Senate Approves Bipartisan School Bus Safety Bill Package
A series of school bus safety bills sponsored Senators James Holzapfel, Kristen Corrado, Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Joseph Lagana, Vin Gopal, and Linda Greenstein has been approved by the New Jersey State Senate.
NJ Senate approves bipartisan school bus safety bill package sponsored by Senators James Holzapfel and Kristen Corrado. (SenateNJ.com)
The package aims to improve bus safety and accident response, make bus drivers and companies more accountable and require every student to carry an identification card at school-sponsored, off-campus activities.
“Parents should not have to worry about the safety of their child when they are on a school bus,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “We are taking action at the state level to require additional education training for school bus drivers and ensure the safety of our children. We want drivers and aides to be educated on how to handle an emergency situation. Any step we can take to prevent an accident involving a school bus will go a long way.”
“After so many tragic accidents, thousands of parents now have to think twice when they watch their child board a school bus,” Senator Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic) said. “There is nothing more precious than our children. If you’re going to drive a school bus, you should have a clean driving record and the qualifications necessary to transport our kids. This bill will ensure those standards are met. It’s the least we can do.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Call on NJDOT to Investigate Link Between Recently Completed GSP Exit 91 Interchange and Local Flooding
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) called on the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to investigate if massive flooding that occurred in the Greenbriar I senior community in Brick yesterday is related to the recently completed interchange construction at Exit 91 of the Garden State Parkway.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin called on the NJDOT to determine if the reconfigured GSP Exit 91 interchange led to flooding in the Greenbriar senior community in Brick, and to undertake any necessary improvements to prevent it from happening again. (Brick Twp. Police Department)
“The flooding that occurred yesterday along Burrsville Road and in Greenbriar is unlike anything the area has previously experienced, including during Sandy,” said Holzapfel. “We’re concerned that the recent reconfiguration of Exit 91 has impacted the area to make it susceptible to flooding. The NJDOT needs to investigate and undertake improvements if that’s the case.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin: Tax Proposals by Bickering Trenton Democrats Growing by the Day
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) expressed concern that as Trenton Democrats continue to fight among themselves over the next State budget, more tax increase proposals are entering their discussions by the day.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin expressed concerns that as Trenton Democrats continue to fight over the next State budget, more tax increase proposals are entering their discussions by the day. (©iStock)
“The initial debate among Democrats over Governor Murphy’s proposal to raise sales and income taxes grew to include an effort to raise taxes on our employers to the highest levels in the nation,” said Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “Just yesterday, additional new tax increases on home sales and beach rentals entered the Democrats’ budget negotiations. Taxpayers can only hope that bickering Trenton Democrats reach a budget agreement before they have a chance to add even more tax increases into the mix.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin to Introduce Legislation Protecting Sandy-Impacted Towns from State School Funding Cuts
Follows Effort by Trenton Democrats to Cut $41 Million in School Aid from Brick & Toms River
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) will introduce legislation to protect Sandy-impacted towns like Brick and Toms River from massive State school aid cuts planned by Trenton Democrats.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin will introduce legislation to stop Trenton Democrats from cutting school aid to districts like Brick and Toms River that are still rebuilding from Superstorm Sandy. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
“Brick and Toms River took a big hit from Sandy, with homes destroyed, families displaced, and our tax base severely impacted,” said Holzapfel. “Now, while the rebuilding is still underway, Democrats in Trenton are trying to knock us back down again by slashing our school aid. Their proposed school funding cuts are absolutely despicable and need to be stopped.”
Legislative Democrats advanced a bill in Trenton last week that would redistribute more than $41 million in State school aid from Brick and Toms River to other school districts throughout New Jersey.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Urge Murphy to Veto $42.5 Million Cut to School Aid for Brick, Toms River, Manchester & Lakehurst
Say Democrats’ Redistribution Scheme Would Hurt Local Schools, Drive Up Property Taxes
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) urged Governor Phil Murphy to veto a plan by legislative Democrats to redistribute $42.5 million of State school aid from Brick, Toms River, Manchester, and Lakehurst to the rest of the state.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin urged Gov. Phil Murphy to veto a plan by legislative Democrats that would drive up local propety taxes by cutting $42.5 million of State school aid from Brick, Toms River, Manchester, and Lakehurst. (Pixabay)
“The plan approved by Democrats in the Legislature to cut $42.5 million in State aid from our school districts will decimate the quality of education in our classrooms and result in massive property tax increases,” said Holzapfel. “Governor Murphy should do the right thing and veto this patently unfair legislation.”
Click here to video of Senator Holzapfel discussing the impact of the legislation following the vote.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Blast Trenton Democrats’ Plan to Cut School Funding to Brick & Toms River
Democrats Suggest Brick Property Taxpayers are Undertaxed by $754 and Homeowners in Toms River Underpay by $918
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) blasted a school funding plan proposed by Democrats in Trenton that would cut a combined $42 million in school funding to Brick and Toms River students and drive property tax bills higher by nearly $1,000.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin blasted a school funding plan proposed by Trenton Democrats that could drive the average property tax bill in Brick and Toms River to increase by nearly $1,000. (Pixabay)
“Trenton Democrats have proposed cutting State aid to the Brick and Toms Rivers school districts by $22.3 million and $19.8 million, respectively,” said Holzapfel. “The Democrats’ plan would decimate our local schools and cause property tax bills to skyrocket. It’s an absolute disaster for both students and taxpayers.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Join Vicari in Calling for Restoration of Homestead Rebates Cut by Gov. Murphy
Murphy Wants to Cut Property Tax Relief in Half, Costing Ocean County’s Seniors $250
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) joined Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari in calling on Governor Phil Murphy to restore full funding to Homestead Benefit property tax credits for Ocean County’s seniors.
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin joined Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari in calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to restore full funding to Homestead Benefit property tax credits for Ocean County’s seniors. (Pixabay)
Vicari sent a letter this week to the Governor explaining the harm this cut would have on Ocean County’s large senior population.
“Governor Murphy’s budget proposal would cut property tax credits under the Homestead Benefit program by $250,” said Holzapfel. “Our fixed income seniors don’t have the flexibility in their budgets to absorb such a big cut. The Governor’s plan will really hurt them. That’s why we’re joining Freeholder Vicari to call on Governor Murphy to fully fund the rebates like he promised to do.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Criticize Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants Access to State Student Financial Aid
District 10 Legislators: Less Financial Aid Will Be Available for Students Who Follow the Rules
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman David Wolfe, and Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District criticized legislation approved by the New Jersey Senate that would allow undocumented immigrants access to college state financial aid programs.
Sen. James Holzapfel, Asm. David Wolfe, and Asm. Gregory McGuckin (R-10) criticized legislation approved by the NJ Senate that would allow undocumented immigrants to access college state financial aid programs. (©iStock)
“New Jersey is already one of 20 states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants,” Holzapfel said. “They’re already getting a big discount on their tuition bills at taxpayer expense. To provide additional financial aid to undocumented immigrants is neither economically feasible nor wise. The pot of money for these programs is only so big, so we should prioritize the limited aid available to college students who follow the rules.”
Holzapfel-Wolfe-McGuckin Blast Murphy Budget & Tax Increases
Governor Wants to Raise Spending by Nearly $3 Billion, Increase Taxes by $1.6 Billion
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s proposal to increase the New Jersey budget by nearly $3 billion with a slew of new tax increases to pay for it.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Dave Wolfe, and Asm Greg McGuckin (R-10) blasted Gov. Murphy’s proposal to increase the state budget by nearly $3 billion with a slew of new tax increases to pay for it. (Flickr)
“After years of fiscal discipline under a Republican governor where our budget and taxes were held relatively flat, our new Democratic governor is blowing the budget up by nearly 8 percent in a single year,” said Holzapfel. “It’s a progressive spending wish list that will bankrupt New Jersey. He wants to raise income taxes, business taxes, sales taxes, and taxes on online sales and ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. Rolling back the sales tax reduction that was implemented to offset the gas tax increase represents a broken promise by Democrats. He also wants to legalize marijuana and is banking on tax revenue from that. We shouldn’t sell our souls by selling pot.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe, and McGuckin Oppose Allowing Prisoners and Those Serving Parole or Probation to Vote
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe of the 10th Legislative District expressed their opposition to recently introduced legislation that would allow incarcerated prisoners as well as those on parole and probation to vote.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Assemb. McGuckin, and Assemb. Wolfe (LD-10) expressed their opposition to recently introduced legislation that would allow incarcerated prisoners as well as those on parole and probation to vote. (Flickr)
“Convicted felons serving prison sentences have breached a social contract and should not be allowed to influence elections and public policies,” stated Holzapfel. “Withholding their right to vote is a penalty for the breach of that contract, and serves as an incentive to comply with the law.”
