Testa: Murphy Administration Releasing COVID-Positive Inmates at Bus & Train Stations Tomorrow
Internal NJDOC Memo Details Concerns for Staff, None for General Public
Senator Michael Testa said his office has received an internal Murphy administration memorandum detailing plans to release COVID-positive inmates at bus and train stations tomorrow with no warning to the general public.
An excerpt from an internal NJDOC memo detailing plans to release COVID-positive inmates tomorrow at bus and train stations. Click here for the full memo. (SenateNJ.com)
“After subjecting law-abiding residents to draconian restrictions and enforcement actions to ‘stop the spread,’ we have an internal memo detailing how the Murphy administration is planning the early release of inmates who are known to be infected with COVID-19 into our community with no oversight or warning,” said Testa (R-1). “Even worse, those inmates will be released at transportation hubs where they’ll board trains and buses with unsuspecting passengers and employees who won’t realize they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus. Instead of being forced to quarantine like everyone else, those sick inmates will have the opportunity to be super spreaders of the coronavirus all over New Jersey with bus and train tickets paid for by Governor Murphy.”
Testa received a copy of the internal New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) memo yesterday from a concerned Corrections Officer.
VIDEO: Democrats Block Testa Effort to Limit Gov. Murphy’s Executive Orders
Measure Would Limit Certain Emergency Orders, Rules & Regulations to 14 Days Unless Extended by the Legislature
During today’s session of the New Jersey Senate, Democrats blocked an effort by Senator Michael Testa (R-1) to force a vote on legislation that would limit the effective period of emergency executive orders to 14 days unless the Legislature approves an extension.
Testa’s motion to bring the measure (S-2482) up for a vote by the Senate was immediately tabled by Senate Democrats.
Included below are Testa’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Since March, Governor Murphy has made monumental decisions – without legislative input — that have impacted the lives and livelihoods of every New Jerseyan.
Testa: Change of Command at 11th Hour Indicates Broader COVID Issues at Veterans, Nursing Homes
Senator Michael Testa reiterated his concerns with Governor Phil Murphy’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in veterans homes, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.
Sen. Michael Testa reiterated his concerns with Governor Phil Murphy’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in veterans homes, nursing homes, and correctional facilities. (Flickr)
“The Murphy administration’s Friday afternoon leadership shakeup confirms our concerns about the ongoing problems at our State-run veterans homes, and beyond,” said Testa (R-1). “It’s tantamount to an admission by the administration that it has handled COVID-19 poorly and needlessly caused the deaths of thousands, including nursing home residents, veterans, DOC employees, and inmates. We need a full bipartisan investigation into these untimely deaths to fully understand what happened and prevent similar tragedies from reoccurring.”
South Jersey Legislators Call for Refocus on County-Specific Approach to Handle Second Wave
Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (all R-1) are pushing Governor Phil Murphy to consider a regional approach to managing a second wave of COVID-19, should a resurgence hit New Jersey.
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan are pushing Gov. Murphy to consider a regional approach to managing a second wave of COVID-19, should a resurgence hit New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“The one-size-fits-all restrictions that Governor Murphy has employed since March across New Jersey have done more harm than good to areas that haven’t been hit as hard by COVID-19,” said Testa. “Even though Cape May and Cumberland counties have fared well due to the proactive steps our residents have taken to mitigate the virus, our small businesses still have suffered under the governor’s blanket mandates. Implementing a more targeted approach as we have advised would help communities to respond locally to resurgences of the coronavirus without impacting the entire New Jersey economy and efforts to get people back to work.”
Testa/Simonsen/McClellan Introduce Bill to Help Fight Breast Cancer
Health Insurers Would be Required to Pay for Mammograms Ordered by Physicians Regardless of Age of Patient
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan introduced legislation that will help fight the disease in New Jersey by requiring health benefits plans to cover the cost of a mammogram if a healthcare provider recommends that examination.
Senator Testa and Assemblymen Simonsen and McClellan introduced legislation that will help fight breast cancer by requiring health benefits plans to cover the cost of a mammogram if a healthcare provider recommends that examination.
“I can’t imagine the panic, distress and worry a woman must feel when an employee at an insurance company rejects a procedure to diagnose cancer prescribed by a doctor,” said Testa (R-1). “This bill ensures medical experts can exercise their specialized skills to diagnose and treat breast cancer without interference from insurers more concerned about the bottom line than saving lives.”
Corrado and Testa: Why Won’t Gov. Murphy Admit There’s a Problem with VBM?
In response to news that 200 mail-in ballots were found next to a dumpster this weekend, Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Michael Testa urged Governor Phil Murphy to acknowledge the recurring problems with vote-by-mail ballots and to allow New Jerseyans to vote securely in person on voting machines this November.
In response to news that 200 mail-in ballots were found next to a dumpster, Sens. Kristin Corrado and Michael Testa urged Gov. Phil Murphy to acknowledge the recurring problems with VBM ballots. (SenateNJ.com)
“How many examples do we need of improper handling of ballots before the governor will admit there’s a problem and take action?” asked Corrado (R-40). “In this case, had the dumped mail not been reported, there’s a good chance more than 200 voters would not have received their ballots for the upcoming presidential election. This latest issue is simply more proof that voters deserve the opportunity to vote securely on a machine at their regular polling place on Election Day.”
“As if the many glaring failures during the primary election were not enough, we have yet another example of how the mail-in ballot process can and surely will disenfranchise voters,” said Testa (R-1). “Whether it’s intentional or not, it’s clear that many ballots are not reaching registered voters due to a multitude of issues. Governor Murphy can resolve the problems with mail-in ballots today by allowing our citizens to vote as how they always have – in person, in a voting booth.”
Testa: Time for SCI to Investigate Waste, Fraud & Abuse in NJ’s Pandemic Response
Says Revelations from Whistleblowers & Fired Employees at DOH & DHS Must Be Investigated
Senator Michael Testa called for the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to look into allegations of impropriety that have been raised by whistleblowers and former employees at New Jersey’s Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).
Sen. Michael Testa called for the State Commission of Investigation to look into allegations of impropriety that have been raised by whistleblowers and former employees of the Murphy Administration. (Pixabay)
“Now that the SCI has issued its report confirming the impropriety that we all suspected with Governor Murphy’s mismanagement of the SDA, it’s time to look into the serious allegations that have been raised about the failed and ineffective pandemic response of the Murphy Administration,” said Testa (R-1). “Current and former employers of DOH and DHS have told tales of lucrative contracts given out to cronies for expensive and unnecessary reports, along with high ranking officials who sought to direct taxpayer resources to be used for their own personal purposes.”
Senator Testa: Gov. Murphy is using COVID-19 as a Trojan horse for unnecessary deficit borrowing
Last week, Senator Michael L. Testa spoke on the New Jersey State Senate Floor demanding real taxpayer justice calling Governor Murphy’s recent budget a bait & switch on taxpayers.
Watch the video below:
Testa: Murphy’s Budget is a Wasteful, Tax-Raising, Bait & Switch Spending Plan
When are we going to have a real discussion about taxpayer justice?
We are not making New Jersey strong and fairer. We are making New Jersey weaker and poorer. Period. Full stop.
Gov. Phil Murphy is using COVID-19 as a Trojan horse to ask for unnecessary deficit borrowing.
They ballooned the borrowing and now we have a Trojan elephant. It’s not very well disguised. You can see the orgy of pork in fake surplus and promised rebates staring out of its smirking corpulent mouth. #WhatIsMurphyDoing #TestaInTrenton
Posted by Senator Michael Testa on Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Testa: 10 Questions for Gov. Murphy at Budget Bill Signing Today
Senator Michael Testa (R-1), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, offered ten questions that should be asked of Governor Phil Murphy at his budget bill signing press conference today:
Sen. Michael Testa offered ten questions that should be asked of Gov. Phil Murphy at his budget bill signing press conference. (Pixabay)
- Is he proud of the historic lack of transparency with this budget?
- Is he proud that borrowed funds are going to be left unused and parked in a surplus to prop up his election-year budget next summer?
Governor Signs Testa Bill Shielding Military Combat Zone Pay from NJ Income Tax
The State Has Been Taking a Portion of Soldiers’ $225 Weekly Combat Zone Stipends
U.S. military men and women serving in high-danger regions around the globe will no longer be subject to State Income Tax for combat zone pay under a new law signed by the Governor today and sponsored by Senator Michael Testa.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Testa and signed today by Governor Murphy eliminates New Jersey income tax on combat zone pay earned by soldiers in war-torn locations. (Flickr)
“Previous versions of this important bill have languished in the Legislature for 10 years. When I was sworn into the Senate in January, I made this one of my priorities and began advocating for its passing and enactment on behalf of American servicemen and women,” said Testa (R-1). “I am proud that working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, we are finally reversing the insensitive policy, and I thank the Governor for his support.”
