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.”
Pennacchio: Legal Weed Bill Must Include Marijuana Drug Testing Mandate for Public Transit Drivers
In light of news of a deal on legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) urged the bill sponsors to include a mandate for continued drug testing for public transit drivers so that any driver who tests positive for marijuana is not allowed to put commuters at risk.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio urged bill sponsors to include a mandate for continued drug testing for public transit drivers so that any driver who tests positive for marijuana is not allowed to put the health and safety of commuters at risk. (Pixabay)
“In case Governor Murphy has forgotten, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level and NJ Transit is subject to federal regulations and funding. If a bus driver tests positive for marijuana, he or she should lose their job, whether the drug is legal in New Jersey or not,” Senator Pennacchio said.
“I remain strongly opposed to marijuana legalization on the whole, but if Democrats are determined to get this public safety disaster of a bill signed into law, then the least they can do is add a mandate for continued marijuana drug testing for public transit drivers.
Pennacchio Introduces Bill to End Sanctuary State Protections for Sex Offenders
Mandates Megan’s Law Registration for All Offenders, Regardless of Where Offense was Committed & Requires Local Police to Cooperate with Feds in Sex Abuse Cases
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) has introduced legislation to ensure illegal immigrants who have been convicted or are fleeing a sex crime charge from another country are required to register under Megan’s Law when they are apprehended in New Jersey.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio has introduced legislation to ensure illegal immigrants who have been convicted or are fleeing a sex crime charge from another country are required to register under Megan’s Law when they are apprehended in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill also states that if local police are unable to confirm the legal immigration status of a convicted sex offender, they must notify and cooperate with the appropriate federal authority.
“Sex offenders should not be given safe harbor in New Jersey, just because the offense was committed in another country,” Pennacchio said. “New Jersey has a dangerous loophole, that allows illegal immigrants who are convicted or fleeing sex crime charges from another country to fly under the radar – and the State Attorney General’s recent Sanctuary State directive made this even worse.
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Pennacchio Condemns Multi-Million Dollar Cuts to Local Schools
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) released the following statement condemning the multi-million dollar cuts in State Aid to schools in his Legislative district.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio condemned the millions in cuts to local schools proposed under Governor Murphy’s budget. (SenateNJ.com)
“When politicians play games with the school funding formula, our children and taxpayers pay the price. It must stop now. Every child counts, no matter where they live,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “Parts of my district are losing millions in State aid, so Governor Murphy can pay for new programs we can’t afford. That’s shameful.”
Pennacchio on Budget: Governor, This is Not the Way to Run the State
“Governor Murphy is trying to manage the budget with phantom numbers. This isn’t monopoly money. Governor: get your hands out of our pockets. Taxpayers have had enough and state spending is out of control.
Pennacchio: Governor Murphy is trying to manage the budget with phantom numbers. This isn’t monopoly money. Governor: get your hands out of our pockets. Taxpayers have had enough and state spending is out of control. (Wikimedia)
“New Jersey has the worst business climate and the highest property taxes in the nation and these new taxes will push even more job creators out of state,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said.
“Last year, Governor Murphy’s proposed tax hikes were so egregious, that even his fellow Democrats couldn’t stomach them. Nothing has changed. Don’t be surprised if the government shuts down.
“To help taxpayers, we need to enact major reforms, like platinum-to-gold pension and health benefit reform, and our new Senate Republican School Funding Plan, which will finally give special education students and property taxpayers the support they deserve. It’s time to give the people of New Jersey what they want: a fiscally-responsible government and lower taxes.”
Pennacchio’s NJ Pharmacogenomics Commission Clears Commitee
Commission Would Examine Benefits of Expanding Drug-Gene Testing to Improve NJ Patient Care & Health Outcomes
The Senate Health Committee has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio that would create the “New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission.”
Pharmacogenomics, or “drug-gene testing,” is the study of how a person’s genetic makeup influences the effectiveness or toxicity of medications.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation would establish the New Jersey Pharmacogenomics Commission, to examine the benefits of expanding drug-gene testing. (Wikimedia Commons)
“New Jersey has the talent, academic prestige, and facilities to take medical science to the next level. There is no reason why the next big breakthrough can’t happen right in our own backyard,” Senator Pennacchio said. “By exploring pharmacogenomics, we can discover new ways to use drug-gene testing to cure illnesses, prevent side effects, and create treatment plans that are unique to each patient. My thanks to Chairman Vitale for posting this bill.”
Genetic testing is already a common component of cancer treatment, as genetic mutations play a role 5 to 10 percent of all cancers, and certain treatments can be tailored to match a specific genetic mutation identified in a patient’s tumor.
Pennacchio: Murphy & NJ Democrats Perpetuate a Fiscal Mess
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) warned that Governor Phil Murphy and New Jersey Democrats haven’t learned from their mistakes and are doubling-down on failed fiscal policies that are driving residents and jobs from the Garden State.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio warned that Gov. Phil Murphy and New Jersey Democrats haven’t learned from their mistakes and are doubling-down on failed fiscal policies that are driving residents and jobs from the Garden State. (Pixabay)
“Governor Cuomo recently admitted that high taxes are driving residents from New York, leading to budget deficits and the flight of residents from the Empire State,” said Pennacchio. “Unfortunately, Governor Murphy and New Jersey Democrats still haven’t learned from their mistakes. They’re doubling down on tax-hiking policies that have never worked, and New Jersey is doing worse than our neighbors and most of the nation as a result.”
Pennacchio: Efforts to Keep Trump off NJ’s 2020 Ballot Will Lead NJ Down a Slippery Slope
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement in light of yesterday’s State Senate passage of legislation (S-119) that would require candidates for President and Vice President to release their tax returns in order to appear on the ballot in New Jersey.
Sen. Pennacchio attempted to amend the bill on the floor to include all candidates for Governor, State Senate, and General Assembly. In a clear rebuke of transparency, the majority party chose to block his commonsense amendment.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said that S-119 is nothing more than a thinly-veiled political stunt to keep President Trump off the ballot, and that blocking his amendment to include NJ Legislative and Gov candidates was the height of hypocrisy. (©iStock)
“Blocking my amendment was the height of hypocrisy. Clearly, their bill is nothing more than a thinly-veiled political stunt to keep President Trump off the ballot. It shows that they are unwilling to hold themselves to the same standard. I highly doubt that the Senate Majority would have done this if a Democrat was in the Oval Office.
“Frankly, this bill is probably unconstitutional. It sends a message that states can tamper with the ballot in any way that pleases the majority party politically, and taxpayers will be the ones who pay the price when this ends up in court. This is a very slippery slope.
“Partisan politicians should not pick and choose who gets to run for office. Every citizen who cares about their community and their country should have the right to stand up and serve. In my opinion, President Trump certainly fits that bill.”
