Oroho Legislation Increasing Government Efficiency Signed into Law
Two bills sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that will increase government transparency and efficiency were signed into law today by Acting Governor Way.
Two bills sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that will increase government transparency and efficiency were signed into law today by Acting Governor Way. (Pixabay)
The first bill, S-1884, requires the Office of the State Auditor to annually publish a user-friendly, plain language report that summarizes the contents of the New Jersey Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
“I’m pleased that both of these important bills were signed into law today,” said Oroho (R-24). “For far too long, New Jersey’s annual financial reports have been written in obscure, financial language that is often only digestible by technocrats. This legislation will build public trust by allowing New Jerseyans to read, in layman’s terms, the financial status of the state, and to see exactly where their hard earned tax dollars are going.”
District 24 Lawmakers Commend Decision to Extend Bear Hunt for Next Five Years
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-24) commended the New Jersey Fish and Game Council for its decision to allow bear hunting until at least 2028.
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths commended the New Jersey Fish and Game Council for its decision to allow bear hunting until at least 2028. (YouTube)
“Hunting is an important part of the comprehensive set of practices that the state employs to manage the black bear population and minimize danger to people and property,” said Senator Oroho. “The action by the NJ Fish and Game Council is warranted and I hope the Murphy Administration will continue to follow the data as they rightfully did last year and allow the wildlife conservation experts to guide New Jersey’s bear management policies.”
GOP Budget Members: Legislators’ Budget Requests Have Been Whitewashed of Critical Information
On Friday afternoon, more than two months after the law required legislators’ requests for budget funding to be released to the public, Democrats released requests that all have this disclaimer stamped at the top: “The Budget Bill includes this Resolution, either as submitted or in a modified form.” It’s not clear how original budget requests were sanitized, but they have almost all been modified to remove required explanations about how the money will be spent.
Senate Republicans called on Democrats to release all budget resolutions with explanations about how the money will be spent – so it is clear to the public who really requested funding and their explanations of how it would be spent. (Pixabay)
Senate Republicans released all of their original and unmodified budget resolutions more than two months ago — before the budget was adopted, as required by law. The Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee are once again calling on Democrats to release all budget resolutions with explanations about how the money will be spent, just as they were submitted – so it is clear to the public who really requested funding and their explanations of how it would be spent:
“This is outrageous, but typical and incredibly arrogant behavior by Democrats running Trenton,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13). “Republicans made our resolutions public, prior to passage of the budget as required by Senate rules. All of the resolutions that we advocated for clearly noted who advocated for it and the narratives outlining why the money was needed. Democrats, in typical fashion, waited until no one was paying attention and released this sanitized garbage on the eve of a major holiday weekend. The people of New Jersey deserve a truly transparent government and they’re not getting that from Democrats in Trenton.”
Oroho & O’Scanlon Offer Support for Small Businesses
Republican Budget Committee members Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following joint statement in support of New Jersey retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving a questionable proposal that would authorize online sales of lottery tickets:
Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon issued a joint statement in support of NJ retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving the online sales of lottery tickets. (Pixabay)
“We believe that the Division of Lottery is misinterpreting state law and does not have the authority to authorize online lottery sales. The Division should not make this short-sighted decision because they would be negatively impacting small businesses all throughout New Jersey. Online lottery sales could significantly reduce licensed retailer’s revenues and put their small businesses in direct competition with the State. Authorizing online sales of lottery tickets pose additional financial concerns that will deprive convenient stores of necessary revenue from ancillary sales. Not to mention, online sales of lottery tickets increase the likelihood that underaged individuals will find a way to make these purchases. We’ll be monitoring the Division’s decision very closely tomorrow and are prepared to introduce a legislative remedy if this proposal is approved. We must protect small businesses and consumers.”
Oroho Responds to Sen. Codey’s Retirement Announcement
Senator Steven Oroho responded to former Gov. Richard Codey’s announcement today that he will retire from the Legislature at the end of the current term:
Sen. Steven Oroho responded to former Gov. Richard Codey’s announcement today that he will retire from the Legislature at the end of the current term. (©iStock)
“Governor Codey was a man of extraordinary skill as a legislator who served our state with distinction and was New Jersey to the core. He loves our state and the people and places that make it up and used his time in government to try to make it better for everyone. No doubt my colleagues and I in the Senate will fondly remember his humor which he often used to diffuse tense moments. So I welcome Governor Codey in the walk toward retirement from public service as we both begin a new chapter with more family time!”
Bucco & Oroho: ELEC Law Neutered Election Transparency
Senators Anthony M. Bucco and Steve Oroho said that the Elections Transparency Act (ETA) signed by Governor Murphy neutered election transparency after the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) was forced to dismiss 107 cases, according to a press release today.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Steve Oroho said that the Elections Transparency Act (ETA) signed by Governor Murphy neutered election transparency. (SenateNJ.com)
“The action taken today by ELEC sets a concerning precedent for how election laws will be followed and enforced going forward. It is inexcusable that Governor Murphy signed a law that would require the dismissal of 107 cases of alleged campaign violations,” said Bucco (R-25). “Before the Elections Transparency Act became law, we had the country’s foremost campaign watchdog agency that was trusted and had the means to investigate credible election complaints. Today, we have a neutered agency that is dismantling election transparency at the behest of Governor Murphy.”
24th District Legislators: Murphy’s Energy Priorities are Unrealistic
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths condemned the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approving a building decarbonization plan proposed by Governor Murphy that will start the process of electrifying homes and businesses in New Jersey. They warned this will lead to a ban on natural gas appliances.
Legislators from District 24 condemned the BPU for approving a building decarbonization plan proposed by Gov. Murphy that will start the process of electrifying homes and businesses in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Murphy administration is forcing their extreme energy plan on New Jerseyans which will electrify the entire state and get rid of natural gas completely,” said Sen. Oroho. “The BPU’s action ignores the $1.4 trillion price tag for taxpayers and the tens of thousands of dollars homeowners and businesses will have to spend in conversion costs. Never mind the fact that our current energy infrastructure cannot withstand the demands of a full electric conversion. Technology and innovation have significantly advanced the control of emissions. Focusing more on technological improvements and innovations, including renewables and nuclear, will surely help to ensure all forms of our energy supply is robust and affordable.”
Senate GOP Budget Members Call on Democrat Majority to Release Explanations for 400+ Line Items of Budget Pork
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on the Democrat Majority to immediately release explanations for the hundreds of line items that were added to the FY 2024 State Budget in the hours before its adoption.
Senate Republicans called on the Democrat Majority to immediately release explanations for the hundreds of line items that were added to the FY 2024 State Budget in the hours before its adoption. (Pixabay)
“Republicans complied with legislative rules and publicly posted all of our proposed tax decreases, spending restraints, reforms, and spending requests before the budget was voted on, and we’re calling on our Democrat colleagues to finally do the same,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), the Republican Budget Officer. “The common-sense requirement to release proposed budget changes and detailed spending requests was initiated by former Senate President Codey after two senators went to jail for steering money as part of extortion schemes. When there is complete transparency in members’ spending requests, it is less likely that abuses will occur or go unnoticed.”
Governor Signs Oroho/Space/Wirths Bill Declaring Franklinite the Official State Mineral
A mineral found in the northwest portion of New Jersey but regarded as rare around the globe will become the official mineral of the state under legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-24) and signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
A mineral found in the northwest portion of New Jersey but regarded as rare around the globe will become the official mineral of the state under legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths and signed into law today by Governor Murphy. (Wikimedia Commons)
The legislation, S-1727/A-3393, would elevate franklinite in a nod to Sussex County’s rich mineral mining heritage.
“Franklinite represents an important part of New Jersey’s history for the role it played in helping to industrialize our state,” said Senator Steven Oroho. “Found exclusively in the United States in the communities of Franklin and Ogdensburg, franklinite is a critical link to our state’s mineral mining heritage and its designation as New Jersey’s official state mineral is most appropriate.”
Oroho Bill that Would Increase Financial Transparency Clears Senate
New Jerseyans may soon have access to a user-friendly, plain language report that summarizes the contents of the New Jersey Annual Financial Report thanks to bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and approved today by the New Jersey Senate.
New Jerseyans may soon have access to a user-friendly report that summarizes the contents of the NJ Annual Financial Report thanks to legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho and approved today by the NJ Senate. (Pixabay)
“For far too long, New Jersey’s annual financial reports have been written in obscure, financial language that is often only truly digestible by technocrats,” said Oroho (R-24). “This legislation will increase transparency and build public trust by allowing New Jerseyans to read, in layman’s terms, the financial status of the state, and to see exactly where their hard earned tax dollars are going.”
