Oroho: Proposed IRS Regulations Highlight Need to Cut Cost of NJ Government
IRS Clarifies that Charitable Contributions to Sidestep $10k SALT Limit Are Not Deductible
Senator Steven Oroho said that a regulation proposed by the Internal Revenue Service that would derail an attempt to sidestep the recently enacted $10,000 cap on the federal deduction for state and local taxes highlights the need to advance major reforms to lower the cost of government in New Jersey.
Sen. Steven Oroho said that a proposed IRS regulation highlights the need to advance major reforms to lower the cost of government in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“I appreciate the legislative attempt to preserve the value of tax deductions for New Jersey residents following the limitation of the federal SALT deduction,” said Oroho (R-Sussex). “Unfortunately, the IRS is now taking the action it promised to take to prevent efforts to sidestep the new SALT limit. It’s clear that the best way we can help New Jersey taxpayers is to directly lower the cost of government in the Garden State.”
Editorial: New Jersey Is Still Fixable, but We’re Running Out of Time
The following editorial by Senator Steven Oroho on a bipartisan reform plan to address New Jersey’s fiscal challenges was published by the Star-Ledger on August 22, 2018:
Our state’s unaffordable and uncompetitive tax structure is driving many of our families, employers, and jobs to other states. The data is undeniable.
Sen. Steven Oroho discusses a bipartisan reform plan to address New Jersey’s fiscal challenges in this Star-Ledger editorial. (Pixabay)
Many of our biggest fiscal problems which remain largely unaddressed are on the spending side of the ledger. That has become increasingly evident in recent years as we performed our constitutional duty of reviewing and adopting a balanced state budget.
Oroho, Space & Wirths Denounce Murphy’s Bear Hunt Order
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths called Governor Phil Murphy’s executive order stopping bear hunts on state lands a dangerous play that increases the likelihood of human encounters with the animals.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Asm. Parker Space and Hal Wirths called Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order stopping bear hunts on state lands a dangerous play that increases the likelihood of human encounters with the animals. (YouTube)
“The Murphy Administration needs to put aside politics and personal feelings about hunting and look at the bigger picture,” said Oroho (R-Sussex). “This issue is and always will be a serious matter of public safety. There are a number of examples, including people being killed.”
Oroho said that when Gov. Jon Corzine canceled the hunt in 2006, adults and children were afraid to go outside because the bear population was not adequately controlled, and sightings in neighborhoods occurred multiple times daily.
SIGNED: Oroho Bill to Improve School Security
Governor Phil Murphy has signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) that will permit school district superintendents to designate an experienced school employee as school safety specialist.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation will permit school district superintendents to designate an experienced employee as school safety specialist. (Flickr)
“Our foremost responsibility must be to ensure that children in New Jersey have a safe place to learn and grow,” Oroho said. “Now, more than ever, we must designate experienced and trained staff members who can take charge of school security, so that our schools do not fall victim to the same tragedies we have seen in other parts of the country. This law is critical to keeping our children and teachers safe from harm.”
Sweeney-Oroho P-3 Bill Becomes Law
Public-Private Partnerships Will Support Building & Highway Projects
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Steve Oroho permitting government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking building and highway infrastructure projects was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bipartisan legislation permitting government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking building and highway infrastructure projects was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
“Public-private partnerships will pave the way for innovative and sustainable infrastructure in New Jersey,” said Senator Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris). “Governments on the local, county, and state levels should be permitted flexibility in financing their capital needs given proper oversight. These partnerships are an important way to stretch scarce public dollars to complete needed projects that will benefit our residents and create jobs and economic growth.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Announce Funding for Local Bridges
District 24 Will Receive More than $2 Million in Grants for Essential Repairs
Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (all R-24) announced that Legislative District 24 will receive $2,183,866 to fund bridge work in Sussex and Morris Counties.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths announced that District 24 will receive $2,183,866 to fund bridge work in Sussex and Morris Counties. (SenateNJ.com)
The repairs will be funded by “Local Bridges, Future Needs” grants, which will provide $47.3 million for repairs Statewide. The grant program is funded by the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund, under the purview of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Divisions of Local Aid and Economic Development.
“I am very pleased to see that the administration recognizes the critical need to ensure counties across New Jersey have a fiscally-responsible way to keep our roads and bridges safe,” Senator Oroho said. “Calculating how much each county needs based on the bridge deck area and the portion of bridges in need of repair is exactly how we should be awarding funds. I hope to see this kind of sound, evidence-based decision making with State resources continue.”
District 24 Legislators Welcome BPU’s Actions to Improve Storm Preparedness
Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (all R-24) released the following statement in response to Governor Murphy’s announcement that the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will take action to increase storm preparedness and shore up the infrastructure necessary to protect the public from prolonged power outages.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths welcomed actions by the NJ BPU to increase storm preparedness and shore up the infrastructure necessary to protect the public from prolonged power outages. (Flickr)
In light of the onslaught of winter storms this year and previously, the lawmakers have been vocal advocates for improving utility infrastructure to ensure residents do not have to spend days on end without power.
Oroho, Space and Wirths have also sponsored legislation to address this issue, such as strengthening penalties to hold utility companies accountable for lengthy outages; and legislation to remove bureaucratic hindrances enabling utility companies to engage in preventative tree trimming near power lines.
“We welcome the recommendations made by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities today and appreciate the Murphy Administration’s responsiveness on this issue,” the District 24 lawmakers said. “Thousands of local residents, including many of our constituents, were negatively impacted by this year’s winter storms and resulting power outages. While we applaud the diligence of the workers who spent days trying to get the power back on, there is no denying that much more could have been done to prevent these types of lengthy outages from occurring in the first place. At the very least, utility companies need an emergency action plan to ensure they are prepared when we are struck by violent storms. Today’s announcement is a solid step in the right direction. As vocal advocates for this cause, we look forward to working with the BPU and other interested parties to effectuate the infrastructure improvements necessary to keep the people of New Jersey safe.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Blast Murphy’s Signing of School Funding Bill That Slashes Local School Aid
District 24 Schools Will Lose $40 Million Annually When Fully Implemented
Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (all R-24) released the following statement on the July 24, 2018 signing of S-2/A-2, legislation that will cut State school aid to Sussex and Warren County schools by more than $2 million next year, a reduction that will increase to $40 million annually when the new school aid formula is fully phased in.
Sen. Steven Oroho & Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths comment on the signing of S-2/A-2, legislation that will cut State school aid to Sussex and Warren County schools by more than $40 million annually when the new formula is fully phased in. (Flickr)
Oroho served last year on the Senate Select Committee on School Funding Fairness, which identified a number of key school funding reforms that were not included in the Democrats’ current legislation, S-2/A-2.
“Our students, teachers, and taxpayers should not have to pay the price for the failure of Governor Murphy and Democrats to fairly fix the school funding formula,” Oroho said. “Their refusal to enact fiscally-responsible, bipartisan solutions is a shame. While I appreciate that it is incumbent upon school boards to properly manage their budgets in line with current enrollment realities, the fact of the matter is the crux of the school funding formula is still inherently unfair. And no matter how you run numbers under a flawed formula, you still get flawed numbers.”
Oroho-Bucco-Sweeney Bill Would Boost Vo-Tech Education, Fund School Security
Measure Would Provide $1 Billion for Job Training, School Security, and Clean Water Infrastructure
The New Jersey State Senate has passed the Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Senator Steve Oroho (R-Morris, Sussex, Warren) and Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris and Somerset) that would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection.
The Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our county vocational schools are currently unable to meet the needs of students and employers alike,” Oroho, a member of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus said. “The overwhelming demand for these programs proves that many employers are actively looking for job candidates with technical training. With proper funding, I am confident that our County Vo-Tech schools will continue to create pathways to long-term employment for countless New Jersey residents.”
Senate Republicans Call for Structural Budget Reforms
Senate Republicans sent a letter today to Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin calling for structural budget reforms.
Senate Republicans sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin calling for structural budget reforms. (SenateNJ.com)
