Oroho Statement on Partial Restoration of School Funding
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement in response to legislation that would partially restore school funding that’s being cut in Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 State Budget proposal:
Statement from Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho on legislation that would partially restore school funding that’s being cut in Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 State Budget proposal. (©iStock)
“Senate Republicans continue to believe that there is no reason for the Murphy administration to cut funding to any school district when the state has a massive $10 billion budget surplus.
“We support the partial restoration of funding that has been proposed but remain concerned that it is a one-year solution to a long-term problem. Unless we change the school funding formula permanently, school districts will lose the temporarily restored money next year and face even deeper cuts in state aid. We need a school funding solution that looks further than Election Day this year.”
Oroho Statement on the Passing of Senator Ron Rice
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement in response to the passing of former Senator Ron Rice:
Statement from Sen. Steven Oroho on the passing of former Senator Ron Rice. (CC0 Public Domain)
“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Senator Rice. He was a fierce advocate for his constituents and a colleague who was deeply respected on both sides of the aisle. When he believed you were doing the right thing, he would forget about party and lend his support. I can’t think of anyone who was better at speaking from the heart on the Senate floor than Ron. His passionate voice and his presence in our chamber will be sorely missed. On behalf of Senate Republicans, I offer our deepest condolences to Ron’s family and to all who knew and loved him.”
Oroho Introduces “Energy Security and Affordability Act” to Ensure Reliable Service, Lower Bills
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho has introduced legislation to ensure that New Jersey is powered by reliable, diverse, and affordable energy sources.
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho has introduced legislation to ensure that New Jersey is powered by reliable, diverse, and affordable energy sources. (Pixabay)
“Unlike Governor Murphy’s extreme green energy plan that would make New Jerseyans dependent on the most unreliable and expensive sources of energy, we’re proposing a plan that would protect consumers from higher bills and ensure they have access to heat, power, and transportation when they need it,” said Oroho (R-24). “Our plan recognizes that it’s important for consumers to have affordable energy choices, redundancy for emergencies, and protections for the significant investments they’ve already made in their homes and businesses.”
Oroho, Testa & Steinhardt Slam Murphy’s Budget Cuts to Rural Municipal Aid
Senators Say $3 Million Cut in Open Space PILOT Aid Will Drive Property Tax Increases in Small Towns
Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee said millions of dollars in budget cuts to Open Space PILOT Aid in Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 state budget proposal will drive property tax increases in more than 100 small rural communities across New Jersey.
Senate Republicans said millions of dollars in budget cuts to Open Space PILOT Aid in Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 state budget proposal will drive property tax increases in more than 100 small rural communities across New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“Small rural communities that are home to State lands are given Open Space PILOT aid to offset the impact of those properties being taken off their tax rolls,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24). “It may not seem like a lot of money, but it’s important tax relief to towns in the Highlands and Pinelands that have strict State-imposed limits on development that prevent economic growth that could help replace the lost funds. It’s another unnecessary swipe at rural towns that are already struggling to prevent property tax increases.”
Oroho Says Massive Spending Increases, Failed Tax Relief Are Hallmarks of Murphy’s Budget Proposal
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho said Governor Phil Murphy’s latest budget increases spending by billions while missing the mark on tax relief, school funding, and transparency.
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho said Gov. Phil Murphy’s latest budget increases spending by billions while missing the mark on tax relief, school funding, and transparency. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy has increased state spending by 50% since he took office, including the nearly $3.5 billion increase he has planned for next year,” said Oroho (R-24). “Despite all of this spending, he continues to cut aid to hundreds of school districts and has failed to provide real inflation relief to New Jerseyans. He’s continuing to pour billions into slush funds controlled by Democrat party bosses, while ignoring Republican plans to increase transparency and oversight of state spending.”
Senate Republicans Comment on Murphy’s FY 2024 Budget Proposal
Senate Republicans said Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 budget proposal is a massive increase in spending, doesn’t provide inflation relief or transparency, and continues harmful cuts to hundreds of school districts.
Senate Republicans commented on Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 budget proposal saying it’s a massive increase in spending, doesn’t provide inflation relief or transparency, and continues harmful cuts to hundreds of school districts. (©iStock)
Included below are comments from Senate Republicans:
Senate Approves Oroho Bill that Would Protect Individuals with Disabilities
Parents of children with developmental disabilities may soon be able to file a complaint for guardianship six months before a child reaches the age of 18 thanks to bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and approved today by the New Jersey Senate.
Parents of children with disabilities may soon be able to file a complaint for guardianship six months before a child reaches the age of 18 thanks to bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho and approved today by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“I am proud the Senate advanced this legislation today. A parent should not have to wait until their child with special needs turns 18 to file a complaint for guardianship. If there is a delay with the courts, this can actually lead to a gap in legal protections for vulnerable individuals,” said Oroho (R-24). “My legislation will allow parents to file six months before a child turns 18 which will eliminate any potential protections gap and help maintain a stable support system for the entire family.”
Senate Republicans Set Priorities for Responsible Budget Proposal Ahead of Governor’s Speech
With Governor Phil Murphy set to deliver the annual budget message next Tuesday to the Legislature, the Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called for a budget proposal that restrains spending and prepares New Jersey for a possible recession, provides tax relief to families and businesses, represents fairness in how appropriations are determined, and protects school districts and property taxpayers from harmful cuts in State aid.
With Gov. Phil Murphy set to deliver the annual budget message next week to the Legislature, Senate Republicans laid out their priorities for a responsible state budget. (Pixabay)
Republicans offered comprehensive, thoughtful, and meaningful changes to the proposed budget last year to accomplish each of these goals that Democrats in the Legislature and Governor Murphy completely ignored. Instead, Democrats passed a budget that hoarded tax over-collections and went on an undisciplined, pork-fueled spending binge.
As Whale Deaths Rise, Senate Republicans Call for Temporary Halt to Wind Farm Survey Work
Senate Republicans are calling for Governor Phil Murphy to temporarily halt wind farm development work that might be linked to a sudden spike in whale deaths in the area.
Senate Republicans are calling for Gov. Phil Murphy to temporarily halt wind farm development work that might be linked to a sudden spike in whale deaths around the Jersey Shore. (Pixabay)
“Senate Republicans are deeply concerned by the surge of whale deaths that has occurred since December in the waters and on the beaches of the Jersey Shore and neighboring states,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24). “As many of my colleagues have pointed out, the only change in our waters recently has been the start of survey work for the construction of offshore wind farms. It seems like too big of a coincidence to ignore, especially when some of the impacted whales are endangered.”
Pennacchio/Bucco/Oroho Bill Providing $17 Million to Support Lakes Advances
Measure Would Help Fund Maintenance of Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, Other Lakes in Highlands & Pinelands
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee has advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Anthony Bucco, and Senator Steven Oroho to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions of New Jersey.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Sen. Tony Bucco, and Sen. Steven Oroho to supply critical funding to maintain Lake Hopatcong, Greenwood Lake, and other lakes in the Highlands and Pinelands regions has been approved by the Senate Environment Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our lakes are critical to the ecological and economic well-being of New Jersey, but they have been consistently underfunded by the State,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This appropriation represents the most significant investment in Lake Hopatcong and Greenwood Lake in recent memory, if not ever. This one time infusion will ensure our lakes get the vital support they need.”
