Bucco & Testa: State Board of Education Put Identity Politics Ahead of Parents
Senators Anthony M. Bucco and Michael Testa said that the State Board of Education is focused more on advancing identity politics than building stronger relationships between parents and teachers in response to the board’s vote to approve a proposal to remove “equality” in the “Managing for Equality and Equity in Education” Chapter of New Jersey’s Administrative Code. The board should be more respectful of parental rights, the senators said.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Michael Testa said that the State Board of Education is focused more on advancing identity politics than building stronger relationships between parents and teachers. (Flickr)
“All kids deserve the opportunity to succeed in-and-out of the classroom but the best way to ensure this success is by bringing their parents, teachers, and local school administrators together, not by driving a wedge between them. Today’s State Board of Education vote unfortunately drives a wedge further between these groups,” said Bucco (R-25). “Students are falling behind from pandemic-related learning loss and instead of prioritizing reading, writing, and math, the State Board is infusing progressive identity politics into the classroom. Parents are rightfully concerned about what’s being taught to their children and deserve to have a voice in their local school communities. We do not need government bureaucrats substituting on their behalf.”
Bucco Statement on the Passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) issued the following statement in response to the passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver:
Statement from Sen. Anthony Bucco on the passing of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. (CC0 Public Domain)
“On behalf of the Senate Republican caucus, we are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of our dear friend, and colleague, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. Her legacy will forever live on as a trailblazer for women in New Jersey, becoming not only the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly, but also just the second in the Nation to lead a legislative body,” said Bucco. “When I first entered the General Assembly, I had the honor of working with Sheila as Speaker. She was a devout public servant and an incredibly kind person. I know many of our members will have fond memories of serving with Sheila and her professionalism. I will miss our friendship and work together. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”
Bucco: Today’s BPU Action Will Lead to Bans of Gas Stoves & Appliances
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has sent New Jersey down an expensive and disruptive path toward the full electrification of homes and businesses that will lead to banning gas stoves and other natural gas appliances.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said the BPU has sent New Jersey down an expensive and disruptive path toward the full electrification of homes and businesses that will lead to banning gas stoves and other natural gas appliances. (Flickr)
“The Murphy administration doesn’t seem to care that people don’t want to replace their gas stoves or undertake expensive conversions to electric furnaces and water heaters,” said Bucco (R-25). “The BPU’s action today demonstrates that they’re willing to start implementing electrification plans no matter how unpopular they are, regardless of the cost, and without legislative oversight.”
Governor Signs Bucco Bill Keeping Federal Aid in School Districts that Educate Military Students
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco that would help school districts better utilize state military impact aid for the benefit of students was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco that would help school districts better utilize state military impact aid for the benefit of students was signed into law today by Gov. Murphy. (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.
Senate Republicans Ask NJ TRANSIT for Information on Expensive New Gateway Center Lease
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) sent a letter today to NJ TRANSIT President Kevin Corbett asking for documents related to the agency’s recent lease of office space in Gateway Center.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sent a letter today to NJ TRANSIT President Kevin Corbett asking for documents related to the agency’s recent lease of expensive office space in Gateway Center. (SenateNJ.com)
In the letter, the senators say, “When NJ TRANSIT officials have acknowledged that fare hikes, personnel reductions, and service cuts are on the table, we believe it is important to understand the decision-making process that supported a headquarters lease that appears to be unnecessarily expensive.”
Bucco Statement on Murphy Administration’s Transit Deal With Onyx/Gateway
Senator Anthony M. Bucco issued the following statement in response to the lack of transparency displayed by the Murphy Administration and NJ Transit over their recent deal with Onyx/Gateway to lease a costly new headquarters in Newark.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco issued a statement in response to the lack of transparency displayed by the Murphy Administration and NJ Transit over their recent deal with Onyx/Gateway to lease a costly new headquarters in Newark. (SenateNJ.com)
“Many journalists have raised legitimate concerns about the secrecy of this deal and the apparent personal connections this transaction has to Governor Murphy,” said Bucco (R-25). “We know that less expensive options were on the table and bypassed by the New Jersey Transit Board. We also know that NJ Transit is facing a budget shortfall that will make financing their lease problematic for taxpayers and riders who will end up subsidizing this egregiously expensive project. Despite this, the public has received no explanation from the Murphy administration about the details of this deal.”
Bucco: BPU Pulls Rushed Building Decarbonization Plan from Agenda
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has pulled the approval of a “building decarbonization” plan from its agenda after legislators, the Division of Rate Counsel, and other stakeholders expressed serious concerns about the rushed effort to implement the draft proposal that could be a massive overreach of the agency’s authority.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said the BPU has pulled the approval of a ‘building decarbonization’ plan from its agenda after legislators, the Division of Rate Counsel, and other stakeholders expressed serious concerns. (SenateNJ.com)
“The BPU thought it could rush the approval of a major energy policy change that could ultimately cost New Jersey home and business owners hundreds of billions of dollars to implement,” said Bucco (R-25). “There also are serious concerns that the BPU doesn’t have the legal authority to set environmental policy for the state or to regulate carbon emissions which is their clear intention. Thankfully the agency backed down after we shed light on what they were trying to do. The BPU said the building decarbonization plan will be on a future agenda for approval, so we need to remain vigilant.”
Bucco Says Murphy Shouldn’t Circumvent Legislature When Implementing His Expensive and Extreme Green Energy Plan
BPU Set to Advance Plan to Eliminate Natural Gas with Little Public Notice
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Phil Murphy is trying to circumvent the Legislature as he moves forward with implementing his expensive and extreme green energy plan, which includes an effort to phase out affordable natural gas that currently heats millions of New Jersey homes and businesses.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Gov. Phil Murphy is trying to circumvent the Legislature as he moves forward with implementing his expensive and extreme green energy plan. (©iStock)
“Governor Murphy is quietly moving forward with an expensive plan to phase out natural gas and fully electrify homes and businesses that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars to implement,” said Bucco (R-25). “Instead of asking the Legislature to review and consider this major proposal in an open and transparent manner, he’s rushing it through the opaque regulatory process at the BPU to limit public input.”
Bucco and Stanfield Bill Protecting Tax Benefits for Seniors Becomes Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Jean Stanfield that provides a one-time income exemption for seniors to avoid losing tax benefits under the Senior Freeze Program was signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Jean Stanfield that provides a one-time income exemption for seniors to avoid losing tax benefits under the Senior Freeze Program was signed into law. (©iStock)
“The signing of this legislation delivers legitimate property tax relief for senior citizens in New Jersey. The Senior Freeze Program has provided substantial tax benefits that have helped many of our older and retired residents stay in their homes,” said Bucco (R-25). “This law will prevent seniors from incurring massive property tax increases and being disposed of their home for exceeding income limitations during one tax year. This law provides a small, but impactful exemption that will protect tax benefits for seniors in the State of New Jersey.”
Bucco Bill Enhancing Punishments for Auto Theft Crimes Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that targets auto theft trafficking networks and expands penalties for offenders was signed into law today.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco’s bill that targets auto theft trafficking networks and expands penalties for offenders was signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Far too many suspects have gotten away with committing auto theft crimes in the past. With the signing of this bipartisan legislation, we are enacting a plan to hold auto theft traffickers and their criminal networks accountable for the epidemic of motor vehicle thefts in New Jersey,” said Bucco (R-25). “Auto theft networks have grown significantly since 2020, with car and auto-part thefts increasing by 40% or more in some areas of the state. This law establishes a new crime for auto theft network participants and broadens the scope of the existing second-degree crime for leaders of a motor vehicle criminal network.”
