Pennacchio Applauds Advancement of Greenwood Lake Funding
Senator Joe Pennacchio commended the Assembly Appropriations Committee for approving legislation that will preserve and protect Greenwood Lake.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio commended the Assembly Appropriations Committee for approving legislation that will preserve and protect Greenwood Lake. (GoogleMaps)
“Following the very trying summer for Greenwood Lake residents and businesses, the advancement of this State funding is a sign of hope,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “While the algae bloom had a devastating effect on the local economy, the approval of this legislation is the heartening step that recognizes that the State of New Jersey must prioritize funding to safeguard one of Passaic County’s most popular and scenic waterways, rather than let the expense fall on the backs of the local residents and business owners.”
Pennacchio Bill Gives Zero Emission Cars a Charge
New Jersey drivers will find it easier to plug in their electric cars under legislation introduced Thursday by Senator Joe Pennacchio. His bill, S4222, simplifies the approval process for installing charging stations at gasoline service stations.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s bill simplifies the approval process for installing electric charging stations at gasoline service stations. (SenateNJ.com)
Under the bill, electric installations at existing operating gas stations are exempt from local approvals, including site plan and land use reviews. New gas stations would also be exempt.
“We have 565 municipalities in the state and the last thing we need is 565 different rules for gas stations adding charging facilities,” said Pennacchio (R-26).
Oroho, Kean & Pennacchio Call for Creation of Office of Labor Law Enforcement
Would Oversee & Coordinate Enforcement of State Labor Laws
Senators Steven Oroho, Tom Kean, and Joe Pennacchio called for the swift passage of legislation they sponsor that would protect workers, honest businesses, and taxpayers from the wide-ranging impacts of illegal labor practices.
Sens. Steven Oroho, Tom Kean, and Joe Pennacchio called for the passage of legislation they sponsor creating the Office of Labor Law Enforcement to crack down on illegal labor practices. (Pixabay)
“Companies that employ fraudulent work practices shouldn’t be allowed to profit, especially with public dollars,” said Oroho, who serves as the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “When we hear talk of a ‘stronger and fairer economy’ we should be doing all we can to close loopholes to prevent bad actors from abusing the system to the detriment of workers, taxpayers, and the State treasury.”
The legislation, S-3954, would establish the Office of Labor Law Enforcement to oversee, evaluate, and coordinate enforcement activities of the department regarding violations of the provisions of labor laws. The new office would be created within the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Pennacchio Urges NJDEP to Release Lake Closure Documents
Letter to Commissioner Follows Denial of OPRA Request for Information Related to HAB Advisories for Lake Hopatcong & Greenwood Lake
Senator Joe Pennacchio sent a letter to the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) today urging the release of documents related to harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories that closed Lake Hopatcong and other New Jersey waterways to recreation for much of the summer.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio sent a letter to the NJDEP urging the release of documents related to harmful algal bloom advisories that closed Lake Hopatcong and other New Jersey waterways to recreation for much of the summer. (SenateNJ.com)
In the letter to NJDEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe, Pennacchio called for the release of documents that he sought through an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request in August. The NJDEP denied the requested records, asserting they contain “deliberative material.”
“All of the impacted communities deserve to know the truth. They deserve to know if their lives and livelihoods were disrupted as a result of a legitimate public health concern or for politics,” Pennacchio said in the letter. “Put simply, the NJDEP’s ‘deliberations’ on this matter are precisely what the people of our lakeside communities deserve to know.”
Pennacchio Says Court Ruling Against Murphy Confirms NJ Must Lower Property Taxes
Federal Judge Appointed by Obama Throws Out Frivolous SALT Lawsuit
Senator Joe Pennacchio reiterated his criticism of Governor Phil Murphy’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service after it was tossed by a federal judge on Monday, saying it’s time for the Governor to focus on lowering property taxes.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio reiterated his criticism of Gov. Murphy’s lawsuit against the IRS after it was tossed by a federal judge, saying it’s time for the Gov. to focus on lowering property taxes. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy can join the Legislature in working to lower New Jersey property taxes, but instead he continues to waste his time, State government resources, and our tax dollars to play politics,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Hopefully now he’ll finally realize that the solution to our state’s fiscal woes and sky high taxes isn’t suing the federal government. I urge the Governor to come to the table and have a difficult but necessary conversation on bipartisan legislative solutions that will truly make the Garden State more affordable for everyone.”
Pennacchio to Governor: Slow Down on Film Tax Credits
Says Film Tax Credits Unproven, Calls Governor’s Position Inconsistent With His Effort to Limit Other Tax Incentives
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Governor Phil Murphy shouldn’t rush to expand and extend the state’s $425 million film tax credit program until it’s clear that the incentive program actually works.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said Gov. Phil Murphy shouldn’t rush to expand and extend the state’s $425 million film tax credit program until it’s clear that the incentive program actually works. (Pixabay)
“Outside of the Hollywood lobbyists who are pushing for the film tax incentives, we have no evidence that they have helped to boost the New Jersey economy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Before he considers raising the $425 million cap on this relatively new program, Governor Murphy should slow down and determine if it’s working as intended.”
Pennacchio: Murphy’s Sanctuary State Policies Allows Sexual Predators to Roam Free
Denounces False Promise that Directive would “protect the safety of all New Jersey residents”
Senator Joe Pennacchio condemned Governor Murphy’s sanctuary state policies that resulted in the release from county jail of an illegal immigrant who was arrested for sexual assault of a minor, despite a detainer request by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A directive from the Attorney General has prohibited local law enforcement agencies from working with federal immigration authorities.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio condemned Gov. Murphy’s sanctuary state policies that resulted in the release of an illegal immigrant who was arrested for sexual assault of a minor, despite a detainer request by ICE. (SenateNJ.com)
When the “Immigrant Trust Directive” was announced, Attorney General Grewal was quoted as saying the directive was “fair and welcoming” and would “protect the safety of all New Jersey residents.”
Pennacchio also reasserted his call to mandate Megan’s Law registration for all sexual offenders regardless of where the crime was committed, and would require local police to cooperate with federal law enforcement in sexual abuse cases.
“We have a sexual predator on the run due to Governor Murphy’s dangerous sanctuary state policies,” said Pennacchio (R-26) said. “It’s absurd that we now have a federal manhunt for an accused child rapist simply because the jail wasn’t allowed hold him for ICE under orders from the Murphy Administration.”
“Thanks to the governor, New Jersey is ‘fair and welcoming’ to illegal immigrants who commit heinous crimes but not federal authorities trying to keep us safe. I call on Governor Murphy to stop giving safe harbor to criminals and to start prioritizing the public safety of New Jersey families.”
Pennacchio & Oroho Tour Lake Hopatcong with Senate President Sweeney
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) joined Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-3) for a boat tour of Lake Hopatcong today to gain a first-hand understanding of the blue-green algae blooms that caused the lake and others across New Jersey to be closed for recreation for much of the summer.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Steven Oroho joined Senate President Stephen Sweeney for a boat tour of Lake Hopatcong today. (SenateNJ.com)
After the tour, Pennacchio and Oroho issued the following statement:
“We were glad to have the opportunity to join local officials and the Senate President for today’s tour of Lake Hopatcong. Before his untimely death, our dear colleague Senator Bucco was scheduled to join us. We are sure Tony was there in spirit.
Pennacchio Condemns Selective Outrage by Senate Democrats on Racism & Discrimination
Senator Joe Pennacchio said a resolution (SR-155) adopted by Senate Democrats condemning certain comments by the President as racist is a demonstration of utter hypocrisy.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said a resolution adopted by Senate Democrats condemning certain comments by the President as racist is a demonstration of utter hypocrisy.(SenateNJ.com)
“We have numerous examples of elected Democrats at all levels of government making comments which are clearly discriminatory, and in some cases blatantly anti-Semitic,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Where’s the official condemnation?”
Pennacchio Seeks to Make NJ a Leader in Fusion Energy
Introduces Bill Package to Support Research & Commercialization of Fusion Energy Technology
Senator Joe Pennacchio has introduced a bipartisan package of legislation to make New Jersey a global leader of fusion energy research and the development of commercial technology to bring fusion power to market, saying it represents a rare opportunity for the business and environmental communities to work together.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s package of bills would make New Jersey a global leader of fusion energy research and the development of commercial technology to bring fusion power to market. (SenateNJ.com)
“After bringing together and listening to experts in the field of fusion energy, it’s clear that the development and commercialization of this clean, sustainable source of power would revolutionize the way the world thinks about energy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “As the home of the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and a growing ecosystem of start-ups that are looking to bring fusion power to market, New Jersey has a real opportunity to be a global leader in fusion energy technology. It’s wholly apparent that some prudent moves by the State to support this industry in its infancy could yield massive dividends for our residents and New Jersey’s future. Just as California has its Silicon Valley, New Jersey could have its Fusion Epicenter if we play our cards right.”
