Thompson Says Murphy’s STEM Loan Forgiveness Program Unlikely to Help NJ Economy Despite Cost to Taxpayers
New Proposal Comes as Governor Fails to Implement Already Funded Law Creating STEM Fellowship Program
Senator Sam Thompson said a student loan forgiveness program recently announced by Governor Phil Murphy is unlikely to boost New Jersey’s innovation economy despite the cost to taxpayers.
Sen. Sam Thompson said a student loan forgiveness program recently announced by Gov. Phil Murphy is unlikely to boost New Jersey’s innovation economy despite the cost to taxpayers. (Pixabay)
“There are major problems with Governor Murphy’s loan forgiveness plan that ensure it will fail to meet expectations despite significant cost,” said Thompson (R-12). “It’s structured in a way that provides little incentive for recent STEM field graduates who are in high demand nationwide to stay in New Jersey.”
Thompson Says Action Likely on School Bus Seat Belt Legislation
New NTSB Report Recommends New Jersey to Require Lap & Shoulder Belts on School Buses
Senator Sam Thompson said action may finally be taken on legislation he sponsors to require all new school buses to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat belts.
Sen. Sam Thompson said action may finally be taken on his legislation requiring all new school buses to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat belts. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’ve been trying for four years to pass common-sense legislation to protect students on school buses with three-point seat belts,” said Thompson (R-12). “It appears likely that upcoming legislative hearings on school bus safety will consider my proposal to give kids the same protections on a school bus that they have in their parent’s car. That’s the indication I’ve received from Senate leadership. It’s a welcome development.”
Thompson Says Democrats’ Plan to Give Driver’s Licenses to Illegals Puts Elections at Risk
Sen. Sam Thompson (R-12) criticized a plan by Governor Phil Murphy and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, as this legislation coupled with the recently enacted “motor voter” law would put elections at risk. Thompson said this new plan when combined with a mandate for all state agencies to automatically register to vote anyone who makes contact with their offices is a recipe for disaster.
Sen. Sam Thompson criticized Gov. Murphy’s plan to give driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, saying it would put elections at risk. (©iStock.com)
“How can we ensure that illegal immigrants will not be automatically registered to vote when they go to the MVC to get the new driver’s licenses?” Thompson asked. “What legitimate safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening? This legislation may make it easier for non-citizens to illegally participate in local, state, and national elections, jeopardizing our free and fair voting process.”
Thompson Condemns Murphy’s “Motor Voter” Law
Says New Law Is a Waste of Taxpayer Money and Resources, Will Lead to Voter Fraud
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) released the following statement in response to Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing of “Motor Voter” legislation that sanctions State agencies to automatically register to vote anyone they come into contact with:
Sen. Sam Thompson released the following statement in response to Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing of “Motor Voter” legislation that sanctions State agencies to automatically register to vote anyone they come into contact with. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy is trying to fix a problem that doesn’t exist on the New Jersey taxpayers’ dime. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the New Jersey Division of Elections, 92 percent of eligible voters in the state are already registered and able to vote in elections should they choose to do so.
Editorial: With NJ’s High Percent of Registered Voters, Access is Not a Problem
The following editorial by Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) expressing opposition to the automatic voter registration bill, S-481, was published by The Record on April 10, 2018:
Voting is one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans. The trends in election turnout are disheartening and prove that we need to do more to increase participation. However, there is some good news: data from the U.S. Census and the state Division of Elections shows that up to 92 percent of eligible voters in New Jersey were registered and eligible to vote in recent elections.
In this editorial in The Record, Sen. Sam Thompson says an automatic voter registration bill being pushed by Democrats is a waste of money with 92% of eligible voters already registered. (iStock)
My fellow Republicans in the New Jersey State Senate and I want every law-abiding citizen to vote. Every American should seize the opportunity to have a say in who gets to be their voice in the halls of government.
What we are opposed to, is wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary legislation. In a state with the highest property taxes in the country, we simply can’t afford to play political games with the state’s money. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what New Jersey Democrats are trying to do this week. And we need help from New Jersey residents to stop them.
Thompson, Dancer & Clifton: School Districts Like Chesterfield Shortchanged by Murphy’s Misguided School Funding Plan
Call for School Funding Reform to Fix Broken Formula
Senator Sam Thompson, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, and Assemblyman Robert Clifton (R-12) responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s release of proposed state school aid for 2019, which failed to provide necessary school funding increases for underfunded districts like Chesterfield and Kingsway:
Thompson, Dancer & Clifton responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed state school aid for 2019, which fails to provide necessary funding increases for underfunded districts like Chesterfield. (©iStock)
“Governor Murphy’s budget proposal fails to meet the needs of Chesterfield’s students and teachers,” said Thompson. “This is unacceptable and provides further proof that New Jersey’s school funding formula is critically flawed and in need of reform. While the formula is flawed, the application is even worse, with many school districts such as Jersey City being utterly overfunded.”
Democrats Block Thompson Amendment to Prevent Voter Fraud
An effort by Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) to increase penalties for voter fraud was blocked by Senate Democrats today.
An effort by Sen. Sam Thompson to increase penalties for voter fraud was blocked by Senate Democrats. (SenateNJ.com)
“We know that most voter fraud is now related to mail-in ballots,” said Thompson. “If we’re going to increase the number of mail-in ballots as Democrats have proposed, we need stronger penalties to deter people from using these ballots as a vehicle to rig elections. I’m disappointed Senate Democrats blocked my proposed amendment to offer those protections.”
Republicans on Senate Budget Committee Blast Murphy Tax Evasion Scheme
Say Governor Should Focus on Real Solutions to Lower the Cost of Government and Taxes – Not Gimmicks
Senate Republicans serving on the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee blasted a tax evasion scheme proposed by Governor Phil Murphy that fails to address the underlying problem of expensive government that drives high property taxes in New Jersey.
Senate Republicans on the Budget Committee blasted a tax evasion scheme proposed by Gov. Murphy that fails to address the underlying problem of expensive government in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy’s plan to mask property tax payments as charitable contributions is a thinly veiled tax evasion scheme,” said Bucco (R-25), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Anyone who thinks the IRS won’t tear this plan apart is kidding themselves. New Jersey taxpayers need real solutions that won’t put them on the wrong side of the law.”
Sen. Thompson Alerts Local Veterans About New $3,000 Tax Exemption
Says Exemption is Essential Relief for Veterans
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) is working to create awareness of the new $3,000 state income tax exemption for New Jersey veterans.
Sen. Sam Thompson is working to create awareness of the new $3,000 state income tax exemption for New Jersey veterans. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Our service men and women dedicated their lives to serve our county, state, and communities,” said Thompson. “It is our duty to continue to protect them here at home. Now by providing a $3,000 tax exemption, we can continue to create an affordable New Jersey for our veterans.”
Thompson Applauds Amazon’s Selection of Newark as HQ2 Finalist
Senator Sam Thomson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean) applauded Amazon’s decision to highlight Newark as one of the finalist locations that might host a new United States headquarters. Known as HQ2, Amazon proposes to invest $5 billion and to create up to 50,000 high-paying jobs at the new facility.
Sen. Sam Thomson applauded Amazon’s decision to highlight Newark as one of the finalist locations that might host a new headquarters. (©iStock)
“We’ve shown that when New Jersey positions itself to be competitive, we can be a serious contender for opportunities like HQ2 that can lead to serious investment and job growth,” said Thompson. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Newark made it into the list of finalists for HQ2 just days after our pro-economic growth legislation was enacted.”
