Doherty & Testa Bill Would Limit Gov. Murphy’s Executive Authority
Senator Michael Doherty and Senator Michael Testa have introduced legislation to place limits on Governor Phil Murphy’s executive orders and those of future governors.
Sen. Michael Doherty and Sen. Michael Testa have introduced legislation to place limits on Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders and those of future governors. (SenateNJ.com)
“Last I checked, the State of New Jersey had three branches of government, not one,” said Doherty (R-23). “The governor’s preference to lead via executive order rather than through collaboration with elected legislators has proven to be dangerous and deadly. Our proposal to place limits on executive authority will ensure that the administration is transparent about the continued need for any executive orders that it believes should be extended.”
Testa and Gopal Applaud Return of Elective Surgeries
Senator Michael Testa and Senator Vin Gopal introduced legislation that would allow the performance of elective surgeries during the COVID-19 crisis. This coincides with Gov. Murphy’s announcement that elective surgeries are set to resume.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Vin Gopal introduced legislation that would allow the performance of elective surgeries during the COVID-19 crisis. (Flickr)
“COVID-19 has disrupted every aspect of our lives, including the mass cancellation of critical medical procedures and surgeries,” said Testa (R-1). “For those awaiting knee or hip replacements, there is nothing ‘elective’ about a life changing procedure that can reduce chronic pain and restore mobility.
Republican Budget Senators: Governor’s Budget Solution Due May 22 Must Include Restraint of Budget Excesses and Creative Solutions Or It Will Be Dismissed
The following was released today by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), and Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), the Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee:
In advance of the Governor’s May 22 budget report, the Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee issued a joint position statement. (Pixabay)
The State’s budget has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. Revenue losses through the end of FY 2021 will be severe and there is a need for additional relief for impacted people and businesses. There is broad and bipartisan recognition of this reality in the Legislature and among the public.
For the past two months, the Governor has provided no public accounting or explanation of the budgetary impacts of COVID-19. Despite holding daily press briefings attended by various cabinet officials, the Treasurer has not been invited to a single briefing to explain budget impacts for the public or, more importantly, to answer reporters’ questions about what steps, if any, are being taken to address these impacts.
Testa Calls for More ‘Open’ Signs, No More Deliberation
Senator Michael Testa issued the following statement after Governor Murphy announced plans to allow non-essential businesses to reopen curbside pickup, non-essential construction projects to resume, drive-in movies can resume, and people will be able to gather in cars for religious services:
Senator Testa called on the Governor to lift more restrictions on business so the state’s economic recovery can begin. (©iStock)
“I am beyond glad the State’s only drive-in movie theater can be open. However, this is a just a drop in the bucket, helping a few businesses when there are so many other dying small and mid-size enterprises desperate for relief,” said Senator Michael Testa. “The Governor’s actions announced today are long overdue. They should have been done three or four weeks ago.
Media Advisory (Saturday, 5/16): Testa Hosting Radio Town Hall
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) will be taking to the airwaves Saturday afternoon on Vineland’s Crusin’ 92.1 WVLT to discuss some of the pressing COVID related issues of the district with those that have been impacted the most.
Sen. Michael Testa will be on Vineland’s Crusin’ 92.1 WVLT to discuss some of the pressing COVID related issues of the district. (©iStock)
During the first hour of the discussion, Testa will be speaking with business owners from various sectors of the economy to explain the financial impact that the state mandated closures have had on them personally as well as the economic loss to the state. The second hour will be dedicated solely to unemployment.
WHO: Senator Michael Testa
WHAT: Radio Town Hall Discussing Business and Unemployment Matters
WHEN: Saturday, May 16th at 2:00pm-4:00pm
WHERE: Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT Vineland
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan Blast Murphy’s Refusal to Allow Regional Reopenings
LD1 Team Says Governor’s Approach Will Cause Unnecessary Economic Harm to South Jersey
Legislators representing the 1st Legislative District blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that regions of New Jersey that have recovered from the coronavirus will not be allowed to reopen as soon as they are ready.
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan blasted Gov. Murphy’s announcement that regions of New Jersey that have recovered from the coronavirus will not be allowed to reopen as soon as they are ready. (©iStock)
Senator Michael Testa and Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan (all R-1) said the governor’s approach will lead to a longer lockdown than otherwise necessary in some parts of New Jersey, causing unnecessary economic harm to the South Jersey and Jersey Shore communities they represent.
“Governor Murphy may want to look at a calendar,” said Senator Michael Testa. “Memorial Day is almost here and our tourism dependent economy will be hit extra hard for every day beyond then that he forces our community to stay locked down. It’s absurd that his administration’s planning doesn’t account for regional differences in recovery trends and local planning. Cape May County, for example, has a thoughtful and detailed plan to allow for reopening around Exit 0 to happen safely once restrictions are lifted. Governor Murphy needs to recognize that the 1st Legislative District is not densely populated like much of North Jersey. We shouldn’t be treated the same. The harm he will cause our community by delaying reopening is completely unnecessary and will have life-altering, long-lasting effects.”
Testa & Doherty Call on Labor Department to Open In-Person Unemployment Service Centers
Say If Business Workers Can Serve Customers from Behind Protective Screens, So Can Public Sector Workers
As New Jersey’s unemployment crisis closes in on two months, Senator Michael Testa and Senator Michael Doherty called for Governor Murphy to reopen New Jersey’s One-Stop Career Centers and staff them with idle workers from other State departments.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Michael Doherty called for Gov. Murphy to reopen NJ’s One-Stop Career Centers and staff them with idle workers from other State departments. (SenateNJ.com)
“A functional unemployment office during an economic downtown is the the epitome of an essential public service, yet hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans continue to go without the unemployment benefits they’ve earned for weeks on end,” said Testa (R-1). “We are calling for an end to busy signals, broken websites, and unanswered emails from the Department of Labor.”
Testa Demands NJDOH Take Responsibility for Nearly 5,000 COVID-19 Nursing Homes Deaths
Following reports that New Jersey health officials were warned not to put COVID-19 positive patients back into long term healthcare facilities, Senator Michael Testa, Jr (R-1) spoke out in against the Murphy Administration’s harmful practices that cost the Garden State nearly 5,000 lives.
The following remarks have been issued through Senator Michael Testa’s recent “Minute with Mike” on his Facebook page:
“With a heavy heart, I have watched our state continue to fail to protect our most vulnerable. – Senior citizens. Since day one, Governor Murphy’s administration has failed to safeguard our state’s long term healthcare facilities. At points, placing COVID-19 positive patients BACK with healthy ones.
“In March, a healthcare operator pleaded to the New Jersey Department of Health and I quote ‘patients will die in nursing homes that otherwise would not have died if we’d kept them out by screening everybody. When you do that, you’re putting us all at risk.’
Testa Calls for Immediate Plan to Reopen NJ Small Business
Says with Summer Season Approaching, Time is Running Out for Local Shops
Senator Michael Testa, in a press conference to highlight the plight of small businesses in New Jersey, said “with summer around the corner, we are sounding the alarm.” If small shop owners can’t reopen soon, many may be lost forever, he warned.
At a press conference at COHO Brewing Company in Cape May Courthouse, Sen. Testa emphasized the necessity for the state to allow Shore businesses to open for the summer season. Click for full size. (SenateNJ.com)
“Small shops and eateries are locked up tight. Most establishments down the shore are family-owned, multi-generational businesses,” said Testa (R-1). “Many of these are capable and willing to reopen while abiding by CDC guidelines, but as the shutdown goes on, it has the potential to have a multi-year impact that devastates the shore economy.”
LIVESTREAM: LD1 Small Business Press Conference
Legislators Urge Murphy to Stop Picking Winners and Losers
Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan (R-1) host a press conference to discuss the impacts of Governor Murphy’s State Shutdown on the Garden State’s small businesses and their employees today at COHO Brewery at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The conference can be viewed on livestream.
Testa, Simonsen & McClellan will discuss the impacts of the state shutdown on Jersey Shore businesses and coastal communities in a press conference today. (Wikipedia)
WHO: Senator Testa, Assemblyman Simonsen, and Assemblyman McClellan
WHAT: Press conference to discuss small business COVID-19 response
WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 8
WHERE: Coho Brewery 28 Indian Trail Rd #103, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
WATCH: Livestream
