Oroho, Space & Wirths Question DOH About Changing Vaccine Requirements for Students, Urge Parents to Stay Engaged
In response to the recent rule proposal regarding school vaccine requirements by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Morris, Warren) are officially submitting questions and concerns to the NJDOH regarding these potential changes.
In response to the recent rule proposal regarding school vaccine requirements by the NJDOH, Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths are officially submitting questions and concerns to the DOH regarding these potential changes. (Pixabay)
“The very basic question we are asking, that parents need to know, is why the NJDOH reached out to stakeholders and requested input on proposed changes to vaccine requirements for school children,” said Senator Oroho. “If the administration does not plan on requiring the COVID-19 or HPV vaccines, it should be transparent in its actions with parents and legislators. This type of behavior raises many red flags and makes it seem as if the administration is trying to change policies behind closed doors.”
Oroho Bill Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Extortion Signed Into Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was signed into law.
Sen. Oroho’s bill that would establish the crime of sexual extortion to fight a growing trend that often victimizes minors was signed into law. (Pixabay)
“I am pleased that this legislation was signed into law today to protect minors from sexual victimization in New Jersey. We will now be able to identify, convict, and punish the perpetrators who engage in this despicable behavior,” said Oroho (R-24). “This law upholds our commitment as legislators to ensure that justice will be served for the victims of this heinous abuse.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Bill Easing Proof of Disability for Veterans’ Parking Privileges Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for parking privileges was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths that would allow permanently disabled veterans to submit less paperwork to the MVC for parking privileges was signed into law today by Governor Murphy. (©iStock)
“We are proud that this bill was signed into law. Our disabled veterans should not have to go through needless red tape to secure basic benefits from the Motor Vehicle Commission,” said Senator Oroho. “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.”
Oroho Calls for Murphy Administration to Dedicate Pandemic Relief Funds to Prevent $1 Billion Payroll Tax Increase
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho called for the Murphy administration to dedicate pandemic relief funds to the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Fund to prevent $1 billion of cumulative payroll tax increases on New Jersey employers.
Sen. Steven Oroho called for the Murphy administration to dedicate pandemic relief funds to the Unemployment Insurance Fund to prevent $1 billion of cumulative payroll tax increases on New Jersey employers. (Pixabay)
“Today’s budget committee meeting with the Department of Labor confirmed that New Jersey employers will be hit with a massive $700 million payroll tax increase on July 1 to help replenish the UI Fund,” said Oroho (R-24), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “That increase follows a $300 million increase that took effect less than a year ago and would push the total payroll tax increase borne by employers to well over $1 billion. There is absolutely no reason the Murphy administration can’t dedicate or repurpose some of the unspent $5 billion of pandemic relief funds at its disposal to prevent this looming and unnecessary tax increase.”
Oroho & O’Scanlon Respond to State Auditor Report Showing Murphy Administration’s Failure to Use Billions in Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho and Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon responded to a new report from the State Auditor that shows that more than $5 billion in pandemic relief funds remains unspent by the Murphy administration nearly two years after it was received:
Sen. Steven Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon responded to a State Auditor report that shows that more than $5 billion in pandemic relief funds remains unspent by the Murphy administration nearly two years after it was received. (©iStock)
“Senate Republicans have questioned for three years why the Murphy administration has shown absolutely no urgency in using billions of federal pandemic relief funds to help New Jersey families and businesses in a timely manner,” said Oroho (R-24). “The State Auditor’s latest report showing that more than $5 billion of American Rescue Plan funds remains unspent after two years confirms everything we’ve been saying.”
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.”
