Spoiled Meat For Guard Troops? Scharfenberger Wants Answers!

New Jersey State Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) is asking New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to inquire into the reports of shoddy conditions and rancid food being served to New Jersey National Guard Troops whom are still active in Washington, D.C. following the Capitol incident on January 6^th:

 “With continued reports of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. being served spoiled meat coming on the heels of their assigned placement in a garage to sleep overnight in January, it is imperative that governor Murphy step-up to ask what is going on down there as is his right to demand better treatment for the Guard during their deployment,” stated Scharfenberger. “These men and women deserve infinitely better conditions while serving to preserve order at the behest of the federal government.”

 

According the activation orders enacted which led to New Jersey’s Guard being deployed to the Nation’s Capitol; the Governor has the complete authority to assess the circumstances surrounding his troops. Furthermore, under these orders the State’s Legislature is well within its rights to request information as to conditions as well as several other issues:

 

“It’s completely troubling and outright disturbing that we keep seeing these news reports, especially since troops have been down there for months and are not operating across the seas, but here at home,” Scharfenberger commented. “I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor will join me in getting answers. Our Guard deserves that, at the very least, and so do their families at home here in New Jersey.”

In Depth With Rising NJ GOP Star Mike Testa!

Last night, Save Jersey's Matt Rooney hosted an in-depth conversation with freshman New Jersey State Senator Mike Testa -- the first Republican to flip a legislative district to the GOP in more than 20 years. To call Testa smart, authentic and engaging only begins to describe his appeal.

Along with More Monmouth Musing's Art Gallagher, I joined the discussion as the ever-accessible Testa shared his views on the Covid lockdown, Phil Murphy's imperious stranglehold on the state, taxes, state spending, education, the power of social media in building and maintaining a following, the unique contribution of South Jersey to the state's economy and his journey into public life. 

Compelling? You can decide for yourself, but we think you'll find this extraordinarily candid session hard to resist.

Pennacchio: Strip Murphy Of Emergency Powers

New Jersey State Senator Joe Pennacchio today called on the New Jersey Legislature to follow New York’s lead and strip away Governor Murphy’s Pandemic emergency powers.

Sen. Joe Pennacchio called on the New Jersey Legislature to follow New York’s lead and strip away Governor Murphy’s pandemic emergency powers. (SenateNJ.com)

Murphy declared the Public Health Emergency as the COVID crisis took aim at the state on March 9, and it has been extended by executive order a dozen times, most recently on Feb. 17.

“The Emergency Health Powers Act is designed as a temporary tool to ensure government can respond quickly and efficiently in a crisis environment,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “With repeated extensions of the declaration that give the governor inflated powers, Murphy has gone too far and abused the intent. It is time for New Jersey to return to governing as stipulated in the State Constitution. The role of the elected Legislature must be restored.”

In New York State, the Legislature has agreed to strip emergency powers from Governor Cuomo.

“It is documented that New Jersey was following the leader, repeating too many of New York’s ill-conceived pandemic decisions, often with fatal consequences,” Pennacchio noted. “In this instance, we should follow the leader one more time and at last do away with Murphy’s never ending emergency powers that give him free rein to make the rules and run the state without the consent of the Senate and Assembly.”

Pennacchio is a sponsor of two measures (SCR-117 and S-2482) that would limit the effective period of emergency orders issued by a Governor to 14 days. Multiple attempts by the Senate Republicans to move these bills on the floor have been repeatedly tabled by the majority Democrats.

It's Particularly Appropriate Now, Yes?

 

VIDEO: Armed Robbers Hit Gloucester Home!

But In NJ, Restrictions Still Apply . . .

Nah, this ain't Texas, or Mississippi or Florida, folks. THIS is Joizee!

 

VIDEO: Creepy Cuomo 'Flirts' With Doc In Full PPE

Cuomo couldn’t help himself during a live press briefing last spring, commenting on the appearance of a female doctor in full protective gear.

HURRY! Your Testimony Could Prove Vital!

 

In The Field Fighting For NJ's Small Businesses!

Nearly a year after the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic and state shutdown, the First Legislative District Team kicked off their Business Recovery Tour by visiting Cape Island Foods headed by business owner Carl Spatocco.

The First Legislative District Team kicked off their Business Recovery Tour by visiting Cape Island Foods headed by business owner Carl Spatocco. (SenateNJ.com)

“We take every opportunity we can to shop local and we encourage our residents to do the same,” said Testa. “These small businesses are the glue that holds our district together. We are fighting for the safe and sensible reopening of South Jersey. Supporting our small businesses is the first step towards making that happen.”

Senator Testa noted that the state shutdown negatively impacted much of the 2020 spring and summer tourism season when families were barred from eating at local restaurants, entering into small mom-and-pop stores, and unable to enjoy the beautiful beaches and boardwalks. According to TrackTheRecovery.org, as of February 02 2021, the number of Cape May County small businesses open decreased by 40.5% compared to January 2020.

“While 2020 looked different than most summers in Cape May County many of our small businesses adapted and were able to work through the pandemic,” Testa stated. “Our tourism small business owners are the heroes that keep our local economy going.”

Cape Island Foods consists of four separate sister-stores located in South Jersey. The Peanut Butter Company, Olive Oil Company, Wingnutz, and Spice Cellar are all open year round.

Cape May County is home to nearly 95,000 year-round residents, however, during the summer months the population swells to over 820,000.

“Our team is working hard to guarantee that South Jersey’s entrepreneurs and business owners do not miss out on their Spring and Summer season like they did last year,” Simonsen stated. “Our local businesses will not only survive this Pandemic, but flourish if given a fair opportunity to succeed.”

“It was an honor to have both the Senator and Assemblyman take time out of their busy schedules to come in and visit Cape May,” said Peanut Butter Company’s manager, Debbie Hudson. “As we look forward to the Summer season we are continually grateful for the outpouring of support from our customers and local residents.”

The First Legislative District Team has spearheaded legislation that would guarantee local tourism businesses would get their fair share of  New Jersey’s Tourism Taxes.  2986/A4731  would allocate all revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fee for arts, historical heritage, and tourism purposes.

“For years Cape May County has sent nearly $500 million in tourism-related taxes to Trenton and only received about $1 million in return to promote our vital tourism economy,” Assemblymen McClellan stated. “This has never been OK and we have always fought for our fair share. But as we head to 2021, the equitable distribution of these funds has become a matter of economic life and death for our small business owners and the thousands of workers they employ.”

The First Legislative District Team will be hosting a series of business stops this spring to hear the concerns of mom-and-pop businesses that were impacted in 2021 by state shutdown orders.

Good Advice, No Matter The Day Or Issue!