Oroho, Space, and Wirths Call for Wildlife Management Areas to Fully Open
LD-24 Legislators Say furloughing Fish & Wildlife Employees Will Not Save NJ Money
Senator Steve Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths announced today they wrote to Governor Murphy asking him to stop the furlough of Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) employees and fully reopen Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). (Click here for PDF)
Emphasizing that fishing and hunting license fees pay the salaries of Bureau of Lands Management maintenance employees furloughed by Governor Murphy, Senator Oroho and Assemblymen Space and Wirths are calling for the reopening of Wildlife Management Areas. (SenateNJ.com)
“This move by the administration is not saving any money,” stated Oroho, the Senate Republican Budget Officer and Co-Chairman of the NJ Angling, Hunting and Conservation Caucus. “The employees being furloughed are being paid from the New Jersey Hunters and Anglers Fund, not from regular state coffers.”
Statements from Senate Republican Budget Members on Democrats’ $10 Billion Borrowing Scheme
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee issued the following statements in response to a private, partisan agreement between Governor Phil Murphy and Democrat legislative leaders to borrow $10 billion to fund State spending next year.
Statements from Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee in response to a private, partisan agreement between Gov. Phil Murphy and Democrat legislative leaders to borrow $10 billion to fund State spending next year. (Pixabay)
Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24): “My predecessor, Senator Bob Littell, called a debt issuance one-quarter this size in 1997 ‘wacko.’ Today, taxpayers are still paying off that debt. This debt issuance is ‘wacko’ on steroids. It’s billions of debt for operating expenses with tens of billions of interest more, and won’t be paid off for decades. It’s unbelievably irresponsible. I appreciate the magnitude of the fiscal crisis we are in, but we haven’t even exhausted other fiscal management practices. This borrowing scheme is reckless behavior that will only exacerbate our problems long term.”
Senator Michael Testa (R-1): “The Governor and Democrats agreeing to issue $10 billion of debt for operating expenses isn’t just unconstitutional, it’s insane. Taxpayers will be paying for this madness for the next 35 years.”
Senate Republicans Pan Murphy’s Watered Down Furlough Bill
Entire Caucus to Vote “NO” on Murphy’s Conditional Veto of S-2350/A-4132
The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee panned Governor Phil Murphy’s recommended changes to legislation approved by the Legislature with broad bipartisan support in mid-May that would have allowed the State to more easily and quickly furlough non-essential public employees while they were unable to work with the federal government picking up all of the tab of unemployment benefits.
Senate Republicans panned Gov. Murphy’s furlough plan as ‘too little, too late,’ saying his delayed action has left hundreds of millions of federal dollars on the table, and will leave State government offices understaffed just as they begin to reopen facing a backlog in citizen needs. (Pixabay)
The members, Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1), issued the following joint statement prior to today’s Senate session when the entire Senate Republican caucus will vote “NO” on accepting the the governor’s recommendations in his conditional veto of S-2350/A-4132:
“Like many aspects of Governor Murphy’s response to the coronavirus crisis, his delayed action on furloughs is too little, too late. By failing to enact the original legislation when it passed the Legislature in May with overwhelming bipartisan support, he left hundreds of millions of federal dollars on the table. Even worse, the cost of furloughing workers going forward will be paid almost 100% by New Jersey taxpayers, when the cost of the original bill would have been picked up entirely by the federal government. To say the governor’s inaction represents a missed opportunity would be an understatement.
Oroho Measure Expanding Educational Opportunities for High School Students Becomes Law
Creates Bridge Year program to compensate for pandemic’s impact
Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation allowing high school students scheduled to graduate with the Classes of 2021 and 2022 to opt for an additional year of school to recoup educational opportunities lost to the COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law today.
Senator Oroho’s legislation to allow some high school students to opt for an additional year of school to compensate for time loss due to COVID lockdowns is now law. (Pixabay)
Under the new law, students have the option to participate in the “Bridge Year Pilot Program” established by Oroho’s bill (S-2383) to strengthen their academic credentials and participate in extracurricular activities and spring scholastic sports.
“High school students across the state suffered when the virus forced the closing of our schools. This program can help them make up for lost time and serve as a launch pad to post-high school accomplishments,” said Oroho (R-26). “The extra year of instruction can give them a chance to improve grades and standardized test records before deciding on their futures. Whether pursuing a college degree, a career in skilled trades, military service or joining the workforce, they will be better prepared.”
Senate Republican Budget Members to Vote Against $7.7 Billion Budget Extension Bill
The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will vote against a massive $7.7 billion spending bill (S-20) to extend the FY 2020 State Budget after the Murphy Administration refused to consider responsible options to achieve savings.
The four Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will vote against a massive $7.7 billion spending bill to extend the FY 2020 State Budget after the Murphy Administration refused to consider responsible options to achieve savings. (Pixabay)
The members, Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24), Senator Sam Thompson (R-12), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), and Senator Michael Testa (R-1), issued the following joint statement:
“Since the beginning of the public health emergency, Senate Republicans have sought to work collaboratively with Governor Murphy and our colleagues in the Legislature to address the many challenges facing New Jersey, including a State Budget shortfall resulting from significant tax revenue losses. We have offered thoughtful solutions to save money and increase revenues without raising taxes or resorting to unconstitutional borrowing.
Oroho Bill to Encourage Providers to Enhance Broadband Telecom Services in Rural Areas Advances
Residents in more rural communities of the state could benefit from increased broadband communication service under legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and approved today by the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
A Senate committee today advanced Senator Oroho’s legislation to help bring increased broadband communication service to more rural communities.
The measure (S-1458) is part of a package of bills introduced by Oroho and Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Parker Space (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to boost internet speeds and the quality of telecommunication services in areas currently underserved by providers.
“It is 2020, and communication technology has evolved at a dizzying pace, but in many regions, the investment in infrastructure to deliver state-of-the-art service levels is inadequate,” said Oroho. “As a result, many New Jersey residents are being left behind by the digital evolution, especially as these advancements have become necessities for educational efficiency and successful business ventures. This bill will encourage providers to deliver to rural neighborhoods the same speeds and convenience the majority of the state already depends on.”
Oroho: It’s Time to Safely Reopen All New Jersey Businesses
Highlights Importance of Opening Gyms for Physical and Mental Health
Senator Steven Oroho is calling for the safe reopening of all businesses throughout the Garden State echoing a plea made by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the largest statewide employer association.
Sen. Steven Oroho is calling for the safe reopening of all businesses throughout the Garden State echoing a plea made by NJBIA. (Pixabay)
“The objective of the shutdown was to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and prevent our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, which we have accomplished,” said Oroho. “It’s now time for the governor to allow all New Jersey businesses to reopen. Frankly, if a business can comply with appropriate safety protocols that align with CDC guidelines, it makes no sense to deny them the ability to reopen. The call to action made by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association is entirely reasonable and deserves the governor’s support.”
Senate Republican Budget Members: Murphy’s CWA Deal Is 3 Months Late, $100 Million Short
30,000+ State Employees Would Still Get 4 Percent Salary Increases
Senator Republican Budget Committee Members Steven Oroho, Sam Thompson, Declan O’Scanlon, and Michael Testa, said if a preliminary agreement announced by Governor Phil Murphy with the Communications Workers of America would continue giving out average 4 percent salary increases, then it falls far short of the savings that could be generated if the state’s public employee unions had been asked to agree to a simple wage freeze.
Senator Republican Budget Committee Members Steven Oroho, Sam Thompson, Declan O’Scanlon, and Michael Testa, said if a preliminary agreement announced by Governor Phil Murphy with the Communications Workers of America appears to fall far short of the savings that could be generated if the state’s public employee unions had been asked to agree to a simple wage freeze. (Pixabay)
State employees generally receive an approximately 4 percent salary increase annually on the anniversary date of their hire, known as a “step increase.” Additionally, they receive a 2 percent salary increase (called a cost of living adjustment, or COLA) once a year. Combined, the step increase and COLA result in typical salary increases of approximately 6 percent for most unionized State employees.
Oroho-Sponsored Bill Protecting Communities from Fees Mandated by Some Homeowner Associations Approved by Assembly
The Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation protecting homeowners from voluntary associations that try to impose mandatory fees on all residents, regardless of membership, was passed by the Assembly Thursday.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Oroho the would protect lake association homeowners from association fees that were not disclosed in original deeds passed the Assembly today. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill (S908/A2480) bans associations or clubs from compelling non-members to pay fees if they were not entitled to such payments prior to July 13, 2017.
The legislation helps clarify the 2017 Radburn law that defined homeowner association members as owners of units within a planned real estate development. After the law passed, some historically voluntary homeowner associations and clubs reasoned they now had the ability to require all residents in the area to pay dues even if they were not members.
Senate Approves Oroho-Sweeney Bill Establishing Electronic Bidding Process for State Projects
The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senate Republican Budget Officer Steve Oroho and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would establish an electronic procurement process for state public works construction projects.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Pres. Steve Sweeney’s legislation that would establish an electronic procurement process for state public works construction projects has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
The process would use computer technology and the Internet for the advertising and submission of public bids to determine the lowest responsible bidder.
“This is part of our ongoing effort to streamline government and make it more efficient and cost effective,” said Senator Oroho (R-Sussex/Warren/Morris). “We’ve all learned during the coronavirus lockdown how much important work can be done remotely through technology. It’s important that our procurement laws not deter these capabilities from being employed wherever feasible by public bodies.”
