Pennacchio Blasts Administration’s Latest Attempt to Silence Opposition
Senator Joe Pennacchio today chastised the Murphy Administration for the autocratic management of the New Jersey State Board of Education after several board members who opposed the controversial new sex curriculum standards were set to be replaced.

Sen. Joe Pennacchio chastised the Murphy Administration for the autocratic management of the New Jersey State Board of Education after several board members who opposed the controversial new sex curriculum standards were set to be replaced. (©iStock)
“These educators dared to disagree with the dubious new education direction, and for this, they are being thrown off the board,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “That isn’t governing. It is dictating, and it is something we’ve seen too often from Trenton in recent years.”
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.
Pennacchio Bill Assisting Minority and Women Farmers Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would establish the “New Jersey Minority, Women, and Underserved Farmer Registry,” making it easier for registered farmers to qualify for loan and assistance programs, was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would establish the “New Jersey Minority, Women, and Underserved Farmer Registry,” was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio’s bill, S-772, would support women and minority farmers, and help encourage more of them to consider operating farms in the Garden State.
“I am extremely pleased that the Governor signed this bill into law today. Historically, minority and disadvantaged farmers have been neglected by programs designed to help with loans and other assistance,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Too many have been unable to capitalize on affordable sources of financing for beginning farmers, emergency loans, and other costly expenses.”
Pennacchio Blasts Murphy Administration’s Escalating Threats Over Sex Education
Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted the Murphy administration’s escalating threats to school districts that refuse to implement controversial new sex education standards imposed by the State Board of Education.

New Jersey Senate Republicans livestreamed an independent hearing on sex education, state curriculum mandates, and parental rights on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. (NJ Senate Republicans/YouTube)
“Districts were repeatedly told that their local communities would get to decide how sex education is taught in their kids’ classrooms, but it’s increasingly clear that wasn’t the truth,” said Pennacchio. “The districts that have decided they don’t want to teach age-inappropriate lessons required by the new state standards have just been threatened again with discipline by the Department of Education. The governor should give us a ‘crisp answer’ on exactly what those punishments will be.”
Pennacchio Blasts Murphy’s Continued Inaction on COVID-19 “Postmortem” & Democrats’ Stonewalling
Senator Joe Pennacchio blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s continued inaction on a promised “postmortem” investigation of his administration’s failed COVID-19 response in nursing homes and State-run veterans homes and stonewalling by Democrats of a legislative investigation.

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 nursing homes and State-run veterans homes. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy should be honest with people that he has absolutely no intention of doing a ‘postmortem’ of his administration’s pandemic failures,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “It’s clear the administration doesn’t want to be held accountable for their many mistakes even if will help save lives in the future. The state may never be ‘out of the woods’ when it comes to having some number of hospitalizations, which the governor is using as an excuse, because COVID-19 is now endemic, and he knows that. Any person of reason can see if he hasn’t done a review after two years, it ain’t gonna happen.”
Senate Republicans Hold Hearing on Sex Education, State Curriculum Mandates & Parental Rights
New Jersey Senate Republicans livestreamed an independent hearing on sex education, state curriculum mandates, and parental rights on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.
During the hearing, Sen. Joe Pennacchio (chair), Sen. Kristin Corrado, Sen. Holly Schepisi, and Sen. Michael Testa had an important discussion with school board members, child health experts, and concerned parents.
Pennacchio: ‘How Many More Nursing Home Settlements Will the Administration Try to Hide from Taxpayers?’
An out-of-court settlement of almost $16 million with the families of more than 70 seniors who died in state-run veterans facilities was confirmed by the Governor’s Administration today, and Senator Joe Pennacchio warned that more similar announcements may be forthcoming.

A settlement of almost $16 million with the families of 71 seniors who died in state-run veterans facilities was confirmed by the Administration, and Sen. Joe Pennacchio warned that more similar announcements may be forthcoming. (Pixabay)
“The Administration just continues to pay out taxpayer money for nursing home deaths without any public scrutiny,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “How many more secret settlements will they try to hide from taxpayers?”
Senate Republicans to Hold Independent Hearing on Sex Education, State Curriculum Mandates & Parental Rights
New Jersey Senate Republicans will host an independent hearing on Tuesday, August 23 to discuss sex education, state curriculum mandates, and improving parental rights in education. The virtual hearing will be livestreamed on Facebook Live.
WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio (Chair), Senator Kristin Corrado, Senator Holly Schepisi, Senator Michael Testa, and invited guests, including school board members, experts, and concerned parents.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to discuss sex education, state curriculum mandates, and improving parental rights in education.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 23 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live from the Facebook page of the New Jersey Senate Republicans. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
STREAMING LINK: https://www.facebook.com/senatenj
Pennacchio Recognizes the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence
Calls for Passage of Legislative Resolution Urging U.N. to Give India Permanent Seat on Security Council
Senator Joe Pennacchio urged all New Jerseyans to join him in recognizing and celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence on Monday, August 15.

Sen. Joe Pennacchio urged all New Jerseyans to join him in recognizing and celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian independence on Monday, August 15. (Wikipedia)
“We would like to congratulate India as it celebrates 75 years of independence from colonial rule,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We welcome our friendly relations with India, its support for democracy, and the role the nation has taken in urging peaceful solutions to conflict on the world stage.”
India became an independent nation on August 15, 1947 through the passage of the Indian Independence Act by the British Parliament.
Oroho/Pennacchio/Corrado Chide Trenton Democrats for Muddled Priorities
Senator Steven Oroho, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Kristin Corrado today blasted Democrat leadership in Trenton for their response to the price of concert tickets.

Sens. Oroho, Pennacchio and Corrado said the Legislature should be focused on more important issues than concert ticket prices. (Pixabay)
“The priorities in Trenton are off the rails,” said Oroho (R-24). “There is more interest in investigating the price of admission to a Bruce Springsteen concert than there has ever been for unraveling the bureaucratic confusion that led to the deaths of almost 10,000 people in nursing homes.”