Testa Calls for Scrutiny of Murphy Administration’s Unprecedented Pork Spending in Budget Proposal
Senator Michael Testa continued his push for taxpayer justice and fairness in the budget process with a new call for the Murphy Administration to fully explain almost $100 million of pork spending in the Governor’s latest budget proposal.
Sen. Michael Testa continued his push for taxpayer justice and fairness in the budget process with a new call for the Murphy Administration to fully explain almost $100 million of pork spending in the Governor’s latest budget proposal. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy proposed a budget last month, and right out of the blocks it has unprecedented amounts of pork. By almost anyone’s measure, there is more than $75 million of spending and dozens of line items that favor certain municipalities, counties, and nonprofits over hundreds of others that have similar or more urgent needs,” said Testa (R-1). “The favoritism smacks of spending decisions based on how powerful the recipients are and not on any fair or balanced process which governors of both parties traditionally advocate.”
New Pennacchio/Testa Bill Will Restore Parental Rights Above Social Agendas
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa have introduced legislation reaffirming parental rights and amending current law to prevent schools from teaching some concepts related to critical race theory (CRT) and various controversial topics to students younger than high school age.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Michael Testa have introduced legislation reaffirming parental rights and amending current law to prevent schools from teaching some concepts related to critical race theory and various controversial topics to students younger than high school age. (Pixabay)
The bill, S-2385, redresses some of the directives contained in legislation (A-4454), which was passed in the previous legislative session and signed into law on March 1, 2021.
“The term ‘unconscious bias’ is one of the key tenets of CRT. They are intent on teaching students that they are racists even if they don’t mean to be, and they are teaching this to kids as young as Kindergarten-age,” said Senator Pennacchio (R-26). “The moral and sexual upbringing of young children is the responsibility of mothers and fathers. In their effort to redraw the lines of authority and societal mores, Democrats in the Legislature have deliberately and stealthily moved toward an extreme curriculum on topics such as sexuality and critical race theory.”
Testa to Introduce Bill to Fund Removal of Abandoned Boats
Senator Michael Testa announced plans to introduce legislation to fund the removal of abandoned boats from New Jersey’s shorelines and waterways.
Sen. Michael Testa announced plans to introduce legislation to fund the removal of abandoned boats from New Jersey’s shorelines and waterways. (Piqsels)
“Local governments and property taxpayers simply do not have the capacity to fund the lengthy and expensive process of hauling away and disposing of all the derelict boats that wash up in their communities,” said Testa (R-1). “It’s clear we need a State fund to pay for the removal of abandoned boats that litter our coasts, bays, and rivers.”
Testa: Murphy’s Early Prisoner Releases Might Be Part of Plan to Permanently Reduce State’s Prison Capacity
Senator Michael Testa warned that Governor Phil Murphy’s early release of thousands of inmates under the guise of the pandemic might be part of a larger plan to justify a permanent reduction of New Jersey’s prison capacity.
Gov. Murphy has released thousands of dangerous inmates back into New Jersey communities. Click here to tell the governor to give back our safe streets. (www.GiveItBack.us)
“I’ve spoken to corrections officers and union leaders who were convinced even before the pandemic that the Department’s failure to repair and upgrade infrastructure at Southern State and Bayside State prisons was a sign that the Murphy administration was looking to close portions of those facilities,” said Testa (R-1). “Governor Murphy’s early pandemic release of nearly 900 additional inmates this week certainly makes it look like he’s trying to empty our prisons.”
Bucco & Testa Question NJ Labor Commissioner on Unemployment System Failures (Video)
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Michael Testa questioned New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo about unemployment system failures that have persisted since the start of the pandemic during a meeting of the Senate Labor Committee on Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Included below are highlight videos from the hearing:
“The Commissioner of Labor finally appeared before the Senate Labor Committee to discuss two years of unemployment system failures,” said Bucco (R-25). “Both Republicans and Democrats on the committee took him to task for his department being unresponsive and unhelpful to legislators and constituents in desperate need of help.”
Testa to Labor Commissioner: ‘Those are Words. We’re About Action at This Point.’
Senator Michael Testa grilled Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo during his testimony in front of the Senate Labor Committee today.
Sen. Michael Testa faced off with Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo during a hearing on unemployment in the Senate Labor Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“We held the commissioner’s feet to the fire. The Department of Labor hasn’t been doing their job and we called him out on it,” said Testa, who brought the concerns of thousands of district constituents to the state house today.
Panel Approves Schepisi/Testa Bill to Strengthen Emergency Care Levels for Telemedicine
Legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi and Senator Michael Testa that would bolster emergency care standards for telemedicine cleared the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi and Sen. Michael Testa that would bolster emergency care standards for telemedicine cleared the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee. (Flickr)
“Telehealth and telemedicine are here to stay. Since the pandemic, we have had a significant uptick in the need for timely mental health services while those most needing these services oftentimes are placed on lengthy waitlists for treatment. One tool to address this pressing need is to expand the convenience and benefits of virtual mental health services while providing better avenues for medical professionals to immediately coordinate emergency care for their patients,” said Senator Schepisi (R-39).
Approved by Panel, Testa Bill Would be Breath of Fresh Air for Small Businesses
Legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa that would help small businesses clear the air was advanced by the Senate Labor Committee today.
Sen. Michael Testa’s bill to help small businesses bring fresh air indoors cleared the Senate Labor Committee. (NJ Division of Parks & Forestry)
Testa’s bill, S-289, would establish the New Jersey Small Business Indoor Air Quality Management Support Program to provide loans to eligible small employers.
Testa to Democrats: What Took So Long to Challenge Governor on Dysfunction Department of Labor
Says Republicans Proposed a Solution in 2020
Senator Michael Testa today complimented the Senate’s unanimous approval of a bipartisan resolution calling on Governor Murphy to address ongoing unemployment issues but questioned why it took two years to finally act.
Sen. Michael Testa today complimented the Senate’s unanimous approval of a bipartisan resolution calling on Gov. Murphy to address ongoing unemployment issues but questioned why it took two years to finally act. (SenateNJ.com)
“I don’t understand what took so long,” said Testa (R-40). “Two years ago, Republicans proposed forcing the Governor’s hand to address problems within the Department of Labor. This is a good idea in 2022, but it was an even better idea in 2020.”
Testa Responds to Murphy’s Delay of Vaccine Mandate for Corrections Officers
Senator Michael Testa responded to Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that the deadline for compliance with his vaccine mandate for workers in congregate living settings, including corrections officers, will be delayed until at least April 11.
Sen, Michael Testa responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that the deadline for compliance with his vaccine mandate for various workers, including corrections officers, will be delayed until at least April 11. (Pixabay)
“I guess Governor Murphy finally realized that enforcing his vaccine mandate and firing nearly 60% of our corrections officers isn’t a smart idea,” said Testa (R-1). “With the threat of COVID-19 rapidly disappearing in the rearview mirror, he should repeal his unnecessary vaccine mandates completely.”
