10th District Lawmakers: Murphy Needs a Plan for Revenue Windfall
Call for Full Funding for Suburban Schools that Have Suffered Significant Cuts
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano of the 10th Legislative District released the following statement after revised state revenue figures indicated New Jersey will have an additional $5 billion in unexpected revenues for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1:
The Murphy Administration is sitting on $11.5 billion, and Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano want some of the money to fully fund school districts that have faced significant cuts in in Brick, Toms River, and Ocean County. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The Murphy Administration is holding a massive bundle of cash and, as usual, they aren’t discussing their plans with the Legislature or the public. This is yet another example of the Murphy Administration’s lack of transparency.
Senate Approves Holzapfel Bill Offering Free Beach Access to Veterans
Shore Municipalities Would Be Permitted to Waive the Fees
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and approved today by the Senate would allow shore towns to offer free or discounted beach access to veterans and their spouse and children.
United States military veterans would be eligible for free beach access in some New Jersey municipalities under Senator Jim Holzapfel’s legislation. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We want to welcome our veterans who were willing to risk their lives for our nation to our award-winning beaches,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “It is because of the dedication and commitment of our military men and women that we, as Americans, enjoy the freedoms we cherish.”
10th District Lawmakers’ Bill Would Bring School Children Out from Behind the Masks
Responding to Governor Murphy’s unwillingness to eliminate the mask mandate for schoolchildren, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano of the 10th Legislative District are sponsoring a bill to do just that.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano will introduce legislation that would allow school students to take off their masks. (Pixabay)
“When the Governor made his grand announcement about removing restrictions in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, parents were stunned that school students would still be required to wear masks,” said Holzapfel. “There is no justification for forcing kids to remain masked. Children and young people are less likely to be impacted by the virus, and they generally have mild cases if they do become infected. The masks are overkill at this point. Ultimately, parents should have a choice as to whether or not their child wears a mask in school.”
10th District Lawmakers Decry Disingenuous Legislation that Fails to Curb Murphy’s Autocratic Rule
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) lamented legislation touted by the Governor and majority Democrats for ending the extensive public health emergency as a misleading political stunt.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano lamented legislation touted by the Governor and majority Democrats for ending the extensive public health emergency as a misleading political stunt. (SenateNJ.com)
“As we have seen with Murphy’s refusal to follow other states and CDC guidelines for mask-wearing, his arbitrary directives often defy both science and common sense,” said Senator Holzapfel. “As restaurants, schools and everyday New Jerseyans struggle to get back to ‘business as usual,’ state government should be doing the same. It is time to rein in the Governor and restore power to the elected representatives in the Senate and Assembly, as intended by the state constitution.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: NJ Taxpayers Pay Most Over Lifetime, Murphy Driving Taxes Even Higher
Study Shows New Jerseyans Will Pay Nearly Double What Average American Pays in Taxes
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) said Governor Phil Murphy is doing nothing to lower the tax burden on New Jerseyans when a new study shows Garden State residents already pay more in lifetime taxes than anyone else in the country.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano said Gov. Phil Murphy is doing nothing to lower the tax burden on New Jerseyans when a new study shows Garden State residents already pay more in lifetime taxes than anyone else in the country. (©iStock)
“We have more proof than ever before that New Jerseyans are the highest taxed people in the country,” said Holzapfel. “Rather than try to solve that problem, Governor Murphy continues to drive the taxes we pay even higher. He’s wasting money on programs for illegal aliens while cutting aid to our school districts here in Ocean County. He’s making it harder for honest, hard-working, middle-class families to survive.”
According to a new study from Self Financial, New Jerseyans will pay the most in lifetime taxes ($931,698) and the highest percentage of lifetime earnings as taxes (49.51%) of anyone in the nation.
LD10 Lawmakers to Governor: ‘Time to Unmask’
Say NJ Should Follow CDC’s New Mask Rules
In reaction to Governor Murphy’s reluctance to follow the CDC’s revised mask guidance for residents, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) released the following statement:
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano are calling on the Governor to follow the CDC guidelines and lift mask restrictions. (The White House/YouTube)
“All along Murphy has claimed to be following the science, but now that the scientists at the CDC say people can stop wearing masks, that’s not good enough for him.
Holzapfel/McGuckin/Catalano Bill Makes Trunk Fighting a Felony
New Law Protects Dogs from Inhumane Abuse
A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano of the 10th Legislative District to protect dogs from trunk fighting was signed into law by Governor Murphy.
Trunk fighting with dogs is now a felony under legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano that was signed into law by the Governor. (Pixabay)
Trunk fighting is the deplorable practice of locking two or more dogs in the trunk of a car and instigating them to fight to the death.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: Democrats’ Rush to Eliminate Qualified Immunity for Police Would Threaten Public Safety, Drive Costs for Property Taxpayers Higher
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano of the 10th Legislative District warned that a rush by Democrats to remove certain legal protections for law enforcement would severely threaten public safety and drive the cost of property taxes higher.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano warned that a rush by Democrats to remove certain legal protections for law enforcement would severely threaten public safety and drive the cost of property taxes higher. (Flickr)
They pointed to legislation recently introduced by Trenton Democrats, S-3730, which would eliminate qualified immunity as a defense for law enforcement officers.
“Qualified immunity is an important defense for police officers that discourages frivolous personal lawsuits every time they arrest someone,” said Holzapfel. “Eliminating this protection would encourage a flood of lawsuits not just against individual officers, but against towns and police departments as well. Town budgets would be crushed by skyrocketing insurance rates and expensive legal fees. It’s not just police officers who would pay the price of removing qualified immunity, but property taxpayers too. This is another example of attempting to prohibit police from doing their jobs, which ultimately results in our citizens’ safety being compromised.”
Panel Clears Holzapfel Bill Protecting School Children on Buses
School buses would be subject to surprise safety inspections under legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee.
New Jersey school buses would be subject to surprise safety inspections under legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and advanced by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
Many of New Jersey’s precious children board school buses twice a day. The safety of those youngsters are of utmost importance,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “The promise of unscheduled inspections will encourage transportation companies to identify and repair problems earlier, helping make school buses safer for students, bus drivers, and others on the road.”
Holzapfel/Bucco Bill Aiding Nonprofit Service Providers Clears Panel
Measure Would Help Cut Costs for Organizations like Meals on Wheels
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help nonprofit organizations providing nutrition and other services for residents cleared the Senate Transportation Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help nonprofit organizations providing nutrition and other services for residents was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The benefits afforded by Meals on Wheels and other mobile providers are invaluable to residents across the state,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “Our support of these beneficial nonprofits will help yield more and better services for those who need assistance. This is a step toward a stronger New Jersey.”
