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Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-Ocean) will introduce legislation on Thursday to increase criminal penalties for allowing minors access to firearms.
“We don’t need any more senseless tragedies, such as those in Toms River and Newtown, to teach us that how people store firearms is as important to public safety as how people obtain firearms,” said Holzapfel, a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
The following statement by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District will be read into the official record at today’s hearing on JCP&L’s proposed rate increase:
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District, are vehemently opposing JCP&L’s proposed rate increase. This increase will have a severe impact on our residents who were literally left in the dark in the weeks following Super Storm Sandy. Expecting our residents to pay additional money to JCP&L during a time of recovery is appalling. Their request for a rate hike is not only unfair, it’s offensive.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Senator Jim Holzapfel that would prohibit fuel retailers from using a residency requirement to sell gasoline was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
“When individual gas station owners implement their own rationing systems in an emergency, they can create confusion leading to even longer lines and greater frustration for consumers,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “As we experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the decision to ration gasoline is best left to the Governor who can enact uniform rules for all gas stations which can be clearly explained to the public.”
A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) that seeks to lessen congestion, make roadways safer and improve the flow of traffic through busy New Jersey intersections has been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. The legislation, S-207, would prohibit the planning, designing or construction of any additional jughandles on the roads or highways of the state.
“While jughandles were originally designed to prevent the build up of traffic at intersections, they can no longer handle the high volumes that are now common on many New Jersey roads,” said Holzapfel. “Cars get backed up and people often have to wait through three, sometimes four, light changes to get through an intersection with a jughandle. Modern intersection designs are faster, safer and easier for drivers to navigate.”
Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin, all R-Ocean, have introduced legislation that would prohibit a public utility from filing for a rate increase when a utility company’s authorized rate of return is being question by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU).
The lawmakers, who represent many of the hardest hit areas from Super Storm Sandy and the nor’easter which followed 10 days later, said the measure, S-2537/A-3698, is in response to Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) Company’s request for a $31.5 million rate hike while facing serious charges from state regulators who contend JCP&L earned nearly $90 million more than permitted by BPU in 2010. The utility is requesting the increase to cover costs incurred from Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm, both in 2011.
“JCP&L customers hold their collective breath every time the rains fall and the winds blow, because, based on previous disastrous performances, they fear prolonged loss of their power,” said Holzapfel. “Its request for a rate hike is not only unfair, it’s offensive.”
Representatives of the 9th, 10th and 30th state legislative delegations hosted a meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at the Toms River Municipal Town Hall to provide local public officials the opportunity to discuss Superstorm Sandy-related issues.
Invited to the meeting to answer questions from the local officials were representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office, as well as other state officials with agencies actively engaged in storm-related matters.
With the U.S. House of Representatives poised to vote on $51 billion in disaster aid for Sandy recovery and relief, Senators Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth), Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth), Robert Singer (R- Ocean), Jim Holzapfel (R- Ocean), Chris Connors (R- Ocean), and Sam Thompson (R- Ocean) issued the following statement urging passage of funding package:
Prior to Sandy, the federal government has never hesitated in stepping up with financial assistance to communities and states devastated by natural disasters. Even in an era of intense partisanship, victims of Hurricane Sandy should be treated no differently. They are Americans like everyone else.
Call for Swift Passage of $51 Billion Aid Bill for Recovery & Rebuilding Efforts
New Jersey legislators representing a section of the Jersey Shore that was among the hardest hit areas by Hurricane Sandy have called on the leadership of the United States House of Representatives to act swiftly to pass a long-delayed aid package that is necessary for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor asking them to take immediate action on passing the remainder of the $60 billion aid package that has already been approved by the United States Senate.
“The months-long delay in approving a disaster aid package for victims of Hurricane Sandy is absolutely shameful,” said Holzapfel. “As Governor Christie previously said, disaster funding has never been subject to the kind of petty political squabbling that has denied New Jersey residents the recovery assistance they desperately need. It’s time for Speaker Boehner to do the right thing and work to get the package passed immediately.”
Legislation Designed to Protect Food Supplies, Prevent Power Outages & Looting
Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin, all R-10, have introduced a package of bills designed to better prepare the state and protect residents during future state of emergency declarations and prolonged power outages.
The 10th Legislative District lawmakers represent many of the hardest hit areas from Superstorm Sandy and the nor’easter which followed 10 days later. The three measures will protect food supplies, help prevent power outages and increase penalties for looting.
The New Jersey Senate has approved legislation (S-2020) sponsored by Senator James W. Holzapfel (R-10) and Senator Robert Singer (R-30) that authorizes the investment of $8 billion over five years in transportation infrastructure funding pursuant to Governor Christie’s Transportation Capital Program.
“The Governor’s transportation funding plan will allow us to continue critical investments in infrastructure without having to resort to a gas tax increase that people cannot afford,” said Holzapfel. “Unlike his predecessor who nearly bankrupted the Transportation Trust Fund, Governor Christie is working to reduce our reliance on borrowing and will transition transportation funding to a sustainable pay-as-you-go model over the proposed five-year plan.”
