Schepisi Earns NJ Chamber’s Legislator of the Year Award
Senator Holly Schepisi will receive the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Legislator of the Year Award during an event on October 11 in Brielle.
Sen. Holly Schepisi will receive the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s Legislator of the Year Award during an event on October 11 in Brielle. (©iStock)
Schepisi, an influential Senator representing Legislative District 39, will be joined by honorees from the public and private sectors, and will be honored for being a “collaborator who seeks bi-partisan support on issues benefitting New Jersey’s economy” during the Chamber’s Legislative and Business Awards Reception at the Manasquan River Golf Club.
Statement from Senator Bucco on Terrorist Attacks in Israel
In response to the terrorist attacks in Israel, Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement.
Statement from Senator Anthony M. Bucco on terrorist attacks in Israel. (Flickr)
“I had the honor of visiting Israel in 2017 and I will always cherish what I learned about the country, the people and their culture. After seeing what happened today, my heart breaks for the innocent victims of these terrorist attacks. I implore my colleagues in the Senate to join hands and stand in solidarity to condemn this senseless violence and support Israel in their time of need.”
Singer Bill that Promotes Innovation Through Expanded Grant Opportunities Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that will expand certain grant opportunities for individuals employed at state colleges and universities was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that will expand certain grant opportunities for individuals employed at state colleges and universities was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
“I’m proud this bill was signed into law. Lifting the prohibition on state grants for certain researchers will promote innovation and help integrate more advanced technologies into New Jersey industries,” said Singer (R-30). “This legislation will allow certain researchers employed at our public colleges and universities to obtain state grants issued by the Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology.”
Corrado: SCI Report Echoes DOJ on Veterans Homes—When Will Murphy be Held Accountable?
Senator Kristin Corrado is calling for a special legislative committee to be formed to investigate the findings of a recent report by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) that revealed shocking failures at the veterans homes in Menlo Park and Paramus.
Sen. Kristin Corrado is calling for a special legislative committee to be formed to investigate the findings of a recent report by the SCI that revealed shocking failures at the veterans homes in Menlo Park and Paramus. (SenateNJ.com)
“The SCI report is devastating and the Murphy Administration must be held accountable for the appalling treatment of our nation’s heroes,” said Corrado (R-40). “In fact, this is the second report issued by an investigative agency in the last month that once again highlights Governor Murphy’s leadership failures.”
Pennacchio: SCI Report on Veterans Homes Underscores Findings from DOJ but More Answers Are Needed
Senator Joe Pennacchio slammed the Murphy Administration’s handling of State-run veterans homes following a report issued by the State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation (SCI) that revealed insufficient care for residents at memorial homes at Menlo Park and Paramus.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio slammed the Murphy Administration’s handling of State-run veterans homes following a report issued by the SCI that revealed insufficient care for residents at memorial homes at Menlo Park and Paramus. (©iStock)
“Once again, another investigative body illustrates how this administration failed our veterans. From the start of the pandemic, hundreds of American heroes have died due to inadequate medical care and a lack of effective management and oversight,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “After three years of Democrats in the Legislature stonewalling calls for a comprehensive investigation, it is now time to hold this administration accountable for the immense harm done to veterans.”
Testa Sends Letter Calling for Senate Investigation of AG’s Office
Senate Judiciary Committee member Michael Testa announced today that he sent a joint letter with the full Senate Republican Caucus to Senate President Nicholas Scutari calling for an investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJU) into the Attorney General’s Office’s handling of a 2019 criminal prosecution. Senator Testa initially called for an investigation on September 22 when news about the Menendez indictment first broke.
Sen. Testa sent a joint letter with the full Senate Republican Caucus to Senate President Nicholas Scutari calling for an investigation by the SJU into the Attorney General’s Office’s handling of a 2019 criminal prosecution. (Pixabay)
“When there are allegations of egregious behavior taking place within State offices the public deserves to know the truth. It would be a gross dereliction of duty to ignore these allegations. The public deserves to know whether certain protocols were followed at the Attorney General’s Office so we can protect the integrity of our legal institutions through legislative action,” said Senator and Judiciary Committee Member Michael Testa (R-1). “It is time for the Senate to return to Trenton so the Judiciary Committee can do its job and provide oversight where it is clearly needed. I hope that our Democratic colleagues join us in supporting this effort to answer the public’s call to action.”
Senate Republicans Call for Investigation into AG’s Office in Letter to Senate President
The Senate Republican Caucus, led by the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJU), Senators Anthony M. Bucco, Kristin M. Corrado, Jon Bramnick, and Michael Testa, issued a letter to Senate President Nicholas Scutari to call for the SJU to be reconvened to investigate certain matters contained in U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s indictment that implicate the Attorney General’s Office. The letter calls on our Democratic colleagues in the Senate to pledge their support toward reconvening the Senate and initiating an investigation with special counsel and subpoena power in the immediate coming days.
The Senate Republican Caucus issued a letter to Senate President Nicholas Scutari that calls for the SJU to launch an investigation with special counsel and subpoena power. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s no secret that the indictment alleges Senator Menendez tried to use his elected office as a means to pressure our State Attorney General to influence the outcome of a criminal prosecution. We are respectfully requesting that we retain special counsel and subpoena power to ensure that the Office was not, and has not, been compromised by the influence peddling of Senator Menendez,” said the Senate Republican Leader and Judiciary Committee member Anthony M. Bucco (R-25). “This is the right thing to do. The Attorney General’s Office is integral for seeking and providing justice for all New Jerseyans. It is the duty of the Legislature and this committee to maintain checks and balances and investigate allegations of corruption so that we can maintain the public trust.”
O’Scanlon to Reintroduce Bill Revoking Public Pensions for Corrupt Officials
Durr to Join as Co-Prime Sponsor of Legislation
Senator Declan O’Scanlon announced today that he is reintroducing legislation from 2008 that would revoke public pensions for government officials and employees who are convicted of any crime while in office. Senator Edward Durr (R-3) will sign on as a co-prime sponsor of the bill.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon announced that he is reintroducing legislation from 2008 that would revoke public pensions for government officials and employees who are convicted of any crime while in office. Sen. Edward Durr will sign on as a co-prime sponsor of the bill. (SenateNJ.com)
“Senator Menendez has a state pension based of off a $48,000 salary, and if convicted of selling his office for bars of gold, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz, he will collect more than $200,000 in public pension payments over the next 20 years. These payments are funded by taxpayers and rank-and-file public employees alike,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “This is a slap in the face to taxpayers and this reform is long overdue.”
Durr to Introduce Bill to Increase Mandatory Minimums for Bribery Convictions
Senator Ed Durr announced his intention to introduce a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum term of incarceration for sentencing related to bribery charges.
Sen. Ed Durr intends to introduce a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum term of incarceration for sentencing related to bribery charges. (©iStock)
“If legislators are serious about rooting out corruption from public offices we need to establish stricter penalties. Elected officials who are convicted of bribery need more than a slap on the wrist to deter this despicable behavior,” said Durr (R-3). “Taxpayers need to know that public officials will be held accountable if they are convicted of a crime. My bill would require anyone convicted of accepting a bribe to serve a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.”
Senator Bucco Applauds Funding for Key Morris County Initiatives
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to several key resources and programs receiving critical funding in Morris County.
Sen. Anthony Bucco issued the following statement in response to several key resources and programs receiving critical funding in Morris County. (Pixabay)
“Homeless shelters, schools, hospitals and even arts centers all play a crucial role in building prosperous communities. I am pleased to know that through the legislative budget process, several key services and educational programs have received necessary funding to address critical county issues,” said Bucco (R-25). “These groups uplift and provide care for everyone who they come in contact with. I am extremely proud of the bipartisan legislative work that went into securing these important investments.”
