In a letter addressed to Governor Murphy, Senator Carmen Amato and Assemblymen Brian Rumpf and Greg Myhre have urged the Governor to veto the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's decision to increase tolls set to take effect in March.The lawmakers expressed their concerns in the letter, emphasizing the impact of the toll increase on the cost of living and doing business in New Jersey. They stated, "To prevent yet another increase in the cost of living and doing business in New Jersey, we are calling on your Administration in the strongest terms to veto the New Jersey Turnpike...
Senator Tiver Calls Out Murphy for Misleading New JerseyansJan 31 2024Senator Latham Tiver, a Republican member of the Senate Transportation Committee, criticized Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats for misleading New Jerseyans on affordability issues and waiting to approve toll hikes on New Jersey commuters until after the November election."This is the latest example of election year gimmicks presented by Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats. Not only did the Turnpike Authority's budget process lack transparency, but it is more than obvious that Governor Murphy...
Senator Owen Henry (R-12) visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst over the weekend to meet with the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team prior to their deployment to Fort Bliss, Texas. Their deployment was the largest mobilization of the New Jersey National Guard since 2008."It was a great honor to attend the send-off event for the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," said Sen. Henry. "Meeting the brave men and women of New Jersey's National Guard was a humbling experience. Words alone cannot express my heartfelt appreciation for those who...
Sen. Bucco Condemns Potential Toll Increases in New JerseyIn a statement released on Jan 30, 2024, Senator Bucco expressed strong opposition to the potential toll increases in New Jersey. He criticized Governor Murphy and fellow Trenton Democrats for what he perceives as a pattern of broken promises and financial burden on the state's residents.According to Sen. Bucco, the toll increases are part of a series of measures that unfairly impact hardworking New Jerseyans. He accused the Democrats of using affordability as a political tool to gain support, only to later...
The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee approved a bill sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Teresa Ruiz aimed at helping pregnant women receive postpartum care. Senator Corrado emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, "Women face unique challenges during pregnancy and postpartum that can significantly impact their body and overall health." She highlighted the need for health care professionals to provide information about personalized postpartum care plans to empower mothers to prioritize their health and well-being during...
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Paul Kanitra, all representing the R-10 district, have collectively addressed the ongoing undocumented migrant crisis in New Jersey. Expressing their concerns, Senator Holzapfel emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law, stating, "Stopping illegal immigration has always been about the rule of law and protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens."Assemblyman McGuckin attributed responsibility for the crisis to Governor Murphy and the Trenton Democrats, pointing out their role in implementing policies...
Senator Bucco has spoken out against New Jersey Transit's proposed fare increase, stating that it will only add to the financial burden of transit riders. In a statement released on January 24, 2024, Senator Bucco expressed his strong disapproval of the fare hike, calling it "unacceptable."According to Senator Bucco, the fare increases for train, light rail, and bus services will make it even more challenging for financially struggling riders to make ends meet. He pointed out that the Republicans had been warning about budget mismanagement at NJ Transit for some time, but...
Senators Anthony Bucco and Michael Testa have voiced their disappointment with the Murphy administration's approach to retiring outstanding debt, stating that more taxpayer dollars could have been saved with a more thoughtful strategy. The senators expressed their concerns in a joint statement, pointing out missed opportunities for greater savings and more responsible financial decisions.Bucco and Testa highlighted that the administration's use of $500 million for debt defeasance, while potentially beneficial, did not prioritize retiring the most cost-effective debt....
In a recent development, a bipartisan bill aimed at protecting law enforcement officers in New Jersey has been signed into law. The bill, championed by Senator Bucco (R-25), has been heralded as a crucial step towards ensuring public safety and restoring confidence in law enforcement.Senator Bucco expressed his optimism about the impact of the new legislation, stating, “By passing this bill into law we are giving law enforcement back the tools they need to ensure safety in our communities and give both New Jerseyans and tourists the peace of mind they deserve.” He also...
Senator Michael Testa (R-1), co-chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus and sponsor of S-4625, expressed his enthusiasm for the removal of brewery restrictions in New Jersey. Testa praised the bipartisan effort that led to this development, stating, "For far too long breweries and distilleries were hamstrung by oppressive rules that overregulated their businesses." He highlighted the progress made in ensuring the security and stability of these businesses, adding, "With the help of strong bipartisan support, we have since made great strides to ensure security and...
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) has revealed his plans to introduce the “New Jersey Comes First” legislative package aimed at addressing immigration and sanctuary state policies in New Jersey. Testa expressed his concerns about the current state of affairs, stating, "Congress has failed to do its job when it comes to our country’s immigration crisis and Governor Murphy’s harmful sanctuary state policies have made it more difficult for our municipalities to provide the services our constituents rely on."In a bid to prioritize the needs of New Jersey residents, Testa...
Senator Steinhardt expressed strong opposition to the potential use of the former Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Hunterdon County as a processing facility for undocumented migrants. In a statement released today, Sen. Steinhardt criticized the decision, citing concerns about the impact on local communities."New Jersey communities are already stretched too thin as it is and now risk being overwhelmed because of President Biden’s blatant disregard for the immigration crisis and Governor Murphy’s sanctuary state policies," said Sen. Steinhardt.Highlighting the potential...
"Nonprofit veterans’ organizations will soon be able to purchase abandoned homes for homeless veterans thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin M. Corrado and signed into law yesterday by Governor Murphy.Senator Corrado expressed, “It is our duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our veterans, especially those who have fallen on hard times.” She added, “These grants will allow numerous non-profit organizations to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned properties for New Jersey’s homeless veterans. These brave men and women have sacrificed so much in service to...
Governor Signs Singer Bill to Require Students to Complete Financial Aid ApplicationsJan 17 2024“The student financial aid crisis is growing by the minute and students applying to colleges need all the assistance they can get,” said Sen. Singer (R-30). “When students receive more money through grants and scholarships, it helps them avoid taking on excessive loans that can take decades to repay. This requirement will help make applying to college less strenuous and ensure that students are more knowledgeable about the financial aid that is available to them.”Key...
A bill aimed at supporting victims of domestic violence has been signed into law by Senator Bucco. In a statement, Bucco emphasized the importance of the new legislation, stating, "Police records are a powerful tool that can be used to corroborate testimony in domestic violence cases and help survivors obtain restraining orders. This new law will increase the likelihood that perpetrators of domestic violence will be held accountable for their repulsive actions."The key components of the bill, known as A-5285/S-3708, include provisions such as requiring law enforcement...
Senator Joe Pennacchio has spoken out on the recent findings that show New Jersey as the state with the highest outbound migration for the sixth consecutive year. Pennacchio attributes this trend to what he perceives as excessive spending and increasing taxes under the Murphy administration. According to Pennacchio, the administration's actions have led to a situation where people are being priced out of the state.Pennacchio highlighted the impact of these policies, stating, "New Jersey’s tax, spend, and over-regulating policies have forced grandparents to leave their...
Three bills sponsored by Senator Vince Polistina have been signed into law by Governor Murphy, signaling significant changes for New Jersey residents. Senator Polistina expressed his satisfaction with the legislative advancements, stating, “I’m proud that Governor Murphy signed these bills into law. These three pieces of legislation will improve the lives of so many New Jerseyans.”The first bill, S-1110, paves the way for a new transportation line from Atlantic City International Airport, aiming to make it more convenient for tourists to access Atlantic City casinos and...
New Jersey Senator Bucco (R-25) has recently signed legislation aimed at providing municipalities with more flexibility in purchasing essential firefighting equipment. The bill, designated as A-5567/S-3807, seeks to address challenges faced by municipalities in financing the acquisition of crucial safety vehicles and equipment."The signing of this legislation will help provide our first responders with the necessary tools that keep our communities safe," Senator Bucco stated. He highlighted the impact of high inflation in recent years, making it challenging for...