VIDEO: Testa Talks About Wind Farm Concerns & Whale Deaths on Fox & Friends
Senator Michael Testa (R-1) appeared on Fox & Friends this morning to talk about Republican efforts to save whales and dolphins, protect the environment, and prevent economic harm to the Jersey Shore.
VIDEO: Senate Republicans Explore Whale Deaths & Wind Farm Concerns at Independent Hearing
New Jersey Senate Republicans hosted an independent hearing today where the surge of whale and dolphin deaths along the Jersey Shore and potential links to wind farms were discussed.
The panel was chaired by Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and included Senator Vince Polistina (R-2), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13).
“We held a very informative hearing this morning on whales and wind farms,” Bucco said after the hearing. “It’s clear from the testimony we received that the wind farm projects were rushed, there’s data demonstrating real harm to marine life, and shore towns and fisheries will face serious economic impacts that have been completely ignored. We believe it makes a lot of sense to put a pause on these projects to investigate the legitimate concerns that were raised today in greater depth.”
Testa Calls for Passage of “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” Following Congressional Action
Senator Michael Testa called for the New Jersey Legislature to advance a proposal he sponsors to protect women’s sports to complement recent congressional action that is intended to preserve the spirit of Title IX.
Sen. Michael Testa called for the New Jersey Legislature to advance a proposal he sponsors to protect women’s sports to complement recent congressional action that is intended to preserve the spirit of Title IX. (Pixabay)
“Title IX was adopted in 1972 to ensure that girls and women are not discriminated against and have a fair playing field in sports and other school-related activities,” said Testa (R-1). “Sadly, that fair playing field that girls have enjoyed for 50 years is slowly disappearing as more male athletes who identify as transgender are choosing to compete in women’s sports, including swimming, track, and even power lifting. The House of Representatives was absolutely right to take action last week to protect women’s sports from this full frontal assault, and New Jersey shouldn’t hesitate to do the same.”
Testa Urges DEP to Work with Stakeholders to Produce Plan to Protect East Point Lighthouse
Says DEP Fining Itself Shows How Bureaucratic the Department Can Be
Senator Michael Testa urged the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to continue working with Maurice River Township and the Maurice River Historical Society on a plan to protect the East Point Lighthouse.
Sen. Michael Testa urged the DEP to continue working with Maurice River Township and the Maurice River Historical Society on a plan to protect the East Point Lighthouse. (East Point Lighthouse/Facebook)
“I’m concerned that the DEP hasn’t shown much urgency in developing a long-term plan to protect the historic East Point Lighthouse from future beach erosion,” said Testa (R-1). “We met with DEP officials several times last year to discuss the lighthouse, but we have not received a plan for shoreline stabilization as promised. With the current protective Geotube nearing its end of life, there isn’t much time to waste.”
Testa: State Board of Education Trying to Limit Participation in Public Hearings on Revisions to Student Learning Standards
Notice of Public Hearings Issued Day Before State Holiday and Easter Weekend with Noon Monday Deadline to Register to Testify
Senator Michael Testa said it is shockingly clear that the State Board of Education is trying to limit participation in three public hearings that have been planned to receive comments on draft revisions to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
The State Board of Education sent an email on Thursday with a deadline of noon on Monday to register to testify for three public hearings.
“The State Board of Education sent out notice of the three public hearings at midday on Thursday with a deadline of Monday at noon to register to testify,” said Testa (R-1). “They know that Friday is a State holiday and Sunday is Easter. It couldn’t be more obvious that they’re trying to limit public participation in what’s taught in our schools, just as they have in the past. They want public hearings without the public. It begs the question: what are they trying to hide?”
Testa: Time for Murphy to End NJ’s COVID-19 State of Emergency
A day after final congressional approval was given to end the national COVID-19 emergency, Senator Michael Testa said it’s time for Governor Phil Murphy to end New Jersey’s pandemic state of emergency.
Sen. Michael Testa said it’s time for Gov. Phil Murphy to end New Jersey’s pandemic state of emergency and to give up his emergency powers. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey’s ongoing state of emergency gives the governor and state departments the authority to keep unnecessary directives in place, and it allows the governor to continue spending billions in federal relief funds with almost no transparency or oversight,” said Testa (R-1). “It also allows the Murphy administration to circumvent the Legislature and diminish our constitutional authority as a co-equal branch of government. Now that the federal emergency is ending, Governor Murphy needs to recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is over and it’s time to give up his emergency powers.”
VIDEO: Gov. Murphy Is Slashing School Funding While Spending Millions on Pork
Governor Phil Murphy wants to slash $150 million of aid to nearly 200 school districts.
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That’s despite having a $10 billion surplus and spending hundreds of millions on political pork.
O’Scanlon & Testa Say Trenton Democrats Are Prioritizing Pork Over School Funding in State Budget
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Michael Testa said Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats have prioritized funding political pork projects at the expense of schools in their FY 2024 state budget proposal.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Sen. Michael Testa said Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats have prioritized funding political pork projects at the expense of schools in their FY 2024 state budget proposal. (©iStock)
“It says a lot about their priorities when Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats have slashed funding to nearly 200 school districts while building a massive budget surplus and funneling boatloads of pork to their cronies,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “It’s ludicrous to suggest that we can’t afford the extra $50 million it would cost to protect every school district from budget cuts when it took us all of 15 minutes to identify nearly $150 million of political spending that’s being handed out to a favored few in the Democrats’ budget proposal. It’s a safe bet to assume there are hundreds of millions of dollars of pork in the budget, in addition to the $10 billion surplus, that could be better spent protecting our schools from unnecessary funding cuts that will lead to teacher layoffs.”
Southern Shore Lawmakers Say Unprecedented Whale and Dolphin Deaths Warrant Suspension of Offshore Wind Projects
Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, and Assemblyman Erik Simonsen are intensifying calls to suspend offshore wind projects following an unprecedented number of dolphin deaths on a beach in Sea Isle City.
Sen. Michael Testa, Asm. Antwan McClellan, and Asm. Erik Simonsen are intensifying calls to suspend offshore wind projects following an unprecedented number of dolphin deaths on a beach in Sea Isle City. (Pixabay)
“It has been clear for a long time that Gov. Phil Murphy’s irrational green energy goals, facilitated by offshore wind projects, may pose significant risks to marine life. Since January, New Jersey has recorded an alarming number of whale deaths, and just earlier today, eight dolphins died after washing ashore in Sea Isle City. While the DEP claims there is no link between wind farms and damage to marine life, the logical thing to do would be to pause all offshore wind projects until we have more data,” said Testa (R-Cumberland). “In addition to the health and safety of marine life, our coastal communities and the thriving commercial fisheries rely upon a healthy and safe ocean and these projects pose an unnecessary risk to that. Until the proponents can assure our region that these projects are not playing a part in these incidents, it would be wise to suspend the work.”
Committee Approves Testa Bill Increasing Transparency for Homeowners
Individuals who are not licensed real estate agents will be required to notify homeowners of that fact before soliciting for a sale thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Individuals who are not licensed real estate agents will be required to notify homeowners of that fact before soliciting for a sale thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Michael Testa and approved today by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (Pixabay)
“My office has received complaints from many homeowners who have received unwanted text messages from alleged real estate agents concerning selling their homes. A deeper look into this practice revealed that many of these texts are coming not from licensed real estate agents at all, but rather from unlicensed bad actors,” said Testa (R-1). “This legislation will require such solicitors to tell homeowners who they work for and if they are, in fact, a licensed real estate agent. This will help increase transparency for homeowners throughout New Jersey and crack down on shady individuals and their dishonest activities.”
