Republican Budget Members Call on Treasurer to Reveal Information Critical to Health Care Premium Increases
Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio to come clean with long-overdue responses to the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) requests for data related to the steep increases in the cost of health care benefits.
Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio to come clean with long-overdue responses to OLS requests for data related to the steep increases in the cost of health care benefits. (SenateNJ.com)
The Treasurer has indicated her Department has not withheld information. OLS has no record of receiving a response.
In their letter (click here for PDF), the Republican Senators wrote: “Unless we are mistaken in our understanding that your department failed to answer the attached questions posed by OLS during the budget process, or unless you have simply been unaware of that reality, your position is disingenuous at best. All parties involved deserve the level of transparency that you’ve indicated has already occurred.”
Testa Lashes Out at Murphy for Irresponsible Management of Public Healthcare Benefits Costs
Senator Michael Testa today blasted the Murphy Administration for hiding warning signs that the cost of the state’s health insurance plans for public employees could soon skyrocket.
Sen. Michael Testa today blasted the Murphy Administration for hiding warning signs that the cost of the state’s health insurance plans for public employees could soon skyrocket. (Pixabay)
Press reports this week indicate the Administration knew as early as this February that as medical claims increased significantly in 2021, the result was that a massive escalation of premium costs this year would be required of both covered employees and the governments which employ them.
Testa Blasts Murphy Administration Over Decision to End Popular Student Mental Health Program
Senator Michael Testa criticized Governor Phil Murphy’s “reckless and tone-deaf” decision to end a popular youth services program next June that has operated in 90 school districts across New Jersey since 1988.
Sen. Michael Testa criticized Gov. Phil Murphy’s ‘reckless and tone-deaf’ decision to end a popular student mental health program. (Pixabay)
Last Friday, the Murphy Administration announced it was going to phase out the School-Based Youth Services Program and replace it with the Governor’s handcrafted “New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services” (NJ4S) network. The announcement has been widely criticized by educators in South Jersey.
“I have heard from outraged educators in my district who do not understand why the Governor would seek to dump the current program or why this new model is better,” said Testa (R-Vineland). “Moreover, they are calling my office to get more information which shows the Administration was not engaging them on the new program at all.”
Republican Budget Committee Members Call for Required Oversight of Pandemic Relief & Debt Funds
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on Democrats to hold required oversight hearings to review proposed uses of federal pandemic relief funds and a state fund intended to pay down and prevent new debt.
Senate Republicans called on Democrats to hold required oversight hearings to review proposed uses of federal pandemic relief funds and a state fund intended to pay down and prevent new debt. (©iStock)
The request was made in a letter from Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24), Republican Budget Office Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) to Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-22), Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-29), and Budget Chair Paul Sarlo (D-36).
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.”
