Pennacchio to Federal Government: Stop Treating Morris County Like an Orphan
Ida Recovery and Flood Mitigation Efforts Need State and Federal Support
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Morris County needs immediate State and federal support to address flood damage caused by Hurricane Ida and to mitigate the impact of flooding in the future.
Morris County was not among the counties listed in a federal disaster declaration on September 5 as a result of Hurricane Ida, leaving residents ineligible for direct recovery assistance. (FEMA)
“It’s extremely disappointing that President Biden didn’t declare a Major Disaster Area for Morris County following Hurricane Ida and his visit to New Jersey,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Instead of fighting for help when they had the chance, our representatives in Congress settled for a photo op with the President. Our residents need federal disaster funding for Morris County, not pictures on Facebook.”
Pennacchio Rebukes Democrats for Political Game that is Harming Atlantic County Families
Calls on Senate Democrats to Allow Polistina to Take his Senate Seat Immediately
New Jersey is saddled with one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation, and Atlantic County, at 11.1 percent, has the highest percentage of residents out of work. More than any other area of the state, Senator Pennacchio said, they need help from their State Senator ensuring that people get the unemployment benefits they deserve.
With a state-high unemployment rate of 11.1, Atlantic County residents deserve help from their senator, and Trenton Democrats are standing in the way, Sen. Joe Pennacchio said. (SenateNJ.com)
“How can the Trenton Democrats do this to residents of the 2nd Legislative District and Atlantic County? It’s shameful,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The Governor’s unemployment fiasco has resulted in thousands of residents not getting their checks or having them delayed.
Senate Republican Leadership Calls on Senate President Sweeney to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Say Atlantic County Families Can’t Afford to Wait Months for Help
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23. (SenateNJ.com)
The following joint statement was issued by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.
Senate Republican Whip Pennacchio Blasts Democrats for Refusing to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Says Senate Democrats Are Making Specious Argument in Weak Attempt to Justify Not Holding a Quorum
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Senate Democrats are making specious arguments in a weak attempt to avoid holding a Senate quorum that would force them to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2).
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said Senate Democrats are making specious arguments in a weak attempt to avoid holding a Senate quorum that would force them to recognize the swearing-in of Sen. Vince Polistina. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s unbelievable that Democrats are saying they won’t hold a quorum because doing so would result in dozens of their bills becoming law,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “You would think the majority party would want the bills they chose to sponsor and move through the legislative process to be enacted. It’s a specious argument that’s clearly just another excuse to keep Vince Polistina from getting to work immediately for the people of the 2nd Legislative District.”
Senate Republican Whip Pennacchio Chastises Democrats for Not Accepting Polistina into Senate
Calls Democrats’ Action Petty Election Year Politics
Senate Republican Whip Joe Pennacchio released the following statement on the swearing-in Monday of Vincent Polistina, replacing former Senator Chris Brown who stepped down to accept a job in the Murphy Administration:
Senator Joe Pennacchio today called on Legislative leaders to recognized Vincent Polistina as the Senator of the 2nd Legislative District so he can work on behalf of his constituents. (SenateNJ.com)
“Senator Polistina should be rightfully recognized as the representative of the residents of the 2nd Legislative District. To the extent that some may have concerns regarding the legitimacy of the swearing in, it’s important to acknowledge there are remedies. We don’t have to bring everyone back to Trenton for a swearing in. The Senate can quorum remotely, and Polistina can take the oath anywhere, any time.
The Day of Reckoning for the Administration’s Deadly Covid Nursing Home Policies May Be Approaching
Although the U.S. Department of Justice has dropped their investigation of thousands of nursing home deaths in three states (New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan), it will continue to investigate New Jersey’s pandemic edicts which caused 10,000 frail and elderly to die in nursing homes.
In light of the Department of Justice’s investigation into Covid deaths at two veterans nursing homes, Sen. Joe Pennacchio lauded efforts to get to the truth. (Pixabay)
Investigators have begun interviewing families whose loved ones perished in veteran nursing homes in Menlo Park and Paramus.
Senator Joe Pennacchio points to the importance of this investigation, citing the Governor’s remarks claiming the virus was not forced into nursing home communities and the state was always there to help.
Senator Pennacchio Challenges Governor Murphy’s School Mask Edict
After 17 Months of Executive Orders, 25,000 Dead, 10,000 Frail and Elderly Dead in Nursing Homes, the Governor Continues to Issue These Failed Edicts
Governor Murphy’s decision to require masks in schools will once again impede the educational development of the state’s school children, Senator Joe Pennacchio said.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said the Governor’s decision to require masks in schools will once again impede the educational development of the state’s school children. (Pixabay)
“The Delta variant does not change the fact that children are not susceptible to the virus and they don’t spread it,” said Pennacchio. “Today’s edict is devoid of any science and data in its support. After all the deaths, shutdowns and closed businesses, should this Governor be taken seriously?
Pennacchio Highlights Success of Law to Help Small & Minority-Owned Business Compete
Senator’s Bill Created Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program
Senator Joe Pennacchio said he was proud of a 2017 law he sponsored in close coordination with the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) that has helped small businesses owned by women and minorities to succeed in New Jersey.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio watches as Gov. Chris Christie signs his legislation at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey headquarters in Trenton, N.J. on January 4, 2017. (SenateNJ.com)
Pennacchio’s legislation (S-123) creating the Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program was signed into law by former Governor Chris Christie at an event at the AACCNJ headquarters in Trenton on January 4, 2017.
“This program was the result of a successful bipartisan effort that we led in close coordination with the AACCNJ,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Our goal was to help small and minority-owned businesses cut through bureaucratic red tape and provide support to help them meeting surety bonding requirements to bid on public contracts. I’m proud of our partnership with the AACCNJ and the success of the program we developed to help small business to compete, grow, and create new jobs.”
Pennacchio Encourages Governor to sign Multi-Generation Housing Bill and Work with Legislature to Protect Senior Citizens
In an extensive report on the impact of the deadly coronavirus on long-term care facilities in New York, a New York State Bar Association recommended moving away from the current nursing home model of senior care.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation to help make it easier for families to care for senior loved ones in multi-generation housing awaits Gov. Murphy’s signature. (Pixabay)
State Senator Joe Pennacchio lauded the investigation by the NJSBA’s Task Force on Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care and its support for caring for seniors at home or in smaller community-based congregate care settings as the best way to avoid another catastrophe.
Pennacchio: New York Report Raises More Questions about Administration’s COVID Policies
Citing a recent report from the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care linking Governor Cuomo’s directive for nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients to increased deaths among residents, Senator Joe Pennacchio questioned why a similar investigation has not been launched in New Jersey.
A NY investigation faulted Gov. Cuomo for fueling the loss of life by forcing COVID into nursing homes, and Sen. Joe Pennacchio noted Gov. Murphy did the same thing in NJ. (Pixabay)
“The budget is signed, the pandemic appears to be winding down, and life is returning to normal, but for the 10,000 residents who died in New Jersey nursing homes and their families, life will never be ‘normal’ again,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “There needs to be some accountability for the ill-fated decisions that placed so many lives in jeopardy.
