Pennacchio Warns on Murphy’s Scheme to Replace Property Taxes with Charitable Contributions
Says Taxpayers Need Real Solutions, Not False Hope
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris and Passaic) warned that Governor Phil Murphy’s proposal to allow homeowners to contribute to municipal charitable funds as an alternative to making property tax payments likely will not be approved by the federal government.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio warned that Governor Murphy’s proposal to allow homeowners to contribute to municipal charitable funds as an alternative to making property tax payments likely will not be approved by the federal government. (SenateNJ.com)
“While I agree with the governor’s sentiment that we need to provide property tax relief to New Jerseyans, his charitable contribution scheme provides false hope rather than real solutions,” said Pennacchio. “I have no doubt that the Internal Revenue Service or Congress will strike down this concerted effort to evade federal taxes. We should focus on real solutions that actually lower the cost of government.”
Pennacchio Introduces Resolution Praising Plan to Move U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) has introduced a Senate Resolution praising the decision to move the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s resolution praises the decision to move the United States Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. (Flickr)
Pennacchio said the move reflects the historical and political fact that Jerusalem has always been Israel’s capital city and the seat of that country’s government, and is consistent with a 1995 mandate by Congress to make the move.
“The United States and Israel have been among the closest of allies since that nation’s founding following the horrors of the Holocaust,” said Pennacchio. “The relocation of our embassy to Jerusalem sends a strong sign to the rest of the world that the United States still stands strong with Israel. The President deserves credit and support for his decision to move the embassy.”
Pennacchio/Bucco Bill Stops Chronic Child Abusers Access to Students Passes Senate
Will End Schools from “Passing the Trash” to Other Districts
Legislation led by Senators Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Anthony Bucco (R-25) that will end the practice of “Passing the Trash,” preventing teachers who have abused children from moving from school to school unnoticed, was approved by the State Senate unanimously.
“Pass the Trash” legislation by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Anthony Bucco. (©iStock)
“It is time to put the welfare of our students before union self-interest. The reckless behavior of underhandedly passing child abusers from school-to-school must end, ” said Pennacchio. “The Legislature and my Democratic colleges must see that continuing patterns of covering for a predator like Morris County teacher Jason Fennes, who confessed to sexually assaulting six young girls, snaked through school systems while teaching for five years after his first documented complaint must end. The structure for reporting and hiring teachers must be reformed!”
Pennacchio Calls on Democrats to Demand Return of Chesimard During Cuba Visit
With an unofficial delegation of legislative Democrats set to visit Cuba in early February, Senator Joe Pennachio (R-Essex, Morris, and Passaic) called on legislators taking the trip to demand the return of domestic terrorist Joanne Chesimard at every opportunity.
With an unofficial delegation of legislative Democrats set to visit Cuba, Sen. Joe Pennachio called on legislators taking the trip to demand the return of domestic terrorist Joanne Chesimard. (FBI)
“A group of Democrat legislators is set to visit communist Cuba, a country that has harbored the murderer of a New Jersey State Trooper for decades,” said Sen. Pennacchio. “Any New Jersey legislators who visit Cuba must demand Joanne Chesimard’s immediate extradition to the United States. She is a cop killer who must face justice.”
Convicted and serving a life sentence for the 1973 murder of Trooper Werner Foerster, Chesimard escaped from prison and fled to Cuba where she has received asylum since 1984.
Pennacchio has been a vocal advocate for the return of Chesimard. He is the primary sponsor of SR-15, urging Cuba to extradite Joanne Chesimard to the United States.
This is not the first time a group of New Jersey politicians has visited Cuba. In 2016, an unsanctioned delegation of legislators toured the communist island. Although Joanne Chesimard was said to be brought up in conversations with Cuban government officials, the legislators efforts were ineffective.
“It’s time for New Jersey elected officials to get tough on bringing back a convicted cop killer,” said Pennacchio. “We must stand unified in our demand for Chesimard’s extradition. It must be made clear that our relations will not progress with the regime until Chesimard is rightfully returned.”
ADVANCED: Pennacchio/Bucco Bill to Protect Students from Chronic Child Abusers
Will Stop Schools from “Passing the Trash” to Other Districts
Legislation by Senators Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Anthony Bucco (R-25) to stop teachers who have abused children from being allowed to move unnoticed from school to school was approved by the Senate Education Committee.
“Pass the Trash” legislation by Senators Pennacchio and Bucco passes the Senate Education Committee (©iStock)
The legislation, S-414, targets the problem of “passing the trash” in New Jersey school systems by requiring school districts, charter schools, and contract service providers to review all employment history of potential employees.
Partnership of 18 Groups Calls for Passage of Webber/Pennacchio Child-Protection Legislation
Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and sixteen other advocate organizations joined together today to support and urge prompt passage of child-protection legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber and Senator Joe Pennacchio.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Pennacchio and Asm. Webber to protect students against chronic child abusers was endorsed by 18 advocate organizations. (©iStock)
The partnership of 18 groups calls on all legislators to support the legislation. New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault urges Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and the chairwomen of the Senate and Assembly education committees to move the legislation swiftly to passage.
Pennacchio Highlights Growing Concerns About Marijuana Legalization
Urges Governor Murphy to Slow His Rush to Legalize It
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) urged Governor Phil Murphy to slow his rush to legalize marijuana in New Jersey citing growing concerns about the impact of such a drastic move on young people and already struggling communities.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio urged Gov. Phil Murphy to slow his rush to legalize marijuana in New Jersey citing growing concerns about potential negative impacts. (Pixabay)
“A few months ago it seemed inevitable that legalized marijuana would be approved in New Jersey,” said Pennacchio. “Today, however, a growing number of legislators and policymakers, including at least one member of Governor Murphy’s transition team, are expressing opposition to marijuana legalization. It’s no longer clear that legalization has the support needed to clear the Legislature.”
Governor Signs Bucco/Oroho/Pennacchio Legislation Creating ‘Lake Hopatcong Fund’
Governor Chris Christie has signed into law a bill sponsored by Sens. Anthony Bucco, Steven Oroho and Joe Pennacchio establishing the “Lake Hopatcong Fund” to help preserve and maintain the lake.
“The Lake Hopatcong Fund” will receive $500,000 annually to preserve and maintain the lake. (Lake Hopatcong Fund)
The measure, S-2389, dedicates $500,000 annually to the “Lake Hopatcong Fund” for the protection, preservation, restoration, maintenance, management, and enhancement of New Jersey’s largest state-run lake. The funds will come from license fees required to operate power boats on nontidal waters.
“By establishing this preservation fund and securing long-term funding, Lake Hopatcong will finally receive the protection and conservation it needs,” said Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset.) “Now that the bill has been signed, the ‘Lake Hopatcong Fund’ will provide stability for the local families and small businesses that surround the lake.”
Bucco/Pennacchio Bill Expanding Access to Veteran ID Cards Signed Into Law
Legislation (S-1534/1771 Scs) sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Pennacchio making it easier for veterans to obtain a county veteran identification card has been signed into law. The new law also expands access to members of the National Guard who have served outside of New Jersey.
The new law sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Pennacchio simplifies the process of obtaining a county veteran ID card. (©iStock)
“All veterans, including those who have served nationwide in the National Guard, should be able to easily access the benefits they have earned,” Senator Bucco (R-Morris) said. “Thousands have already gone through the process of receiving a veteran ID card from their county. Allowing service members to supply approved separation forms other than a DD-214 will encourage more veterans to participate in programs for the military throughout the state.”
Pennacchio Calls on Democrats in Congress to Support Making Individual Tax Reforms Permanent
Says Sitting on the Sidelines Hurts Middle-Class Families
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) called on Democrats in Congress to work with Republicans to address some of the limitations in recently enacted federal tax reforms that resulted from their unwillingness to participate in the legislative process.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called on Democrats in Congress to support an effort to make permanent recently enacted federal tax reforms for individuals. (SenateNJ.com)
“The tax reforms that Congress passed and the President signed were a step in the right direction, but there’s still room for improvement,” said Pennacchio. “If not for limitations that were the result of Democrats sitting on the sidelines, there wouldn’t have been a need for the individual tax cuts to sunset. If Democrats are willing to step up, we can make the tax cuts permanent and look at restoring the full SALT deduction that New Jersey homeowners depend upon.”
