GOP Members of Senate Budget Committee Call on Governor to Reset Budget Priorities to Meet Emergent Needs
Billions in Spending Increases Proposed Before Crisis Remain Unchanged While Emergency Programs to Keep People Employed Run Dry Within Minutes
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on Governor Phil Murphy to announce which of the billions of dollars in new programs and spending and school aid increases he proposed in February will be scaled back to better fund emergency programs that are critical to helping small businesses survive and hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans to stay employed.
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on Gov. Murphy to reset his budget priorities to better meet the State’s emergent needs due to COVID-19. (Pixabay)
They noted that the Governor’s budget, which was proposed before the economy was shut down, has become unrealistic because, as the Governor himself has said, “revenues have fallen off a cliff,” while the State has new obligations to help businesses and people impacted by COVID-19. As a result, schools, municipalities, and those promised increased State support in February must be leveled with by the Administration that some of the increases originally promised prior to the crisis are now impossible, giving them the opportunity to plan accordingly.
Testa: NJ Must Stop Investing in Chinese Pharmaceutical Companies
State Senator Michael Testa Jr. says it is time for New Jersey to stop investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies.
Sen. Testa says China controls more than enough of the pharmaceutical market and New Jersey should stop investing in Chinese drug companies. (Pixabay)
“One of the lessons we have learned from the coronavirus crisis is we cannot depend on China,” said Testa (R-1). “Their government demonstrated blatant disregard for human life when they obscured information about the severity and spread of the virus in Wuhan, and last month they threatened to withhold shipments of coronavirus medicine to the United States. New Jersey has no business investing in pharmaceutical companies that can’t be trusted.”
LD1 Legislators to Launch Economic Recovery Task Force
As Legislative District One residents and businesses work hard to do their part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in South Jersey, Senator Michael Testa and his team are planning for the reopening of our economy and the future health of our small businesses.
Legislative District One Team Announces Small Business Task Force (SenateNJ.com)
Testa, along with Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan, announced the formation of an Economic Recovery Task Force to lay the groundwork for businesses in South Jersey to be ready to reopen in as healthy a condition as possible.
“As a small business owner myself, I’m fully aware of the sacrifices our local companies are making to rightly adhere to the restrictions of Governor Murphy’s COVID State of Emergency,” said Senator Testa. “This Task Force is being established to help businesses navigate the myriad loan and grant programs being made available at both the state and federal level.”
Testa Statement on Storm Damage & Power Outages
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) issued the following statement on severe storm damage and power outages in local towns today:
Wind damage to the Wildwood Boardwalk from severe storms on Monday, April 13, 2020. (Wildwood Boardwalk/Facebook)
“It was saddening to see the pictures of the damage caused by storms today to Congress Hall in Cape May and the Wildwood Boardwalk, along with the videos of roofs tearing off in nearby communities and reports of power outages throughout the area.
Testa: NJDOC Must Stop Transferring Inmates to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Senator Michael Testa called on the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJDOC) to stop transferring inmates from “hot zones” of infection in North Jersey to prisons in South Jersey to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the confines of our correctional facilities.
Sen. Michael Testa called on the NJDOC to stop transferring inmates from ‘hot zones’ of infection in North Jersey to prisons in South Jersey to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Pixabay)
“The NJDOC hasn’t locked down inmate transfers enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from prison to prison,” said Testa (R-1). “We heard of a prisoner who was transferred several days ago from a ‘hot zone’ in North Jersey to South Woods State Prison. The prisoner was symptomatic upon arrival at South Woods, brought to a hospital, and tested positive for the coronavirus. It’s increasingly clear that inmate transfers at this time within the New Jersey prison system is creating unnecessary risk for other inmates and the Corrections Officers who watch over them.”
Testa, McClellan & Simonsen Advise NJ Tax Filers of Deadline Extension
Vow to Fight for South Jersey During Budget Process
Senator Michael Testa Jr. and Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik K. Simonsen are alerting residents that the deadline for filing New Jersey income taxes has been delayed until July 15, coinciding with the extended federal deadline.
Senator Testa and Assemblymen McClellan and Simonsen informed residents that New Jersey Income Taxes are not due until July due to the coronavirus pandemic. (SenateNJ.com)
“People are worried and concerned about the coronavirus pandemic,” said Testa (R-1). “COVID-19 has upended everyday life and created severe financial strain on residents. Good news has been hard to come by, but the tax filing delay will lighten the stress levels on those who are isolating at home and trying to keep themselves and families safe and well.”
Testa Calls on NJDOC to Protect Corrections Officers from COVID-19
To better keep Corrections Officers and their families safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Michael Testa called to enact a variety of measures to help slow the spread in state prisons.
To better keep Corrections Officers and their families safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Michael Testa called to enact a variety of measures to help slow the spread in state prisons. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey is not doing enough to keep our Corrections Officers safe from coronavirus,” said Testa (R- Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic). “While hundreds of inmates are free to go, corrections officers still must show up to work, day in and day out, to maintain the safety and security of our communities. Enhancing precautionary measures against this evolving pandemic, such as enacting smarter social distancing policies, will keep officers and their loved ones at home safe from COVID-19.”
Testa Statement on Designating Firearms Businesses as Essential
Murphy Rights a Wrong and Reopens Gun Stores
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) released the following statement:
Sen. Michael Testa released the following statement on New Jersey designating firearms businesses as essential. (©iStock)
“I am pleased that Gov. Murphy is finally recognizing and honoring our constitutional right to bear arms, especially amid this State of Emergency.
Testa: State Must Protect Citizens, but not at the Expense of Civil Liberties
Senator Michael Testa Jr. today called on the Murphy administration to uphold the rights of State residents during the coronavirus crisis.
Sen. Testa called this week’s announcement by the Attorney General that law enforcement officers would strictly enforce Murphy’s executive orders a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes civil liberties. (WikiMedia Commons)
“The state’s efforts to protect the people from the coronavirus should not be taken as a license to suppress the liberties of the citizens,” said Testa (R-1). “There is a thin line between good public policy and heavy-handed government control. The priorities of public health and the preservation of civil rights must be secured in tandem.”
Testa: Murphy Should Add Gun Stores to List of Essential Businesses
Senator Michael Testa called on Governor Phil Murphy to add guns stores to the lists of essential retail businesses that are allowed to remain open during the current state of emergency due to the coronavirus.
Sen. Michael Testa called on Gov. Phil Murphy to add guns stores to the lists of essential retail businesses that are allowed to remain open during the current state of emergency due to the coronavirus. (©iStock)
“People have a constitutional right to bear arms and to defend themselves and their families during these uncertain times,” said Testa (R-1). “Gun stores should never have been closed in the first place. Now that more police departments are reporting officers sick with the coronavirus, it’s increasingly clear that understaffed law enforcement agencies may not have the ability to respond immediately when a family needs help. Governor Murphy can help protect New Jerseyans by opening gun stores and allowing citizens to protect themselves if needed.”
