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Trenton NJ, Following New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement of the Excelsior Pass program which will allow people to prove their vaccination or COVID-19 status, Senator Michael Testa introduced legislation that would bar such ‘Vaccine Passport’ from being mandated in New Jersey.
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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey continues to rank among the states reporting the most new COVID cases, and the LD1 lawmakers say the statistics prove that economy-killing lockdowns and quarantines are not the answer.
Continue reading Lockdowns Failed to Tame Virus Time Prompt Reopening of Schools, Businesses
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Trenton NJ, Acting to implement the public referendum legalizing adult-use marijuana approved by the voters, the Senate today approved and sent to the Governor legislation sponsored by Senator Nicholas Scutari and Senate President Steve Sweeney that will create the organizational and regulatory system needed to oversee the operations of the cannabis industry in New Jersey.
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Totowa NJ, in response to news that 200 mail-in ballots were found next to a dumpster this weekend, Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Michael Testa urged Governor Phil Murphy to acknowledge the recurring problems with vote-by-mail ballots and to allow New Jerseyans to vote securely in person on voting machines this November.
In response to news that 200 mail-in ballots were found next to a dumpster, Sens. Kristin Corrado and Michael Testa urged Gov. Phil Murphy to acknowledge the recurring problems with VBM ballots. (SenateNJ.com)
Continue reading Governor Murphy Continues Ignore Vote By Mail Ballot Issues
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Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa called for the State Commission of Investigation (SCI) to look into allegations of impropriety that have been raised by whistleblowers and former employees at New Jersey’s Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS).
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TRENTON NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 186. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, August 1, and August 27. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.
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Trenton NJ, The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee offered a path to a balanced State Budget for 2021 that does not rely on the billions of dollars of borrowing and tax increases proposed by Governor Phil Murphy.
The Republican plan was proposed in a letter (click here for PDF) to the majority Senate Democrats from Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1).
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Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa said Governor Phil Murphy’s plan to have voters cast their ballots almost exclusively by mail in the upcoming general election will cause unnecessary chaos in November.
“Governor Murphy’s plan to have everyone vote by mail will create unnecessary confusion in the upcoming general election when ballots will be cast for offices ranging from President of the United States to town council,” said Testa (R-1). “If our experience with the July vote-by-mail primary is any guide, New Jersey isn’t ready to pull off an election of such consequence by mail in a way that will ensure that every voter’s ballot is properly counted.”
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Ridgewood NJ, With the scholastic fall sports season rapidly approaching, legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Testa and Assemblyman Erik Simonsen to allow additional time for high school and middle school athletes to pass sports physicals was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
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Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa today said the massive power outages resulting from Tropical Storm Isaias prove there is much work remaining to make New Jersey’s power grid more robust.
“Every time a storm hits, the results are the same. Trees come down, wires come down, people go without power for days,” said Testa. “Trees growing too close to electrical lines is a recipe for trouble in storms, and as long as there’s resistance when the utility companies plan to cut back vegetation that jeopardizes power delivery to residents, we’re going to continue to suffer massive outages like the ones this week.
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Trenton NJ,Senator Michael Testa, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen, and Assemblyman Antwan McClellan slammed Governor Phil Murphy for excluding public health experts who work within his administration and for the State from discussions and decisions regarding New Jersey’s reopening procedures.
“It’s shocking that Gov. Murphy has left his administration’s public health experts – who should be advising him – in the dark, only for them to discover new policy actions when they tune into the governor’s press conferences,” said Testa (R-1). “Murphy’s unilateral reign, which is tanking New Jersey businesses and livelihoods, is not grounded in science or data. His decisions are solely dependent on which way certain political winds are blowing, or whatever Governor Cuomo opts to do first. For the health and well-being of New Jersey families, I urge the governor to consult with his own advisors prior to making major policy decisions.”
Continue reading Murphy Ignores State’s Public Health Experts, Prioritizes Politics Over Science
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Ridgewood NJ, Senator Michael Testa today challenged the Governor to do better after a press event Thursday announcing Murphy’s program for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As usual, this over-hyped announcement was polished up with a fancy title and livestreamed on the Governor’s YouTube channel. Despite the Wall Street-style branding, the new program fails more small businesses than it helps,” said Testa (R-1). “Murphy can do better. Before the first application arrives, he should expand the program so it can help desperate mom-and-pop businesses in every corner of the state.
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Trenton NJ, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, joined by Republican Senators Joe Pennacchio, Anthony M. Bucco, Steve Oroho, Kristin Corrado and Michael Testa, issued the following statement in response to coverage in The Star-Ledger questioning why the Legislature has failed to act on important hearings to investigate the State’s pandemic preparedness.
Continue reading Murphy Administration Delays Investigation in COVID19 Response
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Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa spoke during the July 2nd, 2020 New Jersey State Senate Remote Voting Session in regards to Governor Phil Murphy’s Conditional Veto of A-4132 and the State Legislatures concurrence with the legislation. Below is his statement:
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Trenton NJ, Senator Michael Testa slammed Governor Phil Murphy for vetoing legislation aimed at providing much-needed rent relief to small businesses during the shutdown.
Continue reading Murphy’s Veto of Rent Relief Is a Slap in the Face to Small Businesses
