Senate Republicans Call on Gov. Murphy & Democrat Legislative Leaders to Pass Structural Reforms as Alternative to Tax Increases
Senate Republicans delivered a letter to Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leadership today calling for a commitment to passing structural reforms as an alternative to tax increases in the upcoming State Budget.
Senate Republicans delivered a letter to Gov. Murphy and Democratic legislative leadership calling for a commitment to passing structural reforms as an alternative to tax increases in the upcoming State Budget. (SenateNJ.com)
Included below is the text of the letter from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Sen. Bob Singer, Sen. Anthony Bucco, and Sen. Steven Oroho was delivered to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.
Bucco Bill to Prevent Childhood Drug Abuse Passes Committee
Senator Anthony Bucco’s (R-25) legislation to establish a grant program that school districts would use to implement a substance abuse prevention program for eighth graders passed the Senate Education Committee.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s legislation to establish a grant program that school districts would use to implement a substance abuse prevention program for eighth graders passed the Senate Education Committee. (Flickr)
“So many kids are now experimenting with drugs before they even reach high school,” said Bucco. “Juvenile substance abuse can easily turn into a full blown addiction, interfere with brain development, and lead kids with promising futures down a dangerous pathway to prison or worse – an early grave. Taking precautionary measures to prevent and protect kids from abusing drugs and alcohol will save lives.”
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Bucco Bill to Give Research Animals a New ‘Leash’ On Life Passes Senate
‘Home for Animals Heroes Act’ Creates Road to Adoption for Former Research Animals
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a chance to find their “forever home” has passed the New Jersey Senate. The bill would require the State’s higher education institutions to offer laboratory animals to rescue organizations for purposes of adoption.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a chance to find their “forever home” has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Every animal’s life is worth saving, yet dogs and cats who are used as research animals are often euthanized, instead of being given the chance to find a loving home,” Senator Bucco said. “Creating a road to adoption will ensure our furry friends get a new ‘leash’ on life.”
“The Humane Society of the United States thanks Senator Bucco for his leadership on this humane measure which offers animals who are suitable for adoption after being used in research, the opportunity to be placed in a loving home,” said Brian R. Hacett, the New Jersey State Director for the Humane Society of United States. “People who have adopted former research dogs and cats can attest to the resilience and affection of these animals once they are given the chance to flourish in a home environment.”
Bucco Bill Establishes Grace Period for Late Water & Sewer Bills
New Jersey residents who fall behind on their water and sewer bills would be given a 30-day grace period before interest begins to accrue, under legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco. The bill, S-2066, was today advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
NJ residents who fall behind on water and sewer bills would be given a 30-day grace period before interest begins to accrue, under Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill. (©iStock)
“When you’re already coping with the highest property taxes in the country, it can be pretty easy to fall behind on your utility bills,” Senator Anthony Bucco (R-26) said. “Giving consumers a 30-day break before interest starts piling up is a simple fix that will make it a lot easier for people to stay in their homes.”
Bucco Says New Minimum Wage Law Will Lead to Layoffs and Automation
Warns that Minimum Wage for Unemployed Workers Replaced by Robots or Kiosks is Zero
Senator Anthony Bucco said a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy today to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey from $8.85 to $15 per hour will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to raise the minimum wage from $8.85 to $15 per hour will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies like kiosks. (SenateNJ.com)
“As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it is to maintain employees’ jobs and benefits when we’re constantly faced with new taxes and expensive mandates from the State,” said Bucco (R-25). “I have no doubt that the huge costs being forced on employers by Governor Murphy and the Democratic legislature will lead to reduced hours for workers, layoffs, and the faster adoption of automation technologies that already are driving workforce reductions in many industries.”
Senate Passes Bipartisan School Security Bills
The New Jersey Senate has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Lagana to provide New Jersey law enforcement with the resources they need to protect local schools.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Anthony Bucco and Joseph Lagana would give law enforcement the resources they need to protect NJ schools. (Wikimedia)
Their bill, S-2676, would require school boards to provide law enforcement with copies of blue prints and maps of schools and school grounds.
“When an unimaginable threat approaches a classroom door, there is no time to waste. Law enforcement officials shouldn’t have to scramble for information, when minutes could mean the difference between a life saved and a life lost,” Senator Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset) said. “There is nothing more important than the safety and security of our children. By providing access to school blue prints ahead of time, we can ensure that local police are prepared to protect our teachers and students from harm.”
Bucco Military Bill Package Advances
Legislation Increases Financial Support, Provides Fee Exemptions for Veterans
Three bills sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) to support New Jersey veterans have passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Three bills sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco to support veterans have passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. (Flickr)
The first bill, S-2452, increases the state’s annual allowance for each blind, paraplegic, or hemiplegic veteran in New Jersey. As of 2018, 206 veterans are receiving assistance through the Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program or through the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance Program, with five receiving aid from both programs.
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Bucco Warns Democrats’ New Wage Mandates Will Lead to Layoffs and Automation
Says Minimum Wage for Unemployed Workers Replaced by Robots or Kiosks is Zero
Senator Anthony Bucco said that a minimum wage plan announced by Democrats yesterday will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said a minimum wage plan announced by Democrats will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies. (Pixabay)
“As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it is to maintain employees’ jobs and benefits when we’re constantly faced with new taxes and expensive mandates from the State,” said Bucco (R-25). “I have no doubt that the huge costs being forced on employers by Governor Murphy and the Democratic legislature will lead to reduced hours for workers, layoffs, and the faster adoption of automation technologies that are already leading to workforce reductions in many industries.”
Bucco & Oroho: NJ’s High Business Taxes, Lax Oversight of Incentive Programs Has Created Environment for Abuse
Call for Implementation of State Comptroller’s Tax Incentive Audit Recommendations
Senator Anthony Bucco and Senator Steven Oroho said New Jersey’s extremely high business tax burden and lax oversight of tax incentive programs have created an environment for the kinds of abuses that were identified in an audit released this week by the State Comptroller. Further, they called for the implementation of the recommendations offered by the Comptroller to address the deficiencies that were found in the State’s tax incentive programs.
Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Steven Oroho said New Jersey’s extremely high business tax burden and lax oversight of tax incentive programs has created an environment for the kinds of abuses identified in an audit by the State Comptroller. (SenateNJ.com)
“With some of the highest business taxes in the nation, New Jersey provides a significant incentive for corporations to try to claim tax breaks they may not deserve,” said Bucco. “While that’s clearly wrong, it’s also incumbent upon the EDA as the organization that oversees tax incentive awards to ensure that tax credits aren’t claimed improperly. Stricter oversight of these programs is more important than ever following the imposition of $1 billion in new business tax surcharges by Governor Murphy last year.”
The Comptroller’s report highlighted a number of deficiencies at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), the agency responsible for managing the State’s various business tax incentive programs.
Bucco: Murphy’s Interest in ‘Tax Fairness’ Really About Funding His Expensive Progressive Agenda
Calls on Governor to Lift People Up, Not Pull Them Down
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) said Governor Phil Murphy’s talk of advancing “tax fairness” is really just an excuse to tax more to spend more.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said Gov. Phil Murphy’s talk of advancing tax fairness is really just an excuse to tax more to spend more. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy’s interest in ‘tax fairness’ is just an excuse to tax more to fund an expensive progressive agenda that New Jersey will never be able to afford,” said Bucco, the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “If the governor were truly concerned about ‘fairness,’ he would find ways to lift struggling people up by cutting their taxes, instead of pulling down those who have managed to succeed in New Jersey by increasing tax burdens that are already excessive.”
