Senator Joe Pennacchio (R –Morris) released the following statement today following the Senate Environment and Energy Committee hearing.

“Today the Senate Environment and Energy Committee heard heart-wrenching stories from residents whose children’s lives and health are at risk because of Fenimore Landfill. Although Democrats on the committee heard the testimony they were not listening to the people.

Read the rest of Pennacchio: Democrats Put Politics Over Families; Withdraws Sponsorship of Fenimore Landfill Bill for Sake of the Residents (132 words)

Senator Joe Pennacchio said today he plans to introduce a resolution calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the disturbing revelation of the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups.

“The actions of the IRS were a direct breach of the public’s trust and to the fundamental principals of our democracy,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris). “We can not allow a heavy-handed government to squash Constitutional rights.”

Read the rest of Pennacchio to Introduce Resolution Calling for Special Prosecutor to Investigate IRS (157 words)

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. and Senate Budget Committee Member Joe Pennacchio stated the following in response to today’s announcement of New Jersey’s continued private-sector job growth and state revenue gains:

“Each month we are welcoming the good news for New Jersey families that we’re continuing to add private-sector jobs and the state’s revenues are rallying now beyond projections,” Kean said. “Members of this legislature should be inspired to act on more Republican reforms that can enhance jobs and revenue growth. Those who want to get things done should join Senate Republicans to enact more bipartisan reforms to improve the quality of life for New Jerseyans.”

Read the rest of Kean, Pennacchio: Jobs, Revenue Gains Should Inspire More Reforms (89 words)

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris), challenged Rutgers University President Robert Barchi during today’s Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee to make sure payouts related to the Coach Mike Rice scandal don’t impact students or taxpayers.

“People do not want or deserve their tax dollars and tuition dollars to be spent on these payouts,” committee member Pennacchio emphasized. “Rutgers administrators caused this problem and should fund payouts out of their administrative budget. I look forward to an update from President Barchi and Rutgers administrators as to how they will be accountable for their $2.1 million payouts to failed public leaders.”

Read the rest of Pennacchio Challenges Barchi to Assure Rice Payouts Don’t Impact Students, Taxpayers (90 words)

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris), a Budget & Appropriations Committee member, is introducing a resolution to dock Rutgers University an amount in state aid equal to their excessive payouts related to the Coach Mike Rice scandal.

“The overwhelming majority of taxpayers are rightly disgusted with how Rutgers is paying off those who failed in their public roles, to foster youths,” Pennacchio said. “It is appalling that the University would even think it’s acceptable to give those responsible for the Coach Rice calamity $2.1 million in departing gifts. If they want to waste money, taxpayers or students won’t be picking up the tab.”

Read the rest of Pennacchio to Submit Resolution to Dock Rutgers State Funding (123 words)

Senate Democrats today rejected a floor amendment Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris) to increase and re-implement New Jersey’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, and also to raise the state’s minimum wage.

“There is significant bipartisan support in this Senate to raise and reinstate the Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as increase the minimum wage,” Pennacchio said. “Today’s outcome is not surprising, given that Democrats as a political tactic have rejected my past proposals to immediately increase the minimum wage.”

Read the rest of Democrats Reject Pennacchio Amendment to Increase NJ Earned Income Tax Credit, Minimum Wage (99 words)

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris) stated the following about today’s Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee vote on New Jersey’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program:

“Today’s committee vote to reinstate the EITC this year was political smoke and mirrors, considering the state does not have the roughly $60 million necessary to fund this program.

“Instead of wasting time, trying to score political points, legislative Democrats should compromise to responsibly increase the state’s minimum wage and EITC.

Read the rest of Pennacchio on Today’s Earned Income Tax Credit Vote (93 words)

Senator Joe Pennacchio, sponsor of legislative amendments to responsibly increase New Jersey’s minimum wage to $8.50, stated the following in response to Governor Chris Christie’s conditional veto today of A-2162:

“The governor’s conditional veto is further proof that many Republicans and Democrats agree that the state’s minimum wage should be increased.

“But instead of compromising to increase the minimum wage, Legislative Democrats would rather use this issue to mislead and gain support during this year’s campaigns. They would rather hold the workforce as political pawns for the election. What Trenton Democrats don’t realize is that members of New Jersey’s workforce are smart enough to realize when they are being played.

Read the rest of Pennacchio on Christie’s Conditional Veto of Minimum Wage Bill (46 words)

Aims to Reduce Abuse, Wrongful Issuance of Parking Privileges

Legislation sponsored by Senators Diane Allen (R- Burlington) and Joe Pennacchio (R- Morris) updating state laws to prevent abuse and wrongful issuance of disabled parking placards has been signed by Governor Chris Christie.

“Every time someone who is not disabled inappropriately obtains or uses a placard, he or she takes that parking space away from someone truly in need,” said Allen. “I’m pleased that the Governor has signed common sense changes to the law that will ensure proper verification of a placard holder’s disability on an ongoing basis.”

Read the rest of Allen & Pennacchio Bill Preventing Abuse of Disabled Parking Privileges Signed Into Law (113 words)

Senator: Democrats Are Budgetary Hypocrites

Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris) stated the following about today’s “special” Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee meeting:

“Today’s ‘special budget hearing’ was really the Trenton Democrats attempt to kick off their 2013 gubernatorial campaign against Gov. Chris Christie. It was a blatant show of hypocrisy at the expense of New Jersey residents, whose money and resources should not be squandered on political games.

Read the rest of Pennacchio: ‘Special’ Budget Hearing? Really the Democrats 2013 Campaign Kick-Off (179 words)