Pennacchio: Bill to Eliminate ‘Freeholder’ Title Should Not Be Connected to Efforts to Tear Down History
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would abolish the archaic “Freeholder” title from county governments in the state and rename the role as County Commissioner cleared the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.
Senator Pennacchio’s legislation that would abolish the archaic ‘Freeholder’ title from county governments in the state was advanced by a Senate committee. (SenateNJ.com)
Before the committee vote on the bill, also sponsored by Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Pennacchio said the change is long-overdue but cautioned colleagues in the Legislature about the dangerous movement to erase history and tear down monuments. Continue Reading…
Pennacchio: We Cannot Hand Murphy A $10 Billion Slush Fund
Says Blindly Borrowing Billions is Definition of Insanity
Senator Joe Pennacchio slammed the Democrat-sponsored $10 billion borrowing scheme that could cost New Jersey taxpayers tens of billions of dollars throughout the next four decades:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio slammed the Democrat-sponsored $10 billion borrowing scheme that could cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. (Pixabay)
“It is the definition of insanity to blindly approve borrowing $10 billion when the executive branch has not even proposed a budget yet for next year and we have no clue how much we will actually need. We also shouldn’t forget that Governor Murphy has been sitting on $2 billion of unspent federal funds from the CARES Act for months.
Continue Reading…
Pennacchio: ‘Doesn’t Anybody Care About the Deaths of 6,700 Seniors?’
Reiterates Call for Creation of Senate Select Committee to Investigate
Senator Joe Pennacchio again implored the legislature to act on behalf of more than 6,700 elderly nursing home residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 and vote to create a Senate Select Committee to review the State’s response to the pandemic.
Senator Pennacchio urged the legislature to act on behalf of more than 6,700 elderly nursing home residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 and create a Senate Select Committee to review the State’s response to the pandemic. (CC0 Public Domain)
“The deplorable treatment of vulnerable seniors who were isolated, abandoned and exposed to this deadly virus was a pandemic genocide that stripped the lives of almost 7,000 fragile souls trapped in long term care facilities,” Pennacchio said. “Now, this shocking nightmare is being compounded by apathy. These innocent victims have been be deserted by the legislature and forgotten by the press. Doesn’t anybody care what happened to these victims?”
Senator Pennacchio Questions Latest Murphy Executive Order on Wearing Masks Outdoors
Asks Why Masks Weren’t a Priority for Nursing Homes?
At a time when the CDC is considering no longer calling COVID an epidemic because of a low mortality rate, the Governor is doubling down on his executive orders by mandating New Jersey Citizens wear masks outdoors.
Senator Pennacchio today questioned Governor Murphy’s justification for his order calling for mandatory wearing of masks outdoors. (Pixabay)
“As usual, the Governor’s latest decree is arbitrary and unsupported by data,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio. “The effectiveness of masks, especially those that fail to meet the most effective N95 standards, is debatable.”
National and International Health Institutes have been consistently sending mixed messages about wearing masks.
The World Health Organization advises the use of masks for those who are sick and people who are caring for the sick.
“For people who want to take an active role and feel safer in a mask, they should, but I’m concerned the Governor’s actions are based more on political science than science,” said Pennacchio. “The best way to protect yourself and others is to practice social distancing. Avoid close contact with others when possible, and limit the duration of exposure when maintaining space isn’t practical.”
Senator Pennacchio added that the focus of the administration should be on having sick Covid patients, and those recently exposed to those patients, remaining in home isolation.
Murphy’s order requires masks to be worn outdoors.
“Does the Governor know something we don’t know? Does he have evidence that masks are needed out of doors?” asked Pennacchio. “According to Dr. Angelo DeLucia, an epidemiologist and professor of molecular virology and cancer biology at Ohio Medical School, there is not enough data to make decisions about wearing masks outdoors. It seems the Governor knows something about wearing masks outdoors that the professor does not.”
Pennacchio: Democrats Covet More Power, but Won’t Use Their Might to Check Governor’s Unilateral Control
Questions Why Majority Legislators Want More Power Yet have Remained Silent During the Pandemic Crisis
Senator Joe Pennacchio today dismissed a Democrat proposal to delay New Jersey’s constitutionally mandated legislative redistricting until after the 2021 elections.
Senator Pennacchio today said the majority Democrats should worry less about gaining more control and more about using the power they have to limit the Governor’s mandates. (SenateNJ.com)
The move, introduced Monday in Trenton, would benefit incumbent legislators and protect Democrat majorities in both houses.
“As a legislator, my priorities begin and end with the interests of the people in my district who selected me as their representative,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “If I placed a higher value on partisan power, the Democrat plan would make more sense, but for the local residents who depend on us when they send us to Trenton, this is an injustice. I firmly reject this ploy to gain legislative dominance.”
Pennacchio Introduces Bill Cracking Down on Pandemic Predators
Senator Moved by Sister of Victim’s Plea
Senator Joe Pennacchio has introduced legislation that would upgrade charges for committing personal crimes, increasing sentencing and fines for the duration of the ongoing coronavirus Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by the Governor’s executive order.
Senator Pennacchio has introduced legislation that would temporarily upgrade certain charges and penalties for crimes against persons during the coronavirus emergency. (SenateNJ.com)
“Residents are especially susceptible due to heightened stress, health fears, and financial instability resulting from the pandemic,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Unfortunately, predators are taking advantage of our communities during these vulnerable times. States of emergency should never be interpreted as an open invitation for criminals to abuse residents during these high-risk conditions. The perpetrators must be held accountable.
Pennacchio: Murphy Declares His Unchecked Emergency Powers Could Last for More Than a Year
Reversal on indoor dining demonstrates need for Senator’s Resolution
Governor Murphy unilaterally ripped the rug out from under thousands of New Jersey eateries preparing to welcome indoor customers this week, and Senator Joe Pennacchio said it is time to rein in his unchecked authority.
Senator Pennacchio said Governor Murphy’s emergency powers must be reined in after his unilateral decision to block restaurants from opening for indoor dining this week. (New Jersey State Archives)
“Murphy’s action this week is a painful blow to those who want to get back to normal, employees desperate to return to work, and small, medium and large enterprises seeing their hopes for survival dim with every passing day,” said Senator Pennacchio.
Pennacchio Resolution Calling on Congress to Help Struggling Employers Endorsed by Senate
Asks for action on federal bill allowing commercial landlords to earn tax deductions for waiving rent payments from COVID-battered businesses
Senator Joe Pennacchio’s resolution seeking Congress’ help for countless businesses struggling to survive the coronavirus pandemic was endorsed today by the Senate.
Senator Pennacchio’s resolution urging Congress to pass a federal measure to help commercial property owners and employers survive the economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus earned Senate approval. (Pixabay)
The resolution (SR-69) urges federal action to assist commercial landlords and tenants that have been severely damaged by extended closings under COVID-19 emergency orders.
“Businesses that we’re not allowed to open have been financially devastated, and others have seen their revenue plummet because people have been living in isolation,” said Pennacchio. “I am urging Congress to vote to provide assistance to both companies on the brink of bankruptcy and landlords facing foreclosure.”
Senate Passes Pennacchio Resolution Urging Federal Support for Development of Fusion Energy
Senator has vision of NJ as epicenter for renewable, safe fusion power
Senator Joe Pennacchio’s resolution urging Congress and the President to increase federal funding for fusion research was endorsed today by the Senate.
The Senate approved Senator Pennacchio’s resolution urging Washington to support research and development of clean, safe, renewable fusion power. (Pixabay)
“New Jersey is positioned to become a global leader in clean, renewable fusion energy,” said Senator Pennacchio (R-26). “Investment from the federal government aligned with some sensible state leadership to support this promising industry could yield massive dividends for our residents and New Jersey’s future.”
Bucco & Pennacchio Strengthen Partnership with NJ African American Chamber of Commerce
Panelists on ‘The State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit’
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Joe Pennacchio participated in ‘The State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit’ hosted by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ).
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Joe Pennacchio participated in ‘The State of Black New Jersey 2020 Economic Summit’ hosted by the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. (AACCNJ.com)
“The State of New Jersey can and must do more to create a level but competitive playing field for all businesses, and particularly for the minority community,” said Bucco. “I enjoyed engaging in a robust conversation and walked away with a deeper understanding of the challenges that minority-owned businesses continue to face. Better assisting Black-owned businesses will create more jobs, more opportunities, and more economic success in communities of color and across the Garden State.”
