DOE’s Absence from Senate Education Hearing Illustrates Need for Select Oversite Committee, Pennacchio Says
Subpoena Power is Only Way to Get Pandemic Answers from Administration
When the Department of Education failed to appear at Thursday’s Senate Education Committee hearing on the pandemic’s impact on schools and students, Senator Joe Pennacchio said he was disappointed but not surprised.
The Department of Education’s snub of a Senate committee hearing on COVID’s impact on schools and students prompted Sen. Joe Pennacchio to renew calls for a Senate Select Committee investigation of the Administration’s handling of the pandemic. (Pixabay)
“After what we have seen from the Administration for the past two years, I think any of us could have predicted the DOE would stiff the legislators who are trying to do the jobs they were elected to do,” said Pennacchio (R-26).
Oroho & Pennacchio Seek Records on Murphy Administration’s $53 Million Settlement for Veterans Home Deaths
Senator Steven Oroho and Senator Joe Pennacchio have filed requests for public records related to the Murphy administration’s $53 million settlement for veterans home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Sen. Joe Pennacchio have filed requests for public records related to the Murphy administration’s $53 million settlement for veterans home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. (SenateNJ.com)
“We’ve filed a request for public records related to the $53 million that apparently will be paid by New Jersey taxpayers to settle claims of negligence and incompetence made against the Murphy administration for deaths in State-run veterans homes,” said Oroho (R-24), the incoming Republican leader. “The documents we are seeking will help us to understand what went wrong at the start of the coronavirus pandemic so we can develop effective policies that better protect our seniors and veterans. This isn’t about playing ‘gotcha’ with the administration, we’re trying to save lives.”
Pennacchio: Murphy Administration’s Settlement with Families of Covid Victims in Nursing Homes Demonstrates Need for Full Investigation
Governor Slips Away for Another Vacation While Serious Questions About His COVID Remain Unanswered
Senator Joe Pennacchio said a $53 million settlement to the families of veterans home residents who died due to the tragic decisions of the Murphy administration demonstrates the need for a comprehensive investigation and legislative oversight hearings.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said a $53 million settlement to the families of veterans home residents who died due to the tragic decisions of the Murphy administration demonstrates the need for a comprehensive investigation and legislative oversight hearings. (Pixabay)
“New Jerseyans are once again paying for the mismanagement of the pandemic by the Murphy administration,” said Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26). “After 10,000 nursing and veterans home residents paid with their lives, millions of New Jersey taxpayers will be forced to pay with their wallets to settle claims of negligence and incompetence made against the administration. The settlement is yet another attempt by the Murphy administration to prevent a full and transparent investigation into the tragic decisions that led to thousands of preventable deaths.”
According to published reports, the Murphy administration confirmed it will pay $52.9 million to settle claims with 119 families of veterans home residents whose deaths were attributed to the coronavirus at the start of the pandemic.
Pennacchio/Diegnan Anti-Bullying Bill Receives Final Legislative Approval
Measure Strengthening Laws to Protect Students and Save Lives Heads to Governor’s Desk
New Jersey’s anti-bullying law is already one of the toughest in the nation, and legislation that’s headed to the governor’s desk would make it even stronger, increasing penalties for parents and guardians and mandating school districts to bolster bully-prevention policies.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Patrick Diegnan to strengthen New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws and improve protections for students has received final legislative approval. (SenateNJ.com)
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Patrick Diegnan, S-1790, received final legislative approval by the General Assembly Monday. The measure passed the Senate last December.
The bill amends New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights with specific requirements on school districts to help prevent and respond to bullying incidents.
Pennacchio Bill to Help Towns Manage Finances of Successful Property Assessment Appeals Moves to Gov’s Desk
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would ease the burden on municipalities faced with refunding excess property taxes was endorsed by the Senate and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio that would ease the burden on municipalities faced with refunding excess property taxes was endorsed by the Senate and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio’s bill, A-862/S-926, permits towns to issue a property tax credit to homeowners who successfully appeal their assessments rather than issuing cash payments that can create financial pressures on cash-strapped towns.
Pennacchio Condemns Senate’s Arbitrary Vaccine Mandates Rules
During the Senate session today, Senator Joe Pennacchio berated Senate Democrats for refusing to acknowledge flaws and contradictions in their State House vaccine rules.
During the Senate session today, Senator Joe Pennacchio berated Senate Democrats for refusing to acknowledge flaws and contradictions in their State House vaccine rules. (SenateNJ.com)
See Pennacchio’s comments, as prepared, below:
“Last session, myself and other Republicans rose and spoke out against the new misguided, mandated vaccine policies to enter the State House. Citing historical science and studies, we tried to impress upon you how these mandates based on vaccines do not prevent a person from getting or giving COVID.
In Virtual Hearing, Pennacchio and Testa Hear Medical Experts Espouse Effectiveness of Naturally Acquired Immunity Against Future Infection
Antibodies in Those Who Have Been Infected Should Be Considered in NJ’s COVID Policies
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Michael Testa, after listening to compelling testimony during a virtual hearing on naturally developed immunity, called on Governor Murphy to revise the state’s COVID policies.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Michael Testa, after listening to compelling testimony during a virtual hearing on naturally acquired immunity, called on Governor Murphy to revise the state’s COVID policies. (NJ Senate Republicans/Facebook)
“As the Governor hides behind useless mask orders and constitutionally questionable vaccine mandates, support for the benefits and effectiveness of natural immunity is growing in the medical and scientific communities,” said Pennacchio (R-24). “Murphy says he is following the science. He’s not following it, he is ignoring it, and the confusion and fear is causing the public to lose confidence in the leadership and messaging emanating from Trenton.”
MEDIA ADVISORY (12/15): Pennacchio & Testa to Hold Independent Hearing on Vaccines & Natural Immunity
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) will host an independent hearing on Wednesday, December 15 to discuss vaccines and natural immunity as they relate to New Jersey’s COVID-19 response. The virtual hearing will be livestreamed on Facebook Live.
WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Michael Testa, and invited guests, including doctors, nurses, and medical researchers.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to discuss vaccines, natural immunity, and New Jersey’s COVID-19 response.
WHEN: Wednesday, December 15 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live from the Facebook page of the New Jersey Senate Republicans. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
STREAMING LINK: https://www.facebook.com/senatenj/live_videos/
Pennacchio Votes Remotely from the Parking Lot of the Paramus Nursing Home
State Senator Joe Pennacchio participated remotely in Thursday morning’s Senate Economic Growth Committee, voting from the parking lot of the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home.
In response to Trenton Democrat leaderships’ handling of Covid, Sen. Joe Pennacchio participated remotely in Thursday morning’s Senate Economic Growth Committee, voting from the parking lot of the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home. (SenateNJ.com)
Pennacchio’s actions were in response to Democrat leaderships’ insistence the elected legislators must show Covid passports to exercise their legislative responsibilities at the State House in Trenton.
Pennacchio Will Vote Remotely from Outside the Paramus Veterans Nursing Home for Thursday Committee
Senator Decries Democrats’ Lockdown of State House
State Senator Joe Pennacchio is appealing to Democrat leadership to reconsider locking out legislators from the state complex if they fail to show “Covid Passports.”
Frustrated by the Democrats’ lockdown of the State House, Sen. Joe Pennacchio will vote remotely from outside the Paramus Veterans Home on Thursday. (SenateNJ.com)
“During this season of ‘good will,’ I am appealing to Democrat leaders to put aside their efforts of political brinkmanship and allow all legislators to perform their legal and constitutional obligations of serving the people we represent,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic).
