State Treasurer’s Revelation Today Demonstrates Why Legislature Must Strip Murphy Administration of Power to Spend Federal Funds Immediately
Murphy Administration Already Received $6.3 Billion in Federal Relief Funds, Didn’t Tell Anyone & Has No Plan to Use it Effectively
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to the shocking revelation by Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio at today’s budget hearing that the Murphy Administration has already received $6.3 billion in federal relief funds, but failed to tell anyone.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee responded to the shocking revelation by Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio at a budget hearing that the Murphy Administration has already received $6.3 billion in federal relief funds, but failed to tell anyone. (Pixabay)
Both Republicans and Democrats on the Budget Committee expressed surprise that committee members were not notified of the receipt of federal relief funds through the ARP Act prior to today’s budget hearing.
Republican Budget Members: Health Commissioner Continues to Dodge Questions, Refuses to Repeal Outdated Policies
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said repeated claims by New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli at a budget hearing that the Murphy administration has been transparent about pandemic response are demonstrably false. Further, they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed to aid in New Jersey’s recovery
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli has not been transparent during the pandemic or at today’s budget hearing, and they expressed shock that she refuses to admit that clearly outdated policies should be repealed. (SenateNJ.com)
“Mourning families, concerned legislators, and investigative journalists have all bemoaned the wall of secrecy that has been put up by the Murphy administration and the Department of Health about tragic policy decisions that led to the massive loss of life in our nursing homes,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Commissioner Persichilli cannot claim to have been transparent when her department has systematically denied public records requests and she has refused invitations to testify before legislators and the public.”
Thompson on Politicization & Abuses in DCA’s Main Street Business Support Programs
At yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) sought to address the abuse of federal CARES Act relief funds entrusted to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Sen. Sam Thompson sought to address the abuse of federal CARES Act relief funds entrusted to the Department of Community Affairs during a budget hearing this week. (©iStock)
Due to the constraints of the committee, he was unable to complete his questioning of the Lt. Governor.
Included below are Sen. Thompson’s full comments and questions as prepared for the hearing:
Some of the $2.4 billion CARES Act block grant received by Treasury was made available to support small businesses and nonprofits reeling from COVID 19 shut-downs and restrictions. The bulk of this support was channeled through the Economic Development Authority. Though grossly underfunded by the Governor, EDA’s programs treated all small businesses and nonprofits throughout the State with the same set of rules and didn’t play favorites.
Republican Budget Members Outline Responsible Plan for $6.5 Billion of ARP Federal Relief Funds
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee outlined a proposed framework for the State of New Jersey to responsibly utilize $6.5 billion in new federal relief funds with legislative approval.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee outlined a proposed framework for the State of New Jersey to responsibly utilize $6.5 billion in new federal relief funds with legislative approval. (Pixabay)
With more than $3 billion of the funds to be received by the State in the next 30 days, the legislators challenged the Murphy Administration and Democratic legislative majorities to propose their own plans, debate them publicly, and appropriate the funds in a transparent and open process that gives the public a chance to be heard.
“The Murphy Administration dropped the ball in its handling of the $2.4 billion of CARES Act funds that came to New Jersey last April,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13). “He sat on the money for months and then used it to pay for ordinary government expenses rather than helping people. With another $6.5 billion in federal relief coming to New Jersey, we can’t afford to let him make the same mistake on an even bigger scale. Our plan is the first step in reasserting the Legislature and public into the appropriations process.”
Republican Budget Members Say State Revenue Update Highlights Extent of Murphy’s False Projections
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said a State revenue update provided to legislators today demonstrates the extent of the Murphy Administration’s false revenue projections during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee said a State revenue update provided to legislators demonstrates the extent of the Murphy Administration’s false revenue projections during the coronavirus pandemic. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy Administration peddled outrageous claims about the State’s finances over the past year that have proven to be completely false,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Republican Budget Officer. “Going back to last July, we had clear signs the State’s financial picture was better than expected despite the Murphy Administration’s measures that needlessly destroyed so many businesses. The governor stuck by his false projections to secure approval for unnecessary tax increases and an otherwise unconstitutional borrowing scheme to build a massive surplus that he could spend while he runs for reelection.”
Local Lawmakers Condemn Racist Email to Old Bridge Councilwoman
State GOP lawmakers representing the Old Bridge in Legislative District 12 condemned a racist email sent to a Democrat councilwoman in the township.
Sen. Sam Thompson and State GOP lawmakers representing Old Bridge condemned a racist email sent to a Democrat councilwoman in the township. (Pixabay)
“The fact that there is this sort of hate based on race is disgraceful,” said Sen. Samuel Thompson (R-12), who lives in Old Bridge. “Diversity is something to be proud of because it has endured despite attacks from people who can’t see past skin color or ethnicity.”
District 12 Lawmakers Slam Murphy Administration For Slashing School Funding
Sen. Samuel Thompson and Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state, including those represented by the lawmakers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Sen. Samuel Thompson, Asm. Ron Dancer, and Asm. Rob Clifton slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration for proposing cuts to schools across the state. (Pixabay)
The lawmakers received an email from Department of Education Acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan outlining Murphy’s proposed state aid cuts to nine of the 17 schools they represent. The schools are among the 193 districts statewide that would receive less aid under Murphy’s budget proposal.
Republican Budget Committee Members to Propose Dedicating $600 Million Horizon Payment to Improving Health Care in NJ
The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will move an amendment tomorrow to legislation restructuring Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to require a proposed $600 million payment from the insurer to be deposited into a new nonprofit entity that is dedicated to rate stabilization and improving the quality and efficiency of health care in New Jersey.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee will propose an amendment to legislation restructuring Horizon BCBSNJ to require a proposed $600 million payment from the insurer to be deposited into a new nonprofit entity that is dedicated to rate stabilization and improving the quality and efficiency of health care in New Jersey. (Pixabay)
The members — Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) — said they are concerned that premiums paid by Horizon’s policyholders and ratepayers will be consumed by the State’s General Fund to pay for spending unrelated to healthcare.
“In an ideal world, the excess premiums paid to Horizon by policyholders, small businesses, local governments, and taxpayers would be returned to customers in the form of lower future premiums,” the Republican senators said in a joint statement. “It’s clear, however, that’s not what this rushed legislation envisions. If the sponsors are going to require a massive payment to the State, we believe the proceeds should be dedicated by law to improving health care in New Jersey in a way that benefits and supports the needs of the communities that paid the premiums in the first place.”
Governor Signs Thompson Bill Delaying Filing Deadlines for School District Audit Reports
New Law Provides a 2-Month Extension Due to Pandemic
School districts will have more time to file required annual audits with the Commissioner of Education after the Governor today signed into law legislation sponsored by Senator Sam Thompson.
Senator Thompson’s legislation extending the deadline for school districts filing annual audit reports with the education commissioner has been signed into law by the Governor. (SenateNJ.com)
The bipartisan measure provides a two-month extension.
Senate Republicans Repeat Call for Passage of Substantial Aid Package for Small Businesses & Nonprofits as State Budget Surplus Grows
Sales Tax Revenues Continue to Outpace Murphy Administration’s Dire Revenue Projections
As sales tax collections continue to outpace the Murphy Administration’s dire revenue estimates for FY 2021 and the State budget surplus grows, the Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee repeated their calls for action on a substantial aid package to support small businesses and nonprofits struggling with the impact of COVID-19.
As sales tax collections continue to outpace the Murphy Administration’s dire revenue estimates for FY 2021 and the State budget surplus grows, the Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee repeated their calls for action on a substantial aid package to support small businesses and nonprofits struggling with the impact of COVID-19. (©iStock)
“While more and more of our small businesses are closing shop with little help from the State, Governor Murphy only seems willing to look out for his own political interests,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13). “He’s building a massive surplus with borrowed and taxed funds that’s not helping anyone but himself. We’re hoping our Democrat colleagues in the Legislature will do the right thing and join us in passing a substantial aid package to help small businesses and nonprofits survive.”
