Oroho/Bucco Say BPU Cost Study of Murphy’s Energy Master Plan is Two Years Too Late
Senators Steven Oroho and Anthony Bucco welcomed the Board of Public Utilities’ cost study of Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan but chastised the Administration for the unexplained two year delay.

Senators Steve Oroho and Tony Bucco welcomed the Board of Public Utilities’ cost study of Gov. Murphy’s Energy Master Plan but chastised the Administration for the unexplained two year delay. (Pixabay)
Ratepayer cost estimates for the Energy Master Plan (EMP) were scheduled to be released by the end of 2019. After a two year delay, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) finally held its initial hearing today, March 25, 2022.
“Recognizing the impracticality of the governor’s proposed Energy Master Plan since it was first announced, I have been calling on the Administration to formally investigate and quantify its real cost to New Jersey families and businesses. Although I am pleased the BPU is finally looking into this, I’m astounded that it took more than two years to do so,” said Oroho (R-24). “Anyone who has actually studied this plan with rational thought knows it is not a feasible plan at all; it is an environmental manifest as unworkable as national Democrats’ ‘Green New Deal.’ Every realistic analysis concludes it will create more problems than solutions, more questions than answers, and more burdensome costs than benefits.”
Oroho Bill to Protect Young Victims from Sexual Extortion Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was advanced today by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Pixabay)
Sexual extortion, also referred to as sextortion, occurs when a victim is threatened or coerced into engaging in sexual activity or to provide explicit photos or videos to the offender.
Too Many Schools Lose Again in Murphy’s Budget Mayhem
District 24 Lawmakers Blast Dire Funding Cuts to 28 of 38 Local School Districts
Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths today blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for slashing funding to most schools in the 24th Legislative District.

Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for slashing funding to most schools in the 24th Legislative District. (SenateNJ.com)
“There’s nothing fair with a funding formula that adds millions in state aid to certain school districts while cutting millions to others year after year,” said Senator Steven Oroho. “These funding cuts will not only result in an increase in property taxes, but cuts of this magnitude will certainly impact core educational programs for students. I’ll be working during the state budget process with my legislative colleagues who have been impacted by these devastating cuts and fight for true funding fairness for schools.”
Oroho: Murphy’s Budget Would Deliver Too Little Tax Relief, Too Late
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho said the amount of tax relief in Governor Murphy’s proposed budget is underwhelming compared to what Senate Republicans have proposed.

Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho said the amount of tax relief in Gov. Murphy’s proposed budget is underwhelming compared to what Senate Republicans have proposed. (Pixabay)
“New Jerseyans who are feeling the impact of soaring inflation in their family budgets need tax relief now,” said Oroho (R-24). “Governor Murphy’s plan to make people wait until 2023 for rebates is too little, too late. Our Give It Back plan would provide real tax relief now to help New Jersey families pay their bills today.”
Oroho Measure Requiring Notation on Automobile Registration Indicating Drivers’ Hearing Impairment Clears Committee
The Legislation Will Increase Safety for Deaf Drivers and Police Officers
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation that would help eliminate possible confusion and tension when a deaf motorist is stopped by police was advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee today.
The bipartisan bill, S-665, would add a notation on vehicle registration certificate indicating the registrant is deaf.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that would protect hearing impaired drivers and police officers during a traffic stop was advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee. (Flickr)
“If a driver is struggling to follow instructions, it could trigger an unpredictable and potentially dangerous situation,” said Oroho (R-24). “This bill would relieve stress and help ensure safety for both the driver and police officers.”
Senate Clears Oroho Bill that Removes Government Red Tape to Help Disabled Veterans
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for certain benefits was approved by the New Jersey Senate today.

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for certain benefits was approved by the Senate. (©iStock)
“Our disabled veterans should not have to go through needless red tape to secure basic benefits from the Motor Vehicle Commission,” said Oroho (R-24). “Under this bill, permanently disabled veterans who apply for special benefits through the MVC will only need to submit proof of their disability with their first application—not on renewal ones. This will improve efficiency at the MVC and allow our veterans to enjoy all of the benefits they so rightly earned in a timely manner.”
Senate Republicans to Introduce Bill to Give Back Billions to NJ Taxpayers
Gov. Murphy Has Collected $3+ Billion in Unexpected Taxes from New Jerseyans. Republicans: Give It Back!
In advance of Governor Phil Murphy’s expected announcement next week that the State has collected at least $3 billion more in taxes than he budgeted this year, Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to give it back to New Jersey taxpayers immediately through $500 and $1,000 refundable tax credits when they file their state income taxes for 2021.

Senate Republicans want to give back $3 billion of unexpected tax collections to New Jersey taxpayers immediately. Tell Gov. Murphy to #GiveItBack at www.GiveItBack.us.
“Governor Murphy has collected at least $3 billion more in taxes from New Jerseyans than he projected in his budget this year,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24). “We want to give this unexpected and unneeded windfall back to New Jersey families who are struggling to get by with surging inflation. Our plan would give New Jerseyans a $500 or $1,000 tax credit, depending on their filing status, when they file their 2021 New Jersey income tax return this spring. We’re proposing direct tax relief that would put real cash back into people’s wallets quickly.”
Oroho bill that Would Cut Red Tape to Help Disabled Veterans Clears Committee
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for certain benefits was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for certain benefits was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (©iStock)
“Our disabled veterans should not have to go through unnecessary red tape to secure basic benefits from the Motor Vehicle Commission,” said Oroho (R-24). “Under my legislation, permanently disabled veterans who apply for special benefits through the MVC will only need to submit proof of their disability with their first application—not on renewal applications. This will not only improve efficiency at the MVC, which is certainly needed, but it will allow our veterans to enjoy all of the benefits they so rightly earned in a timely manner.”
Bucco/Oroho Bill Preventing Income Tax Increases Due to Inflation Advances
Legislation Prevents Stealth Income Tax Increase Caused by Tax Bracket Creep
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Steven Oroho that would protect New Jerseyans from tax bracket creep due to inflation has been advanced by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Steven Oroho that would protect New Jerseyans from tax bracket creep due to inflation has been advanced by the Senate Budget Committee. (Pixabay)
“Our bill will protect New Jerseyans from paying higher income taxes due to inflation and provide tax relief to the many New Jerseyans who live paycheck to paycheck,” said Bucco (R-25). “When Governor Murphy has an extra $3-4 billion in tax collections he wasn’t expecting, our legislation is one way we can start to give it back to struggling New Jerseyans. We need to show people that Trenton is finally getting serious about addressing their affordability concerns.”
Senate Approves Oroho Bill to Create School Funding Task Force
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho and cleared by the Senate today would establish the School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force to evaluate the state’s education support.

Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation establishing a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of the school funding formula was endorsed by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
School funding is a driving factor in New Jersey’s exorbitant property taxes and the task force created by S-354 would study the effectiveness of the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 (SFRA) and provide recommendations for improvements.
“The state’s dubious funding formula controls the purse strings for school aid,” said Oroho (R-24). “The task force’s evaluation will help identify flaws and inconsistencies that contribute to funding imbalances. This will be an important step in improving the way taxpayer money is expended for education.”