Republican Senators Demand Action to Curb Pop-Up Riots
Mayhem in Wildwood is Only the Latest Incident in a Disturbing Trend
In the wake of the lawless, tragic weekend in Wildwood that left two people dead and overwhelmed law enforcement in numerous coastal towns, Republican Senators are calling for immediate legislative action on a bill that will protect communities and empower police to prevent future incidents.
In the wake of the tragic weekend in Wildwood that left two people dead and overwhelmed law enforcement in numerous coastal towns, Republican Senators are calling for immediate legislative action on a bill that will protect communities and empower police to prevent future incidents. (YouTube/NJ.com)
“The dreadful activity in Wildwood was completely out of control and totally unacceptable. It was preventable, and it should never have happened, but the Legislature and the Attorney General dropped the ball,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26), noting that 15 months ago he introduced legislation (S-1206) with Senate colleague Bob Singer targeting pop-up mobs and those who incite them.
Committee Approves Testa Bill that Would Fund Critical Improvements to Public Water Systems
Municipalities in New Jersey may soon see significant improvements made to public water systems thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Municipalities in New Jersey may soon see significant improvements made to public water systems thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa and approved today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. (Pixabay)
“Clean drinking water is a basic need which every New Jerseyan should have access to and that is why I am pleased that this bipartisan bill is moving ahead,” said Testa (R-1). “For far too long, New Jersey’s infrastructure needs have been either ignored or overlooked. This legislation aims to end that legacy of neglect and provide critical funding to public water systems that are in dire need of improvement and repair.”
Testa Calls for Comprehensive State Plan to Help Towns Respond to Pop-up Parties
After a chaotic event in Wildwood this weekend that resulted in two deaths, Senator Michael Testa (R-1) called for the Murphy administration to work with legislators and local officials to develop a comprehensive plan to help towns respond to massive pop-up parties:
After a chaotic event in Wildwood this weekend that resulted in two deaths, Sen. Michael Testa called for the Murphy administration to work with legislators and local officials to develop a comprehensive plan to help towns respond to massive pop-up parties. (YouTube/NJ.com)
“The Murphy administration’s continued inaction in helping towns respond to pop-up parties that have overwhelmed a growing number of Shore communities is disturbing. There aren’t many small towns that can maintain public safety and effectively protect their communities when thousands of rowdy people suddenly show up with little or no warning.
Testa Slams Murphy Administration’s Continued Threats over Sex Education
Senator Michael Testa slammed the Murphy administration’s continued threats to school districts that refuse to implement controversial new sex education standards imposed by the State Board of Education.
Sen. Michael Testa slammed the Murphy administration’s continued threats to school districts that refuse to implement controversial new sex education standards imposed by the State Board of Education. (Pixabay)
“The revelations in the story regarding the Murphy administration’s iron fist over their ludicrous sex education standards for 8 and 9 year olds with threatening local school aid is outrageous and contemptible,” said Testa (R-1). “These threats are another piece of evidence supporting the need for passage of my Parents Bill of Rights introduced earlier this year. It is unconscionable to me that the government should use its financial power, derived from taxpayer dollars, to force local school districts to do something that parents and educators themselves don’t want.”
Testa Calls for Bag Law Fix Utilizing Domestic-Made Recyclable Sacks
Senator Michael Testa today called for the complete overhaul of the state’s problematic single-use bag ban that has been in effect since the beginning of May.
Sen. Michael Testa today called for the complete overhaul of the state’s problematic single-use bag ban that has been in effect since the beginning of May. (Pixabay)
“This is another example of Trenton Democrats leaping before they looked,” said Testa (R-1). “In their zeal to appease the Governor’s political allies, they passed a flawed bill that has created more problems. It is time to go back to the drawing board and get this right.”
Testa Bill that Would Increase Benefits for Veterans and Their Spouses Signed into Law
Veterans with service-connected injuries, and spouses of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, may soon receive additional financial benefits from the State of New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Veterans with service-connected injuries may soon receive additional financial benefits from the State of New Jersey thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa and signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am proud this legislation was signed into law today. It is our duty to ensure the well-being of New Jersey’s veterans and their spouses,” said Testa (R-1). “Some veterans have suffered significant disabilities in the line of duty including permanent paralysis and loss of sight. This bill will offer some much needed financial relief and stability to these injured veterans, and their loved ones, during their time of need.”
Testa, Bucco: NJ Manufacturers Will Be Hard Hit by Shocking Energy Mandates
In less than 90 days, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is expected to enact new rules that could cost manufacturers, businesses, public schools, and apartment complexes millions of dollars to convert boiler systems to electric.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, Republican members of New Jersey’s bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, warned that manufacturers in the state will be particularly hard hit by overzealous new energy mandates. (Pixabay)
Senators Michael Testa and Anthony M. Bucco, Republican members of New Jersey’s bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, warned that the impact will be felt across the state in the form of higher product costs and skyrocketing energy bills.
“This will be nothing short of a man-made economic disaster,” said Testa (R-1). “As usual, the Murphy Administration is diving in without considering the ramifications or the costs. This all is happening too quickly and without the proper diligence.”
Testa Blasts Murphy Administration’s Inaction on Skyrocketing State Employee Health Care Costs
Senator Michael Testa today joined with hundreds of state and local employees in criticizing the Murphy Administration for their inaction to protect workers from as much as a 24% increase in their health care insurance costs. The State Health Benefits Commission is scheduled to hold a vote on the plan on Wednesday.
Hundreds of state and local workers rally outside the Statehouse on Sept. 13 to protest proposed hikes in health insurance premiums. (SenateNJ.com)
“The fact that these premiums are rising so quickly now is proof that the Murphy Administration was artificially tamping down the actual costs of health care while hoodwinking both taxpayers and workers,” said Testa (R-Vineland). “Private sector businesses had to deal with cost increases as they came, but the Governor chose to delay this hit on workers and taxpayers until a time of his choice. It’s bad planning made worse by bad faith.”
LD1 Legislators Urge Passage of Tourism Tax Fair Share Bill
Noting the incredible success of Jersey Shore counties and localities during the Summer, the First Legislative District trio today urged the Legislature to pass their Tourism Tax Fair Share bill to help keep more tax dollars in the regions which earned them, not just the areas which Trenton deems worthy of support.
Noting the incredible success of Jersey Shore counties and localities during the Summer, District 1 lawmakers urged the Legislature to pass their Tourism Tax Fair Share bill to help keep more tax dollars in the regions which earned them, not just the areas which Trenton deems worthy of support. (Pixabay)
The bills (A646/S2079) would increase the allocation of revenues from the hotel and motel occupancy fee towards arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes from 40 percent to 100 percent. This change would allow counties like Cape May, Ocean, Monmouth and Atlantic to retain more of their tourism dollars for improving infrastructure critical to keeping tourists coming to the Jersey Shore.
Testa Demands Answers on Failed Murphy Rental Assistance Program
Senator Michael Testa slammed the Murphy Administration’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) after a report revealed that it failed to provide payments to hundreds of tenants across New Jersey.
Sen. Michael Testa slammed the Murphy Administration’s COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CVERAP) after a report revealed that it failed to provide payments to hundreds of tenants across NJ. (Pixabay)
“This program was a failure for renters, for landlords, and for taxpayers in our state,” said Testa (R-1). “Once again, the Murphy Administration’s ambitious rhetoric met reality and their slipshod approach wasted time and money which could have been used to keep families safe. This is a slap in the face to all residents struggling to pay rent—our families deserve better.”
