Oroho Joined by Business Groups, Other Proponents to Highlight Benefits of Tax Restructuring Bill
Senator Steve Oroho was joined by several business groups, including the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, as well as other statewide organizations to discuss the benefits of recently enacted tax restructuring legislation and the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).
Sen. Steve Oroho was joined by business groups and statewide organizations to discuss benefits of the recently enacted tax restructuring legislation and TTF reauthorization. (SenateNJ.com)
“With this tax restructuring measure, we are taking a major step in helping put our financial house in order by addressing several monumental structural problems facing our state,” said Senator Oroho. “We not only shore up the Transportation Trust Fund, but we begin to tackle our most pressing economic roadblock to prosperity, the outmigration of capital, income and jobs away from New Jersey, by instituting a series of targeted tax cuts to keep financial resources in our state.”
The tax cuts contained in the plan include an elimination of the estate tax, a five-fold increase in retirement income exclusions, a decrease in the sales tax, a new state income exemption for veterans and an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Editorial: Oroho Urges Senate to Protect Domestic Violence Victims & Witnesses
The following editorial by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) on his bill to protect victims and witnesses of sex crimes and domestic violence was published in The Daily Record and several other Gannett-owned publications on Oct. 24, 2016:
Domestic violence affects millions of Americans every year and yet only a little more than half of all cases are reported to the authorities. The statistics for survivors of sexual abuse are just as heartbreaking. Only 344 out of every 1,000 cases of sexual assault are reported to police. We can do much more to help survivors and witnesses feel safe enough to seek out the justice they deserve, and reduce the number of cases that go unreported every year.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bill would allow witnesses and victims of domestic violence of any age to testify via closed circuit television. (©iStock)
For the past two legislative sessions, I have been a sponsor of legislation with Senator Shirley Turner that would allow witnesses and victims of domestic violence of any age to confront their abusers without fear, by testifying via closed circuit television in a court proceeding.
Pennacchio, Cardinale, Bucco, Doherty & Oroho Condemn Democrat Resolution Praising Planned Parenthood
Senate Republicans Gerald Cardinale, Joseph Pennacchio, Steven Oroho, Michael Doherty, and Anthony Bucco issued the following joint statement on why they voted against a ceremonial resolution commemorating Planned Parenthood’s 100th Anniversary.
Sens. Cardinale, Pennacchio, Oroho, Doherty and Bucco voted against a ceremonial resolution commemorating Planned Parenthood’s 100th Anniversary.
“The members of this legislative body should not be bullied into collectively and unanimously supporting a ceremonial resolution that is so divisive.
“Surely, Senate Democrats knew that there were a number of staunch pro-life advocates in this house that could not in good conscience support an organization that performs abortions and illegally sells and transports human body parts, among other atrocities that violate the sanctity of human life.
Senate Joins with Oroho in Continued Fight Against Zika
A resolution (SR-67) sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to help state and local governments fight the Zika virus was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
A resolution sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho to continue fight against Zika was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (CDC/James Gathany)
“I’m very happy that Congress came through late last month and authorized more than $1 billion to combat the spread of the Zika virus,” Senator Oroho said. “However, I believe this resolution recognizes the vital importance of funding for our state and shows our commitment to the continued fight against this virus.”
Senate Joins Oroho in Urging Congress to Give bin Laden Reward to Returning Veterans
The resolution calls for the $25 million reward for Osama bin Laden to be used to set up a fund to benefit veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
A resolution sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to establish a fund to help returning veterans using money initially allocated to a reward for information leading to Osama bin Laden was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s resolution urges Congress to establish a fund for returning veterans with unused bin Laden reward money. (©iStock)
“A courageous raid carried out by United States Special Forces on May 1, 2011, ended Osama bin Laden’s reign of terror that claimed thousands of innocent lives,” Senator Oroho said. “However, there are countless veterans who made real contributions to our nation’s mission to fight terror overseas and, by extension, the search for bin Laden, who have struggled once they have returned home and are in dire in need of assistance.”
Oroho: Bear Management Policy Should Be Based on Science, Not Politics
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said that state policies governing the hunting and management of black bears in New Jersey should be based on wildlife science determined by the experts at the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, and not by politicians in Trenton.
“Hunting is an important part of the comprehensive set of bear management tools that the state employs to maintain a healthy bear population and minimize nuisance interactions with people and property,” said Oroho. “Banning bear hunting in New Jersey will only lead to an increase in nuisance bear incidents around our homes and families.”
According to New Jersey’s Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy, the Fish and Game Council makes decisions on whether or not to hold a hunting season, season lengths, bag limits and the manner of take after considering scientific data presented to it by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).
Oroho Editorial: Highlands Needs Balanced Approach to Development
The following editorial by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) on the need for economic growth in the Highlands Region was published by the Asbury Park Press on October 15, 2016:
The Asbury Park Press’s editorial “Highlands Act needs to be saved” opposed easing development restrictions in the Highlands region with an argument that read: “The (Highlands) law is not designed to balance those (environmental) protections against the need to continue promoting economic growth across the region.”
Editorial by Sen. Steven Oroho on the need for economic growth in the Highlands Region. (Morris County Preservation Trust)
That statement, simply, is incorrect. One would only have to read three paragraphs into the Highlands Act to come across the following:
“The Legislature further finds and declares that the New Jersey Highlands provides a desirable quality of life and place where people live and work; that it is important to ensure the economic viability of communities throughout the New Jersey Highlands; and that residential, commercial, and industrial development, redevelopment, and economic growth in certain appropriate areas of the New Jersey Highlands are also in the best interests of all the citizens of the State, providing innumerable social, cultural, and economic benefits and opportunities.”
Protecting the quality of life of Highlands residents, ensuring the economic viability of Highlands communities, and promoting economic growth in appropriate areas of the Highlands are, in fact, clearly designated goals of the Highlands Act.
Oroho/Sarlo Bill Will Exempt School Buses from Motor Fuels Tax
Legislation Will Support Property Tax Relief by Guaranteeing Exemption for Companies Under Contract with School Districts
Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex) and Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) announced today they will introduce legislation to exempt all buses carrying pupils to and from school or school-sponsored activities or events from payment of motor fuel taxes.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Paul Sarlo announced legislation to exempt school buses from payment of motor fuel taxes. (Flickr)
“Exempting private bus carriers under contract with school districts from paying motor fuel taxes closes a loophole in the existing law and will provide long-term property tax relief for residents in every county,” said Senator Oroho, who teamed up with Senator Sarlo to sponsor the recently passed Transportation Trust Fund legislation. “If private bus companies that carry commuters under contract with NJ Transit are exempt from motor fuel taxes, why should private bus companies under contract to carry schoolchildren be treated any differently?”
Oroho Urges Congress to Use bin Laden Reward Money to Benefit Returning Veterans
The resolution calls for the $25 million reward for Osama bin Laden to be used to set up a fund to benefit veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
A bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to establish a fund to help returning veterans using money initially allocated to a reward for information leading to the capture of Osama bin Laden was advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s resolution urges Congress to establish a fund for returning veterans with unused bin Laden reward money. (©iStock)
“A courageous raid carried out by United States Special Forces on May 1, 2011, ended the life of Osama bin Laden, the terror mastermind who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent lives,” Senator Oroho said. “However, there are countless veterans who made real contributions to our nation’s mission to fight terror overseas and, by extension, the search for bin Laden, who have struggled once they have returned home and are in dire in need of assistance.”
Oroho Bill Increasing Penalties for Deaths Caused While Drunk Driving Advances
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to update the state’s vehicular homicide statutes to increase penalties for deaths caused by drivers who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation increases penalties for deaths caused by drivers who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. (Flickr)
The measure, S-2423, is entitled “Ralph and David’s Law” in honor of Ralph Politi, Jr. and David Heim, innocent victims who lost their lives to drunk drivers.
“Everyone knows the dangers of DUI, so there’s no excuse to spare those selfish individuals who drive when they shouldn’t from being held responsible for the deaths that they cause,” said Oroho. “Too many of these offenders are getting off with mere slaps on the wrist, while the families of victims are left suffering lifetimes of loss.”
