Murphy Administration Attempt to Curtail Free Speech
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean called on the Murphy Administration to end its attacks on independent contractors and the media after the Westfield Leader was fined for not classifying freelance reporters and photographers as employees.
Trenton NJ, Joint Statement from Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal Regarding Anti-Semitic Content on Facebook Group “Rise Up Ocean County”. Funny how the two never made a statement on the Black Hebrew Israelites movement, responsible for the deadly shooting rampage at a New Jersey kosher market has cast a spotlight on a fringe movement known for its anti-Semitic strain of street preaching and its role in a viral-video confrontation at the Lincoln Memorial this year.
Trenton NJ, The signing of A5802/S4103 today is a disgraceful money grab by the Majority Party and Governor which will use our tax dollars to circumvent federal law to repay and subsidize a private, non- profit organization who financially supports them at election time. A5802 will allocate $9.5 Million from the general fund, which is money generated by NJ taxpayers, exclusively to NJ Planned Parenthood affiliates to replace funds they will not be receiving from the Federal Title X Program because they refused to comply with new rules requiring Title X family planning recipients to physically and financially separate their abortion business from their family planning services.
Trenton NJ, Twice denied in his first two budgest, Governor Phil Murphy this afternoon told reporters that he remains committed to a millionaire’s tax. With Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver standing behind him, the Governor cited the tax as beneficial to prepare for a “rainy day.”
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy patted himself on the back for New Jersey’s second statewide minimum wage increase from $10 to $11 per hour, taking effect today, January 1, 2020. The increase is part of a gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15/hour under legislation signed by Governor Murphy in February 2019. When Governor Murphy took office in 2018, the State’s minimum wage was $8.60 per hour.
Perhaps if the governors failed policies of constant tax increases and taxes on everything did not destroy the already morbid New Jersey economy we would celebrating job growth like the rest of the country .
Ridgewood NJ, Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ordered a review of state laws that allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses and restrict data sharing with federal immigration authorities.
Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said leaders in Trenton need to focus on fighting a culture of sexual harassment in response to a published report detailing women’s stories of abuse while working in the world of New Jersey politics.
“Whenever you start to think we’ve made progress in improving the culture in Trenton, a story like this comes out that proves you wrong,” said Kean. “It’s clear that a much greater focus needs to be placed on addressing the epidemic of sexual harassment and assault to protect everyone who works in New Jersey government, politics, and government affairs. Senate Republicans are ready to continue our efforts through the LSOC or another forum to put an end to the epidemic of sexual harassment that continues to victimize too many women in New Jersey.
Assemblyman Robert Auth commented on a bill he supports that would allow places of worship to establish a security program, perhaps preventing a Monsey style attack:
“I support A1695, a bi-partisan bill introduced by Asm. Dancer (R)-12 and Shaer (D)-36 which has languished in the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee since introduced 1/9/2018 in response to the11/5/2017 mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas during which 26 people were killed and 20 others were injured. In light of the string of anti-Semitic incidents in recent weeks, this bill deserves to be released by Chairman Taliaferro (D)-3 to be listed by Speaker Coughlin (D)-19 for a vote in our legislature. This bill allows the governing body of a place of worship to establish a security program by selecting one person to carry a handgun for the purpose of protecting religious service attendees.”
“I can’t understand why illegals are being treated better than American law abiding citizens. Takes us 6 points of ID to get a license but they need to provide 2. No background checks are allowed so if these are members of MS-13, doesn’t matter. Doesn’t anyone think the timing of this bill is interesting? A year before our Presidential election. Wonder what else is coming.”
“It’s a sad day for this state when people who are born and raised in this country needs six points of identification and sometimes have to make two or three trips to DMV to get a drivers license or even renew their drivers license. Then you have illegal aliens who have no identification and can go and get a drivers license. There seems to be a bit of a problem with that. The leaders of the state should be recalled.”
Cape May NJ, Jeff Van Drew for Congress announced the hiring of seasoned political operative and South Jersey native Ron Filan as campaign manager.
“There is no finer Republican operative with deeper roots in South Jersey than Ron Filan,” said Van Drew (R-2). “The Washington liberals are looking to take down me and
President Trump, but like I told the President in the Oval Office, we will win this seat – because while the Washington liberals are focused on scoring political points, I’m focused on creating more South Jersey jobs and making our country even stronger.”
TRENTON NJ, Along party lines today, the Assembly approved legislation (S3229/A4743) giving illegal immigrants living in New Jersey the ability to obtain driver’s licenses, permits and identification cards through the Motor Vehicle Commission. Assemblymen Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton blasted Democrats for fast-tracking bad legislation that opens the door to fraud and ignores the values of American citizenship.
Senator Joe Pennacchio, “We cannot afford to waste any more money on incentives that are not producing a worthwhile return on investment for the people we serve”
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio commended the State Auditor’s office after the release of the annual audit plan for 2020 revealed a pending review of the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act.
“The film tax credit is a significant expenditure of taxpayer money that demands scrutiny,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The auditor has limited resources and a heavy workload. I want to thank him for listening to us and am pleased he made the commitment to review the costly program in the new year.”
Trenton NJ, Governor Hands Out Benefits to Non-Citizens While State Residents Suffer
Senator Michael Testa chided Governor Phil Murphy for signing legislation that grants driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants.
“New Jersey families take a backseat to illegal immigrants under the Murphy administration,” said Testa (R-1). “Trenton Democrats prioritized handouts for illegals over lowering our sky-high property taxes and properly funding schools for our children. I will continue to fight this lunacy and prioritize making New Jersey more affordable for the hard-working legal residents of our great state.”
Testa voted against S-3229, which creates a second tier of driver’s licenses for those who are unable to prove lawful presence in the United States.
“First, it was college tuition aid for illegals, now its driver’s licenses. What’s next?” asked Testa. “This move is an insult to every law-abiding citizen of the Garden State. We need to get this state back on track and focus on what residents really want – a more affordable New Jersey.”
Trenton NJ, A suspended New Jersey state trooper was indicted today for allegedly engaging in a sexually explicit email exchange with an adult woman about a prepubescent girl, during which the trooper and the woman allegedly exchanged sexually explicit photos, including a photo of the girl.