Pennacchio on Possible Cuban Prisoner Exchange: Bring Chesimard Back!
In response to news that United States and Cuba are reportedly discussing an exchange of prisoners that could potentially include convicted cop-killer and New Jersey’s Most Wanted list member JoAnne Chesimard, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) continued his demands for Chesimard to be brought back to justice.
Joanne Chesimard is wanted for escaping from prison in Clinton, New Jersey, while serving a life sentence for murdering a New Jersey State Trooper. She relocated to Cuba in 1984, where she is thought to still be living. (FBI)
“It’s unconscionable that Joanne Chesimard has lived in relative comfort in Cuba for more than 30 years after she killed New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood,” Senator Pennacchio said. “She must be brought back here, to New Jersey, to face the punishment she deserves.”
Pennacchio Urges TSA to Improve Security Delays at Newark Airport
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) announced that he is joining with U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th District) and other members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation in calling for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to take steps to reduce shockingly long wait times at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Sen. Joe Pennacchio is joining with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen in calling for the TSA to take steps to reduce shockingly long wait times at Newark Liberty International Airport. (Twitter/MYunckk)
“Newark Airport is one of the busiest in the country, and protecting the people that use it is a top priority. However, if travelers are driven away by outrageously long wait times and delays, it could end up having a huge impact on our state’s economy.
Economic Growth Committee Passes Pennacchio Legislation to Help Small Businesses Compete
The Senate Economic Growth Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris) aimed at helping small businesses grow by giving them a chance to compete for state and federal contracts.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation would create a new program in the NJEDA to help small businesses grow and compete for government contracts. (NJEDA)
The legislation, S-123, would establish a “Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program” through the Economic Development Authority, which would provide support to small businesses and help them meet surety bonding requirements so that they can qualify for government contracts.
“There are countless small businesses in our state that have difficulty competing for government contracts because their size can cause problems qualifying for certain requirements, like bonding,” Senator Pennacchio said. “This legislation will help small business meet those requirements and help them compete.”
Pennacchio to Obama: Bring Joanne Chesimard Back from Cuba
With President Barack Obama in the midst of a historic three-day trip to Cuba, Senator Joe Pennacchio urged the President to save some room on Air Force One for the flight home for a special guest:
Joanne Chesimard is wanted for escaping from prison in Clinton, New Jersey, while serving a life sentence for murdering a New Jersey State Trooper. She relocated to Cuba in 1984, where she is thought to still be living. (FBI)
“Cuba has been harboring convicted cop-killer Joanne Chesimard for more than 30 years.
“The people of New Jersey demand justice for her murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster.
“Air Force One is a big plane, and President Obama should save a seat to bring Joanne Chesimard home from Cuba.”
Pennacchio Announces Budget Resolution to Increase & Prioritize State Pension Payments
As the FY17 budget process is beginning, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris) said that he will introduce a state budget resolution to increase the governor’s proposed pension payment by $500 million without raising taxes.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio will introduce a budget resolution to increase the governor’s proposed pension payment by $500 million in the FY17 state budget without raising taxes. (SenateNJ.com)
The Senator’s resolution would use funds from the larger-than-anticipated surplus if there are no fiscal emergencies by the end of the next fiscal year. It would still leave the FY17 State Budget with approximately $300 million in surplus, similar to the surplus for many of the recent Christie budgets and even higher than several Gov. McGreevey budgets.
“New Jersey Republicans have always said we will support making the biggest, fiscally responsible state pension payment,” Pennacchio said. “I endorse freezing all spending in the governor’s FY17 budget as he proposed it and eliminating any of the usual requests for legislators’ spending additions. As long as there are no fiscal emergencies in the next couple of months, we can increase the governor’s proposed record-high pension payment by as much as $500 million and keep the same surplus we have had in recent years. We can do this without raising taxes, cutting public services and jeopardizing job growth.”
Pennacchio: What About Reform for DRPA?
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R—Morris, Passaic) issued the following statement today after Senate Democrats voted in favor of dead-end reforms for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, while continuing to ignore bipartisan, bi-state reforms for the equally troubled Delaware River Port Authority.
New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio discusses bi-state DRPA reform legislation during a press conference in front of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden, NJ on April 24, 2014. (Press Release)
“Senate Democrats showed again today they are more interested in playing political games than securing real reforms for the taxpayers and commuters of New Jersey,” said Pennacchio. “Rather than acting on substantive reforms that New York’s legislature passed and its Democrat Governor signed, Democrats here continue to waste significant time and resources on a dead-end bill.
Committee Advances Pennacchio Bill to Help Homeowners with Home Elevation Costs
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio to help homeowners afford home elevation projects was advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Senator Joe Pennacchio’s legislation would help homeowners to afford home elevation projects. (Wikimedia Commons)
The legislation, S-122, would utilize existing funding generated through Realty Transfer Fees to help homeowners pay off of the interest payment on a loan taken out to finance a home elevation project.
“In the wake of Superstorm Sandy and the continued flooding issues around the Passaic, Raritan and other rivers across the state, thousands of New Jersey families need to elevate their homes to protect against flooding and future storm damage,” said Pennacchio. “This legislation provides some badly needed financial relief to homeowners that need to take on this costly project to safeguard their families and property.”
Senator Pennacchio: SCR-188 is Shameless Democrat Power Grab
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic, Essex) issued the following statement regarding the Democrat-sponsored SCR-188:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said that we should heed a warning of Benjamin Franklin as it relates to the Democrats’ attempt to rig legislative elections through SCR-188. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention Benjamin Franklin was asked what type of government was given the people. ‘A Republic, if you can keep it,’ answered Franklin.
“Our founding fathers knew that representative government could only be defeated by internal not external forces. Self-interest, especially by political parties, could cannibalize this precious experiment called democracy.
Pennacchio: Expansion of Gaming to Racetracks Benefits Taxpayers and Atlantic City
Senator Joe Pennacchio reiterated his call for legislative Democrats to join two of the state’s largest public sector unions in supporting legislation expanding slot machines to the state’s racetracks to support both the pension system and the revitalization of Atlantic City and its casinos.
Senator Pennacchio’s proposed constitutional amendment, SCR-191, would allow video slot wagering at New Jersey’s horse racing facilities. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senator Pennacchio sponsors SCR-191 to allow slot machines at New Jersey’s four horse racetracks. The proposal, which was endorsed by the Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association and the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, dedicates revenue from the expanded gaming to support the state’s pension system, the revitalization of Atlantic City and its casinos and to the equine industry.
“SCR-191 presents the best opportunity to capitalize on expanded gaming in New Jersey for the benefit of taxpayers and Atlantic City itself,” said Pennacchio. “Expanding slot machines to the four racetracks will generate hundreds of millions of dollars to support the pension system and to revitalize Atlantic City without raising taxes or cutting services for families.”
Pennacchio Legislation to Prevent Students From Enrolling in NJ Schools Under Fake Addresses Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio to help prevent families from lying about a child’s address in order to enroll the child in an out-of-district New Jersey school is now law.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation to prevent families from lying about a child’s address in order to enroll the child in an out-of-district New Jersey school is now law. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is estimated that thousands of students across New Jersey are illicitly enrolled in a New Jersey school outside their home district,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic, Essex). “This type of “boundary hopping” comes at a significant cost to the receiving school and it takes away valuable resources and opportunities from the students and families who live in the district and pay taxes to fund their local schools. This legislation gives districts a valuable tool to help settle questions about where a student is really living when a residency dispute arises.”
