Pennacchio Bill to Establish Muslim Heritage Month in NJ Advances
January of each year would be designated as Muslim Heritage Month under legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and advanced today by the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
New Jersey would designate January of each year as Muslim Heritage Month under legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and advanced by the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
With the resolution, SJR-105, Pennacchio seeks to elevate awareness and appreciation of the Muslim American community and their accomplishments in New Jersey.
Pennacchio: Significant Breakthrough Increases Urgency to Pass NJ Fusion Legislation
Senator Joe Pennacchio today heralded news of a significant development in fusion energy, announced this morning by the United States Department of Energy.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio heralded news of a significant development in fusion energy announced this morning by the U.S. Department of Energy and renewed calls for the Legislature to act on his package of fusion energy bills. (Pixabay)
“This may be one of the most significant scientific achievements of this century,” said Pennacchio (R-26), a staunch advocate for fusion support and research in New Jersey.
Oroho/Pennacchio/Schepisi: State Board of Education Should Focus More on Learning Loss, Less on Identity Politics
Gender Identity on State Board’s Agenda Again with New Proposal Impacting Sex Ed Classes
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho, Senator Joe Pennacchio, and Senator Holly Schepisi said the State Board of Education should focus more on addressing pandemic-related learning loss and less on identity politics in response to the Board’s newly released agenda for its December meeting. The Board also should be more transparent and accessible, the senators said.
Sen. Steven Oroho, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, and Sen. Holly Schepisi said the State Board of Education should focus more on addressing pandemic-related learning loss and less on identity politics. (Flickr)
“It’s shocking that the State Board of Education remains focused on identity politics when we know New Jersey students are far behind where they should be due to pandemic-related learning loss,” said Oroho (R-24). “Instead of coming up with a plan to help students get caught up, the State Board continues its march to infuse gender identity and progressive politics into every aspect of our children’s education. They should put as much effort into helping students get better at reading, writing, and math.”
Senator Pennacchio’s 2022 Holiday Toy Drive Collecting Gifts for Children Through December 14
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) announced that his legislative office will again collect toy donations this holiday season to be shared with families in need. Donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Senator’s legislative office in Montville.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio announced that his legislative office will again collect toy donations this holiday season to be shared with families in need. (SenateNJ.com)
The Senator is looking to help individual families in need of toys. Please contact his office to discuss any specific needs.
A family looking for toys must contact Senator Pennacchio’s office to make an appointment for Thursday, December 15. Continue Reading…
Pennacchio Urges Democrat Colleagues to Heed Calls for Legislative Investigation of Veterans Homes
As a crucial federal agency began withholding payments to the troubled Menlo Park veterans home where almost 100 residents succumbed to COVID, Senator Joe Pennacchio today renewed calls on Senate Democrats to support a legislative investigation of state-run veterans homes.
As a crucial federal agency began withholding payments to the troubled Menlo Park veterans home where almost 100 residents succumbed to COVID, Sen. Joe Pennacchio renewed calls on Senate Democrats to support a legislative investigation of state-run veterans homes. (©iStock)
“My Democrat colleagues have consistently turned a blind eye to efforts to get to the bottom of issues that plagued our veterans homes and resulted in hundreds of unnecessary deaths since the start of the pandemic,” said Pennacchio (R-26), who has led the charge calling for a comprehensive legislative investigation since May 2020.
Pennacchio/O’Scanlon Call on Legislature to Immediately Enact Sales Tax Moratorium on Natural Gas, Electricity for Homes
Say State Unfairly Profits from High Cost of Home Heating
With the cost of heating homes with natural gas up by as much as 25 percent, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Declan O’Scanlon have introduced legislation to prevent state revenue from benefiting at the expense of struggling families.
With the cost of heating homes with natural gas up by as much as 25 percent, Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon have introduced legislation to prevent state revenue from benefiting at the expense of struggling families. (©iStock)
The Senators introduced legislation (S-3354) this week that would create a winter moratorium on sales tax on natural gas and electricity for residential customers.
Pennacchio Responds to Potential Loss of Federal Funding to State-run Veterans Homes
Senator Joe Pennacchio responded to published reports that the New Jersey’s Veteran’s Memorial Home at Menlo Park may soon be blocked from Medicare and Medicaid programs for mismanagement and non-compliance with safety standards.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio voted remotely from outside the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home during a Senate session on December 9, 2021 to highlight inaction on a proposed investigation into Murphy administration pandemic failures that resulted in thousands of unnecessary deaths in veterans homes and nursing homes. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s clear that the Murphy administration is unwilling or unable to investigate itself or resolve the mismanagement at our State-run veterans homes that may soon result in the loss of federal funding in at least one facility,” said Pennacchio. “After hundreds of unnecessary deaths and tens of millions of dollars paid out in legal settlements, it’s shocking they don’t appear to have made any real progress in improving protections for veterans home residents.”
Pennacchio: Inspection Report Shows Murphy Administration Still Failing Veterans Home Residents
Senator Joe Pennacchio said a new report shows the Murphy administration is still failing to protect residents of State-run veterans homes nearly three years after hundreds of residents died due to gross mismanagement at the start of the pandemic.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio voted remotely from outside the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home during a Senate session on December 9, 2021 to highlight inaction on a proposed investigation into Murphy administration pandemic failures that resulted in thousands of unnecessary deaths in veterans homes and nursing homes. (SenateNJ.com)
“As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day later this week, the new report is a sad reminder that the Murphy administration continues to fail in its duty to protect the residents of the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “It’s shocking to hear that residents have been physically and verbally abused by their supposed caregivers. It’s also beyond belief that they still haven’t implemented effective infection control procedures after nearly 200 residents died in veterans homes at the start of the pandemic. Our veterans deserve so much better.”
Pennacchio Bill Supporting the Development of Fusion Energy in NJ Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and passed today by the Senate Economic Growth Committee would establish the New Jersey Fusion Technology Industry Commission to focus on the development of the promising clean energy in the state.
A Senate Committee cleared Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation that would establish the New Jersey Fusion Technology Industry Commission to focus on the development of the promising clean energy in the state. (SenateNJ.com)
“As advancements in research and technology make the reality of safe, clean, limitless and affordable fusion energy more likely, it becomes crucial for New Jersey to position itself as a major player in the field,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The 11-person commission launched by this bill will help New Jersey navigate the challenges and hurdles, and guide efforts to develop, perfect and promote fusion power.”
Panel Advances Pennacchio/Durr Bill Securing Access to Public Lakes for Recreational Fishermen
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Ed Durr that would preserve access to any state-owned lake that is open to boats with or without onboard motors was approved today by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Ed Durr that would preserve access to any state-owned lake that is open to boats was approved in committee. (Pixabay)
“There is growing concern about the lack of public boat launches,” noted Pennacchio (R-26). “New Jersey is home to public lakes that are open to bass boats and motorized vessels, but recreational boaters who don’t live on the lake or have private docks find it impossible to get into the water.”
