Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Call for 10% Cap on School Funding Increases
Legislators’ plan would offset severe losses at Brick and Toms River School Districts
Toms River and Brick Township schools took another hit from Governor Murphy and the controversial bill, S-2, which redirects State funding from many suburban districts to schools in urban areas of the state. Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) are calling on the Governor to implement a 10% cap on increases in state aid for school districts this year. The money saved would be used to offset losses to the over 200 districts that lost funding. Any remaining funding from this 10% cap would be used to help small businesses struggling due to the impact of COVID-19.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano are calling on Gov. Murphy to implement a 10% cap on increases in state aid for school districts this year. (Pixabay)
“Any funding increase over 10% to other districts is unfair to school districts like Toms River Regional and Brick Township that have been fighting for years to maintain a quality education while their funding continues to be slashed, year after year,” said Senator Holzapfel. “The current funding formula continues to drive property taxes higher for our residents, which would be especially harmful this year with so many people out of work.”
10th District Legislators Continue to Stress Need for Mobile Vaccination Units at Senior Communities
In an effort to ensure that senior citizens and disabled residents have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sent another letter (click here for PDF) to Governor Phil Murphy again urging him to adopt their proposal to send mobile vaccination units to senior communities.
In an effort to ensure that senior citizens and disabled residents have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, Sen. Holzapfel, Asm. McGuckin, and Asm. Catalano have sent another letter to Gov. Murphy urging him to send mobile vaccination units to senior communities. (©iStock)
Prior requests, including a letter sent on January 14, have not been answered by the Governor’s Office.
“Frustrations are mounting for our senior residents who either cannot get through to schedule an appointment or they need to find someone to drive them out of their county to vaccination mega sites,” said Senator Holzapfel. “This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately by the Governor and his Administration. For weeks we have demanded that the Governor establish a plan that prioritizes senior citizens like he originally promised.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Sign onto Letter Calling for Special Session on COVID Financial Relief
New Jersey Republican lawmakers including Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have signed onto a letter requesting a special session to combat the economic devastation caused by the across the board shutdowns and restrictions related to the pandemic. The letter to Governor Murphy explains the dire need for financial assistance for small business owners and those on unemployment.
Small businesses are desperate for help, and Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have joined other Republican legislators on a letter to Murphy requesting a special legislative session to combat the economic devastation caused by pandemic restrictions. (©iStock)
“There’s no doubt that we will see the economic fallout from the Governor’s extended shutdowns and paralyzing executive orders,” said Senator Holzapfel. “We need to convene a special session of the legislature in order to address the looming issues that the Governor continues to ignore. Small business owners don’t have the luxury of waiting for the Governor’s budget plans for 2022. We must provide relief for our residents now, before any more damage is done.”
10th District Legislators comment on the Passing of Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher
Toms River Township is mourning the death of their beloved former Mayor. Thomas Kelaher leaves behind a great legacy and many accolades for his 12-year tenure as mayor for the township. Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have released the following statements to honor and celebrate the life of their friend, colleague and mentor.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano reacted to news of the passing of former Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher. (SenateNJ.com)
“Toms River not only lost a great public servant but a man of dignity and pride for his community,” stated Senator Holzapfel. “He was deeply committed to his country, serving 28 years with the Marine Corps. I truly believe Toms River would not be the great community it is without his 50 years of public service. He was a great man who surely will be missed by the many people who have had to pleasure to know him. We extend our condolences to his loving family and friends.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano: Addition of Staff to Unemployment Call Centers ‘Better Late Than Never’
10th District Legislator Ask Why It Wasn’t Done Months Ago
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) said an announcement by Governor Phil Murphy and the Department of Labor of the doubling of staff handling calls at unemployment centers should have been done last spring.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano said an announcement by Gov. Phil Murphy and the Department of Labor of the doubling of staff handling calls at unemployment centers should have been done last spring. (SenateNJ.com)
“The understaffing of call centers has been an absolute nightmare for out-of-work New Jerseyans who have been forced to spend hours daily for weeks and months trying to get through to an agent to collect their unemployment,” said Senator Holzapfel. “For months we have requested that the Department of Labor address the issues with their call centers, but those requests were ignored until now by the Governor and his administration. While his action is better late than never, why did it take so long for Governor Murphy to do the right thing?”
10th District Lawmakers Call on Governor to Allow Parents to Attend Children’s Sporting Events With Safety in Mind
10th District Legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano are calling on Governor Murphy to ease restrictions and allow spectators to attend indoor children’s sporting events. The lawmakers believe that comprehensive safety protocols can be put in place to allow parents to watch their children participate in events such as ice hockey, basketball, swimming and wrestling.
10th District Legislators, Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano are calling on Gov. Murphy to ease restrictions and allow spectators to attend indoor children’s sporting events. (SenateNJ.com)
“Sports are a large part of a child’s educational development and extracurricular experience and many of these students rely on the support from their parents and guardians during their competitions,” stated the legislators. “We are asking the Governor to allow spectators to attend children’s sporting events as long as safety measures can be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano to Governor: ‘Lift Restrictions on Restaurant and Bar Hours Before It’s Too Late’
An Executive Order signed by Governor Murphy mandating bars and restaurants to suspend indoor dining between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. has been in place since the fall and continues to financially strangle the industry hit hardest by the pandemic. The 10th District Legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have released the following statement requesting that the Governor remove the 10 p.m. curfew in order to prevent these small businesses from closing their doors permanently.
Restaurants and bars are being strangled financially by Murphy’s pandemic restrictions, and Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin and Asm. John Catalano are calling on the Governor to lift the 10 p.m. curfew to prevent these small businesses from closing their doors permanently. (Pixabay)
“We understand it’s a balancing act to maintain a healthy community and a healthy economy for our small businesses. However, we believe the adjustments these establishments have made to ensure their patrons safety are working. Lifting the restrictions on early closing times at restaurants and bars will give small businesses some relief going forward.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Call on Governor to Make Vaccinations Available at Senior Communities
The 10th District legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano, are calling on Governor Murphy to allow for COVID-19 vaccinations to be offered at senior communities. The legislators sent a letter to the Governor making that request out of concern for seniors who cannot easily travel to other vaccination sites due to driving restrictions or disabilities.
The 10th District legislators, Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano, are calling on Gov. Murphy to allow for COVID-19 vaccinations to be offered at senior communities. (©iStock)
“Since the rollout of the vaccine, our office has been inundated with calls from residents of senior communities who have been waiting patiently to receive the vaccine but still do not have clarity on how or when it will happen,” said Senator Holzapfel. “Some elderly residents either do not drive or have a disability that prevents them from traveling easily to other vaccination sites. We could address those concerns and vaccinate as many seniors as possible by sending mobile units directly to each senior community.”
10th District Legislators Applaud Judge for Ordering Transparency from NJDOE in School Aid Calculations
The 10th District Legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano, applauded an important order that will provide clarity to the Brick and Toms River school districts following massive cuts in State aid under the unfair and biased funding formula imposed by S-2.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano applauded an important order that will provide clarity to the Brick and Toms River school districts following massive cuts in State aid under the unfair and biased funding formula imposed by S-2. (SenateNJ.com)
In a victory in the ongoing fight for transparency in school funding, Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson has ordered the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to turn over the algorithm used to calculate State aid for public school districts.
“We applaud Judge Jacobson for requiring transparency from the NJDOE on the school funding issue that has been so devastating to our local school districts and property taxpayers. We have repeatedly demanded that the Department of Education reveal their process for calculating Local Fair Share and have even introduced legislation to require them to do so,” said Senator Holzapfel. “It’s appalling that the NJDOE would keep their calculations a secret for so long, which impacts how much our property taxpayers are forced to pay and how many teachers we can keep in our classrooms.”
District 10 Lawmakers React to Gov. Murphy’s State of the State
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (all R-10) conveyed disappointment and concern upon listening to Governor Phil Murphy’s 2021 State of the State Address.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano (all R-10) conveyed disappointment and concern upon listening to Gov. Murphy’s 2021 State of the State Address. (SenateNJ.com)
“The State of the State would have been stronger if Governor Murphy did not cripple our economy unnecessarily,” said Holzapfel. “Unfortunately, the Governor echoed the same rhetoric during his address that he has for years. And due to his careless policies—especially related to the COVID-19 pandemic—he drove two million New Jerseyans into a broken unemployment system, sat on billions of dollars in federal CARES Act relief funds, and repeatedly blocked Republican legislation that would have helped small businesses and nonprofits keep their lights on during their time of need.”
