Thompson to Receive Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award
Senator Samuel Thompson has been selected for entry in Marquis Who’s Who in America and to receive the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for his career longevity, philanthropic endeavors, and lasting contributions to society.
Sen. Sam Thompson has been selected for entry in Marquis Who’s Who in America and to receive the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. (MarquisWhosWho.com)
“It is an honor to be recognized again by Who’s Who for my continuing work for the community and the people of New Jersey,” said Thompson (R-12). “To be listed among the small group of honorees who have received this award is truly special. I thank the Selection Committee for their hard work and for this accolade, and I am glad to know that more than six decades after my first recognition, I am still making a noticeable difference.”
Thompson, Testa Endorse Responsible Spending Priorities for Federal COVID Funds as Murphy Administration Ponders Options
Senator Sam Thompson and Senator Michael Testa, both Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee, provided written testimony for the Murphy Administration’s virtual American Rescue Plan Hearings scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow morning.
Senator Sam Thompson and Senator Michael Testa, both Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee, provided written testimony for the Murphy Administration’s virtual American Rescue Plan hearings. (Pixabay)
The Senators’ comments, submitted online prior to the Tuesday hearing, are presented below:
Senate Republicans Call on Gov. Murphy to Explain Pork Spending Before Budget Is Signed
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee continued their push for transparency in the budget process with a new call for Governor Phil Murphy to fully explain the hundreds of millions of pork spending in the FY 2022 State Budget he will sign into law this morning.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee continued their push for transparency in the budget process with a new call for Gov. Phil Murphy to fully explain the hundreds of millions of pork spending in the FY 2022 State Budget he will sign into law this morning. (Pixabay)
Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), and Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) sent a letter to Governor Murphy (click here for PDF) calling for the immediate release of budget resolutions and other materials that might explain the purpose for hundreds of millions of dollars of so-called pork spending that was added by Democratic legislators to the budget immediately before it was voted on and approved by the Legislature in party line votes last week.
Thompson: Democrats Deciding State Budget in Backroom Without Public Input
Senator Sam Thompson warned that transparency has reached a new low in Trenton as Governor Phil Murphy and the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, all Democrats, have eschewed any semblance of a public process to determine how tens of billions of dollars of State and federal funds will be spent.
Sen. Sam Thompson warned that transparency has reached a new low in Trenton as Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders have eschewed any semblance of a public process to determine how more than $50 billion of State and federal funds will be spent. (©iStock)
“Three men are deciding how more than $50 billion of State and federal funds will be spent with absolutely no public input,” said Thompson (R-12), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “In prior years, Democrats would at least pretend to want to hear from the public before rubberstamping the budget they had already agreed upon in private. This year, they’re dispensing with the charade and have completely cut the public out of the process. It’s the antithesis of the inclusive, open, and transparent government that New Jersey deserves.”
Senate Republicans Propose Returning $4 Billion to New Jersey Taxpayers
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers after the State Treasury revealed billions in unexpected revenues that isn’t needed to balance the budget or meet important priorities.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee called for a windfall of State tax revenues to be returned to New Jersey taxpayers. (Pixabay)
The following statement was released today by Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1):
“On Monday, Senate Republicans put out a comprehensive plan for the budget and for effectively utilizing the nearly $6.5 billion of new federal relief funds at New Jersey’s disposal.
Republican Budget Committee Members: Murphy Administration Has $11.5 Billion and No Plan to Help NJ
Revenue Update Shows Massive $5 Billion Increase in State Revenues
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues during FY 2021 and FY 2022, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. Combined with nearly $6.5 billion in federal relief funds sent to New Jersey, the Murphy administration now has $11.5 billion in cash and absolutely no plan to use it to help New Jersey.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee responded to a revenue update from the Murphy administration showing a massive $5 billion increase in State revenues, well beyond what legislators were told to expect. (Pixabay)
“The updated revenue figures demonstrate yet again that the information provided by the Murphy administration to the Legislature in recent weeks was grossly inaccurate,” said Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24). “When she last testified before our committee in May, Treasurer Muoio suggested revenues might be adjusted upwards by a few hundred million dollars. We deserve the opportunity to ask the Treasurer why the Murphy Administration’s guidance was off by nearly $5 billion. Further, I believe we should form a special committee with subpoena power to investigate how the Murphy administration has misled lawmakers, the court, and taxpayers on our finances and the billions of dollars Governor Murphy borrowed unnecessarily last year.”
Senate Republicans Propose Budget Fixes & Reforms to Protect NJ Taxpayers
Republicans serving on the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter (click here for PDF) to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo.
Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee detailed proposed changes to Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2022 State Budget proposal in a letter to Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Budget Chairman Paul Sarlo (Pixabay)
They recommended reforms that would protect New Jersey taxpayers, restore transparency to the appropriations process, and ensure billions in new federal relief funds are utilized effectively.
“We’re concerned that Governor Murphy’s budget plan misses important opportunities to provide tax relief to workers and businesses that are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), the Republican Budget Officer. “We offered detailed solutions to lower income taxes for telecommuters and prevent an avoidable payroll tax increase on small businesses, all while increasing state revenues. It’s a win-win that the Murphy administration would be wise to accept.”
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.
