Bucco Bill that Would Honor Sacrifices of Recruits Who Die While Training to Become State Troopers Clears Committee
Measure Guarantees $50,000 Minimum Annual Accidental Death Benefit to Surviving Spouse
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would address concerns related to the death of Lucas C. Homeijer, a State Police recruit who succumbed to injuries sustained during a training exercise at the New Jersey State Police Academy, was approved today by the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
The State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco that would address concerns related to the death of Lucas C. Homeijer, a State Police recruit who succumbed to injuries sustained during a training exercise. (NJSP via Facebook)
“This young man died a hero while training to become a State Trooper who would protect and serve New Jersey families,” said Bucco (R-25). “His intention was to serve, just like his father and uncle before him, and we should honor his sacrifice in that pursuit even though his dream was never fully realized. I’m glad to have worked with the State Troopers Fraternal Association to develop a bill that will provide the survivors of fallen recruits, including the Homeijer family, with the benefits and recognition they deserve.”
Bucco: Murphy Should Heed Rate Counsel’s Concern that Growing Wind Farm Costs Could Lead to Higher Energy Bills for Consumers
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Phil Murphy should heed the advice of the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel to pump the brakes on wind farm expansions amid mounting costs for developers that will likely translate into higher energy bills for families and businesses.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Gov. Phil Murphy should pump the brakes on wind farm expansions amid mounting costs that could lead to higher energy bills for families and businesses. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy administration rushed to approve massive wind farms that developers now realize will cost much more to build than expected due to high inflation, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions,” said Bucco (R-25). “You can be sure the higher costs for these massive projects will eventually be passed on to consumers in the form of higher energy bills. This is part of the great price New Jersey will pay for Governor Murphy’s push to electrify everything and replace affordable natural gas. It’s another reason to pump the brakes on wind farms and the governor’s increasingly expensive Energy Master Plan.”
Bucco Highlights $1.6 Million in Transportation Grants for Morris County
Senator Anthony M. Bucco announced today that $1.6 million will be allocated toward improving access to transit facilities and public transportation throughout Morris County.
Sen. Tony Bucco announced today that $1.6 million will be allocated toward improving access to transit facilities and public transportation throughout Morris County. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am extremely pleased that over $1.6 million is being invested in Morris County to help rebuild our transit infrastructure. This funding is so important to New Jersey families,” said Bucco (R-25). “These grants represent a return on taxpayers’ investment and will help make the train stations and roadways of Netcong, Morristown, and Dover safer and more enjoyable for residents and commuters alike.”
Bucco Responds After Murphy’s Electric Boiler Mandate Short Circuits
Says Families, Businesses & Taxpayers Dodged a Multi-Billion-Dollar Bullet
Senator Anthony M. Bucco responded to news that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has shelved a controversial and expensive mandate proposed by Governor Murphy that would have required the electrification of large commercial boilers starting in 2025.
Sen. Tony Bucco responded to news that the NJDEP has shelved a controversial and expensive mandate proposed by Governor Murphy that would have required the electrification of large commercial boilers. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy’s plan to force the replacement of efficient, clean, and cost-effective gas boilers with electric versions short-circuited because it didn’t make any sense,” said Bucco (R-25). “His plan would have required thousands of businesses, schools, apartment complexes, and government buildings to pay millions each to convert to electric boilers that cost four times as much to operate as existing gas boilers. It would have been a massive and unnecessary cost for both businesses and taxpayers.”
Bucco: Morris County Mayors Are Right to Be Upset About Spiking Health Care Premiums
Murphy Administration Didn’t Share Information During Budget Process to Help Prevent Massive 23% Premium Increase
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Morris County mayors are right to be upset about the looming impact of massive health insurance premium increases imposed on local governments that will squeeze budgets and drive up property taxes.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Morris County mayors are right to be upset about the looming impact of massive health insurance premium increases imposed on local governments that will squeeze budgets and drive up property taxes. (©iStock.com)
“The Murphy administration never hinted to mayors, legislators, or public employees that health care premiums for those enrolled in the State Health Benefits Plan would rise by more than 20% this year,” said Bucco (R-25). “It’s clear, however, that Governor Murphy knew this was coming as early as February, months before the increases were announced. Had the governor shared that knowledge with the rest of us this spring, we could have worked on a solution with mayors, local governments, and the administration as part of the State Budget adopted in June. Unfortunately, that never happened because the administration wasn’t transparent about what it knew.”
Senate Approves Bucco Bill Keeping Federal Aid in School Districts that Educate Military Students
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help school districts better utilize state military impact aid for the benefit of students was approved today by the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco that would help school districts better utilize state military impact aid for the benefit of students was approved today by the Senate. (Pixabay)
The bipartisan bill, S-3089, would allow a board of education of a school district that received unanticipated State military impact aid in the 2021-2022 school year to establish a military impact aid reserve account in its annual budget.
Bucco Dismayed Morris Co. Won’t Benefit from New Funding for Substance Use Disorder Treatment
$2M Program to Help Increase Services in 10 Counties
Outpatient treatment services for substance use disorder will be expanded across much of New Jersey under a new $2 million program announced by the State, but Senator Anthony M. Bucco worries that some critical areas, including Morris County, have been forgotten.
Outpatient treatment services for substance use disorder will be expanded across much of NJ under a new $2 million program announced by the State, but Sen. Anthony M. Bucco worries that some critical areas, including Morris County, have been forgotten. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Addiction is a crucial problem across the state, and residents struggling to break free from the clutches of drugs will benefit from better, more accessible services in 10 counties,” said Bucco (R-25). “I am disappointed and frustrated that Morris County is absent from the list. The scourge of narcotics is no less entrenched, no less threatening, and no less lethal in this part of the state.”
Bucco Reiterates Concern that Parents Wouldn’t Be Notified of Hormonal Contraceptives Provided to Children Under Advancing Bill
Senator Anthony M. Bucco reiterated his concerns with legislation advanced by the Assembly Health Committee today that would authorize pharmacists to provide minors with hormonal contraceptives without a doctor’s prescription and without notifying the child’s parents.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco reiterated his concerns with legislation that would authorize pharmacists to provide minors with hormonal contraceptives without a doctor’s prescription and without notifying the child’s parents. (©iStock)
“I am deeply concerned that this bill would allow children to be given hormonal contraceptives without the input of a doctor and without the notification or consent of parents,” said Bucco (R-25). “Parents are responsible for the safety and well-being of their children and they deserve to be part of the process when important medical decisions are made.”
Bucco Optimistic for Bipartisan Resolution to Car Theft Crisis
After Governor Murphy announced support for legislation to fight the burgeoning auto theft crisis across the state, Senator Anthony M. Bucco welcomed his help in the battle.
After Gov. Murphy announced support for legislation to fight the burgeoning auto theft crisis across the state, Sen. Anthony M. Bucco welcomed his help in the battle. (Pixabay)
“I’m happy to see the Governor’s office is beginning to focus on this crisis,” said Bucco (R-25). “I look forward to working with them on a bipartisan basis.
“Car theft has become a major threat to the quality of life in communities across our state. When a family’s vehicle is stolen, they not only lose their transportation to and from work and school, but they feel violated, vulnerable and at risk.”
Bucco Bill to Aid Veterans with Service-Related Brain Injuries Clears Committee
Military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or traumatic brain injury (TBI) would benefit from Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s legislation advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee today.
Military veterans suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injury would benefit from Sen. Anthony M. Bucco’s legislation advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (Flickr)
Bucco’s bill, S-1871, would increase the services available to qualifying veterans, requiring the Adjutant General of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to develop a program to help vets access evaluation and treatment for potentially devastating brain conditions related to military service.
