Editorial: Our School Plan Will Lower Taxes and Make Every Child Count, Republican Legislator Says
The following editorial by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) detailing the new Senate Republican school funding reform plan, “Every Child Counts” was published on April 17, 2019 on NJ.com.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s editorial detailing the new Senate Republican school funding reform plan, Every Child Counts, was published on April 17, 2019 on NJ.com. (Wikimedia Commons)
For far too long, children and taxpayers around New Jersey have been the victims of an unfair school funding formula that punishes kids, simply because they live in the wrong zip code. This has to end. I believe that every child deserves the same opportunity to get a great education, regardless of where they live.
That’s why I was proud to stand at a State House press conference recently with my Senate Republican colleagues, school district superintendents, and education advocates to unveil a new, comprehensive school funding reform proposal to fix this problem, once and for all.
This new legislative package is intended to fix an inefficient and unfair process for funding education that fails students and taxpayers in all types of communities across New Jersey.
Our “Every Child Counts” plan provides for a more equitable distribution of State school funding to every child, every year.
We believe the reforms we have proposed will lower property taxes, improve the quality of education in our classrooms, and protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable children.
Pennacchio: NJ’s Autism Rates Prove We Need a Better Way to Fund Special Education
In light of the release of a new CDC report showing that the rate of 4-year-old children diagnosed with autism in New Jersey has spiked by 43 percent, Senator Pennacchio is again calling on Legislative Leaders to embrace the Senate Republican school funding reform plan, “Every Child Counts,” which features a better way to fund special education costs Statewide.
In light of new CDC reports showing that certain child autism rates in New Jersey have spiked by 43 percent, Sen. Pennacchio is again calling on Legislative Leaders to embrace the “Every Child Counts” school funding reform plan. (©iStock)
“The fact that more and more kids are being diagnosed with autism in New Jersey is a clear indicator that we have to come up with a better way to fund special education in this state,” Pennacchio said. “Right now, kids with autism or other challenges receive a varying degree of financial support, based on their zip code. That’s wrong. Every child counts. We need a school funding plan that will ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of where they live.”
Pennacchio Calls for Hearings on Dangerous Sanctuary State Policies
Directive Create Safe Harbor for Rapists and Murderers
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) called for immediate legislative hearings in response to news of the rape and murder of a New Jersey nanny, Carolina Cano, by an illegal immigrant. This comes in the wake of the State Attorney General’s “Sanctuary State” directive, which went into effect last month:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called for immediate legislative hearings in response to news of the rape and murder of a New Jersey nanny by an illegal immigrant. (SenateNJ.com)
“A nanny was brutally strangled, raped, and tossed into a New Jersey lake by someone who shouldn’t even have been in the country in the first place,” Pennacchio said. “The administration’s dangerous Sanctuary State policy encourages illegal immigrants to seek harbor within our state’s borders.
“My legislation would ensure local law enforcement cooperate with federal authorities to stop these criminals from putting our residents in danger. For the safety of our families, I am calling for immediate legislative hearings to assess these alarming policies. We cannot turn a blind eye to those who have no respect for U.S. law or the sanctity of human life.”
Pennacchio: Democrats Must Condemn Cop Killer Chesimard
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement in response to reports that a summit attended by a number of prominent elected officials, including New Jersey’s own U.S. Senator Cory Booker, opened with chants praising convicted cop-killer Joanne Chesimard.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio released the following statement in response to reports that a summit attended by a number of prominent elected officials, including New Jersey’s own U.S. Senator Cory Booker, opened with chants praising convicted cop-killer Joanne Chesimard. (FBI)
Pennacchio has been a vocal advocate for the return of Chesimard. He and fellow Senate Republican, Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25) have long sponsored a State Senate resolution, SR-15, urging Chesimard’s extradition from Cuba.
“Joanne Chesimard is a domestic terrorist and the convicted murderer of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster,” Pennacchio said. “I stand with the New Jersey State Police and wholeheartedly condemn anyone who has the gall to glorify a cop killer.
Pennacchio: Governor Should Focus on Growing Jobs, Not Weed
Senator Urges Murphy to Focus on the Economy, in light of reports that NJ lost 7,700 jobs last month
In light of recent reports highlighting New Jersey’s continued economic decline, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today urged Governor Phil Murphy to stop pushing to legalize pot and start pushing for job creation.
Pennacchio’s call for action follows news that New Jersey lost 7,700 jobs in February, according to new data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New Jersey also lost at least 2,300 jobs in December of 2018 alone.
Additionally, this week the NJBIA released their 2019 Climate Analysis, which indicated that New Jersey continues to have the worst business climate, highest property taxes, highest sales tax, and highest income tax in the region.
In light of recent reports highlighting New Jersey’s continued economic decline, Sen. Joe Pennacchio today urged Gov. Murphy to stop pushing to legalize pot and start pushing for job creation. (Wikimedia)
“The cost of doing business in New Jersey is spiraling out of control and we are losing good-paying jobs left and right,” Senator Pennacchio said. “At a time when nationally, unemployment has reached historic lows, New Jersey lost more than 10,000 jobs in December and February alone. We cannot turn a blind eye to the bleak economic indicators highlighted in these reports. New Jersey business owners don’t need us to legalize weed – they need this administration to stop vilifying and punishing them with regulations and high taxes.
“Governor Murphy needs to wake up and face the facts. Let’s stop the push for pot and start promoting practical policies that will create jobs and encourage more innovators to set up shop in the Garden State.”
Pennacchio Condemns NJ’s ‘Sanctuary State Directive’ for Protecting Dangerous Criminals
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week:
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Sen. Joe Pennacchio released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week. (SenateNJ.com)
“Illegals that commit horrendous crimes are finding refuge in New Jersey and today’s news report of a murderer who was deported proves that,” Pennacchio said. “This killer was hiding out in Newark. Fortunately, federal authorities deported him back to his home country so he can be tried for aggravated murder and associating with criminal organizations. The recent implementation of Attorney General’s ‘sanctuary state’ directive is putting New Jersey communities at risk and it is putting our families in danger. We must fight back.”
Advanced: Pennacchio/Bucco Bill Dedicating Morris Plains Rail Station in Honor of Local Mayor & Freeholder
Legislation ceremoniously renames station: “Frank J. Druetzler Station – Morris Plains, New Jersey”
Legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco to pay tribute to former Morris Plains Mayor and Morris County Freeholder Frank Druetzler for his 38 years of laudable public service, by ceremoniously renaming a local rail station in his honor, has passed the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Anthony Bucco to ceremoniously designate the Morris Plains rail station as the “Frank J. Druetzler Station – Morris Plains, New Jersey” passed the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“I have had the pleasure of working with Frank for more than 20 years,” Pennacchio said. “Frank is a pillar of the community, and his numerous accomplishments in Morris Plains are a testament to his hard work. He always put people before politics. Renaming the train station in Frank’s honor is a fitting way to pay tribute to his legacy.”
Pennacchio Bill to Expand Genetic Testing & Improve Patient Care Passes Senate
SJR-115 Creates Pharmacogenomics Commission to Examine Benefits of Increasing Drug-Gene Testing in NJ
The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored Senator Joe Pennacchio that would create a commission to explore how expanding pharmacogenomics, also known as “drug-gene testing,” could lead to better care and health outcomes for patients in New Jersey.
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genetic makeup influences the effectiveness or toxicity of medications.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s bill would create a commission to explore how expanding Pharmacogenomics, or drug-gene testing, could lead to better care and health outcomes for NJ patients. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Genetic testing is already a common standard of care in cancer treatment, as genetic mutations play a role in 5 to 10 percent of all cancers. In fact, certain treatments can be tailored to match a specific mutation found in a patient’s tumor,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) explained. “Medical professionals can also use genetic testing to treat and identify a wide variety of conditions – and prevent potentially dangerous adverse reactions or side effects to certain prescriptions.”
Pennacchio Votes Against Spending $3 Million to Bloat Bureaucracy
Senator Speaks Out Against Wasting Taxpayer Money on Creating a Redundant Agency
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) today voted against spending $3 million dollars on legislation that would create a redundant agency that New Jersey taxpayers don’t need.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio today voted against spending $3 million dollars on legislation that would create a redundant agency that New Jersey taxpayers don’t need. (Pixabay)
S-3585, which was up for a vote during today’s State Senate Voting Session, would establish the “Office of Homelessness Prevention,” with the purpose of managing coordination between multiple government agencies and nonprofits – that already should work with each other on a regular basis.
The legislation includes a $3 million appropriation specifically for the new agency created under S-3585.
“Forcing taxpayers to fork over $3 million to create a new bureaucracy to oversee the overseers is lunacy,” Senator Pennacchio said. “Everyone agrees that homelessness is a problem in New Jersey, but we already have agencies that are working to address this crisis. If they aren’t doing their jobs, then we need to figure out why and work to increase oversight and accountability within our existing support structures.”
“This is just another sign that Governor Murphy and his Democratic co-conspirators have no idea how to handle money. More government is never the answer,” Pennacchio added. “The numerous State agencies aimed at combating homelessness already should be working with each other. While I laud the sponsor’s intent to help the homeless, the execution and the price tag outweighs the potential benefit. We would be better off taking that $3 million and writing checks to the homeless directly.”
Pennacchio Commends Local Teens for Helping Neighbor Reach Dialysis During Snowstorm
5 Parsippany High School Seniors Shoveled Driveway of Neighbor on Kidney Transplant List
Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assemblyman Jay Webber, and Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce (all R-26) visited Parsippany High School on Wednesday March 13 to thank the five senior boys who shoveled their neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm, ensuring she could be safely be transported to dialysis amid the weather.
Pennacchio, Webber, and DeCroce presented ceremonial resolutions to 5 Parsippany High School seniors who shoveled their neighbor’s driveway after a snowstorm, ensuring she could be safely be transported to dialysis. (SenateNJ.com)
“Shoveling a neighbor’s driveway may seem like a simple act of kindness, but in this case – it may have very well saved a woman’s life,” Pennacchio said. “We all know the severe injuries one could suffer from as a result of a slip and fall on an icy day. Without the boys’ help, she may have missed her treatment. Parsippany is a stronger community because of their actions.”
