn’t long before both states were seeing a disturbing loss of life in veterans’ homes and nursing homes. A half year later, Massachusetts has completed an inquiry into the problems that led to tragedy, and a grand jury has indicted several top officials from a particularly hard-hit veterans facilities. “Massachusetts took the bull by the horns,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio, who has been calling for a Senate Select Committee to investigate the state’s handling of COVID in long-term care facilities since May. “I take no pleasure in hearing that anybody has been criminally indicted, but I am trying to get at the truth and I can’t understand why our Legislature is sitting on its hands. Continue Reading…

Oroho & Greenstein Measure Establishes Stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment Produced In-State The onset of the COVID pandemic exposed a severe shortage of masks, gloves, gowns, and other personal protective equipment in the state and across the nation. Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Linda Greenstein would prevent scarcities in the future and at the same time bolster the New Jersey manufacturing industry. The bill (S-2991) requires the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management to establish a process to evaluate and approve personal protective equipment (PPE) for use during public health emergencies. It also requires the state to develop a stockpile of equipment. “The virus strained the resources of the health care system and there wasn’t enough ready access to equipment needed to help prevent the spread of the virus. That can’t happen again,” said Oroho (R-24). “With this bill, we can help ensure a sufficient supply of protective gloves, masks, and gowns to defend against a viral outbreak and protect medical workers and patients, and we can put New Jersey factories to work making the gear.” Continue Reading…

Delegation Cites Small Victories Such as Restoration of Senior Freeze and Homestead Rebate Among Host of Middle-Class Tax Increases Imposed by Democrats Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove offered the following update to constituents following the passage of the FY2021 State Budget, which the 9th District delegation opposed and voted against: “Taxpayers in this state are growing increasingly apprehensive about the economic uncertainty created by the response to COVID-19. Yet with so much on the line for families and retirees, Trenton failed to pass a State Budget that addresses taxpayers’ immediate concerns about tax relief and jumpstarting the state’s economy. “Ramrodded through by the Majority Party Leadership and expected to be signed quickly by the Governor, the State Budget has more than $200 million in pork barrel spending that could, otherwise, be used for property tax relief. The budget relies on increasing taxes on employers and health insurance policies that, undoubtedly, will be passed down to consumers who will take yet another hit in terms of the already high cost of living in New Jersey. Continue Reading…

The Bipartisan Measure Addresses Limits in the Emergency Health and Powers Act that Interfere with Transparency Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa that would lift restrictions on access to public and government records during declared emergencies was approved today by the Senate. During the current pandemic, the Murphy Administration has repeatedly relied on sections of the Health Powers Act, enacted in 2005, to deny Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests for information about preparations and decisions relating to the virus outbreak. “The Act was never intended to keep the public in the dark in times of crisis,” said Pennacchio (R-26), “but today it is being used to conceal data and information on decisions impacting public health and fiscal stability from public and legislative scrutiny.” Continue Reading…

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean delivered the following remarks during today’s Senate session in opposition to the FY 2021 State Budget: I rise today in opposition to the budget as presented today. Sadly, this budget is a wasted opportunity to restructure our State’s finances in a way that will responsibly and safely rebuild our economy, an economy truly ravaged over the past several months by the ongoing pandemic. As you know, the Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee offered a number of suggestions that would have put us back on a thoughtful, reasonable fiscal course, including spending the CARES Act money earlier and more fully. There are billions still not spent months after it could have helped families and businesses across the state. Continue Reading…