Bucco Blasts False Assumptions & Huge Expenses Ignored in BPU Cost Study of Murphy’s Energy Plan
Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) said a new study commissioned by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to show the cost to ratepayers of implementing Governor Murphy’s new Energy Master Plan is based on false assumptions and ignores huge costs associated with the electrification of homes, businesses, and transportation in New Jersey:
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said a new BPU study showing the cost to ratepayers of implementing Gov. Murphy’s new Energy Master Plan is based on false assumptions and ignores huge costs associated with the electrification of homes, businesses, and transportation in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“The BPU’s new study completely ignores the huge cost of replacing efficient gas furnaces and water heaters with electric appliances both residentially and commercially and the massive premiums customers pay to buy electric vehicles, which can be double the cost of similar models powered by gas and diesel.
“It’s disingenuous to highlight projected energy savings of a few hundred dollars annually for some customers as a result of electrification without accounting for the extra $40,000 or more a typical family might have to spend for a new electric furnace, hot water heater, vehicle, and home charging station.
Bucco and Codey Propose Stiffer Penalties to Stamp Out Car Theft Epidemic and Protect Juveniles
Senator Richard J. Codey and Senator Anthony M. Bucco today announced bipartisan legislation that would give law enforcement new tools to fight “an epidemic of car thefts, often organized by gangs that prey on at-risk juveniles.”
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Richard J. Codey announced bipartisan legislation that would give law enforcement new tools to fight “an epidemic of car thefts, often organized by gangs that prey on at-risk juveniles.” (Pixabay)
Citing data and discussions with local law enforcement officials over the past three months, the senators said brazen networks of car thieves and gangs have pushed New Jersey to the point of crisis. The state is on pace to see more than 17,000 vehicles stolen this year. Car thefts also have been increasing at least 20% annually since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they noted that one case involved a 14-year-old girl.
Bucco Working with Law Enforcement to Control Rampant Car Thefts in New Jersey
The State Set a Record with More Than 14,300 Stolen Cars in 2021
With the frequency and severity of car thefts skyrocketing in New Jersey and across the nation, Senator Anthony M. Bucco is working with local law enforcement officials to strengthen laws and crack down on the theft rings and criminal organizers responsible.
With the frequency and severity of car thefts skyrocketing in New Jersey and across the nation, Sen. Anthony M. Bucco is working with local law enforcement officials to strengthen laws and crack down on the theft rings and criminal organizers responsible. (Pixabay)
In the state, a record 14,320 autos were heisted in 2021, a dramatic 22 percent increase in one year. The trend has continued to skyrocket this year when a new record is likely to be established.
“The numbers are disturbing, but more troubling is the way the thefts are occurring and the growing use of stolen cars in committing violent crimes,” said Bucco (R-25). “The methods and intentions of the criminals have evolved. Car thefts have expanded well beyond simple property crimes. Now the safety of our law abiding residents is at risk.”
Bucco Leads Disability Caucus Effort to Solve Critical Shortage of DSPs
Senator Anthony M. Bucco today led the New Jersey Disability Caucus’ hour-long roundtable discussion on the shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) and its impact on the thousands of state residents who require assistance.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco led the New Jersey Disability Caucus’ hour-long roundtable discussion on the shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs) and its impact on the thousands of state residents who require assistance. (SenateNJ.com)
“The lack of DSPs is a crisis not only in our state but across the nation,” said Bucco (R-25). “The daily lives of New Jersey residents living with disabilities are impacted. Without visits from caring, trustworthy workers, many can struggle with even the simplest activities, and they are forced to do without one of their strongest advocates.”
MEDIA ADVISORY: Bucco, Dunn Set to Lead NJ Legislative Disability Caucus Roundtable on Critical Shortage of DSPs
The NJ Legislative Disability Caucus will hold a roundtable discussion Tuesday, seeking strategies and solutions for coping with the nationwide dearth of direct support professionals.
Sen. Anthony Bucco and Asw. Aura Dunn will lead a NJ Legislative Disability Caucus roundtable discussion seeking strategies for coping with the nationwide dearth of direct support professionals. (SenateNJ.com)
DSPs are essential workers providing in-home help to thousands of state residents who require assistance.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, co-chairs of the bipartisan caucus along with Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, will spearhead Tuesday’s virtual roundtable.
WHO: New Jersey Legislative Disability Caucus Virtual Roundtable
WHAT: Sen. Bucco and Asw. Dunn will lead a virtual caucus discussion on the critical shortage of direct support professionals (DSPs), and the need for effective strategies for attracting and retaining essential workers.
WHEN: Noon, Tuesday, July 26
WHERE: Click here to view the discussion on Zoom.
MVC Mobile Unit to Visit Rockaway Township on July 29
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s mobile unit will be open for business in Rockaway Township on Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the municipal building complex.
The New Jersey MVC’s mobile unit will be open for business in Rockaway Township on Friday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the municipal building complex. (Wikimedia Commons)
“I am happy to be able to work in conjunction with the MVC to bring these services directly to our residents in need,” said Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris/Somerset). “It was a pleasure to work with Councilwoman Mary Noon in securing the MVC Mobile Unit for the Township. Hopefully it will bring much needed relief to the many residents in and around Rockaway struggling to access their nearest MVC agency. I am also incredibly thankful to Mayor Joe Jackson’s assistance with securing the location in the municipal complex parking lot. Since only limited slots are available, I encourage any resident seeking assistance to signup for this service as soon as possible.”
Bucco: As Inflation Continues to Rise, Trenton Democrats Ignored Easy Opportunity to Help New Jerseyans
Republicans Proposed Ending Tax Bracket Creep to Save NJ Families from $543 Million Income Tax Increase
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said Trenton Democrats ignored an easy opportunity to help New Jerseyans struggling with inflation following news that the cost of goods and services is now rising at the fastest rate in more than 40 years.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said Trenton Democrats ignored an easy opportunity to help New Jerseyans struggling with inflation following news that the cost of goods and services is now rising at the fastest rate in more than 40 years. (©iStock)
“Inflation doesn’t just impact how much you pay at the grocery store, it also impacts how much you pay in state income taxes,” said Bucco (R-25). “That’s because New Jersey is one of the few states that doesn’t index its tax brackets for inflation, which means cost-of-living pay increases can push workers into higher tax rates where they pay more. In fact, New Jersey families will pay $543 million more in income taxes this year because Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats refused to work with us to fix the problem of tax bracket creep.”
Singer & Bucco Bill Assisting Service Members and Veterans with No-Fee Legal Assistance Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help military service members and veterans with cost-free legal representation in civil issues was approved today in the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco that would help military service members and veterans with cost-free legal representation in civil issues was approved by the Senate. (Pixabay)
The Military Pro Bono Program would be established in the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under the legislation, S-1388.
“Thousands of New Jersey residents are serving in the armed forces on active-duty or as reserves,” said Senator Singer (R-30). “Many will be returning home after deployments oversees in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere. Some may have been adversely affected by or during deployment and may require legal help or guidance to re-establish their lives back home.
Senate Republicans Call for Action to End Tax Bracket Creep After Treasury Estimates $543 Million Income Tax Increase Next Year
Republican senators called for action on their plans to save New Jersey taxpayers from suffering state income tax increases next year due to inflation after the Treasury Department estimated the cost of “tax bracket creep” at $543 million in FY 2023.
Republican senators called for action on their plans to save New Jersey taxpayers from suffering state income tax increases due to inflation after the Treasury Department estimated the cost of ‘tax bracket creep’ at $543 million in FY 2023. (Pixabay)
“I’ve been pushing Democrats and the Murphy administration to work with us to index New Jersey’s income tax brackets for inflation, just like the federal government and dozens of other states,” said Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25). “We now know that failure to act will cost New Jersey families more than half-a-billion dollars in income tax increases next year. On top of record-high gas prices and rising costs for groceries, it’s yet another expense that people can’t afford.”
Bucco: Delays in Workplace Cannabis Rules Dangerous & Unacceptable
Senator Anthony M. Bucco said the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s (CRC) failure to issue critical rules that employers need to keep workplaces safe following the start of legal recreational cannabis sales in New Jersey is dangerous and unacceptable.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco said the Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s failure to issue critical rules that employers need to keep workplaces safe following the start of legal recreational cannabis sales in New Jersey is dangerous and unacceptable. (Pixabay)
“Now that cannabis is being sold legally in New Jersey, it’s much more likely that employees will show up to work impaired or with traces of the drug in their system,” said Bucco (R-25). “That could be extremely dangerous at a construction site, in a hospital, or in the airline industry where any level of impairment could result in serious accidents. Even though the start of recreational pot sales was delayed by months, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission still hasn’t found the time to issue the rules for the drug recognition experts that employers are required to have to determine if employees are high while they’re working. This continued inaction is an unacceptable failure that hopefully won’t result in tragedy.”
