Senate Republican Budget Members: Murphy’s CWA Deal Is 3 Months Late, $100 Million Short
30,000+ State Employees Would Still Get 4 Percent Salary Increases
Senator Republican Budget Committee Members Steven Oroho, Sam Thompson, Declan O’Scanlon, and Michael Testa, said if a preliminary agreement announced by Governor Phil Murphy with the Communications Workers of America would continue giving out average 4 percent salary increases, then it falls far short of the savings that could be generated if the state’s public employee unions had been asked to agree to a simple wage freeze.
Senator Republican Budget Committee Members Steven Oroho, Sam Thompson, Declan O’Scanlon, and Michael Testa, said if a preliminary agreement announced by Governor Phil Murphy with the Communications Workers of America appears to fall far short of the savings that could be generated if the state’s public employee unions had been asked to agree to a simple wage freeze. (Pixabay)
State employees generally receive an approximately 4 percent salary increase annually on the anniversary date of their hire, known as a “step increase.” Additionally, they receive a 2 percent salary increase (called a cost of living adjustment, or COLA) once a year. Combined, the step increase and COLA result in typical salary increases of approximately 6 percent for most unionized State employees.
LD1: MVC ReOpening Causing Headaches for South Jersey
Following numerous calls from residents of the First Legislative District in regards to the Motor Vehicle Commission, Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan issued the following statement:
The LD1 Team announces that their office is able to remotely assist individuals needing assistance with the Motor Vehicle Commission, including vehicle registration and title transfers.
“It is outrageous that residents of the First District are showing up to their local Motor Vehicle Commission and being turned away. Unfortunately, Trenton doesn’t understand the geography of South Jersey, and they believe that Turnersville is an acceptable distance to ask families to travel for a someone who needs registration or title help. This is why our office has requested the our local MVC expand their ability to accept more services.” Continue Reading…
Testa Bill Supporting Fall Sports Athletes Advances
Measure would extend deadline for sports physicals into the season
The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa Jr. that would allow additional time for high school and middle school athletes to pass sports physicals for the fall seasons.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Testa that would extend the deadline for required physicals for fall sports for high school and middle school athletes was approved by the Senate. (©iStock)
Students from 6th to 12th grade who wish to participate in school-sponsored interscholastic or intramural athletics are required to pass a doctor’s examination within one calendar year of the first day of official sports practice. Testa’s bill (S-2518) allows student athletes to participate in the fall season provided they have a physical before the end of the season.
Testa Statement on Appointment of Fabiana Pierre-Louis
Following the recent news on the appointment of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court, Senator Michael L. Testa, Jr. issued the following statement in support:
Following the news on the appointment of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court, Sen. Michael Testa issued the following statement. (Pixabay)
“The New Jersey court motto is that ‘not only must the court system work and be fair, but it is important that people see that it works and is fair’,” Senator Testa stated. “The appointment of Fabiana Pierre-Louis is a step to show all New Jerseyans that we have the utmost respect for our judicial system and the laws which govern our Garden State. Ms. Pierre-Louis has an abundance of New Jersey-based legal experience and her credentials are par excellence.”
LD1: Murphy Responsible for Regional Unemployment Rates that are Higher than Depression
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan today slammed Governor Phil Murphy for failing to take a regional approach to reopen New Jersey.
“While the health of South Jerseyans have fared well throughout the shutdown, our livelihoods and finances have not,” said Testa. “Due to Murphy’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach across our state, more residents are unemployed in Cape May and Cumberland Counties now than throughout the Great Depression.
The First Legislative District repeatedly called for the regionalization approach to COVID-19.
“The governor failed to take pragmatic steps to aid our South Jersey economy. This is a man-made recession, and Murphy is the man to blame.”
Lawmakers’ Manufacturing Caucus Hears Top Business Leaders Discuss Impact of Coronavirus on Industry
Republican Senators Oroho, Bucco, Testa and Thompson vow to support the manufacturing community
The state’s bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus held a virtual round table discussion today on the impact of the coronavirus on business, and challenges manufacturers face as the economy opens up.
Senators Oroho, Bucco, Testa and Thompson and colleagues on the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus listened to top leaders from the industry discussing the impact of NJ’s response to the coronavirus on business during a virtual round table meeting. (SenateNJ.com)
Republican Senators Steve Oroho, Anthony M. Bucco, Michael Testa and Sam Thompson were among the Legislators hearing almost a dozen top-level manufacturing leaders addressing the status of the vitally important sector and the its fiscal outlook.
Testa Joins Vineland Peaceful Protest
Calls For Unity To Move Forward Together
Following the tragic murder of George Floyd, Senator Michael Testa, Jr. (R-1) joined local officials, law enforcement, clergy members, and community members in a march down Landis Avenue in Vineland, New Jersey in solidarity for reform.
“What we witnessed in the murder of George Floyd was the absolute worst in humanity,” Senator Testa said. “What we’ve seen across the First Legislative District shows the best in Americans. Our community from Ocean City, Middle Township, and today in Vineland joined together in solidarity and listened to the voices of our friends, family members, and communities. Today, we were Vineland strong.”
Senator Testa joined local law enforcement, elected officials, and community members in Vineland, New Jersey on Wednesday, June 3rd.
O’Scanlon, Testa Introduce Plan to Rescue Floundering Employers
Seek to Appropriate $100M of Federal CARES Funding to NJEDA for Small Business Grants and Loans
To provide crucial aid to businesses suffering after three months of strangling COVID restrictions, Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Michael Testa will introduce an act to appropriate $100 million of federal grant money to the state’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support small business programs.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Michael Testa are seeking financial assistance for struggling New Jersey businesses from federal COVID funds distributed to the state. (SenateNJ.com)
“The state received the money from Washington six weeks ago, but Murphy is inexplicably sitting on it while our economy tanks and companies falter,” said O’Scanlon. “The business community is being crushed by the pandemic, and many companies are on the brink of failure. They need help, and committing a portion of the more than $2 billion in COVID relief funds to help rescue struggling employers will save thousands of jobs and help fuel a robust recovery for the state’s economy. Dedicating this federal money to small and mid-size companies is an investment in a stronger New Jersey.”
Testa: Murphy’s Veto of Rent Relief Is a Slap in the Face to Small Businesses
Senator Michael Testa slammed Governor Phil Murphy for vetoing legislation aimed at providing much-needed rent relief to small businesses during the shutdown.
Sen. Michael Testa slammed Gov. Murphy for vetoing legislation aimed at providing relief to small businesses. Pictured: Testa speaking at a press conference on May 9, 2020 to highlight the plight of small businesses. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy hypocritically claims that small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, yet he is solely responsible for bleeding them dry,” said Testa (R-1). “This commonsense bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the State Legislature, yet the governor turned a blind eye as mom-and-pop stores face the grim reality of permanently closing their doors,” added Testa. “As our state’s most influential elected officials, we should work together to help small business owners attempt to salvage their livelihoods.”
Testa/Rosenello: Open South Jersey Now
State and Local Leaders Back Plan to Reopen New Jersey
Senator Michael Testa is calling on Senate President Steve Sweeney to join forces and take the necessary steps to fully open the Garden State economy.
Sen. Michael Testa is calling on Sen. Pres. Steve Sweeney to join forces and take the necessary steps to fully open the Garden State economy. (Pixabay)
“Our South Jersey restaurants are barely making ends meet. Last week, the Mayor of North Wildwood created a well-organized plan to allow community restaurants to open up and enjoy the beautiful weather,” said Testa.
“What did our heavy handed Cape May County prosecutor do? He followed Gov. Murphy’s orders and shut down the plan. Then the governor’s administration had a helicopter monitor the city. Are we currently living in George Orwell’s 1984?”
