Pennacchio & Bucco Call for Gov. Murphy to Sign Special Education Extension Bill
Senators Ready to Lead Charge to Override a Veto
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Anthony M. Bucco called for Governor Phil Murphy to sign a bill into law that would allow students with disabilities whose education has been impacted by the pandemic to stay in school for an extra year.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Tony Bucco called for Gov. Phil Murphy to sign a bill into law that would allow students with disabilities whose education has been impacted by the pandemic to stay in school for an extra year. (Pixabay)
The Morris County senators said they were ready to lead the charge to override should Governor Murphy veto the legislation.
“Parents of students with disabilities are extremely concerned that the pandemic stole a critical year of education from their children,” said Bucco (R-25). “For these extremely vulnerable students, getting that year back would be nothing less than life-changing. Families are telling us they need more than Governor Murphy’s sympathy, they need his signature on the bill. His lack of action is leaving families in limbo and prohibiting their ability to plan for their children.”
Bucco: Gov. Murphy Must Invest in Fixing Broken Unemployment & MVC Computer Systems While State Has the Money
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said there will never be a better time than right now for the State to invest in a modernization program to replace the decades-old computer systems that power unemployment and Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) transactions.
Sen. Tony Bucco said there will never be a better time than right now for the State to invest in a modernization program to replace the decades-old computer systems that power unemployment and Motor Vehicle Commission transactions. (Pixabay)
“The State is awash in cash like never before and we have a clear memory of the unemployment system failures and long lines at the MVC that plagued New Jerseyans during the pandemic,” said Bucco (R-25). “There will never be a better time than right now to invest in a technology modernization program to address these significant challenges. If we continue to kick the can down the road, the money will disappear and people will forget until the next emergency reminds us that these systems are still broken.”
Bucco Bill Providing No-Cost State Identification Cards for Homeless and Residents with Disabilities Advances
New Jersey residents who have disabilities or are homeless would be excused from paying fees for state identification cards under Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s bill approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
State residents who have disabilities or are homeless would be excused from paying fees for state identification cards under Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s bill approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Identification Cards are required to open bank accounts, cash checks, travel, and access services,” said Bucco (R-25). “It is important to ensure that the cost of identification cards will not be an obstacle for those with limited funds.”
Bucco & Doherty’s Bill Supporting Firefighters Awaits Governor’s Consideration
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty supporting essential volunteer and professional firefighters in the state cleared the Senate today and now moves to the Governor’s desk for review.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s bill supporting firefighters and allowing more of them to qualify for membership in the NJ State Firemen’s Association passed the Senate. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4745/S-3277, would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
Senate Approves Pennacchio/Oroho/Bucco Bill Providing $10 Million to Support Lakes
Measure Would Help Fund Maintenance of Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, Other Lakes in Highlands & Pinelands
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Steven Oroho, and Senator Anthony M. Bucco to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Sen. Steven Oroho, and Sen. Tony Bucco to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions has been approved by the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our lakes are critical to the ecological and economic well-being of New Jersey, but they have been consistently underfunded by the State,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This appropriation represents the most significant investment in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake in recent memory, if not ever. We’ll continue fighting to make this funding permanent to ensure our lakes get the support they need each and every year.”
The legislation, S-3618, makes a supplemental appropriation of $10 million for grants for certain lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.
Pennacchio/Bucco Legislation Allowing New Jerseyans to Donate Part of Tax Refund to Cancer Research Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco that allows New Jerseyans to donate a portion of their tax refund toward cancer research and/or pediatric cancer research has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Tony Bucco that allows New Jerseyans to donate a portion of their tax refund toward cancer research has been approved by the Senate. (Pixabay)
“The voluntary contributions from New Jerseyans under this bill will provide support for approved scientific research projects that focus on the numerous different causes of cancer,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This additional funding and support will allow researchers to investigate new cancer treatments and new ways of preventing this insidious disease that has affected millions of people.”
Bucco: Study Shows NJ Must Better Support Military Retirees
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said New Jersey must better support its veterans after a new study found the Garden State to be in the bottom of the pack for supporting military retirees.
Sen. Tony Bucco said New Jersey must better support its veterans after a new study found the Garden State to be in the bottom of the pack for supporting military retirees. (©iStock)
“As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we’re reminded that the men and women in our Armed Forces put everything on the line in service of our nation,” said Bucco (R-25). “It’s distressing to think that those who serve at our state’s storied military facilities including Picatinny Arsenal, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and NWS Earle, might not be able to find the support they need in New Jersey after they leave military service. As a state, we have a responsibility to better support our veterans.”
Bucco: Is Science on Masks Somehow Different for State Employees?
Questions If Murphy Is Maintaining More Stringent Measures for Government Offices as Excuse to Keep Walk-in Unemployment Centers Closed
Senator Anthony M. Bucco asked why State government workers have been excluded from updated rules announced by Governor Phil Murphy today that will allow vaccinated employees to unmask in most workplaces.
Sen. Tony Bucco asked why State government workers have been excluded from updated rules announced by Gov. Phil Murphy that will allow vaccinated employees to unmask in most workplaces. (SenateNJ.com)
“Is the science somehow different for State employees?” asked Bucco (R-25). “If the vaccine works, government workers should have the same protections as everyone else. You have to wonder if keeping more stringent measures for State offices is simply an excuse for Governor Murphy to keep walk-in unemployment centers closed or limit customer volume at the MVC.”
Bucco: State’s Critical IT Infrastructure Must Be Fixed with Federal Relief Funds
Says the Clock Is Ticking Now that Governor Murphy Has the Money
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said a modernization of the State’s unemployment and motor vehicle computers systems must be undertaken with new federal relief funds received by New Jersey.
Sen. Tony Bucco said a modernization of the State’s unemployment and motor vehicle computers systems must be undertaken with new federal relief funds received by New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“The people of New Jersey suffered during the pandemic because our computer systems are woefully antiquated,” said Bucco (R-25). “The technology infrastructure that processes unemployment claims and MVC transactions proved to be inflexible and overwhelmed when people needed it to work. Unfortunately, Governor Murphy refused our calls to invest in these systems when he had billions of CARES Act relief funds at his disposal. We can’t afford to let the governor repeat his mistake with new federal aid just sent to New Jersey.”
Bipartisan Motor Vehicle Safety Bill Advances
In an effort to maintain safe New Jersey roadways, the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Patrick Diegnan, Anthony M. Bucco, Steven Oroho and Nilsa Cruz-Perez that would impose certain safety requirements on motorists when overtaking pedestrians and bicyclists.
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Patrick Diegnan, Anthony M. Bucco, Steven Oroho and Nilsa Cruz-Perez that would impose certain safety requirements on motorists when overtaking pedestrians and bicyclists. (Pixabay)
“New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation, and as a result, pedestrians face a greater risk of injury or death on our roads,” said Senator Bucco (R-Morris/Somerset). “We all know that pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists need to exercise caution when sharing our roadways, but more needs to be done to prevent fatalities. This legislation will provide additional protections for all New Jerseyans by requiring drivers to be more aware of their surroundings and to be more mindful of the responsibility they have behind the wheel.”
