Pennacchio: Legislature Must Protect Unborn Children Just as Much as Animals
In light of the Assembly passage of a bill banning the declawing of cats, Senator Joe Pennacchio expressed his outrage that the legislature seems to care more about preventing animal cruelty than protecting innocent unborn children from the excruciating pain caused by abortion.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio speaking at a New Jersey State House press conference on S-2026 on December 5, 2016. (SenateNJ.com)
“When did animals become more important than unborn children?” Senator Pennacchio opined. “This legislature takes pride and advocates for animals and their rights. It has shown to be a good steward in their protection, yet it gives no credence or moral thought to the pain experienced to a child as it is forcibly removed from its mother’s womb. The Legislature must do what is right and protect these babies with the same veracity that we defend animals.”
Pennacchio Introduces Legislation to Allow EMT Certifications to Count Toward Driver’s License I.D. Requirement
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) has introduced legislation that will allow EMTs and paramedics to use their state-issued certification cards to count towards the Motor Vehicle Commission’s driver’s license identification verification program.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s new bill would make it easier for EMTs and paramedics to get a driver’s license. (NJMVC)
“These are individuals that had to pass a state-administered program in order to obtain their certification,” Senator Pennacchio said. “The MVC already counts certain state-issued documents towards the six-point requirement, so it makes sense that we allow these certification cards to counts as well.”
Pennacchio to Introduce Bill to Study the Use of Ethanol in Fuel
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Passaic, Morris) announced plans to introduce legislation to study the use of ethanol in gasoline and find out if it makes sense for New Jersey.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio will introduce legislation to study the use of ethanol in fuel. (©iStock)
“There is a lot of concern that the addition of ethanol to fuel can cause engine problems in vehicles that aren’t specifically designed to handle it, and even that it could potentially decrease the gas mileage of car,” Senator Pennacchio said. “At a time when gas prices are spiking, New Jersey’s drivers can’t afford to have their vehicles become any less fuel-efficient.”
Pennacchio Announces Resolution Supporting Columbus Day Preservation
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) announced a Senate resolution supporting the preservation of Columbus Day as a federal and state holiday. The resolution will be formally introduced at the next Senate quorum.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s resolution supports the preservation of Columbus Day as a federal and state holiday. (Wikimedia Commons)
“New Jersey has the second highest population of people of Italian ancestry in the country,” Senator Pennacchio said. “For the 1.4 million Italian-Americans living in New Jersey, it is not enough for legislators to say we support the preservation of Columbus Day. We need to take action and show our constituents that we are committed to upholding their values, culture and heritage.”
Pennacchio/Bucco Bill Prevents Schools from Hiring Alleged Child Abusers, Sexual Predators
Senate Republicans Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco have introduced a bill to prevent a person who has been investigated for child abuse or sexual misconduct from working at a New Jersey public or charter school.
Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco’s bill requires schools to review of an applicant’s employment history to ascertain allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. (Flickr)
“We cannot afford to take chances when it comes to protecting children from the lifelong scars of abuse,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Why should we prioritize a person who has been accused of such a heinous crime over the safety of innocent children? It is an unconscionable miscarriage of justice that this state is more concerned with protecting a job candidate’s reputation than keeping child predators out of our schools. This legislation is long overdue.”
Pennacchio: Trump Will Be an Ally in the Fight to Bring Back Cop-Killer Chesimard
Following statements made by Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) said that he is hopeful New Jersey will have an ally in Washington who will demand Cuba return cop-killer Joanne Chesimard.
Joanne Chesimard is wanted for escaping from prison in Clinton, New Jersey, while serving a life sentence for murdering a New Jersey State Trooper. She relocated to Cuba in 1984, where she is thought to still be living. (FBI)
Rex Tillerson on Wednesday told the Foreign Relations Committee that as President-Elect Trump’s secretary of state, he would demand that Cuba extradite Chesimard.
“I have said it before – President Obama should have never opened relations with Cuba without first demanding the extradition of convicted cop-killer Joanne Chesimard,” Senator Pennacchio said. “I applaud President-Elect Trump for nominating a secretary of state who has the courage and the capacity to right this wrong.
Now Law: Pennacchio Bill to Help Small Businesses Compete
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) designed to help small businesses grow and lower costs for taxpayers is now law after it was signed by Governor Chris Christie.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio watches as Gov. Chris Christie signs his legislation at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey headquarters in Trenton, N.J. (SenateNJ.com)
“We have many small businesses that are more than capable of undertaking public projects here in New Jersey, but they aren’t afforded the same opportunities as larger businesses when regulations prevent them from even entering the bidding process,” Senator Pennacchio said. “With this law, we can start to cut away some of that red tape and create new chances for these local companies to grow and create new jobs in areas of need.”
Pennacchio Urges Congress to Condemn U.N. Security Council’s Anti-Israel Actions
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) will introduce legislation urging Congress to pass their resolution admonishing the U.N. Security Council for voting to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio will introduce a resolution urging Congress to admonish the United Nations Security Council for condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (Flickr)
“The U.N. Security Council’s condemnation of Israeli settlements and the Obama administration’s refusal to speak out against this resolution is a horrific betrayal,” Senator Pennacchio said. “While I am confident that President Elect Trump will right this wrong, we must act now to demonstrate our support for Israel, especially as the nation struggles to defend itself against unprovoked attacks on the West Bank.”
Pennacchio-Turner Bill Mandating Background Checks for All Day Care Providers Passes Senate
All family day care providers would be required to undergo state and federal background checks under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Shirley Turner and approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Shirle Turner’s bill would require all current and prospective day care employees to undergo state and federal criminal background checks. (Flickr)
Under current law, prospective and current providers only have to undergo a child abuse registry check administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF.) They are not, however, required to undergo standard state and federal criminal history record background checks.
“It is impossible to know how many child abusers are slipping through the cracks in the system without subjecting every day care employee to a criminal background check,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “Clearly, a child abuse record check is not sufficient enough to prevent predators from accessing our children. An innocent child who is cared for by a handful of people in a private residence is no less deserving of the State’s protection.”
Pennacchio: State Must Investigate Planned Parenthood’s Alleged Sale of Baby Body Parts
Following a U.S. Senate recommendation to file criminal charges against Planned Parenthood, Senator Joe Pennacchio today renewed his call for the State Attorney General to launch an investigation to determine if any Planned Parenthood in New Jersey has committed this crime. Pennacchio sponsors legislation forbidding organizations to profit from the sale of aborted fetal tissue.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio speaking at a New Jersey State House press conference on his Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on December 5, 2016. (SenateNJ.com)
“We cannot stand by as agencies such as Planned Parenthood, who boldly claim to be advocating for women and families, secretly profit from the illegal sale of baby body parts,” Senator Pennacchio said. “In light of the horrific evidence uncovered by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and their referral for a criminal investigation into Planned Parenthood, I am once again urging the State Attorney General not to turn a blind eye to the disturbing possibility that serious crimes against humanity could be occurring right here in New Jersey.”
