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Trenton NJ, the lure of absolute power burns bright in the seats of power in New Jersey. A bill that would rein in Governor Phil Murphy’s executive powers during a state of emergency failed after Democrats in the Assembly blocked a vote on it Thursday.
Continue reading Democrats Squash Bill to Limit Governor Murphy’s Emergency Powers
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Trenton NJ, In response to months of mandatory shutdown across the state, 10th District Legislators Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sponsored a resolution which would prevent the overreaching of the Governor’s executive powers. SCR-117 and ACR-181 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit effective period of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by Governor to 14 days.
Continue reading Pressure Mounts to Limit Governor’s Emergency Powers
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Trenton NJ, While the state is lifting some of its coronavirus restrictions today and opening restaurants for limited outdoor dining, Senator Joe Pennacchio raised concerns that the 6,000 nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 are being forgotten.
“If the state doesn’t learn from our mistakes, we will repeat them,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “We know things in our nursing homes went bad in a hurry, and we know that 6,000 vulnerable seniors died in forced isolation, unable to see their families for one last time. We know costly errors were committed, the Administration has been anything but forthcoming, and New Jersey residents have a long laundry list of questions that demand answers.”
Continue reading Chef Shutters Technique Restaurant in Westwood
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Trenton NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following statement on the need to curtail Governor Phil Murphy’s emergency powers:
“Today, I signed onto a resolution that just strike me as peculiar. Peculiar in the sense that I never would have imagined the need for this to exist in a democracy. SCR-117 is intended to curtail the Governor’s power to issue emergency executive orders without reapproval by the legislature every 15 days. It’s a proposed constitutional amendment that if passed, would create a ballot question potentially altering our State’s constitution and let the public decide whether a Governor needs to have their power more frequently checked by the Legislature.
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Toms River NJ, the Shore News polled nearly 30,000 readers ( Shore News Network have taken an online poll ) in the past two weeks, according to Shore News ,”we’re not sure who the hell Monmouth University is calling, but our numbers are far different than theirs. Monmouth University reports that Governor Phil Murphy is the second coming of Jesus with a 75% approval rating. Look, Monmouth U., we love ya, you’re Jersey Shore like the rest of us, but please, stop polling Murphy’s closest friends and relatives in the future.”
Continue reading Shore News Poll: 90% of New Jersey Residents Say Governor Phil Murphy is a Failure
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Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Business Coalition released the following joint statement today urging the faster reopening of businesses that can currently meet safety protocols.
“We are at a pivotal time regarding the livelihoods of New Jerseyans and their ability to provide for themselves and their families.
“Thousands of our businesses are struggling to survive, and are clinging to every last resource they have attempting to make it to their prescribed reopening date, with many not having one yet. And even then, they’ll face great challenges due to smaller capacities in which they will be required to operate.
Continue reading NJ Business Coalition Urges Faster Reopening of Businesses
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Asbury Park NJ, Late Friday afternoon, a superior court judge granted Governor Phil Murphy’s request for a preliminary injunction preventing Asbury Park from implementing its resolution allowing indoor dining beginning Monday. This reinforces the state’s position that indoor dining is prohibited by pandemic-related executive orders.
Grace Hanlon, Former Executive Director of Tourism for the State of New Jersey
Rumson NJ, As peak tourism season and the July 4th weekend fast approaches on the infamous Jersey Shore, former Executive Director of Tourism for the State of New Jersey Grace Hanlon is making a heartfelt plea to Governors across the U.S. Speaking out on behalf of small businesses and restaurants everywhere, Hanlon urges Governors to consider the devastating impact that would result if businesses are not allowed to reopen soon.
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Trenton NJ, The Department of the Treasury reported today that May revenue collections for the major taxes totaled $2.120 billion, down $331.2 million, or 13.5 percent, below last May as the economic impact of the global pandemic continues to take its toll on the State’s finances. Fiscal year-to-date, total collections of $26.864 billion are now down $2.498 billion, or 8.5 percent below the same period last year.
Continue reading May New Jersey Tax Revenues Fall 13.5 Percent as Businesses Remain Closed
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Asbury Park NJ, the Asbury Park City Council voted on Wednesday evening to allow indoor dining beginning on June 15, in direct violation of New Jersey executive orders related to COVID-19.
Continue reading Asbury Park Defies Governor Allows Indoor Dining
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Trenton NJ, Assemblyman Jay Webber called upon Gov. Phil Murphy to exercise his gubernatorial power to pardon those cited for violating his executive orders after twice violating his own order that limits the size of gatherings amid the pandemic.
At the same time people who organized protests of Murphy’s orders have been ticketed for convening gatherings larger than allowed. His administration also had businesses that opened in defiance of his orders ticketed and closed.
Continue reading Governor Murphy must use Clemency powers after violating his Own Executive Orders
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Ridgewood NJ, according to a NJ Spotlight analysis, New Jersey election officials did not count ballots for several reasons, often because of issues with signatures.About one in every 10 people who mailed in ballots in last month’s special elections had their votes rejected, which could forebode the potential disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of New Jerseyans in next month’s primaries.
Continue reading Statewide One in 10 Ballots Rejected in Last Month’s Vote-by-Mail Elections
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Trenton NJ, During times of emergency like the current COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Steve Oroho have a plan to restore policy-making balance to the state.
Governor Phil Murphy, who today announced he was lifting the months-long stay-at-home order, has utilized his pen and executive orders to circumvent the elected Legislature and avoid public scrutiny during his time in office. He plans to sign another executive order raising limits on the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings in the state.
Continue reading Constitutional Amendment Proposed to Curtail Governor’s Emergency Powers
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With all states having at least partially reopened as new COVID-19 cases have seen a slow decline, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released updated rankings for the States with the Fewest Coronavirus Restrictions .
Continue reading New Jersey Has the 3rd Most Coronavirus Restrictions
