Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) delivered the following remarks at the Hunterdon County 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Flemington this morning: On September 11, 2001, 2,977 men and women were killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Of the dead, 412 were emergency workers in New York City who responded to the scene. These included: 343 firefighters of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). 37 police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. 23 police officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). 8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics from private emergency medical services. 1 patrolman from the New York Fire Patrol. In the 20 years that followed, hundreds of emergency workers have died of 9/11 related illnesses. Continue Reading…

Senator Signs on to Bipartisan Resolution to Restore School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) In response to Governor Phil Murphy’s push to cut school mental health programs by $14 million, Senator Michael Doherty is calling for these funds to be restored as soon as possible. Doherty recently signed on as a co-sponsor to a bipartisan budget resolution to reestablish aid for the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP). “In the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis that is impacting the psychological health of New Jerseyans both young and old, it is cruel to cut funding for our student’s mental health services,” said Doherty (R-23). “This rollercoaster ride of a year and the uncertainty of the future is making many, particularly students, apprehensive and anxious. I am proud to stand with both my republican and democrat colleagues in the New Jersey Legislature and demand this mental health funding be restored immediately.” Continue Reading…

Says Governor Doesn’t Have the Authority to Unilaterally Alter General Election by Executive Order Senator Michael Doherty said the New Jersey Constitution doesn’t authorize Governor Phil Murphy to issue an Executive Order that unilaterally changes the manner in which voters will cast their ballots this November. Doherty pointed to Article II, Section I of the New Jersey Constitution, which says: “General elections shall be held annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November; but the time of holding such elections may be altered by law.” “While our state constitution makes clear that the scope of elections can be altered by law, there is no provision for a governor to bypass the Legislature through executive order to change the way our elections are held,” said Doherty (R-23). “Yet that is exactly what Governor Murphy has sought to do through Executive Order 177 which directs the general election in November to be held almost exclusively by mail. A change as substantive as preventing voters in a presidential election from casting their ballots in person must be approved by the Legislature and accomplished by the enactment of a statute. If the Murphy administration can make the case that closing polling centers is warranted, they should have no problem selling that to a Democrat-controlled Legislature and getting this done the right way.” Continue Reading…

Senator Michael Doherty called for the reopening of Voorhees State Park in Hunterdon County and Fort Mott State Park in Salem County in response to an announcement that both parks will be closed until further notice due to staffing issues. “There’s no better place to enjoy fresh air and sunshine while socially distancing than at New Jersey’s beautiful State parks,” said Doherty (R-23). “While the governor is encouraging residents to stay local and not travel far, and with few outlets to exercise while gyms remain closed by executive order, the loss of access to these two parks will negatively impact the health and well-being of New Jerseyans. During this unprecedented year of harsh restrictions, the Murphy Administration should make every effort to ensure that residents are able to utilize all of New Jersey’s outdoor recreational areas. It’s imperative that Governor Murphy find ways to fully staff and reopen these parks.” Continue Reading…

Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) stood on the steps of the Warren County Court House with local leaders, freeholders, and legislators to ask one simple question of Governor Phil Murphy – “Where’s the aid for Warren County?” Here is Sen. Doherty’s statement: “All of us are here today because we are concerned about the people of Warren County. We’re suffering out here, Gov. Murphy, and we have local small businesses that are being killed. So many families are involved in these small businesses. People have their entire life and their entire fortunes on the line. Unfortunately, we have a governor who’s totally tone-deaf to the needs of working New Jerseyans. “In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Congress and the President took decisive action and sent billions to the states. New Jersey received more than $2 billion. Instead of distributing that money how it was intended by Congress, and as emphasized in a letter that the congressional delegation all signed, Governor Murphy is squirreling away this money. Continue Reading…

Senator Michael Doherty called on Governor Phil Murphy to start distributing in full the $2.1 billion of unspent CARES Act funds received by New Jersey to the small businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments that it was intended to help. “While Governor Murphy is sitting on more than $2 billion of federal relief funds, we have businesses across New Jersey that still haven’t gotten a penny of aid to help them survive the many impacts of COVID-19,” said Doherty (R-23). “He’s squirreling away billions for his own purposes while acting like the crumbs he’s doling out through his benevolence are going to save New Jersey. It’s beyond ludicrous. That money isn’t his, it’s a return on the surpluses New Jersey taxpayers send to Washington year after year. It was supposed to be disbursed quickly to help struggling employers and employees to survive this crisis. He still refuses to do that.” According to a published report by NJ Spotlight, 97.7% of the CARES Act relief funds delivered to New Jersey remains unspent four months after receipt from the federal government. Continue Reading…

Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) released the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats approving $10 billion in unconstitutional borrowing: “I was proud to join with many of my colleagues in the legislature to vote against this risky and reckless borrowing scheme, which saddles New Jersey taxpayers with $10 billion in new debt, and tens of billions of dollars in future interest payments. Continue Reading…

Some Unemployed Workers Waiting Since March for Benefits Senator Michael Testa and Senator Michael Doherty reiterated their call for Governor Murphy to reopen the New Jersey Department of Labor’s (DOL) in-person unemployment offices to better serve residents who lost their jobs due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and lockdown orders issued by the administration. “It’s been two months since we requested that the Murphy Administration open unemployment offices for walk-in service, yet there’s still no movement to better serve out-of-work New Jerseyans,” said Testa (R-1). “Our neighbors and friends who have not seen a paycheck since the shutdown began four months ago are racking up credit card debt and draining their bank accounts to survive. It’s clear that trying to obtain unemployment benefits remotely is not working for many people, and struggling New Jersey families cannot afford to wait any longer.” Continue Reading…

‘Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail’ Senator Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to the blatant failures of the Murphy administration as it neglected to adequately prepare for the reopening of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) that had been shut down since March due the COVID-19 lockdown: “After a four-month lockdown, the MVC that New Jerseyans returned to was an utter nightmare. Long lines wrapped around the agencies, negatively impacting those waiting in the heat and humidity as well as the communities surrounding the centers. Many residents were turned away without any help or guidance. The failure to properly plan for this reopening is an absolute disgrace. Continue Reading…