O’Scanlon Calls for Curriculum Standards that Work for All – Especially Our Kids
Senator Declan O’Scanlon released the following statement regarding growing public discontent with the new state curriculum standards set to debut in the fall:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said the controversy surrounding the State’s new curriculum standards is a clear indication that the standards must be reevaluated. (Pixabay)
“The fact that the State’s new curriculum standards fomented the recently released, rightfully controversial and unacceptable draft curriculum, is a clear indication that the standards must be reevaluated. As parents are learning more about the specific changes, resistance and anger is growing. Rightfully, people should have a voice in the education of their children, and all lessons, including sex education, should be age appropriate,” said Senator O’Scanlon. “Outrage and shock shouldn’t be what you get when what you need is buy-in.
O’Scanlon: Murphy’s ANCHOR/Rebate Changes Cut Renters’ Rebates
Murphy’s Claim of Helping Renters is Bogus
Senator Declan O’Scanlon is warning that Governor Murphy’s proposal to replace two tax rebate programs (the longstanding Homestead Rebate Program and the “middle class rebate program” created last year) with a new “ANCHOR” rebate will reduce existing renters’ rebates by up to 50 percent, meaninglessly increase total funding for rebates, and won’t be distributed for 13 months (until May of 2023).
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said renters would have their rebates cut in half under Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget plans. (Pixabay)
Governor Murphy has been touting his new proposal which replaces and renames two existing rebate programs as his grand tax relief proposal after being ridiculed for raising $5 billion of taxes over four years. Murphy has promoted his new ANCHOR proposal as the main tax relief in his record-spending $49 billion budget.
O’Scanlon: Time to Lift All Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions Statewide
Citing unnecessary rules that continue to be enforced across New Jersey, Senator Declan O’Scanlon called for all remaining COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted statewide.
Citing unnecessary rules that continue to be enforced across New Jersey, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called for all remaining pandemic restrictions to be lifted statewide. According to the CDC, New Jersey is experiencing low COVID-19 activity. (CDC)
“New Jersey’s public health emergency is over and there aren’t any recommended COVID-19 restrictions that should be imposed in New Jersey under new CDC guidelines,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “That hasn’t stopped some schools, colleges, and government entities from continuing to impose unnecessary restrictions that do nothing from a public health perspective. It’s time for every organization to lift all of these unnecessary mandates statewide.”
In New Jersey, case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths have plummeted in recent months, leading to the state having the lowest level of risk where no restrictions are necessary, according to the CDC.
O’Scanlon & Pennacchio Propose Savings for NJ’s Battered Property Taxpayers
Bill Would Allow Deduction of All Property Taxes Paid from State Income Tax
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Joe Pennacchio re-introduced legislation that would provide relief for New Jersey’s over-burdened property taxpayers.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Senator Joe Pennacchio re-introduced legislation that would eliminate the current $15,000 cap and allow taxpayers to deduct the entire amount of property taxes paid on their income tax. (Pixabay)
The bill, S-2279, would allow taxpayers to deduct from state income tax the entire amount of property taxes paid on their principal residence, eliminating the current $15,000 cap.
“When New Jersey residents complain about the state being too expensive, they are often referring to our exorbitant property taxes,” said Senator O’Scanlon (R-13). “There are plenty of other taxes adding to the burden on taxpayers, but it is property taxes, the No. 1 highest property taxes in the nation, that pack the strongest punch. There’s absolutely no justification for stopping families from deducting every last cent from their income taxes.
O’Scanlon Slams MVC’s Continued Absurd Deep Cleaning Closures
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) issued a statement today following reports that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) is still closing facilities for deep cleaning in response to new positive cases of COVID-19 among staff:
Senator Declan O’Scanlon responded to reports that the NJMVC is still closing facilities for deep cleaning when staff members test positive for COVID-19. (SenateNJ.com)
“The absurd decision to close MVC locations for ‘deep cleaning’ is not only not in line with what science has said for more than a year, but it’s frankly harmful at this point. For nearly two years now residents have dealt with closures, inefficiencies, and a complete inability to easily handle and schedule regular business in person. That the administration is clinging to this outdated policy — months and months since the private sector and science abandoned it — is in line with their continued refusal to pivot when their policies are proven wrong.”
Sarlo-O’Scanlon Bill Prohibiting Russian Investments Becomes Law
The legislation sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Declan O’Scanlon that prohibits public investments with Russia or Belarus was signed into law today by Governor Phil Murphy.
The legislation sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Declan O’Scanlon that prohibits public investments with Russia or Belarus was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. (Pixabay)
“While Putin might be able to control the flow of information within Russia, he won’t be able to shield his nation from the economic impact of sanctions and divestment undertaken by governments across the world, including the State of New Jersey,” said Senator O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “These unified actions are not intended to hurt peaceful Russian citizens, but to send a strong message to the oligarchs and others in positions of power that their leader has crossed a line with his war in Ukraine that the international community will not tolerate.”
Senate Approves Bill Prohibiting Russian Investments
Senate Also Votes to Condemn Russian Attack, Express Solidarity with Ukraine
Acting in response to Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would prohibit public investments with Russia.
Acting in response to Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon that would prohibit public investments with Russia. (©iStock)
The Senate also expressed its overwhelming, bipartisan support for Ukraine by voting for a resolution condemning Russia for its unjustified invasion and expressing New Jersey’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
The sanctions bill, S-1889, would cut off public investments and other financial agreements with Russia and any business or individual with Russian interests. The prohibitions would also apply to Belarus.
Senate Republicans to Introduce Bill to Give Back Billions to NJ Taxpayers
Gov. Murphy Has Collected $3+ Billion in Unexpected Taxes from New Jerseyans. Republicans: Give It Back!
In advance of Governor Phil Murphy’s expected announcement next week that the State has collected at least $3 billion more in taxes than he budgeted this year, Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to give it back to New Jersey taxpayers immediately through $500 and $1,000 refundable tax credits when they file their state income taxes for 2021.
Senate Republicans want to give back $3 billion of unexpected tax collections to New Jersey taxpayers immediately. Tell Gov. Murphy to #GiveItBack at www.GiveItBack.us.
“Governor Murphy has collected at least $3 billion more in taxes from New Jerseyans than he projected in his budget this year,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho (R-24). “We want to give this unexpected and unneeded windfall back to New Jersey families who are struggling to get by with surging inflation. Our plan would give New Jerseyans a $500 or $1,000 tax credit, depending on their filing status, when they file their 2021 New Jersey income tax return this spring. We’re proposing direct tax relief that would put real cash back into people’s wallets quickly.”
Senate Committee Acts on Bill Prohibiting Russian Investments
Acting in response to Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, the Senate Budget Committee today approved a bill sponsored by Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would prohibit public investments with Russia. The bill, S-1889, would cut off public investments and other financial agreements with Russia and any business or individual with Russian interests.
The Senate Budget Committee approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon that would prohibit public investments with Russia.(©iStock)
“It’s clear that Vladimir Putin has little fear that the people of his nation will learn the truth of the atrocities being committed under his command in Ukraine when they only have access to censored media that spews lies and fake news,” said Senator O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “While Putin might be able to control the flow of information within Russia, but he won’t be able to shield his nation from the economic impact of sanctions and divestment undertaken by governments across the world, including the State of New Jersey. These unified actions are not intended to hurt peaceful Russian citizens, but to send a strong message to the oligarchs and others in positions of power that their leader has crossed a line with his war in Ukraine that the international community will not tolerate.”
O’Scanlon: No Reason to Let Murphy Delay Budget Message
Republican Budget Committee Members to Oppose Extension, Say Debate Long Overdue on Returning Billions of State & Federal Funds to Taxpayers
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said there’s no reason for the Legislature to let Governor Phil Murphy delay his Budget Message by two weeks, and the Republican members of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee will vote against legislation allowing the delay.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said there’s no reason to let Gov. Phil Murphy delay his Budget Message. Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee will vote against legislation allowing the delay. (Pixabay)
“We believe Governor Murphy should comply with the law and deliver his Budget Message to the Legislature on time and in person,” said O’Scanlon (R-13), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Both the Senate and General Assembly have been holding regular in-person sessions safely, so there’s no legitimate public health reason to delay a joint session, despite what the governor seems to be saying.”
