Oroho Bill to Streamline Workers’ Compensation Claims Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to speed up the processing of workers’ compensation claims was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation to streamline the processing of workers’ compensation claims was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie. (©iStock.com)
“By standardizing procedures and setting a hard deadline, we can streamline this process for everyone involved,” Senator Oroho said. “This will ensure no money is tied up for too long, whether it’s the party making the claim or the one paying it out.”
Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill Package To Improve Crime Victim Protections
The Senate approved a four-bill package sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Senator Steven Oroho, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, and Senator Brian Stack, Senator Shirley K. Turner to strengthen crime victims’ rights laws in New Jersey. The passage of the legislation took place as the Senate marked the 25th Anniversary of enactment of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Rights Amendment to the state Constitution, which cemented the right of crime victims to be treated fairly and their ability to be present at certain court proceedings.
Sen. Kip Bateman was joined by Richard Pompelio of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center for the Senate session on Nov. 14, 2016. Pompelio was honored for his decades of work to protect crime victims and joined Bateman to watch the Senate’s passage of new protections. (SenateNJ.com)
“We can do much more to support survivors as they work to rebuild, recover and seek out the justice they deserve. This legislation will end discriminatory practices that have long prevented crime victims from securing housing and stable employment, and provide opportunities for survivors of any age to confront their abusers without fear,” said Bateman. “We must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold and expand the strong laws we have in place to protect victims of violent crime. I am proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis with my colleague Senator Weinberg to advance these compassionate, commonsense measures and I hope to see all three bills signed into law as swiftly as possible.”
Senate Passes Oroho Bill to Amend Price-Gouging Protections to Safeguard Consumers, Support Businesses
Legislation would put price-gouging protections in place for 30 days after a declaration of state of emergency, unless extended by the governor
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho to protect consumers from price gouging during a natural disaster and support small businesses following a state of emergency declaration.
People waiting in long lines for gasoline on November 2, 2012, following Superstorm Sandy. (Wikimedia)
“The protections we put in place will deter businesses from taking advantage of consumers during a natural disaster by spiking prices for necessities, such as gasoline and groceries,” Senator Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) said. “However, many reputable small businesses have been negatively impacted because of the inflexibility of the 30-day time period. This bill will ensure business have the ability to be competitive following the end of an emergency declaration, while still protecting consumers from price gouging tactics that threaten their welfare and safety.”
Senate Passes Oroho Bill to Protect Members of the Military from Discrimination
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to ensure that members of the United States Armed Forces are protected against discrimination was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho to protect veterans from discrimination was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (Flickr)
“It takes a special kind of person to sign up for military service,” Senator Oroho said. “They put their lives on hold while they go out to serve our country. They deserve to have every chance to succeed once they return to civilian life.”
Senate Passes Oroho Bill to Allow 3rd Party Tests for Commercial Driver License
Bill establishes a pilot program that will allow three third-party vendors to administer the test required to obtain a commercial driver license.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to speed up the process of getting a commercial driver license by using private third-party vendors to administer the test was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation reduces wait times for CDL tests by establishing a pilot program to allow third-party vendors to administer the test. (Flickr)
“Drivers with commercial licenses are in huge demand, but New Jersey can’t keep up with new federal guidelines because our reliance on state-administered tests has created a massive backlog of people waiting to get their licenses,” Senator Oroho said. “This is a common sense solution to speed up the process and get these drivers to work.”
Oroho on Environment Committee Hearing on Proposed Septic Density Changes for Highlands Region
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) responded to a hearing held today by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee on the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed changes to septic system density standards for the Highlands Region:
Sen. Steven Oroho reiterated his support for revisions to septic density standards in the Highlands Region to support the economic growth goals of the Highlands Act. (Morris County Preservation Trust)
“The proposed revisions to the septic density standards will provide some measure of relief to the present regulations that stifle economic growth in the Highlands Region,” said Oroho. “No matter how much overzealous environmentalists scream, no, the sky isn’t falling, but a little bit of sun is shining through.”
In a recent editorial, Oroho highlighted how some have misrepresented the goals of the Highlands Act to suggest that economic growth in the Highlands Region is not a primary designated purpose of the law.
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.”
