Bucco Bill to Create Special License Plates for State Animal Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco that would authorize the creation of specialized license plates for New Jersey’s State animal was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill that would authorize the creation of specialized license plates for New Jersey’s State animal was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (Pixabay)
“Horses have played a vital role in shaping New Jersey’s rich history in farming, transportation, and sport,” said Bucco (R-25). “As portrayed on the seal of New Jersey, horses are a symbol of power and strength. This legislation would further honor our State Animal with a specialized license plate and provide residents with a unique way to celebrate and support their ongoing contributions to the Garden State.”
Bucco Bill will Require Information on Pothole Data in Annual DOT Report
Legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco that would require the Department of Transportation to begin providing information about potholes on State roads in their annual Roadway Pavement System report was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill that would require the DOT to begin providing information about potholes on State roads in their annual Roadway Pavement System report was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (Pixabay)
“Every day, New Jerseyans navigate a complex network of roadways to commute throughout our State. It is imperative that our roads are maintained for the safety of our commuters,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, New Jersey faces a significant problem with potholes along our State roads. My legislation would help improve State road maintenance by requiring the DOT to begin providing information about pothole repairs and pothole damage claims in their annual report to the Legislature.”
Bucco: Governor Murphy Must Keep His Promise and Let CBT Surtax Sunset
Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Murphy must keep his promise and allow the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) Surcharge to sunset at the end of 2023 as reports indicate some Democrats in the Legislature are pushing for another extension.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Murphy must keep his promise and allow the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) Surcharge to sunset at the end of 2023. (Pixabay)
“It is very important that Governor Murphy stays true to his word and allows the CBT surtax to finally expire. This unnecessary tax has hurt businesses and contributed to New Jersey’s worst-in-the-nation business tax climate,” said Bucco (R-25). “At this point, businesses are operating under the expectation that this surtax will expire at the end of this year. It would be extremely irresponsible for Governor Murphy to break his promise.”
Committee Advances Bucco Bill that Would Restore Dams and Inland Waters Projects
Seventeen dams and inland waters projects will receive an increase in funding for repairs and restoration thanks to legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco and approved today by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

Seventeen dams and inland waters projects will receive an increase in funding for repairs thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco and approved today by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Pixabay)
“I’m glad that over $28M will be invested to fund projects in these municipalities. These critical dam repairs will preserve and protect our local environment, which is critical to our quality of life,” said Bucco (R-25). “This funding will also protect the flow of clean drinking water to communities throughout the state, support recreational activities, and provide habitats for fish and wildlife.”
Bucco: IRS Adjusts Federal Tax Brackets for Inflation as NJ Hesitates
Tax Bracket Creep Will Continue to Drive NJ Income Tax Bills Higher
As the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced changes to federal income tax brackets to protect workers from inflation, Senator Anthony M. Bucco called for New Jersey lawmakers to advance his legislation to prevent tax bracket creep at the state level for New Jerseyans.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco called for New Jersey lawmakers to advance his legislation to prevent tax bracket creep at the state level for New Jerseyans. (©iStock)
“The action by the IRS to raise the income thresholds for federal tax brackets was a reminder that New Jersey is one of just a few states that doesn’t annually index our tax brackets for inflation,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, legislation that would address this issue for state taxpayers has stalled in Trenton. If Democrats fail to take action on the tax relief I have proposed, more New Jersey families will find themselves with higher state tax bills and smaller paychecks because of inflation.”
Bucco Unanimously Re-Elected as Senate Republican Caucus Leader
During a caucus meeting this morning, Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) was unanimously re-elected by the Senate Republicans to continue serving as the caucus leader.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco was unanimously re-elected by the Senate Republicans to continue serving as the caucus leader. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue leading my colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus,” said Bucco. “It is an honor to serve with an amazing group of distinguished and dedicated public servants. We will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the voters to address their concerns about affordability, rising crime, and soaring energy costs.”
Bucco & Testa: Murphy and Democrats Need to Account for Money Squandered By Orsted
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Michael Testa criticized Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats for foolishly rushing in to bailout Orsted, and in the process, wasting taxpayers’ money as reports indicate the embattled foreign wind developer is preparing to claw back $300 million owed to the State.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Michael Testa criticized Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats for foolishly rushing in to bailout Orsted, and in the process, wasting taxpayers’ money. (©iStock)
“Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats must account for all the money that has been squandered on their failed extreme energy policy,” said Bucco (R-25). “By turning a blind eye to the warning signs that this program was failing and continuing to rush the process along, Murphy and the BPU failed to close the deal, and now the State risks losing $300 million. It’s like Governor Murphy is playing checkers while Orsted is playing chess.”
Bucco & Testa: Murphy’s Knowledge of Orsted Decision Calls For Speculation
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Michael Testa issued a joint statement in response to confirmation that the Murphy administration knew about Orsted’s decision to pull the plug on offshore wind and tipped off Trenton Democrats before the announcement on October 31.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Michael Testa issued a joint statement in response to confirmation that the Murphy administration knew about Orsted’s decision to pull the plug on offshore wind. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is very disturbing that the Murphy administration knew about Orsted’s decision a week before an official announcement was made. This kind of unacceptable behavior is further evidence of Governor Murphy’s lack of transparency and his administration’s desire to keep the Legislature in the dark. Keeping this information quiet is suspect and calls for speculation as to whether he wanted Orsted to delay their announcement until after the election. This is all the more reason why legislative hearings are long overdue.
Testa & Bucco Demand Audit and Transparency From Murphy Administration Following Orsted Decision
Senator Michael Testa and Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco sent a letter to Governor Murphy demanding a fiscal audit and documents related to interactions with the foreign wind developer Orsted after the company announced they were pulling the plug on New Jersey’s offshore wind project.

Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco sent a letter to Governor Murphy demanding a fiscal audit and documents related to interactions with the foreign wind developer Orsted after the company announced they were pulling the plug on New Jersey’s offshore wind project. (Pixabay)
“With the news of Orsted’s decision to abandon ship, we must take immediate action to regain any funds that were used to subsidize Orsted’s failed wind farms,” said Testa (R-1). “Governor Murphy should publicly release all documents related to Orsted’s financial position that were used as the basis to rush more than $1 billion of appropriations and tax credits through the Legislature. New Jerseyans have a right to know how much of their tax dollars were wasted on this boondoggle and what the administration intends to do to get it back.”
Statement by Senate Minority Leader Bucco on Orsted Withdrawing From Offshore Wind Project
Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to Orsted announcing that they are withdrawing from New Jersey’s offshore wind project.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to Orsted announcing that they are withdrawing from New Jersey’s offshore wind project. (SenateNJ.com)
“Republicans stated for months that Orsted’s offshore wind project was unsustainable and would inevitably fail. Orsted’s decision today confirms that Republicans were right when we said this was too much, too fast, and too costly. Their financial challenges were glaringly obvious, yet Democrats ignored the warning signs to rush through Governor Murphy’s extreme energy master plan without any due diligence. This is just another example of how Governor Murphy’s outrageous energy master plan is coming back to hurt New Jersey taxpayers.