Oroho Calls for Action on Legislation to Keep State Parks Open During Government Shutdowns
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) called for the New Jersey Legislature to approve a measure that would allow State parks and beaches to remain open temporarily in the event of a State government shutdown.
Sen. Steven Oroho called for the N.J. Legislature to approve a bill allowing State parks and beaches to remain open temporarily in the event of a State government shutdown. (SenateNJ.com)
He said the timing of the June 30th deadline in the New Jersey Constitution for approving a new State budget creates an annual risk of a government shutdown, unnecessarily threatening the summer vacation and 4th of July plans of New Jerseyans each year.
“We had a State shutdown last year, and we’re at risk of another one this year as Democrats continue to fight over five different tax increases with our budget deadline just one day away,” said Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “Families that have made the choice to spend their vacation or holiday weekend camping in a State park or visiting one of our State beaches shouldn’t have their plans ruined by the failure of Trenton politicians to pass a State budget.”
Oroho Bill Tightens “New Jersey Prompt Payment Act” to Ensure Government Pays Its Bills on Time
Reduces Time State Agencies Have to Make Delinquent Payments without Interest
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) would extend New Jersey’s “Prompt Payment Act” to State and local governments, boards of education, and independent State authorities, and reduce the time they to pay their bills without extra penalties has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill would reduce the time governments have to pay their bills without extra interest penalties. (©iStock)
“When a family hires a professional service or buys a product from a retailer, they have to pay our bills on time,” Senator Oroho stated. “Vendors who do business with our government should get paid just as quickly. There’s no reason we should stall payments that could put New Jersey’s small businesses at risk.”
Oroho, Space & Wirths Vote Against Trenton Democrats’ Effort to Cut Local School Aid by $40 Million
Senator Steven Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (all R-24) voted against legislation advanced by Trenton Democrats today to cut State school aid to the 24th Legislative District by $1.5 million next year, a reduction that would increase to $40 million loss annually when the new school aid formula is fully phased in.
Oroho, Space & Wirths voted against legislation advanced by Trenton Democrats to cut State school aid to the 24th Legislative District by $1.5 million next year, a reduction that would increase to $40 million annually when the new school aid formula is fully phased in. (Flickr)
“New Jersey’s school funding formula is broken, but this effort by Trenton Democrats to reduce our local school aid hardly qualifies as a fix,” said Oroho. “We offered a detailed school funding reform proposal that would have provided property tax relief statewide, but Democrats chose to ignore our solutions. Their proposal will increase the burden on struggling property taxpayers in Sussex and Warren counties by another $40 million.”
Oroho & Wirths Say Unemployment Benefits Change Will Weaken UI Fund
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblyman Hal Wirths (both R-24) said that legislation advanced by the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will weaken New Jersey’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and put employers at risk of future tax increases.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Asm. Hal Wirths said legislation being advanced by Democrats will weaken New Jersey’s unemployment fund and put employers at risk of future tax increases. (Flickr)
“At its worst point, New Jersey’s UI Fund was more than $2 billion in the red,” said Oroho. “To address this deficit, we devised and implemented a plan to impose fiscal discipline and eliminate abuses, which restored the UI Fund to solvency while ensuring that unemployment benefits remain available to New Jerseyans who deserve them. I’m concerned that this new legislative effort would undo some of those important reforms and put the UI Fund at risk again, which may lead to increased taxes on employers.”
Oroho Bill to Help Utilities Trim Trees to Prevent Power Outages Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to ensure the ability of electric utility companies to trim branches and trees around power lines to prevent unnecessary outages has passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee. Oroho said that following repeated lengthy power outages this past winter as well as several other recent storms, it’s imperative to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that might prevent utilities from conducting preventative vegetation maintenance that can decrease the frequency and length of power outages.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation to ensure the ability of electric utility companies to trim branches and trees around power lines to prevent unnecessary outages has passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee. (Flickr)
“Having consistent, dependable power is paramount to New Jersey families, particularly during nasty weather conditions,” Oroho (R-24) said. “Overgrown trees and shrubs often tend to be the culprits when your power goes out during a storm. Removing some of the bureaucracy will help utility companies to engage in the preventative maintenance that’s needed to guarantee access to lifesaving utilities regardless of the elements.”
Sweeney-Oroho P3 Bill Advances
Committee Approves Measure for Building & Highway Projects
TRENTON – 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 advanced out of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
The bill, S-865, provides for oversight of these agreements by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Pres. Steve Sweeney permitting government entities to enter into public-private partnership agreements with private entities for undertaking building and highway infrastructure projects advanced out of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (SenateNJ)
“Public-private partnerships will pave the way for innovative and sustainable infrastructure in New Jersey,” Oroho (R-24) said. “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.”
Advanced: Oroho Bill Honors NJ Veterans by Renaming High Point State Park
Legislation Inspired by the New Jersey American Legion
Legislation (S-542) sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to honor New Jersey’s veterans by renaming High Point State Park as High Point Veterans’ State Park has passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Senator Oroho’s bill would honor New Jersey’s veterans. (DVIDS)
“The dedication of High Point Veterans’ State Park honors all of the heroes who have answered the call to protect our freedoms,” Oroho (R-24) said. “Our men and women in uniform, past and present, have made countless sacrifices for our country. It is my privilege to be able to pay respect and honor all New Jersey’s veterans through this legislation.”
District 24 Legislators Recognized by the American Conservative Union
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblyman Parker Space (both R-Sussex, Warren, Morris), announced today they are receiving awards from the American Conservative Union for their 2017 legislative voting record.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Asm. Parker Space announced today they are receiving awards from the American Conservative Union for their 2017 legislative voting record. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Standing up for taxpayers and traditional values in New Jersey is a top priority for Parker, Hal, and I,” said Oroho, who serves on the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. “We are continuing our mission to make New Jersey more competitive to bring in new businesses and private sector jobs and it starts with making sure our tax policies are attractive.”
Oroho Bill Providing Opportunities to Farmers by Establishing NJ “Food Hubs” Advances
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) that would support small businesses by establishing New Jersey “Food Hub” opportunities for local farmers was passed by the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill supports small business by establishing NJ “Food Hub” opportunities for local farmers. (SenateNJ.com)
“Many of New Jersey’s small to mid-size farms lack the capacity to access larger markets, placing our farmers at a disadvantage,” Oroho stated. “The creation of ‘food hubs’ will provide opportunities for our farmers to access new markets and help more locally grown produce to reach our neighborhoods.”
Advanced: Oroho Bill to Expand Coverage for First Responders after Traumatic Events
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to expand workers’ compensation coverage for volunteer first responders who suffer injury or death due to the stresses of responding to traumatic events has passed the Senate Labor Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho would expand workers’ compensation coverage for first responders. (Wikimedia Commons)
“After responding to a traumatic event, such as a car crash, our heroic public safety officials may suffer their own health emergencies due to the overwhelming stress of their jobs,” Oroho stated. “When an EMT, firefighter, or police officer leaves the scene of an emergency, they may be at increased risk of a heart attack or cardiac arrest until they have time to decompress. It’s important that we recognize the many dangers and stresses that impact the health of our first responders, and structure our Workers’ Compensation benefits to match their needs.”
