Oroho: New Fraud Charges in School Lunch Program Show State School Aid Formula Still Vulnerable
Says Senate GOP “Every Child Counts” Plan Eliminates Opportunities for School Aid to Be Skewed by Fraud
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said that new criminal charges related to the fraudulent enrollment of ineligible students in the free and reduced-price school lunch program in Elizabeth show that the State’s school funding formula remains vulnerable to external manipulations.
Sen. Steven Oroho said recent fraud charges in Elizabeth show how billions in State school aid allocations will remain subject to manipulation until Senate Republican school funding reforms are enacted. (Pixabay)
“Year after year, we keep finding people who are willing to commit fraud to get their kids free or reduced-price lunches at school that they are ineligible to receive,” said Oroho. “These cases of fraud cost taxpayers much more than just a few dollars for a lunch. In fact, billions in State school aid allocations are based, in part, on a flawed school funding formula that uses enrollment in the lunch program as a key metric of poverty. As long as we tie State school aid to a number that can be manipulated at the district level, we’ll never have an equitable distribution of funding to the districts that deserve it.”
Oroho Measure Extending Tuition Benefits for Veterans and Their Families Signed by Governor
Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation to help veterans and members of their families afford college was signed by the governor today.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation to help veterans and members of their families afford college was signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill expands veterans’ eligibility for in-state tuition at public colleges to include their spouses, dependents age 14 to 31, and surviving spouses.
“The new law helps pave a pathway to a brighter future for our most patriotic residents,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Our veterans make enormous sacrifices to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and their families make sacrifices, too. We have a responsibility to not only help those who have served our country but to extend that gesture of gratitude to their spouses and children.”
Oroho Bill to Help Dairy Farmers is Now Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers and qualifying farming operations for small business loans was recently signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers for small business loans was recently signed into law. (Wikimedia Commons)
“As the Garden State, we should do all we can to help keep the farmer on the farm,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Expanding access to small business loans will help family farmers in need of financial assistance to purchase new farm equipment, while helping to reinvigorate our state’s agricultural industry. This program will be an important tool that farmers that can use to grow their business operations.”
SIGNED INTO LAW: Oroho Bill Permanently Establishes NJ Hemp Program
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Garden State farmers are now able to increase and diversify their crop yield through cultivating industrial hemp,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Found in more than 25,000 products, the versatile and profitable hemp plant will encourage new business growth and boost the state’s agricultural economy. With burdensome federal and state regulations removed, New Jersey farmers can greatly benefit from this potential billion dollar industry.”
Oroho Bill Promoting NJ as Destination for Large Entertainment Events Signed
A new law sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho makes it easier for promoters to bring major sports and entertainment events to New Jersey, bolstering tourism and increasing revenue.
A new law sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho makes it easier for promoters to bring major sports and entertainment events to NJ, bolstering tourism and increasing revenue. (©iStock)
“Tourism is big business for this state, but cumbersome permitting and regulations sometimes make it challenging to bring major events here,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “We’ve seen the benefits of high-profile events like the Super Bowl and WrestleMania injecting millions of dollars into the economy. By cutting through the red tape, we can make New Jersey a go-to location for large-scale special events.”
Republican Bill Removing Obstacles to Land Preservation Becomes Law
Municipalities can preserve land they acquire through tax foreclosures under a new law signed today by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths sponsor the legislation (S1707/A2534) exempting towns from community fees on land acquired for open space.
Municipalities can preserve land they acquire through tax foreclosures under a newly enacted law sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths. (SenateNJ.com)
“Municipalities that own foreclosed land, like Sandyston Township in our district, can protect open space and save money for property taxpayers under this new law,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “We always look to work cooperatively with our towns when help is needed, and were pleased to do so again in getting this latest bill enacted into law.”
Oroho: Governor’s IRS Lawsuit Does Not Solve State’s High Tax Problem
Says Real Tax Relief Will Occur When Path To Progress Reforms Are Implemented
Senator Steven Oroho said that a lawsuit announced today by Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Gurbir Grewal against the Internal Revenue Service amounts to window dressing and won’t provide meaningful, long-term property tax relief to New Jersey families.
Sen. Steven Oroho said that the Governor’s lawsuit against the IRS won’t provide meaningful, long-term property tax relief to New Jersey families. (Pixabay)
“New Jersey homeowners are the most overtaxed residents in the United States,” Oroho said. “The lawsuit announced today does very little to address that. The better approach would be to fix the state’s underlying tax problems that make the SALT limitation an issue. Governor Murphy can help make the Garden State more competitive and accomplish real savings for taxpayers by getting behind the Path to Progress reforms that have bipartisan support in the Legislature.”
Oroho Bill to Extend Tuition Aid to Veterans’ Children & Spouses Heads to Governor
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to extend in-state tuition aid to veterans’ spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation would extend in-state tuition aid to veterans’ spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents. (©iStock)
“Our veterans make enormous sacrifices to protect the freedoms we all hold dear, and so do the children and spouses they leave behind. We have a responsibility to not only help those who have served our country, but to extend that same gesture of gratitude to their families as well,” Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said.
“This bill will help our most patriotic residents pave a pathway for a brighter future. It’s the least we can do to honor all those who have served – and the families that serve alongside them here, in the state they are proud to call home,” Oroho added.
Pennacchio, Bucco & Oroho Support NJDEP’s Recommendation to Close Lake Hopatcong’s Public Beaches to Protect Public Safety
Three State Senators who represent areas surrounding Lake Hopatcong today announced their support for the NJ DEP’s recommendation that local health authorities close all public swimming beaches along the lake, due to a toxic and dangerous overgrowth of algae that could public health and safety in jeopardy.
Sens. Pennacchio, Bucco, and Oroho said they support the NJ DEP’s recommendation that local health authorities close all public swimming beaches along the lake, due to a toxic and dangerous overgrowth of algae that could public health and safety in jeopardy. (Lake Hopatcong Fund)
Recent water tests have shown that the bacteria level in Lake Hopatcong is more than double the level considered safe, according to a report by NJ.com. Bacteria in the algae blooms can cause skin rashes, and accidentally consuming lake water can lead to serious health reactions, including pneumonia, blisters, and gastrointestinal distress. Any fish caught in the lake are also currently unsafe to eat.
“Our number one priority must be to protect the public, and right now, Lake Hopatcong could be dangerous. I fully support the NJ DEP’s decision. There is no other choice. The public swimming beaches along the lake must be closed immediately,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said. “We sponsored legislation to create the Lake Hopatcong Fund because we care deeply about this lake, as well as the people who live there, and the many who visit every year. It’s one of New Jersey’s crown jewels. We will work diligently with the NJ DEP to ensure we can clean up the lake and reopen public beach access as quickly as we can.”
“We have spent many years fighting for Lake Hopatcong, because we understand how important this resource is to our region,” Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) said. “Lake Hopatcong drives our local economy and generates tourism and economic revenue for the entire state. It’s a beloved destination for families throughout the country. The NJ DEP’s recommendation is the right call, and we will do everything we can to restore safety conditions as soon as possible.”
Oroho/Singleton/Addiego Bill Creating an Interactive Map of Foreclosed Properties Signed into Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Steven Oroho, Troy Singleton, and Dawn Marie Addiego to require the Department of Community Affairs to create a database and interactive map concerning residential properties under foreclosure was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bipartisan bill will require the Department of Community Affairs to create a database and interactive map concerning residential properties under foreclosure. (©iStock)
“New Jersey’s foreclosure rate is among the worst in the nation, but this is about so much more than empty houses. These are incredibly traumatic and stressful proceedings for everyone involved,” said Senator Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris.) “Foreclosures can also create public safety issues, and bring down property values throughout an entire neighborhood. By working together to tackle this crisis, we are improving the lives of our residents in need, and safeguarding New Jersey’s housing market and economic future.”
