NOW LAW: Bucco Bill Naming The Seeing Eye® Dog as State Dog of NJ
Bill Honors Service Animals Trained by New Jersey Non-Profit
Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s legislation to designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official State Dog of New Jersey has been signed into law.
The late Sen. Anthony R. Bucco holding a Seeing Eye® dog. (SenateNJ.com)
“Since 1929, Seeing Eye dogs have been trained to enhance the ability of people who are blind, helping them to live more independently,” said Bucco (R-25). “The signing of this legislation will help our great state pay tribute to these intelligent canines and better inform the public about the wonderful work these dogs do on a daily basis for people who are blind and visually impaired.”
Bucco: Governor Sending Mixed Messages on Jobs
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said the goal of Governor Murphy’s Jobs NJ plan to address the skills gap to help prospective employees meet the needs of employers sounds positive, but expressed concern that the sum of the Governor’s anti-worker actions will hurt many New Jerseyans.
Sen. Tony Bucco said the sum of the Governor’s anti-worker actions will hurt many New Jerseyans, pointing to automated kiosks that have begun to replace many low-income workers in response to progressive wage policies. (SenateNJ.com)
“The general goal of ensuring that New Jerseyans in the workforce have the skills that employers value makes a lot of sense,” said Bucco (R-25). “I’m concerned, however, that the totality of the Governor’s tax-increasing and anti-worker policies will set us back two steps for every step forward we take to create more opportunity for New Jerseyans.”
Bucco: Murphy Has No Plan to Improve Affordability
Senator Anthony M. Bucco expressed concern that Governor Phil Murphy’s State of the State address included no plan to improve affordability for New Jersey residents.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco expressed concern that Gov. Phil Murphy’s State of the State address included no plan to improve affordability for New Jersey residents. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Legislature spent the past few weeks pushing through a wish list of Governor Murphy’s progressive priorities, including nearly 200 bills yesterday, and today we heard him call for more of the same,” said Bucco (R-25). “Unfortunately, what we didn’t hear from the Governor was any plan to improve affordability for the people of New Jersey. In fact, his call for higher taxes will only add to a combined tax burden that is already among the highest in the nation.”
Bucco Measure Bolstering Historic Washington Association of NJ Advances to Governor’s Desk
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would expand the board of the Washington Association of New Jersey (“WANJ”) awaits consideration by Governor Murphy after passing the Senate.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco’s bill strengthens the historic Washington Association of New Jersey, expanding the board to 18 members. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill (A4370/S2919) allows the board of the association, chartered in 1874, to expand to 18 members.
“The association plays a crucial role in preserving the legacy of George Washington and New Jersey’s significant contributions in the Revolutionary War,” said Bucco (R-25). “The future of WANJ and its treasured historic sites depends on dedicated volunteers. The addition of new leadership voices to the existing core of committed members will bring new ideas and renewed energy to the ambitious mission.”
Bucco Bill Promoting Jobs for Veterans Advances
Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s measure to help honorably discharged veterans pursue career opportunities in the insurance industry was approved by the Senate and moves to the governor’s desk for consideration.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco’s bill would waive the initial insurance producer licensing fee for honorably discharged veterans. (©iStock)
The bill, A1924/S2930 would waive the initial insurance producer-licensing fee for veterans who have passed the licensing exam.
“Exempting veterans from these fees can help jump-start the launch of promising careers,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “This measure will make it easier for veterans who have protected our nation to transition into employment in a productive new field with strong earning potential.”
Bucco Bill Would Name The Seeing Eye® Dog as State Dog of NJ
Bill Honors Service Animals Trained by New Jersey Non-Profit
Senator Anthony Bucco’s legislation to designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official State Dog of New Jersey has passed the Senate.
The Seeing Eye, Inc. headquarters, the oldest guide dog school in the United States, is located in Morristown, New Jersey. They have trained and paired more than 17,000 guide dogs with owners who are blind.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s legislation to designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official State Dog has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ)
“Seeing Eye dogs are the eyes of individuals who are visually impaired,” said Bucco (R-25). “Since 1929, these dogs have been trained to enhance the ability of those in the blindness community to live more independently. Enacting this legislation will help our great state pay tribute to these intelligent canines and better inform the public about the wonderful work these dogs do on a daily basis for people with impairments.”
Now Law: Bucco Bill Honoring New Jerseyans Entering U.S. Service Academies
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco which would require New Jersey’s Adjutant General to issue the State flag to residents enrolled in federal military service academies was signed into law.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s legislation which would require NJ’s Adjutant General to issue the State flag to residents enrolled in service academies was signed into law. (©iStock)
“Distinguished New Jersey residents who are enrolled in a service academy have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and integrity,” said Bucco (R-25). “It is fitting for New Jersey to recognize these accomplished young men and women who have dedicated themselves to careers serving and protecting our state and our nation.”
Bucco: Murphy Should “Pound Away” on Cutting Taxes & Making NJ More Affordable
Says Murphy Tax Plan Would Cement NJ’s Place as Highest Taxed State in the Nation
Senator Anthony M. Bucco responded to comments by Governor Murphy today on his plans to “continue to pound away” for an income tax increase in the coming year.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco responded to comments by Gov. Murphy on his plans to ‘continue to pound away’ for an income tax increase, saying he should ‘pound away’ on lowering the sky-high property, income, and business taxes that are driving New Jerseyans to leave the Garden State. (Pixabay)
“When New Jersey leads the nation in the outmigration of residents to more affordable states, Governor Murphy’s pursuit of higher income taxes is insanity,” said Bucco (R-25). “His plans would cement New Jersey’s place as the highest taxed state in the nation. Instead, the Governor should ‘pound away’ on lowering the sky-high property, income, and business taxes that are driving New Jerseyans to leave the Garden State.”
Editorial: Without Reforms, State-Supported Residential Drug Treatment for Kids Will Vanish
The following editorial by Anthony M. Bucco and James P. Curtin was published by NJ.com on December 19, 2019:
New Jersey is ground zero for an opioid epidemic that is taking the lives of our children and young adults at a furious pace. Last year, more than 3,100 lives were lost to this crisis, which did not discriminate by race, wealth, or zip code. It’s hitting communities and children in every corner of the Garden State.
In this NJ.com editorial, Sen. Tony Bucco and James Curtin call for action by lawmakers to prevent the loss of New Jersey’s remaining state-funded residential treatment facilities for children with substance use disorders. (©iStock)
Given the toll this epidemic has already taken, you might think the state would be working quickly to expand in-patient, residential treatment programs that have proven to be effective in helping to address addiction in our youth, where substance use often begins.
Unfortunately, the opposite is the case, as recent reports by The Star-Ledger have shown. Instead of adding beds and expanding access to residential facilities that are licensed, funded, and regulated by the state for the treatment of adolescents suffering from substance use disorders, these dedicated treatment centers for children are rapidly going out of business across New Jersey.
Bucco Bill Promoting Insurance Jobs for Veterans Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-Morris) to help honorably discharged veterans pursue career opportunities in the insurance industry was approved by the Senate.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco’s legislation to help honorably discharged veterans pursue career opportunities in the insurance industry was approved by the Senate. (©iStock)
The bill, S2930 would waive the initial insurance producer-licensing fee for veterans who have passed the licensing exam.
