Testa Bill to Address Developer Bribes in New Jersey
Senator Michael Testa introduced legislation to address developer bribes in New Jersey after multiple reports of corruption have flown under the radar. Corruption is deeply ingrained in New Jersey, and it is time for the Legislature to act, said the senator.
Sen. Michael Testa introduced legislation to address developer bribes in New Jersey after multiple reports of corruption have flown under the radar. (Pixabay)
“Corruption in New Jersey is not relegated to Senator Menendez. Many have been content to look the other way as dirty money changed hands in places like Hudson and Newark for kickbacks and favors,” said Testa (R-1). “While these bribes and shady development deals have consistently flown under the radar, this administration has failed to take aggressive action to intervene where obvious corruption exists. My legislation seeks to end the persistent culture of corruption.”
Testa Calls For Special Legislative Committee to Investigate Attorney General’s Office
Senate Judiciary Committee member, Michael Testa, called on the Legislature to return to Trenton immediately to authorize subpoena power for the Senate Judiciary Committee and retain special counsel to facilitate a thorough investigation of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office handling of a 2019 prosecution involving a businessman with ties to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez.
Sen. Michael Testa called on the Legislature to return to Trenton immediately to authorize subpoena power for the Senate Judiciary Committee and retain special counsel to facilitate a thorough investigation of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office handling of a 2019 prosecution. (Pixabay)
“When you have allegations of elected officials pressuring our State attorney general’s office to influence the outcome of a prosecution, the State must demand answers. We cannot ignore the alleged corruption and influence peddling that occurred within our State offices,” said Testa (R-1). “The Legislature must return to Trenton immediately and give the Senate Judiciary Committee the power and resources to demand answers from the attorney general’s office regarding this serious and egregious matter.”
Testa: Murphy Moving Further to the Left with BPU Announcement
Senator Michael Testa criticized Governor Murphy for moving further to the left after the administration announced that Christine Guhl-Sadovy will serve as President of the Board of Public Utilities.
Sen. Michael Testa criticized Gov. Murphy for moving further to the left after the administration announced that Christine Guhl-Sadovy will serve as President of the BPU. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Governor Murphy will go to great extremes to implement his costly and overly aggressive energy disaster plan. Even if it means moving further and further to the left with a hand-picked activist to run the BPU,” said Testa (R-1). “Not only did Christine Guhl-Sadovy call the extreme energy master plan a visionary document, but she also spearheaded the radical-left agenda for the Murphy administration. I find it deeply concerning that one of the architects of this ill-fated energy policy is now going to be the head of the BPU.”
Testa: Holding Breweries Hostage Over Liquor Reform Undermines Tourism
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) said Governor Murphy is undermining tourism by holding New Jersey breweries hostage in his push for broader liquor license reforms.
Sen. Michael Testa said Governor Murphy is undermining tourism by holding New Jersey breweries hostage in his push for broader liquor license reforms. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy’s decision to hold our breweries hostage in a broader liquor license reform debate runs counter to the State’s push to grow our tourism industry. We’ve seen breweries starting to go out of business because of these oppressive rules overregulating their businesses and limiting their ability to serve food and hold certain events. The legislation that I sponsored would help breweries lift these unnecessary regulations. Governor Murphy’s liquor license reform is separate and apart from the business of breweries and they should not be used as a bargaining chip.”
GOP Budget Members: Legislators’ Budget Requests Have Been Whitewashed of Critical Information
On Friday afternoon, more than two months after the law required legislators’ requests for budget funding to be released to the public, Democrats released requests that all have this disclaimer stamped at the top: “The Budget Bill includes this Resolution, either as submitted or in a modified form.” It’s not clear how original budget requests were sanitized, but they have almost all been modified to remove required explanations about how the money will be spent.
Senate Republicans called on Democrats to release all budget resolutions with explanations about how the money will be spent – so it is clear to the public who really requested funding and their explanations of how it would be spent. (Pixabay)
Senate Republicans released all of their original and unmodified budget resolutions more than two months ago — before the budget was adopted, as required by law. The Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee are once again calling on Democrats to release all budget resolutions with explanations about how the money will be spent, just as they were submitted – so it is clear to the public who really requested funding and their explanations of how it would be spent:
“This is outrageous, but typical and incredibly arrogant behavior by Democrats running Trenton,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13). “Republicans made our resolutions public, prior to passage of the budget as required by Senate rules. All of the resolutions that we advocated for clearly noted who advocated for it and the narratives outlining why the money was needed. Democrats, in typical fashion, waited until no one was paying attention and released this sanitized garbage on the eve of a major holiday weekend. The people of New Jersey deserve a truly transparent government and they’re not getting that from Democrats in Trenton.”
LD1 Lawmakers Slam Biden For Wanting NJ to Clean up NYC’s Mess
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Antwan L. McClellan and Erik K. Simonsen slammed President Biden for his administration’s proposal to dump thousands of illegal immigrants that are currently in New York City into the Atlantic City International Airport.
District 1 lawmakers slammed President Biden for his administration’s proposal to dump thousands of illegal immigrants that are currently in New York City into the Atlantic City International Airport. (SenateNJ)
“New Jersey should not be in the business of cleaning up Biden’s humanitarian crisis. Issues like what we are seeing in New York City were created by foolish sanctuary city policies that blatantly ignore the rule of law,” said Sen. Testa. “Without a doubt, Biden’s refusal to secure the southern border has been disastrous for the country and is destroying our cities. His dereliction of duty is now not only threatening our national security, but also the safety of our residents in South Jersey. I’m calling on Governor Murphy to tell Biden that our residents will not assume responsibility for the Biden administration’s refusal to take border security seriously.”
Testa Urges Murphy to Reject Future Subsidies for Orsted
Senator Michael Testa urged Governor Murphy to preemptively reject any additional bailouts for Orsted after it was reported that the foreign offshore wind developer may walk away from their projects in New Jersey.
Sen. Michael Testa urged Gov. Murphy to preemptively reject any additional bailouts for Orsted after it was reported that the foreign offshore wind developer may walk away from their projects in New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“It was a travesty when Governor Murphy bailed out Orsted at the expense of New Jersey taxpayers the first time they threatened to walk away. I’m calling on the Murphy administration to state unequivocally that our residents will not be sold out for Orsted a second time,” said Testa (R-1). “Supply chain issues and rising inflation prove that these projects are unsustainable and the cost of continuing these projects will be too much of a burden for our state to bear. Not to mention the environmental damage that has ensued since survey work on these projects began. In the real-world costs matter and our residents cannot afford to be thrown under the bus again for the sake of saving Orsted.”
District 1 Lawmakers Express Support for Food Desert Tax Credit Auction
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Antwan L. McClellan and Erik K. Simonsen expressed their support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJDEA) Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. This auction will raise substantial funds that are critical in combating food insecurity, the lawmakers said.
District 1 lawmakers expressed support for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJDEA) Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. (Pixabay)
“Investing in food deserts improves the quality of life for residents living in these areas. This auction will raise millions of dollars to help communities that are struggling with food insecurity increase their access to fresh nutritious food,” said Sen. Testa. “Every New Jerseyan deserves healthy and affordable food options regardless of where they live. Improving food security is critical in developing a stronger, safer New Jersey.”
Testa & Polistina Bill Making Historic Investment in Coastal Communities Signed Into Law
Legislation prime-sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and co-sponsored by Senator Vince Polistina that would establish a Boardwalk Preservation Fund to construct, repair, and maintain boardwalks and structures throughout the state’s coastal communities was signed into law today.
Legislation prime-sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa and co-sponsored by Sen. Vince Polistina establishing the Boardwalk Preservation Fund was signed into law today. (©iStock)
“Boardwalks are an economic driver for New Jersey tourism and generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state. The signing of this legislation makes a historic investment to improve the infrastructure of these iconic attractions,” said Testa (R-1). “The establishment of the Boardwalk Preservation Fund will have a significant return on investment by bolstering tourist appeal and opening additional opportunities for businesses to generate revenue. Most importantly, this fund will help our shore town communities preserve the historical significance of these structures.”
Testa Statement on the Tragic Voice of Deliverance Church Fire in Vineland
Senator Michael Testa issued the following statement on the tragic fire that engulfed the Voice of Deliverance New Covenant Evangelical Church in Vineland on Monday night.
Sen. Michael Testa issued the following statement on the tragic fire that engulfed the Voice of Deliverance New Covenant Evangelical Church in Vineland on Monday night. (Courier Post)
“I am saddened by the news of the fire that ripped through the Voice of Deliverance New Covenant Church last night in Vineland. This church was a safe place in the community where people from all walks of life could congregate, pray, and become closer to God. For those who lost their home and place of worship, you have my support for the recovery efforts that are underway to help restore this great church.
