District 10 Lawmakers to Governor: ‘Why Are You Choosing Criminals Over Children?’
Gov. Phil Murphy gets a failing grade on his state school aid proposal, say Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano. Once again, Brick and Toms River school districts find themselves facing massive aid cuts while the governor increases aid to North Jersey districts and uses funds to support woke initiatives like no fee public defenders.
Gov. Phil Murphy gets a failing grade on his state school aid proposal, say Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano. (Wikipedia)
“Under Governor Murphy’s proposal, total funding to schools in District 10 would decline by nearly 20%,” Holzapfel said. “That’s unconscionable when we are not only facing a school staffing shortage, but trying to give our students some sense of normalcy coming out of Murphy’s masking and lockdown orders. Adding insult to injury, Murphy seems to have plenty of money in the budget for wealthy school districts in North Jersey and his woke, soft on crime initiatives like eliminating all public defender fees.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Blast Huge Cuts by Gov. Murphy to Brick, Toms River & Seaside Heights Schools
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano blasted huge cuts to several school districts in the 10th Legislative District that were just announced as part of Governor Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 state budget proposal.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano blasted huge cuts to several school districts in the 10th Legislative District that were just announced as part of Gov. Phil Murphy’s FY 2024 state budget proposal. (Flickr)
“Governor Murphy’s massive school aid cuts to Brick and Toms River are malicious and unnecessary when he’s building a $10 billion budget surplus and putting $1 billion more into schools in other parts of the state,” Holzapfel said. “There’s absolutely no reason that schools in Ocean County or anywhere else should have their funding cut when the state is so flush with cash.”
10th District Legislators Urge Murphy Administration to Halt Offshore Wind Projects
In response to a ninth dead whale washing up on New Jersey beaches, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) have called for Governor Murphy to put a moratorium on all offshore wind projects until the cause of the whales’ deaths can be determined.
In response to reports of a ninth dead whale washing up along the Jersey shore, Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Catalano have called on the Murphy Administration to halt all offshore wind projects. (NJ.com)
“Nine dead whales washing ashore in just over two months is more than a coincidence,” Senator Holzapfel stated. “Something in our waters is causing whales to die at an alarming rate. Until we can definitively say that the work related to these projects aren’t causing whales to die the governor should put a halt to all offshore wind projects.”
10th District Legislators Introduce Toll Relief Program Legislation for E-ZPass Commuters
In an effort to provide some financial relief for commuters, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) have introduced S-3552/A-5205 to appropriate $250 million to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority in the form of a toll relief program.
To provide some financial relief for commuters, Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Catalano have introduced a bill to appropriate $250 million to the NJTA and SJTA in the form of a toll relief program. (SenateNJ.com)
“Qualifying commuters have a unique opportunity to save big when they travel on toll roads across the state,” Senator Holzapfel stated. “Ocean County commuters make up a majority of the cars on our major highways each day and this legislation will make the average cost of the daily commute more affordable.”
10th District Lawmakers Introduce Bill Mandating State Board of Education to Meet in Person
Legislation Also Requires Both In-Person and Virtual Public Access to Board Meetings
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (all R-Ocean) have introduced legislation requiring members of the New Jersey State Board of Education to attend Board meetings in person.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano introduced legislation requiring members of the New Jersey State Board of Education to attend Board meetings in person while giving parents the ability to access these meetings both publicly and virtually. (Pixabay)
“Why is it that every other institution can return to pre-COVID procedures except government boards in charge of making decisions that affect everyone’s lives?” Senator Holzapfel asked. “We can agree or disagree with the State Board of Education’s decisions, but there is no longer an excuse for Board members to hide behind a computer and limit the public’s ability to comment on controversial policies that will impact their children’s education.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Introduce Bill to Implement Comprehensive Ban of TikTok on All State Devices
Directive Announced by Governor on Monday Only Applies to Executive Branch
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-Ocean) introduced legislation yesterday to ban TikTok on all State government devices. The bill was announced by the legislators last month amid rising concerns about cybersecurity risks associated with the social media platform raised by the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Asm. Greg McGuckin and John Catalano introduced legislation to implement a comprehensive ban TikTok on all State government devices. A recent directive from the Murphy administration only applies to the Executive Branch. (©iStock)
“We were the first to raise concerns about the cybersecurity risks associated with the use of TikTok on state government devices in New Jersey,” said Holzapfel. “We’re glad Governor Murphy listened and issued a directive to ban the app on Executive Branch devices. Our legislation goes even further and would prohibit TikTok on devices across every branch of government, including the Legislature and the Judiciary.”
LD10 Lawmakers Join Toms River Officials Opposing Proposed Legal Settlement for Toxic Ciba Site
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano today pledged their support of Toms River Township officials opposing the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed settlement with the current owners of the Ciba-Geigy superfund site.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano pledged their support of Toms River Township officials opposing the Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed settlement with the current owners of the Ciba-Geigy superfund site. (Wikimedia Commons)
“This deal seems more like a slap on the wrist than punishment for despicable corporate malfeasance,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-10). “The Ciba site has been a primary source of stress, concern and even health problems for residents, and this shocking arrangement only adds insult to injury. It is appalling that this proposal was crafted without any input from local elected officials or families who have lived in fear of the water in their taps and under their feet.”
McGuckin, Catalano join Holzapfel as ABCNJ Legislators of Merit Honorees
Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have been cited as 2022 Legislator of Merit by the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey (ABCNJ), joining a select list that includes Senator Jim Holzapfel. The 10th District legislators are consistent supporters of the organization and its goal of maintaining a competitive and fair construction labor environment in the State of New Jersey.
Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have been cited as 2022 Legislator of Merit by the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey, joining a select list that includes Senator Jim Holzapfel. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s an honor to be recognized by ABCNJ, an organization that strives for fairness among our state’s business communities and construction industries,” said McGuckin (R-10). “Their merit shop philosophy is a driving force for open competition in the marketplace and job creation. They can count on us to continue to be an advocate for free enterprise in the commercial and industrial construction industry.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Bill Would Ban TikTok on State-Issued Devices in NJ
Legislation Follows Rising Concerns of Data Collection & Viewing Algorithm Influence by Chinese Government
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano (all R-10) will introduce legislation to prohibit the installation or use of TikTok on electronic devices issued by the State of New Jersey.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Asm. Greg McGuckin and John Catalano will introduce legislation to prohibit the installation or use of TikTok on electronic devices issued by the State of New Jersey. (©iStock)
“There’s growing concern that all of the data TikTok collects on its users is being funneled directly to the Chinese government to use against us in one way or another,” said Holzapfel. “When it comes to State-issued devices, we must be careful to not expose sensitive information through TikTok that may be on the phones of policymakers or government workers.”
Holzapfel Earns Legislator of Merit Honor
Senator Jim Holzapfel, a staunch advocate for responsible development, was cited as a 2022 Legislator of Merit by the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey (ABCNJ).
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, cited as a 2022 Legislator of Merit by the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Jersey, is joined by Derek DeLuca, ABCNJ’s Deputy Director of Government Affairs. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am proud to be recognized by ABCNJ, an organization that does such fine work in the building trades and shares many of my priorities and objectives,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “A qualified, robust, and responsible workforce is essential for building New Jersey’s future. It’s crucial for members of the Legislature to work with ABCNJ to better serve the businesses, trades people and their families in Trenton.”
“At ABCNJ, we are proud to work with legislators from across the political spectrum and on both sides of the aisle to ensure New Jersey has a competitive construction labor environment and a skilled labor workforce,” said ABCNJ President and CEO Samantha DeAlmeida. Continue Reading…
