Bucco Bill to Give Research Animals a New ‘Leash’ On Life Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a second chance has passed the Senate Environment Committee. The bill would require New Jersey’s higher education institutions to offer laboratory animals to rescue organizations for purposes of adoption.
New Jersey uses more research animals than any other state in the country, according to the USDA. In 2017 alone, more than 5,000 cats and dogs were serving as research animals.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a second chance, by requiring institutions of higher education to offer them up for adoption. (©iStock)
“When a dog or cat is used for research, far too often their life is unnecessarily cut short,” Bucco said. “It is heartbreaking to see countless animals denied the right to a long life, when they could be given to a loving home. By creating a pathway to adoption, we can ensure our furry friends get a new ‘leash’ on life.”
Bucco Bill to Discover Why Businesses Leave NJ Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco that would require the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD) to conduct exit interviews with companies that close their doors or relocate to another state has passed the Senate Labor Committee.
“When companies in New Jersey close their doors, or move to a more business-friendly state, the effects of layoffs are felt Statewide,” Bucco said. “Our mom-and-pop businesses help millions of families put food on the table. That is why it is critical that we discover the real reasons why so many job creators are fleeing New Jersey. This data will help us implement policies that draw innovators to our state, instead of driving them away.”
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s legislation would require the NJLWD to conduct exit interviews with companies that close, or relocate to another state. (WikiCommons)
Sen. Bucco’s bill, S-2356, aims to discover the tangible reasons why local companies are exiting the Garden State. More than 2,000 New Jersey jobs were placed at-risk this year, due to employers closing their stores or moving to a new state, according to a report by NJ Advance Media.
Editorial: State must be aggressive with fiscal reforms
The following editorial by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) addressing the fiscal reforms proposed by the bipartisan Economic & Fiscal Policy Workgroup was published in The Daily Record on August 26, 2018:
I’ve spent the past decade as the Senate Republican Budget Officer trying to balance the growing cost of state and local governments with our need to provide affordable services to New Jersey taxpayers.
The Daily Record published an editorial by Sen. Anthony Bucco addressing the fiscal reforms proposed by the bipartisan Economic & Fiscal Policy Workgroup ,of which he is a member. (SenateNJ.com)
I fought against unnecessary new taxes and spending, and worked to restore funding that was reduced by others to safety net programs for children, seniors, and the disabled.
Unfortunately, protecting those programs and the real people they serve is becoming harder each year as state spending on public employee benefits has exploded.
Bucco Statement on Gov’s CV of ‘Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act’
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) issued the following statement on today’s State Senate vote to concur with Governor Murphy’s conditional veto of S-2293, the “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act.”
Sen. Anthony Bucco issued the following statement on today’s State Senate vote to concur with Gov. Murphy’s conditional veto of S-2293, the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act. (Flickr)
Bucco, a co-sponsor of S-2293, was instrumental in efforts to ensure funding for school security was included in the legislation. Governor Murphy’s CV significantly cut the amount of funding for school security in the version that was originally passed in July by the Legislature.
“Governor Murphy’s massive cut to the school security funding in the original version of our bipartisan legislation is a total lapse in judgment,” Senator Bucco said. “If the Governor is so concerned about keeping our schools safe from gun violence, then I question why he would mandate such a drastic cut in school security.
“A voter-approved bond act directly aids all New Jersey school administrations who are currently in the process of designing safe schools and security operations. The Governor’s decision to cut the funding we originally proposed could jeopardize all current and future school security and Vo-Tech projects. We must ensure every student has the opportunity to grow and succeed in a safe environment.”
Bucco Calls for Action on Pro-Business Legislation
As part of an ongoing effort to make New Jersey more business-friendly, Senator Anthony Bucco is calling for the passage of his legislation to require the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD) to conduct exit interviews with companies that close their doors or relocate to another state.
As part of an ongoing effort to make NJ more business-friendly, Sen. Anthony Bucco is calling for the passage of his bill to conduct exit interviews with companies that close or relocate to another state. (©iStock)
“We already know, just based on anecdotal evidence, that too many local companies are shutting down entirely or relocating operations to a more business-friendly state. These are decisions that impact the lives of countless families. We have to do more to find out how we can keep job creators from leaving,” Senator Bucco (R-25) said. “By requiring an exit interview, we can discover the real reasons why companies are closing up shop, and implement policies that will encourage them to grow in New Jersey instead.”
New Bucco Bill Would Designate the Seeing Eye® Dog as NJ State Dog
Bill Honors Service Animals Trained by New Jersey Organization
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset) has introduced legislation that would designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official New Jersey State Dog.
The Seeing Eye headquarters is located in Morristown. The organization has trained and matched more than 17,000 visually-impaired individuals with service animals.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill would designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official New Jersey State Dog. (Photo courtesy of The Seeing Eye)
“We often take for granted seeing a stop sign or the edge of a train platform, but for those who are visually-impaired, something so simple can become a critical or even life-threatening obstacle,” Bucco said. “Every day, Seeing Eye dogs are trained in Morris County to create safety, independence, and mobility for those in need. This legislation is a great way to honor all they have done for the thousands of people in need of a loving service animal in New Jersey.”
Oroho-Bucco-Sweeney Bill Would Boost Vo-Tech Education, Fund School Security
Measure Would Provide $1 Billion for Job Training, School Security, and Clean Water Infrastructure
The New Jersey State Senate has passed the Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Senator Steve Oroho (R-Morris, Sussex, Warren) and Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris and Somerset) that would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection.
The Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our county vocational schools are currently unable to meet the needs of students and employers alike,” Oroho, a member of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus said. “The overwhelming demand for these programs proves that many employers are actively looking for job candidates with technical training. With proper funding, I am confident that our County Vo-Tech schools will continue to create pathways to long-term employment for countless New Jersey residents.”
Senate Republicans Call for Structural Budget Reforms
Senate Republicans sent a letter today to Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin calling for structural budget reforms.
Senate Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin calling for structural budget reforms. (SenateNJ.com)
Bucco Bill Cuts Costs by Bringing Government into 21st Century Advances
Paperless Government Aims to Increase Efficiency
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee has advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would encourage the modernization of local governments and provide opportunities to cut back on property tax bills.
Sen. Bucco’s bill would encourage the modernization of local governments and provide opportunities to cut back on property taxes. (SenateNJ)
“Allowing towns to replace expensive postal mailings with email for more types of correspondence can produce real savings, which translates into property tax relief,” Senator Bucco said. “People already are going paperless to get their cable and utility bills, so there’s no reason local governments can’t follow this example and pass the savings to the local taxpayer.”
Bucco/Corrado Legislation to Expand School Employee Background Checks Passes Senate
Increased Scrutiny Will Protect Students from Abuse and Assault
The New Jersey Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) that would require all public school employees to undergo a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background check.
Legislation sponsored by Senators Bucco and Corrado would require all public school employees to undergo a Child Abuse Record Information (CARI) background check (SenateNJ.com.com)
“We pray and hope our schools are safe from predators,” Senator Bucco stated. “However, under New Jersey’s current laws, we just don’t know. It is time to protect our students and require additional background checks for all school staff members. This common-sense approach will help us stop predators from having access to our students.”
