Oroho, Space & Phoebus on Gov. Christie’s New School Funding Proposal
Statement from Senator Steve Oroho, Assemblyman Parker Space, and Assemblywoman Gail Phoebus (all R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) on Governor Chris Christie’s new school funding plan:
Sen. Steve Oroho, Asm. Parker Space, and Asw. Gail Phoebus praised Gov. Chris Christie’s new school funding plan. (SenateNJ.com)
“We applaud Governor Christie for making his proposal. All three of us have supported permanently ending the Abbott district charade with the New Jersey Supreme Court and mandating that state aid for education needs to be equally distributed to all school children no matter where they live.
Oroho Editorial: A Bold Package to Fix Roads, Restructure Taxes
The following editorial by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) on a plan to reduce the burden on New Jersey property taxpayers, eliminate the state income taxes paid by most retirees, phase out the estate tax, and replenish the Transportation Trust Fund was published in The Record on June 19, 2016:
Sen. Steven Oroho’s plan would perform a sweeping restructuring of New Jersey’s tax structure to make the state more affordable and competitive, and replenish the Transportation Trust Fund that pays for safe roads and bridges. (SenateNJ.com)
New Jersey faces twin crises that threaten to ignite a property tax explosion and hamstring our competitive economic position if we don’t take swift action to responsibly address them.
At stake is our ability to maintain and repair our roads and bridges — and a Transportation Trust Fund that is broke — alongside New Jersey’s reputation as having one of the most uncompetitive tax structures in the nation, which drives thousands of families, jobs and businesses to less costly states each year.
The impact of either problem is substantial. Taken together, however, these dual crises threaten both our economic vitality and our very existence as an affordable place to raise a family, work and retire.
Oroho Introduces Major Tax Restructuring & Relief
Senator Steven Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) released the following statement after appearing at a press conference announcing the introduction of a bipartisan economic and tax restructuring plan which will fund the bankrupt Transportation Trust Fund, prevent a property tax explosion, ensure that out-of-state drivers pay for their use of New Jersey’s roads and bridges, and put in place meaningful tax cuts to retain and attract capital investment in the state.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation will fund transportation projects, prevent a property tax explosion and put in place meaningful tax cuts. (©iStock)
Senator Oroho formulated his plan with input from conservative economists, business leaders and average citizens. He was joined by a bipartisan group of legislative colleagues as well as a host of groups from varied sectors in support of the comprehensive plan including the business community led by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association; the State Building Trades; as well as representatives from the State League of Municipalities and the New Jersey Association of Counties.
“Today we are taking a major step in helping put our financial house in order. This is a real plan to broadly address New Jersey’s financial crisis. With this restructuring plan we will shore up the Transportation Trust Fund, end the subsidy to out-of-state drivers which unfairly burdens New Jersey residents and stop an impending property tax explosion from happening in New Jersey. We also will double local transportation aid to counties and municipalities which will provide measurable property tax relief to residents.
Advanced: Oroho Bill to Protect Members of 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 has been advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s legislation will protect members of the military from discrimination. (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.”
Oroho Resolution to Promote Childhood Cancer Awareness Passes Senate Panel
The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today advanced a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho, (R-Sussex, Morris, Warren) to promote awareness about childhood cancer.
The Da Silva family. (Patricia Da Silva)
The legislation was inspired by Nicholas DaSilva, a Hardyston resident who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2013 when he was just 5-years-old. After months fighting against cancer, Nicholas was declared in remission, and in the two years since that news, he has worked tirelessly to help other children with the disease. Along with members of his family, Nicholas has raised money to help other kids through donations to the Valerie Fund and Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
“Nicholas is a true inspiration,” Senator Oroho said. “He never stopped fighting, and now he’s doing whatever he can to help others. Nicholas and his family have been a huge help as we work to establish this special awareness week, and I can’t thank them enough.”
Oroho: TTF Fix Must Address Out-of-State Subsidy, Future Property Tax Explosion
Fix Needs to Be Part of Larger Plan to Bolster Economy
Senator Steven Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) emphasized today that New Jersey is facing two critical issues that will have enormous impacts on the state’s financial health – the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund and stemming the outmigration of income and wealth assets out of New Jersey. Senator Oroho made his comments in Trenton, at an informational briefing held for the benefit of the media and interested public.
Sen. Steven Oroho said that New Jersey is facing two critical issues that will have enormous impacts on the state’s financial health – the reauthorization of the Transportation Trust Fund and stemming the outmigration of income and wealth out of New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“A sound transportation infrastructure is not only vital to the safety of the motoring public, but it is the lifeblood of our state’s commerce,” said Senator Oroho. “We need to come up with a bipartisan plan to fund the maintenance and repair of the State’s roads and bridges, while making sure that New Jersey residents aren’t shouldering the full burden.”
Oroho Fights to Make Job-Creating NJ Business Action Center a Permanent Resource
New bill would protect the New Jersey Business Action Center from being terminated under a new Governor’s administration
Senator Steven Oroho (R-Sussex, Morris, Warren) introduced legislation that makes the New Jersey Business Action Center a permanent component of the Department of State.
Senator Steven Oroho’s billl would protect the job-creating NJ Business Action Center from being terminated under a new administration. (©iStock)
“The Business Action Center has played an important role in the progress we have made in transforming New Jersey into a more business-friendly state,” said Senator Oroho. “It makes sense to permanently establish it so private industry know they have a predictable, ready resource in government to go to for assistance.”
Bucco/Oroho Bill Mandating Child Abuse Background Checks for All School Employees Advances
Public school teachers, bus drivers and camp counselors would be subject a Child Abuse Record Information check under a bill sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Steven Oroho. Currently, these employees and job candidates only undergo a criminal background check, which unlike a CARI check, does not show substantiated claims of child abuse. The bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Education Committee.
Public school teachers, bus drivers and camp counselors would be subject a Child Abuse Record Information check under a bill sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Steven Oroho. (Flickr)
“How many teachers, camp counselors, bus drivers and school employees are child abusers? Under current New Jersey law, we simply do not know,” Senator Bucco (R-Morris) said. “What we do know is that child abusers are falling through the cracks in the system and putting innocent children at risk. Ensuring all current and potential employees have a clean CARI record can end this pervasive threat to our children’s health and welfare.”
Oroho: Tax Reform Needed to Grow Economy, Ensure State’s Ability to Meet Obligations
Senator Steven Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, reiterated the need for the enactment of significant tax reform to help stimulate the New Jersey economy and ensure the future ability of the State to meet its obligations.
Sen. Steven Oroho said that New Jersey must advance tax reform efforts to retain and attract capital which will strengthen the State’s ability to meet our financial needs. (©iStock)
“New Jersey is trending in a dangerous direction, with the outmigration of residents, income and wealth accelerating in recent years to lower-tax states,” said Oroho. “We all share the goal of strengthening the New Jersey economy, but we must push forward with tax reform efforts if we hope to retain and attract capital which will strengthen our ability to meet our financial needs.”
Oroho noted that certain naysayers always claim the sky will fall if tax cuts are enacted, pointing to opposition to business tax cuts in recent years.
Oroho: State Revenue Shortfall Highlights Need for Tax Reform
Senator Steven Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, said that a projected state revenue shortfall announced by the Office of Legislative Services today highlights the need to advance tax reform efforts:
Sen. Steven Oroho said that a projected state revenue shortfall announced by the Office of Legislative Services highlights the need to advance tax reform efforts. (SenateNJ.com)
“While some will say that a revenue shortfall means we can’t afford tax reform, including the elimination of the estate tax, I believe it shows that we can’t afford to wait,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “The volatility in income tax revenues that is driving the shortfall is directly attributable to the accelerating outmigration of residents, income and wealth to lower tax states.”
Oroho noted that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data shows the average annual outflow of adjusted gross income (AGI) from New Jersey quickened from $1 billion per year from 1995-2004 to an average of $1.9 billion from 2004-2014, an 87.5% increase.
