O’Scanlon Calls On Rutgers Administrators To Resign
Senator Declan O’Scanlon called the administration at Rutgers an embarrassment and said that the University’s President and leadership cabinet should resign after doubling down on their COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called the administration at Rutgers an embarrassment and said that the University’s President and leadership cabinet should resign after doubling down on their COVID-19 vaccine mandate. (DoD via Flickr)
“It has been days since the national humiliation of Rutgers commenced over their anti-science, oppressive COVID vaccine policy. Initially I thought the folks at the top simply weren’t paying attention, rather than being complicit in this nonsense. That once it was publicly brought to their attention some level-headed, rational person would step up and end the policy. Not only has the policy not been rescinded, but high-level, uninformed bureaucratic administrators are actually doubling down and reasserting their mandates. It’s incredible,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “If this is the quality of leadership at Rutgers, it’s time to make a change. These people have no business being in charge of, and destroying, the credibility of what should be the esteemed, pre-eminent public New Jersey university. President Holloway and every other Rutgers administrator who isn’t stepping up and ending this madness should resign immediately.”
O’Scanlon: Rutgers Ongoing COVID Vaccine Mandate ‘Ludicrous’
Senator Declan O’Scanlon sharply criticized Rutgers ongoing COVID vaccine mandate as being out of step with science and logic following news that Rutgers University is continuing to require students to provide proof of immunization from COVID-19 or face possible dis-enrollment from the school.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sharply criticized Rutgers ongoing COVID vaccine mandate as being out of step with science and logic. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s baffling to see that from what should be a leading voice of science-based rationality, comes arbitrary garbage,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “We now know for an absolute fact that the COVID vaccine protects no one except the recipient of the vaccine. Broad-based policies like this should only be enacted with the goal of protecting individuals from someone else’s action or inaction. It’s not the job of Rutgers, or Governor Murphy, or anyone else to enact a policy to protect me from myself and my own decisions– or from some perceived protection of my own self due to my own decisions.”
Oroho & O’Scanlon Offer Support for Small Businesses
Republican Budget Committee members Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following joint statement in support of New Jersey retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving a questionable proposal that would authorize online sales of lottery tickets:
Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon issued a joint statement in support of NJ retail licensed lottery agents after it was announced that the Lottery Commission was considering approving the online sales of lottery tickets. (Pixabay)
“We believe that the Division of Lottery is misinterpreting state law and does not have the authority to authorize online lottery sales. The Division should not make this short-sighted decision because they would be negatively impacting small businesses all throughout New Jersey. Online lottery sales could significantly reduce licensed retailer’s revenues and put their small businesses in direct competition with the State. Authorizing online sales of lottery tickets pose additional financial concerns that will deprive convenient stores of necessary revenue from ancillary sales. Not to mention, online sales of lottery tickets increase the likelihood that underaged individuals will find a way to make these purchases. We’ll be monitoring the Division’s decision very closely tomorrow and are prepared to introduce a legislative remedy if this proposal is approved. We must protect small businesses and consumers.”
O’Scanlon Praises Holmdel’s Effort to Save National Scientific Landmark
Senator Declan O’Scanlon expressed his support of local efforts by Holmdel Township to preserve the historic Horn Antenna. The Horn Antenna, a designated National Historic Landmark, was used by scientists to confirm the Big Bang Theory in 1964.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon expressed his support of local efforts by Holmdel Township to preserve the historic Horn Antenna. The Horn Antenna was used by scientists to confirm the Big Bang Theory in 1964. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The Horn Antenna was crucial in helping us to understand how the universe began,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “I fully support Holmdel’s effort to acquire the property where it resides and to preserve it for future generations. We cannot allow this important historic landmark to be destroyed by development.”
O’Scanlon, Scharfenberger & Flynn React to Growing Concerns Over Wind Turbine Projects by Legislative Leaders
“We were thrilled to see the statement released by the Senate President and Assembly Speaker in favor of protecting the Jersey Shore and the industries dependent upon it. The sentiments raised by legislative leadership– to protect fisheries, ratepayers, and the tourism industry – are all the points we raised earlier this year when introducing AR181 and SR120 to impose a
moratorium on wind projects.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger and Asm. Victoria Flynn react to growing concerns over wind turbine projects by legislative leaders. (Pixabay)
The concerns we raised about the financial viability for these projects just this past June, when we advocated against providing tax credits intended for New Jersey ratepayers to be used by foreign investors for wind projects being developed off the Jersey coast, have now been confirmed as the wind industry is experiencing a financial crisis. While we support clean energy projects, we cannot support projects that impose extreme financial risks for the New Jersey ratepayers if these projects fail. It is time to halt these wind turbine projects immediately.
Senate GOP Budget Members Call on Democrat Majority to Release Explanations for 400+ Line Items of Budget Pork
The Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee called on the Democrat Majority to immediately release explanations for the hundreds of line items that were added to the FY 2024 State Budget in the hours before its adoption.
Senate Republicans called on the Democrat Majority to immediately release explanations for the hundreds of line items that were added to the FY 2024 State Budget in the hours before its adoption. (Pixabay)
“Republicans complied with legislative rules and publicly posted all of our proposed tax decreases, spending restraints, reforms, and spending requests before the budget was voted on, and we’re calling on our Democrat colleagues to finally do the same,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), the Republican Budget Officer. “The common-sense requirement to release proposed budget changes and detailed spending requests was initiated by former Senate President Codey after two senators went to jail for steering money as part of extortion schemes. When there is complete transparency in members’ spending requests, it is less likely that abuses will occur or go unnoticed.”
Senate Republicans Ask NJ TRANSIT for Information on Expensive New Gateway Center Lease
Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) sent a letter today to NJ TRANSIT President Kevin Corbett asking for documents related to the agency’s recent lease of office space in Gateway Center.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sent a letter today to NJ TRANSIT President Kevin Corbett asking for documents related to the agency’s recent lease of expensive office space in Gateway Center. (SenateNJ.com)
In the letter, the senators say, “When NJ TRANSIT officials have acknowledged that fare hikes, personnel reductions, and service cuts are on the table, we believe it is important to understand the decision-making process that supported a headquarters lease that appears to be unnecessarily expensive.”
O’Scanlon Introduces Bill to Reduce Vehicle Registration Violations
Senator Declan O’Scanlon introduced legislation that would permit New Jersey drivers to renew their vehicle’s registration for more than one year to reduce vehicle registration violations.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon introduced legislation that would permit New Jersey drivers to renew their vehicle’s registration for more than one year to reduce vehicle registration violations. (SenateNJ.com)
“Responsible New Jersey drivers should have the flexibility to renew their vehicle registration for more than one year if they are driving the same car. Every time a renewal is required it opens drivers up to complications. If a notice or response get lost in the mail, or if someone simply forgets to renew their registration, drivers can face costly tickets or even the prospect of having their vehicle towed,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Giving drivers the option to extend their renewal for more than one year will help avoid the financial repercussions of unintentional lapses in registration as well as alleviate the administrative cost and burden on the MVC of processing yearly renewals. This legislation would give New Jersey drivers the ability to extend their vehicle’s registration up to ten years.”
VIDEO: Testa & O’Scanlon Call Out Democrats for Voting on State Budget with No Bill, Inaccurate Information
The Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee voted on the FY 2024 State Budget last night before it was even written (over Republican objections), with only an error-filled scoresheet provided to legislators that failed to include more than $1 billion of spending added by Democrats at the last minute.
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Here’s how the vote went down, featuring comments from Senator Michael Testa (R-1) and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13).
Senate Approves O’Scanlon Bill That Prioritizes School Funding
The New Jersey Senate voted to advance legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would exempt certain school districts from state aid cuts.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon’s bill that would exempt certain school districts from state aid cuts was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“The Senate voted today to help a local school district that I represent maintain necessary transportation services for their students. Moreover, the Senate showed a bipartisan commitment to stop aid cuts for a struggling school, which is a small, but much-needed step towards reforming New Jersey’s school funding formula,” said O’Scanlon. (R-13). “Republicans have argued for years that the state’s school funding formula needed to be rolled back and reformed to avoid unfair aid cuts and to protect taxpayers. Many schools throughout the state are suffering from the S2 formula and bridging the gap with supplementary funding is not a long-term solution. This legislation would provide assistance to the Freehold Regional School District to ensure that their students do not lose courtesy busing in the coming school year.”
