Senate Passes Pennacchio Bill Expanding Access to Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio expanding access to charging stations for electric vehicles was approved today by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio expanding access to charging stations for electric vehicles was approved today by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio’s bill (S-938) streamlines the approval process for installing recharge portals at gasoline service stations, making it more convenient for drivers to plug in and charge their batteries.
“As the popularity of Tesla and other plug-in transportation continues to grow, the number of electric vehicles on New Jersey roads will steadily increase,” said Pennacchio. “This bill would help the availability of charging locations keep pace with the expanding usage of zero-emission vehicles.”
Senate Clears Pennacchio/Brown Bill to Ensure State-Purchased POW-MIA Flags are Manufactured in the USA
All POW-MIA flags purchased with state funds must be manufactured in the United States under legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Chris Brown and advanced today by the Senate.
Senator Pennacchio and Senator Brown sponsor legislation that would require all POW-MIA flags purchased with state funds to be manufactured in the United States. (Pixabay)
“Out of respect for the military members who never came home, these POW-MIA flags are flown, often at state offices and buildings,” said Pennacchio. “When we are remembering these heroes, we should do it with flags manufactured here in the nation they so proudly defended. There’s no reason for the state to buy cheap, imported flags to memorialize our brave soldiers.”
Pennacchio & Kean Bill to Review Effectiveness of Programs Supporting Businesses Owned by Minorities and Women Clears Senate
The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Republican Leader Tom Kean that would track the performance of State programs to strengthen women- and minority-owned businesses.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Pennacchio and Senate Republican Leader Kean to help minority- and women-owned businesses cleared the Senate today. (©iStock)
“Vibrant and growing women- and minority-owned enterprises are crucial to a strong New Jersey economy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This bill will allow us to evaluate the data so we can identify trends and better understand which programs are effective, and which are falling short. We cannot make decisions about public policy that impacts the economy if we don’t have accurate, up-to-date numbers.”
Pennacchio on Fed Investigation of Veterans’ Homes: ‘At Least Somebody Was Listening’
Senator Questions Why State Senate Has Not Done Its Own Investigation
Senator Joe Pennacchio today welcomed word that the United States Department of Justice is actively investigating the COVID tragedies inside state-run veterans’ homes, and emphasized the need for the Senate to conduct its own inquiry.
Senator Pennacchio welcomed word that the United States Department of Justice is actively investigating the COVID tragedies inside state-run veterans’ homes, and emphasized the need for the Senate to conduct its own inquiry. (Flickr)
According to published reports, in announcing the launch of a civil rights investigation the feds cited the state’s lack of cooperation with an earlier analysis and concerns about the quality of care at veterans’ facilities.
Pennacchio Has Questions for Fired Veterans’ Homes Bosses
Says They Should Receive Some of the First Subpoena’s When Senate Convenes Select Committee to Investigate COVID Response
Days after Governor Murphy announced a change of command at the COVID-ravished state-run veterans’ nursing homes in Paramus and Menlo Park, Senator Joe Pennacchio said the replaced administrators have some explaining to do.
Senator Pennacchio wants fired veterans’ homes administrators’ names on the subpoena list for Senate Select Committee COVID investigation. (SenateNJ.com)
“As a legislator, I have plenty of questions that need to be answered, and I know the countless families who lost loved ones to the virus outbreak in these homes have questions,” said Pennacchio (R-26).
Pennacchio: ‘Now We’re Talking About a Second Wave. I’d Really Be Interested to Find Out What Happened with the First Wave.’
Senator’s Words Challenged Senate Veterans Committee to Unearth to Truth
Senator Joe Pennacchio before voting on a Senate Joint Resolution (SJR-80) calling on Congress to release funds to offset COVID-19 related losses to New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs-run veteran memorial homes.
Senator Pennacchio renewed his call for a Senate Select Committee with subpoena powers to investigate the COVID tragedy within the walls of veterans and nursing homes. (Pixabay)
“One has to ask why we’re asking for money from the federal government when our veterans’ homes are all state run. Why are we not using the more than $2 billion of CARES funds the state received? Why didn’t we utilize the USS Comfort, the Javits Center, field hospitals, or at least their staffs and the personal protective equipment when they were here? Why did we send them away?
“The state, by its own admissions, says 7,100 dead seniors in long-term nursing facilities. One out of every 10 long-term nursing facilities residents are dead. Continue Reading…
Pennacchio, Corrado & Oroho Welcome New Leadership at New Jersey’s Veterans’ Homes
Call for More Accountability and Transparency in Wake of Tragic COVID Outbreaks
After news of a leadership shake-up at the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Steve Oroho called the changes “necessary and long over-due.”
After news of a leadership shake-up at the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Senator Pennacchio, Senator Corrado and Senator Oroho called the changes ‘necessary and long over-due.’ (SenateNJ.com)
“While I am pleased this is an attempt to address some of the administration’s failures, there still is much work to be done after the disastrous COVID toll in all of our nursing homes,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “An independent legislative review, a Senate Select Committee with subpoena powers, is still necessary to determine how more than 7,100 people died in nursing homes across the state to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Pennacchio: Governor Willing to Investigate Trump; Why Aren’t Senate Democrats Willing to Investigate 7,100 dead Nursing Home Residents?
Governor Murphy acknowledged that his administration is investigating President Trump’s fundraiser in Bedminster as a possible violation of his own executive orders, but the pandemic conditions inside New Jersey veterans’ and nursing homes remain obscured.
While the Governor is investigating the President’s fundraiser, Senator Pennacchio today renewed his call for a Senate Select Committee investigation of the administration’s handling of COVID inside veterans and nursing homes. (Pixabay)
“During the final days of the presidential election, Murphy wants to roll out his own version of an October Surprise,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio. “What we really need is an investigation into the deadly operations in our long-term care residences.
Pennacchio: As Bodies Keep Piling Up, New Jersey Senate Does Nothing
Review Determines 47 More Veterans’ Homes Residents Died from Virus, Bringing Total Close to 200
The COVID death toll at New Jersey veterans’ homes has been increased by almost 50 after a review of state records, a development that exemplifies the need for more investigation, said Senator Joe Pennacchio.
The COVID death toll at NJ veterans’ homes was increased by almost 50 after a review of state records. Senator Pennacchio said that exemplifies the need for more investigation of the state’s pandemic policies. (SenateNJ.com)
Pennacchio, since May, has been calling for a Senate Select Committee with subpoena powers to scrutinize the Murphy Administration’s policies and decisions impacting coronavirus in long-term care facilities.
“The situation in the veterans’ homes may be emblematic of all the nursing homes in New Jersey,” said Pennacchio. “The state has full control over the veterans’ facilities. While the Administration has been quick to point fingers at private homes, the loss of life in veterans’ centers has been far worse.
Pennacchio: NJ Legislature Should be Embarrassed by Massachusetts Investigation into Deaths in Senior Facilities
Says the Loss of Life at Veterans’ and Nursing Homes Demands Inquiry
The coronavirus pandemic began hitting New Jersey and Massachusetts at close to the same time, and it wasn’t long before both states were seeing a disturbing loss of life in veterans’ homes and nursing homes.
Senator Pennacchio said Massachusetts nursing home investigation demonstrates need for the Senate to convene a Legislative panel in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
A half year later, Massachusetts has completed an inquiry into the problems that led to tragedy, and a grand jury has indicted several top officials from a particularly hard-hit veterans facilities.
“Massachusetts took the bull by the horns,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio, who has been calling for a Senate Select Committee to investigate the state’s handling of COVID in long-term care facilities since May. “I take no pleasure in hearing that anybody has been criminally indicted, but I am trying to get at the truth and I can’t understand why our Legislature is sitting on its hands.
