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.”
Bucco: Democrats Feeling Pressure on Bill Extending Murphy’s Emergency Powers Until 2022
Legislation Allowing Mask & Social Distancing Restrictions to Continue Until Next Year Pulled from Today’s Assembly Agenda
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said it’s clear that public pressure to end the public health emergency immediately has helped to stall an ill-advised Democratic bill that would have extended Governor Phil Murphy’s emergency powers until next year.
Last week, Governor Murphy extended New Jersey’s public health emergency that began in March of 2020 for another 30 days. (New Jersey Office of the Governor/YouTube)
“Trenton Democrats actually seemed surprised to learn that New Jerseyans oppose their convoluted bill letting Governor Murphy maintain unnecessary mask and social distancing restrictions until 2022,” said Bucco (R-25). “If they had paid attention before today, they would have known that people want the public health emergency and all of the overbearing mandates to end immediately.”
Bucco/Doherty Bill Supporting Volunteer Firefighters Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty supporting essential volunteer firefighters in the state was advanced by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s bill supporting essential volunteer firefighters and allow more of them to qualify for membership in the NJ State Firemen’s Association advanced today. (Pixabay)
The bill, S-3277, would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
Pennacchio/Bucco Legislation Allowing New Jerseyans to Donate Part of Tax Refund to Pediatric Cancer Research Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Pennacchio and Anthony Bucco that allows New Jerseyans to donate a portion of their tax refund toward pediatric cancer research has been advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Anthony Bucco that allows New Jerseyans to donate a portion of their tax refund toward pediatric cancer research has been advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (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: Murphy’s Mismanagement of Unemployment System Hurting Workers, Businesses & NJ’s Economic Recovery
Unemployed Workers Who Need Benefits Still Not Getting Paid, While Freeloaders Refuse to Work Impeding NJ’s Economic Recovery
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Governor Phil Murphy’s continued mismanagement of New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system is hurting both workers and businesses that are struggling to recover.
Sen. Tony Bucco said Gov. Phil Murphy’s continued mismanagement of New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system is hurting workers, businesses, and New Jersey’s economic recovery. (Pixabay)
“We have this perverse situation where unemployed workers with families still can’t get their benefits approved by the Murphy administration, while freeloaders who could go back to work continue to get checks they no longer deserve,” said Bucco (R-25). “I still have constituents who have been waiting months for their claims to be approved, and I have a growing number of businesses telling me that workers would rather stay on unemployment than return to work. On both sides of the equation, the Murphy administration is at fault.”
Bucco Bill Easing Tax Burden on Small Businesses Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco to ensure that PPP loans that are forgiven by the Federal Government are exempt from New Jersey’s gross income tax was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco to ensure that PPP loans that are forgiven by the Federal Government are exempt from New Jersey’s gross income tax was signed into law by Gov. Murphy. (©iStock)
“I am pleased that this legislation was signed today. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the small business community in New Jersey. I can name dozens of family restaurants, small retail shops, and other establishments that have either closed their doors forever or are struggling everyday to stay open,” said Bucco (R-25). “During this extremely difficult time, small business owners should not have to worry about additional taxes. My legislation will eliminate the State tax and keep the State from profiting off the backs of businesses that continue to struggle during the pandemic.”
Pennacchio/Oroho/Bucco Bill Providing $10 Million to Support Lakes Advances
Measure Would Help Fund Maintenance of Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, Other Lakes in Highlands & Pinelands
The Senate Environment Committee has advanced 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 of New Jersey.
The Senate Environment Committee has advanced $10 million of funding sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Sen. Steven Oroho, and Sen. Tony Bucco to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey. (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.
Bucco, DePhillips & DiMaso Introduce Bill to Help Struggling Bars & Restaurants
Proposal Creates Four-Month Sales Tax Holiday for Food & Beverage Establishments
Senator Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso have introduced legislation to provide tax relief to bars and restaurants struggling to recover from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic.
Sen. Tony Bucco, Asm. Christopher DePhillips, and Asw. Serena DiMaso introduced legislation to provide tax relief to bars and restaurants struggling to recover from the severe financial impacts of the pandemic. (Pixabay)
“Our local bars and restaurants and the hundreds of thousands of workers they employ across New Jersey have suffered enormously due to the restrictions imposed by Governor Murphy during the pandemic,” said Bucco (R-25). “Nearly 40% of our restaurants have closed temporarily or permanently, while many that remain face financial challenges that may be difficult to overcome without assistance. Our proposal to create a sales tax holiday would help this important industry to survive long enough for our state’s reopening to support their full recovery.”
Bucco Encourages Governor to Open “Shot and a Beer” Program to Every Bar & Restaurant
Says Broader Program Could Encourage Residents Across NJ to Start Visiting Local Eateries & Watering Holes Again
Senator Anthony M. Bucco encouraged the Murphy Administration to open the “Shot and a Beer” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program to any bar or restaurant in New Jersey that wants to participate.
Sen. Tony Bucco encouraged the Murphy Administration to open the ‘Shot and a Beer’ COVID-19 vaccine incentive program to any bar or restaurant in New Jersey that wants to participate. (Pixabay)
“After a tough year, we’ve heard from a number of bar and restaurant owners who are looking for opportunities to convince patrons to start dining out again,” said Bucco (R-25). “The ‘Shot and a Beer’ program has the potential to encourage New Jerseyans in every community to return to the local eateries and watering holes they may not have visited since the pandemic began. Once people visit for the first time and realize it’s safe, we hope it will become part of their regular routines again.”
Bucco Bill Establishing Clear Guidance for Restaurants During COVID-19 Pandemic Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would establish requirements for restaurants to operate during the coronavirus pandemic was advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco that would establish requirements for restaurants to operate during the coronavirus pandemic was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (Pixabay)
“Although many dining establishments have already taken measures to protect patrons from the coronavirus, so much of the guidance they receive varies by county or municipality,” said Bucco (R-25). “My legislation will provide clear and practical requirements for these businesses, which will be applied universally across New Jersey, so that they can recover and reopen as quickly as possible.”
