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.
Senate Passes Pennacchio & Testa Bill Bolstering Access to Government Records
The Bipartisan Measure Addresses Limits in the Emergency Health and Powers Act that Interfere with Transparency
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa that would lift restrictions on access to public and government records during declared emergencies was approved today by the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Pennacchio and Senator Testa that would lift restrictions on access to public and government records during declared emergencies was approved today by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
During the current pandemic, the Murphy Administration has repeatedly relied on sections of the Health Powers Act, enacted in 2005, to deny Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests for information about preparations and decisions relating to the virus outbreak.
“The Act was never intended to keep the public in the dark in times of crisis,” said Pennacchio (R-26), “but today it is being used to conceal data and information on decisions impacting public health and fiscal stability from public and legislative scrutiny.”
Pennacchio Calls on Health Commissioner to Approve Rapid Results COVID Test to Protect Nursing Homes from Virus
Says State Department of Health Not Serving Governor Well
An affordable COVID test that produces results in minutes is available, and according to a published report, nursing homes would like to use it to test people coming into the facilities. Administrators, however, say the state will not allow it.
Senator Pennacchio said nursing homes should be allowed to use an affordable COVID rapid response test to screen nursing home visitors and protect vulnerable residents. (Flickr)
“It’s frustrating,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio, an out-spoken critic of the Murphy Administration’s nursing home policies that contributed to the loss of more than 7,000 senior residents of long-term care locations. “The state is concerned about the accuracy of these tests, but this could have implications for the entire state if it turns out to be reliable.”
Senate Republicans Launch Online Petition Urging Bipartisan Investigation of 7,000+ Deaths at Nursing & Veterans Homes, LTC Facilities
Special Investigative Committee Would Hold Those Responsible Accountable, Develop Effective Reforms, Keep Resident Safe
Senate Republicans launched an online petition to enlist the public’s support to convince legislative leaders to allow a special bipartisan committee with subpoena power to investigate the massive loss of life in New Jersey’s nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care (LTC) facilities due to COVID-19.
The online petition can be signed at https://www.senatenj.com/petitions/nursinghomes/.
Senate Republicans launched an online petition to convince legislative leaders to allow a special bipartisan committee with subpoena power to investigate the massive loss of life in New Jersey’s nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care facilities due to COVID-19. (Flickr)
“Since May, Senate Republicans have called for a thorough, bipartisan, and transparent investigation into the massive loss of life at our long-term care facilities,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21). “We believe the families and loved ones of victims deserve to hear the truth and to know that those responsible will be held accountable. Current residents deserve to know that the failures that led to thousands of deaths have been thoroughly investigated and understood, and that effective reforms have been developed and implemented to keep them safe. Unfortunately, our repeated calls for the Legislature to form a special committee with subpoena power to perform this legitimate oversight of the executive branch have been ignored. Our online petition will give the public the opportunity to send the message that the Legislature shouldn’t shirk its responsibility to protect New Jerseyans.”
Committee Clears Pennacchio Bill Supporting Multigenerational Households
Creates Commission to Study Options to Long-Term Nursing Facilities
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio to make it easier for senior citizens to live with family members and avoid moving to long-term care facilities was approved by the Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee today.
Senator Pennacchio’s legislation to make it easier for senior citizens to live with family members and avoid moving to long-term care facilities cleared the Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee today. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio’s bill, S-2727, would establish the Multigenerational Family Housing Continuity Commission to research, solicit and consider public input, and adopt recommendations on how to most effectively advance the goal of enhancing multigenerational family housing opportunities.
“The commission will consider the merits of more sensible rules that could strengthen families and communities. They will determine strategies to encourage local officials to work with families to keep them together, not split them apart,” said Pennacchio.
Pennacchio: Murphy Continues to Obscure Truth About Nursing Home Tragedies
Legislative Investigation Necessary to Uncover Systemic Problems that Put Lives at Risk and Rob Residents of Dignity
Senator Joe Pennacchio called the four nursing home bills signed Wednesday by Governor Murphy “a legislative distraction that fails to address the root causes of failings that accounted for more than 7,000 deaths in nursing homes.”
Senator Pennacchio called the four nursing home bills signed Wednesday by Gov. Murphy ‘a legislative distraction that fails to address the root causes of failings that accounted for more than 7,000 deaths in nursing homes.’ (Flickr)
“The Governor continues to whitewash the systemic problems that plague facilities,” said Pennacchio. “State government policies led to the deaths of one of every 10 residents in nursing homes, and Murphy refuses to defend those decisions.”
Pennacchio Bill Powering Electric Vehicles Clears Committee
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee today advanced Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislation that would expand access to charging stations for drivers of electric vehicles.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Pennacchio that would encourage gasoline stations to add electric vehicle charging stations was advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
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 “fill up” their batteries.
“The number of electric vehicles on New Jersey roads is growing, and the trend will only increase in the future,” said Pennacchio. “This bill would help the availability of charging locations keep pace with the expanding usage of zero-emission transportation.”
Pennacchio: Voter Registration Kiosk Inside Emergency Room is Insane
Says Murphy is Ignoring Logic and Common Sense, and Citizens Should be Allowed to Vote in Person
A recent tweet on Governor Murphy’s official Twitter account promoted in-person voter registration available inside hospital emergency rooms.
Senator Joe Pennacchio called kiosks in hospital emergency rooms to register voters ‘insanity’ and renewed calls for Murphy to allow in-person voting in New Jersey. (Gov. Murphy via Twitter)
“In emergency rooms full of sick patients, the Governor somehow thinks it’s a good idea to urge people to take the time to register to vote, yet he is preventing New Jersey citizens from exercising their constitutional right to vote in a booth in a municipal building,” said Pennacchio. “E.R. waiting rooms are breeding grounds for pathogens and the spread of infection. The insanity of this is shocking. You can’t make this stuff up.”
Pennacchio: $21.8 Million Dollar Taxpayer Gift to Netflix Wrong
Netflix Should Be Condemned for Child Exploitation, Not Rewarded
Last week, Netflix was approved for $21.8 million in corporate incentives under New Jersey’s film tax credit program. The funding was approved by the Economic Development Authority for the production of “Army of the Dead,” an upcoming zombie movie being shot in Atlantic City.
Senator Pennacchio said New Jersey’s film tax credit program needs to go, and the award of $21.8 million to Netflix as the company released ‘Cuties’ to American audiences proves the point. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senator Joe Pennacchio, an outspoken critic of New Jersey’s film tax credit, was particularly upset at the award coming off the recent release of the Netflix movie, “Cuties.”
Pennacchio: Governor’s Criticism of President is Hollow Attempt to Rewrite History
New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio today challenged Governor Murphy’s recent criticism of President Trump as an effort to obscure his own costly errors dealing with the coronavirus.
Senator Pennacchio said Governor Murphy’s criticism of the President is an attempt to avoid responsibility for his own mistakes and failed policies during the pandemic. (Pixabay)
“The Governor said he would have been more aggressive if Trump had been more forthcoming on COVID information,” said Pennacchio. “Murphy is one of only five governors in the nation that forced nursing homes to accept COVID patients, exposing healthcare workers and vulnerable residents to infection. He wants to make the President his scapegoat for his own mistakes.”
