Pennacchio to Governor: Slow Down on Film Tax Credits
Says Film Tax Credits Unproven, Calls Governor’s Position Inconsistent With His Effort to Limit Other Tax Incentives
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Governor Phil Murphy shouldn’t rush to expand and extend the state’s $425 million film tax credit program until it’s clear that the incentive program actually works.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said Gov. Phil Murphy shouldn’t rush to expand and extend the state’s $425 million film tax credit program until it’s clear that the incentive program actually works. (Pixabay)
“Outside of the Hollywood lobbyists who are pushing for the film tax incentives, we have no evidence that they have helped to boost the New Jersey economy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Before he considers raising the $425 million cap on this relatively new program, Governor Murphy should slow down and determine if it’s working as intended.”
Pennacchio: Murphy’s Sanctuary State Policies Allows Sexual Predators to Roam Free
Denounces False Promise that Directive would “protect the safety of all New Jersey residents”
Senator Joe Pennacchio condemned Governor Murphy’s sanctuary state policies that resulted in the release from county jail of an illegal immigrant who was arrested for sexual assault of a minor, despite a detainer request by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A directive from the Attorney General has prohibited local law enforcement agencies from working with federal immigration authorities.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio condemned Gov. Murphy’s sanctuary state policies that resulted in the release of an illegal immigrant who was arrested for sexual assault of a minor, despite a detainer request by ICE. (SenateNJ.com)
When the “Immigrant Trust Directive” was announced, Attorney General Grewal was quoted as saying the directive was “fair and welcoming” and would “protect the safety of all New Jersey residents.”
Pennacchio also reasserted his call to mandate Megan’s Law registration for all sexual offenders regardless of where the crime was committed, and would require local police to cooperate with federal law enforcement in sexual abuse cases.
“We have a sexual predator on the run due to Governor Murphy’s dangerous sanctuary state policies,” said Pennacchio (R-26) said. “It’s absurd that we now have a federal manhunt for an accused child rapist simply because the jail wasn’t allowed hold him for ICE under orders from the Murphy Administration.”
“Thanks to the governor, New Jersey is ‘fair and welcoming’ to illegal immigrants who commit heinous crimes but not federal authorities trying to keep us safe. I call on Governor Murphy to stop giving safe harbor to criminals and to start prioritizing the public safety of New Jersey families.”
Pennacchio & Oroho Tour Lake Hopatcong with Senate President Sweeney
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) joined Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-3) for a boat tour of Lake Hopatcong today to gain a first-hand understanding of the blue-green algae blooms that caused the lake and others across New Jersey to be closed for recreation for much of the summer.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Steven Oroho joined Senate President Stephen Sweeney for a boat tour of Lake Hopatcong today. (SenateNJ.com)
After the tour, Pennacchio and Oroho issued the following statement:
“We were glad to have the opportunity to join local officials and the Senate President for today’s tour of Lake Hopatcong. Before his untimely death, our dear colleague Senator Bucco was scheduled to join us. We are sure Tony was there in spirit.
Pennacchio Condemns Selective Outrage by Senate Democrats on Racism & Discrimination
Senator Joe Pennacchio said a resolution (SR-155) adopted by Senate Democrats condemning certain comments by the President as racist is a demonstration of utter hypocrisy.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said a resolution adopted by Senate Democrats condemning certain comments by the President as racist is a demonstration of utter hypocrisy.(SenateNJ.com)
“We have numerous examples of elected Democrats at all levels of government making comments which are clearly discriminatory, and in some cases blatantly anti-Semitic,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Where’s the official condemnation?”
Pennacchio Seeks to Make NJ a Leader in Fusion Energy
Introduces Bill Package to Support Research & Commercialization of Fusion Energy Technology
Senator Joe Pennacchio has introduced a bipartisan package of legislation to make New Jersey a global leader of fusion energy research and the development of commercial technology to bring fusion power to market, saying it represents a rare opportunity for the business and environmental communities to work together.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s package of bills would make New Jersey a global leader of fusion energy research and the development of commercial technology to bring fusion power to market. (SenateNJ.com)
“After bringing together and listening to experts in the field of fusion energy, it’s clear that the development and commercialization of this clean, sustainable source of power would revolutionize the way the world thinks about energy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “As the home of the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and a growing ecosystem of start-ups that are looking to bring fusion power to market, New Jersey has a real opportunity to be a global leader in fusion energy technology. It’s wholly apparent that some prudent moves by the State to support this industry in its infancy could yield massive dividends for our residents and New Jersey’s future. Just as California has its Silicon Valley, New Jersey could have its Fusion Epicenter if we play our cards right.”
Pennacchio: Murphy Administration Refuses to Share Docs Detailing Rationale for Closing NJ Lakes
NJDEP Denies OPRA Request for Information Related to HAB Advisories for Lake Hopatcong & Greenwood Lake
Senator Joe Pennacchio said the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has denied legal requests for public records related to the decision to issue advisories for Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake for harmful algal blooms (HAB), lending credence to the suggestion that the Murphy Administration intentionally utilized the local economic pressures associated with lake closures to create a false sense of urgency for nearby communities to create expensive new stormwater utilities permitted through the “rain tax” recently enacted by the Governor.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said the Murphy Administration’s refusal to release records related to the effective closure of several lakes for the summer lends credence to the suggestion that the actions were politically motivated. (SenateNJ.com)
“If the decisions to issue the advisories that have effectively closed Lake Hopatcong and other New Jersey lakes for much of the summer were based purely on public health concerns, there’s no reason for the Murphy Administration to deny public record requests for internal documents containing discussions of the rationale behind those actions,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The fact that the Governor’s staff refuses to share the deliberative documents that we requested leads us to believe that they have something to hide. Perhaps they don’t want the public to see the political underpinnings of their economically damaging decision to close Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake to recreation, unnecessarily, during prime summer months.”
Pennacchio Calls for Enacting Important Anti-Bullying Legislation
After a recent television news investigation into school bullying found the danger may be more prevalent than state statistics show, Senator Joe Pennacchio urged the General Assembly to pass his Mallory’s Law legislation bolstering New Jersey’s anti-bullying statutes.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio is calling for the enactment of “Mallory’s Law” to toughen NJ’s anti-bullying laws. Pictured: the Senate honors Mallory’s Army on Dec. 18, 2017 for its fight against bullying. (SenateNJ.com)
The News 12 New Jersey report indicates school districts may be significantly under-reporting bullying cases. One district reported nine incidents to the state in three years, while school board minutes showed 27 in the same period.
“We need to stop this nonsense and prevent the under-reporting of bullying that is going on, and my bill will help do that,” said Pennacchio, whose bipartisan bill (S3433) passed the Senate in June with unanimous support, although the Assembly version has not moved. “We’re going to force schools to keep better records.”
Pennacchio Votes Against Flawed Vote-by-Mail Bill
Democrats Block Amendment to Prevent Voter Fraud
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) voted against flawed vote-by-mail legislation today saying the measure fails to address the significant issue of voter fraud.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio voted against flawed vote-by-mail legislation saying the measure fails to address the significant issue of voter fraud, including voting by illegal aliens. (SenateNJ.com)
“The vote-by-mail expansion that we were here to fix was flawed for more reasons than those recently identified by the Secretary of State,” said Pennacchio. “Voter fraud is very real in New Jersey, and much of that fraud centers on ballots not cast in a polling place. This legislation does nothing to prevent illegal aliens from voting or to stop campaign operatives from illegally registering people, collecting ballots, and rigging elections.”
Pennacchio Bill Expanding Veteran Benefits to Discharged National Guard Members Signed
Legislation by Senator Joe Pennacchio making discharged members of the New Jersey National Guard eligible for county veterans’ benefits is now law.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation making discharged members of the New Jersey National Guard eligible for county veterans’ benefits is now law. (Flickr)
Pennacchio’s measure, S-2538, allows former Guard members discharged with an NGB-22 to access veterans’ benefits, including a county veteran identification card and a “veteran” designation on their driver’s license. Previously, a DD-214 form from the military was required.
Pennacchio: Murphy’s Frivolous SALT Lawsuit Is a Waste of Taxpayer Dollars
Senator Joe Pennacchio criticized Governor Murphy’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, claiming it is a waste of state resources and taxpayer money.
Sen.Joe Pennacchio criticized Gov. Murphy’s lawsuit against the IRS, claiming it is a waste of state resources and taxpayer money. (Flickr)
“The Murphy Administration is lawsuit happy,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The Governor should not be using New Jersey taxpayer dollars to play politics. Rather than fighting with the federal government, I urge Governor Murphy to focus on genuine and immediate tax solutions that we have the power as state lawmakers to advance.”
