O’Scanlon Calls for Investigation into Rutgers Athletics $450K DoorDash Bill
Paired with outdated covid mandates leads to larger concerns
Following news that Rutgers University football players racked up more than $450,000 in DoorDash orders paid for with taxpayer funds since May of last year, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) called for an investigation into the program.
Following news that Rutgers University football players racked up more than $450,000 in DoorDash orders paid for with taxpayer funds, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called for an investigation into the program. (SenateNJ.com)
“We saw two stories in two days depicting what amounts to indictments of flagrant incompetence on the part of those charged with overseeing this university,” said O’Scanlon. “It is absolutely mind-blowing that this was allowed to happen without the notice of someone overseeing the accumulating invoices. The person responsible for that lack of oversight needs to be held accountable. Between financial scandals and completely ignoring the newest CDC guidance on outrageous masking mandates, vaccination, and testing policies—and virtually the rest of the science-following-world’s long overdue removal of those mandates—it paints a concerning picture to taxpayers. And to anyone who had faith in those running the institution.”
Oroho, O’Scanlon Blame Murphy for Deserting New Jersey Businesses
Avoidable Payroll Tax Strikes Employers for $300M
In a state notorious for its worst-in-the-nation business climate, the Murphy Administration timidly unveiled a $300 million tax increase for employers this week, a move Senate Republicans are calling unforgiveable.
In a state notorious for its worst-in-the-nation business climate, the Murphy Administration timidly unveiled a $300 million tax increase for employers this week, a move Senate Republicans are calling unforgiveable. (Pixabay)
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho and Senate Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon criticized Murphy for failing to utilize some of the state’s federal COVID funds to avoid the 20 percent increase.
Senate Republicans Propose Special Committee to Investigate Massive Increase in Public Employee Health Benefit Costs
Proposed Premium Hikes Up to 24% Will Squeeze Local Budgets, Drive Property Taxes Higher
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) and Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) have introduced legislation to form a special legislative committee with subpoena power to investigate massive proposed premium increases for the health plans that cover state government, local government, and school employees.
Sen. Steven Oroho and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon have introduced legislation to form a special legislative committee with subpoena power to investigate massive proposed premium increases for the health plans that cover state government, local government, and school employees. (©iStock)
“The proposed premium increases will impact hundreds of thousands of state and local government workers, teachers, and retirees who will see their health care costs soar if the proposal is adopted,” said Oroho, the Senate Republican Leader. “These higher premiums will also have a huge impact on school districts and local governments that pay a large portion of the total premiums for their employees. Any higher costs they pay will translate directly into higher property taxes for our families. We must investigate the failures that led to these catastrophic premium increases to develop an effective plan going forward.”
Republican Leadership Calls for Investigation of Murphy Administration’s Failure to Control Health Care Costs for Public Employees, Retirees & Taxpayers
Notification of 24% Premium Increase Follows News that Governor’s Office Squashed Attempts to Recover Tens of Millions for Failed Cost-Saving Program from Horizon
Republican leadership in the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers.
Republican leadership in the N.J. Legislature called for the formation of a special legislative committee to investigate massive health care premium increases that will be paid by active and retired public employees and taxpayers. (©iStock.com)
“Governor Murphy has completely failed to control health care premiums paid by the state, local governments, and active and retired public employees,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-Sussex). “The 24% premium increase proposed for most active employees will take thousands more out of their paychecks annually and lead to huge costs for local governments that will translate into higher property tax bills for struggling families. We must investigate the failures that led to these catastrophic premium increases to develop an effective plan going forward.”
Premiums for active employees covered by the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) are set to increase by 24%, while those for school employees and teachers covered by the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) are set to rise by 15.6%
O’Scanlon Responds to NJ Comptroller’s Report on Unlawful Sick Leave Payouts in 57 Municipalities
Calls for education and consequences for those who fail to comply
The Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) released an investigative report on July 7 revealing that 57 of the 60 municipalities it surveyed were not following state laws limiting sick leave payments. Senator Declan O’Scanlon sent a letter to Comptroller Kevin Walsh in February 2021 requesting that his office conduct a broader investigation after it uncovered that the law was being flagrantly flaunted in at least one municipality. O’Scanlon praised the Comptroller for his taking up the cause and for the meticulous report.
An OSC investigative report revealed that 95 percent of the municipalities it surveyed were not following state laws limiting sick leave payments. Sen. Declan O’Scanlon, who sent a letter to Comptroller Walsh imploring him to conduct an investigation, commended the OSC for its report. (Pixabay)
“I’m glad we had a hand in initiating this broader study. The most recent report by the Comptroller clearly shows that 95 percent of the municipalities that were surveyed were not following New Jersey’s laws limiting sick and vacation leave payments,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Although I am thankful that a detailed review took place, these results are stunning and clearly demonstrate that limiting payouts by law isn’t enough—we also need to be diligent in educating local officials and enforcing the law to protect property taxpayers by making sure municipalities comply. Reforms don’t work unless they are enacted. Leaving precious property tax savings on the table is a slap in the face to taxpayers. And these costs are potentially significant in many municipalities.”
O’Scanlon Bill Strengthens Protections for Victims of Workplace Abuse
Expands Ban on NDAs in Employment Contracts to Include Non-Disparagement Clauses
More than three years after legislation was signed into law banning the use of non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts that silenced abuse victims, Senator Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute sexual assault and harassment victims and shield predators.
More than three years after a law was signed banning the silencing of abuse victims with non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon has introduced a bill closing a recently exposed loophole that can still be used to mute assault and harassment victims and shield predators. (SenateNJ.com)
O’Scanlon’s bipartisan measure, S-2930, expands prohibitions established by S-121 in 2019. Also sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker, it bars provisions in contracts that waive certain rights or remedies and emphasizes that the current law on non-disclosures also bars certain non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts.
O’Scanlon Highlights Delayed & Failed Tax Relief in Democrats’ Budget
Senator Declan O’Scanlon highlighted the delayed and failed tax relief in the FY 2023 State Budget that Governor Phil Murphy will sign today, including a payroll tax increase that takes effect tomorrow, ANCHOR rebates that won’t be delivered until 2023, and child tax credits that won’t help parents until 2024, and tax bracket creep that remains unaddressed.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon highlighted the delayed and failed tax relief in the FY 2023 State Budget, including a payroll tax increase that takes effect on July 1, ANCHOR rebates that won’t be delivered until 2023, and child care tax credits that won’t provide relief until 2024, and tax bracket creep that remains unaddressed. (©iStock)
“The delayed and failed tax relief efforts in the Democrats’ budget when the state is ridiculously flush with funds will go down as one of the biggest missed opportunities in New Jersey history,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Republican Budget Officer. “Sadly, Democrats opted for huge increases in pork spending and the establishment of massive slush funds that will do nothing to help New Jersey families suffering today from high gas prices, soaring inflation, and property taxes.”
Senate Clears O’Scanlon Measure Safeguarding NJ Drivers From Out-of-State Automated Traffic Fines
The Senate today advanced legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would protect New Jersey drivers cited for traffic violations captured by cameras in other states from predatory fines.
The Senate advanced legislation sponsored by Sen. Declan O’Scanlon that would protect New Jersey drivers cited for traffic violations captured by cameras in other states from predatory fines. (SenateNJ.com)
“In a rare moment of unity, Democrats and Republicans in the New Jersey Legislature years ago resisted the siren song of easy cash, followed the facts, and wisely banned the use of automated enforcement (speed and red-light cameras) within our borders. About half of all states have wisely rejected these systems. But that hasn’t stopped these corrupt companies from reaching into our wallets from out of state. This bill will shut that door tight and protect our drivers from this government-sanctioned-theft” said O’Scanlon (R-13).
Democrats Vote Against $8 Billion of Tax Relief Proposed by Republicans to Help Families & Small Businesses
O’Scanlon’s Amendment Tabled by Democratic Majority in Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee
Democrats in the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee voted against $8 billion of tax relief proposed by Senate Republicans to help New Jersey families and small businesses struggling with high gas prices, inflation, and property taxes.
Democrats in the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee voted against $8 billion of tax relief proposed by Senate Republicans to help New Jersey families and small businesses struggling with high gas prices, inflation, and property taxes. (Pixabay)
“Democrats have offered shockingly little tax relief in their budget proposal despite the Murphy administration having $9 billion in tax overcollections and another $3 billion in federal pandemic relief funds sitting in the bank,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “We gave them an easy opportunity to support the $8 billion of tax relief that Senate Republicans proposed, but they refused yet again to help struggling families across New Jersey. Their resistance to giving money back to taxpayers immediately as we proposed is absolutely mystifying.”
Senate Republicans Call for Action to End Tax Bracket Creep After Treasury Estimates $543 Million Income Tax Increase Next Year
Republican senators called for action on their plans to save New Jersey taxpayers from suffering state income tax increases next year due to inflation after the Treasury Department estimated the cost of “tax bracket creep” at $543 million in FY 2023.
Republican senators called for action on their plans to save New Jersey taxpayers from suffering state income tax increases due to inflation after the Treasury Department estimated the cost of ‘tax bracket creep’ at $543 million in FY 2023. (Pixabay)
“I’ve been pushing Democrats and the Murphy administration to work with us to index New Jersey’s income tax brackets for inflation, just like the federal government and dozens of other states,” said Senator Anthony M. Bucco (R-25). “We now know that failure to act will cost New Jersey families more than half-a-billion dollars in income tax increases next year. On top of record-high gas prices and rising costs for groceries, it’s yet another expense that people can’t afford.”
