Oroho, Pennacchio Seek Answers After Rejection of Public Records Requests in State’s Settlement in Veterans Home COVID Deaths
A series of Open Public Records Act requests from Senate Republicans seeking transparency from the Governor’s Administration about the state’s conduct leading to a settlement with families of COVID victims in New Jersey’s veterans homes have been denied, and Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho and Senator Joe Pennacchio want answers.
Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho and Sen. Joe Pennacchio are seeking answers after the rejection of their Open Public Records Act requests seeking details from the Administration about the state’s conduct leading to a settlement with families of COVID victims in NJ veterans homes. (Pixabay)
“This is what we have come to expect from an Administration that continues to obfuscate the facts, details and rationale behind pandemic-related decisions,” said Pennacchio. “They have consistently denied access to what should be public information. This most recent rejection reinforces the need for a Legislative Oversight Committee with subpoena power.
“It is clear this information will never be forthcoming unless the Administration is forced.”
Pennacchio: Failure to Recognize Natural Immunity Makes Murphy’s Vaccine Mandate More Confounding
Our Early Pandemic Health Care Heroes Have Now Become the Governor’s Scapegoats
Senator Joe Pennacchio today challenged Governor Murphy to reconsider his aggressive vaccine mandate for health care workers in light of new evidence supporting the efficacy of natural immunity in people who have recovered from COVID infection.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio today challenged Gov. Murphy to reconsider his aggressive vaccine mandate for health care workers in light of new evidence supporting the efficacy of natural immunity in people who have recovered from COVID infection. (Pixabay)
“The Governor and his health commissioner are missing a crucial variable in their COVID spread equation,” said Pennacchio. “People who have survived the virus have a natural defense against future infections. It is the body’s way of protecting itself, and with the rampant rate of transmission we’ve seen in the past few weeks, there are many more residents walking around with powerful antibodies.”
Pennacchio Blasts Murphy for Stiffing Main Street Employers While Dishing Out Millions to Movie Moguls
Senator Joe Pennacchio issued the following statement today regarding higher taxes being imposed by Governor Murphy while vetoing legislation that would have provided needed relief to Main Street businesses:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio chastised Gov. Murphy for vetoing a desperately needed bill to help Main Street businesses with the cost of complying with Covid mandates while signing legislation that will give millions of dollars to Hollywood moguls. (Wikimedia Commons)
“With the same breath, the Governor vetoed a major tax relief bill (A-4958/S-3740) for Main Street businesses that passed both houses with unanimous bipartisan support and signed an indefensible bill (S-4094/A-6070) giving a plum tax break to Hollywood billionaires who share his left-wing philosophies.
“The Main Street bill would have provided desperately needed help for small businesses that sustained massive cost increases to stay afloat during COVID 19 and the Governor’s restrictions. That measure died on Murphy’s desk, but one wasting millions on out-of-touch movie makers was signed. Continue Reading…
Now Law: Pennacchio Bill Helping Towns Manage Successful Property Assessment Appeals
Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislation easing the burden on municipalities faced with refunding excess property taxes was signed by the Governor today.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation allowing municipalities to issue property tax credits to homeowners who successfully appeal their assessments was signed into law. (Pixabay)
Under the new law, A-862/S-926, towns will be authorized to issue property tax credits to homeowners who successfully appeal their assessments rather than issuing payments that can create financial pressures on cash-strapped towns.
Pennacchio Bill that Would Upgrade Penalties for Those who Impersonate Veterans Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would upgrade certain crimes of misrepresenting oneself as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would upgrade certain crimes of misrepresenting oneself as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces was signed into law today. (©iStock)
“It is inspiring to see a veteran who has honorably served our nation return home and continue serving their community. Unfortunately, there are professional scammers right here in New Jersey who make a living by deceiving others into thinking that they are veterans—in order to claim financial benefits that are reserved for our actual veterans,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “My legislation will increase the punishments for such crimes and help curb this despicable behavior going forward. I am pleased that the Governor signed this bill into law today because all veterans should be provided easy access to the benefits they’ve earned, and anyone who knowingly impersonates a veteran in order to steal those benefits, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Pennacchio Bill that Would Allow More Veterans to be Eligible for State Civil Service Preference Signed into Law
Military service members who did not serve in a theater of operation, but did serve during a war or conflict, may soon be eligible for state civil service preference thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would allow more veterans to be eligible for state civil service preference was signed into law today. (©iStock)
“I am proud that this bill was signed into law today. This legislation will provide a great service to so many veterans and loosen the stringent requirements for civil service preference that deny numerous veterans to this day,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This change would not only allow veterans to find employment more quickly after leaving the armed forces, but it is a well-deserved benefit for these brave men and women and will make their transition from military to civilian life much easier.”
Governor Signs Pennacchio Bill Bolstering NJ Laws to Protect Students and Save Lives
New Jersey’s anti-bullying law is already one of the toughest in the nation, and legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and signed today by the Governor makes it even stronger, increasing penalties for parents and guardians and mandating school districts to bolster bully-prevention policies.
New Jersey’s anti-bullying law is already one of the toughest in the nation, and legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and signed by the Governor makes it even stronger. (Flickr)
The new law, S-1790/A-1662, amends New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights with specific requirements on school districts to help prevent and respond to bullying incidents.
“The Legislature has aggressively moved to control bullying in our schools, but it hasn’t been enough,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Victims of bullying are prone to attack 24 hours a day by schoolmates or rivals texting from their phones or flexing social media muscles online.
Pennacchio Bill that Cuts Red Tape to Help Veterans Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would allow veterans without official active duty discharge forms to receive veterans’ preference on civil service applications was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would allow veterans without official active duty discharge forms to receive veterans’ preference on civil service applications was signed into law by Governor Murphy. (©iStock)
“The men and women who serve our nation in the military deserve to have access to the benefits they earned without having to go through excessive government red tape,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This legislation will allow a person who is still on active military duty, but who expects to be discharged soon, to begin the process of securing veterans’ preference. We have a responsibility to support these brave heroes on and off the battlefield. I’m glad to see this bill signed into law.”
Pennacchio Bill that Would Upgrade Penalties for Those who Impersonate Veterans Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would upgrade certain crimes of misrepresenting oneself as a veteran of the United States Armed Forces was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would upgrade certain crimes of misrepresenting oneself as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“It is inspiring to see a veteran who has honorably served our nation return home and continue serving their community. Unfortunately, there are professional scammers right here in New Jersey who make a living by deceiving others into thinking that they are veterans—in order to claim financial benefits that are reserved for our actual veterans,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “My legislation will increase the punishments for such crimes and help curb this despicable behavior going forward. All veterans should be provided easy access to the benefits they’ve earned, and anyone who knowingly impersonates a veteran in order to steal those benefits, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Pennacchio Bill that Would Allow More Veterans to be Eligible for State Civil Service Preference Clears Senate
Military service members who did not serve in a theater of operation but did serve during a war or conflict may soon be eligible for state civil service preference thanks to legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and approved today by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would allow more veterans to be eligible for state civil service preference was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“This bill will provide a great service to so many veterans and loosen the stringent requirements for civil service preference that deny numerous veterans to this day,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This change would not only allow veterans to find employment more quickly after leaving the armed forces, but it is a well-deserved benefit for these brave men and women and will make their transition from military to civilian life much easier.”
