Corrado & Oroho Call for Select Committee to Fulfill Its Mission of Investigating Murphy Admin’s Hiring Practices
Senators Say Employment Concerns Extend Far Beyond the Hiring of Alvarez
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee (LSOC) should fulfill its mission of investigating the numerous questionable hires that have been publicized across the administration of Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Steven Oroho said the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee should fulfill its mission of investigating the numerous questionable hires across the Murphy Administration. (SenateNJ.com)
“When I first called for hearings into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration, the article revealing the allegations made against Al Alvarez had not been published yet,” said Corrado, a vice-chair of the LSOC. “Within a short period of time, however, we had several examples of people who were hired by the Governor that raised serious concerns. While our committee was formed to investigate these hirings in total, we have focused to date almost exclusively on Alvarez’s employment. It’s imperative that we not overlook our larger mission and what we seek to accomplish to protect both our valued public employees and New Jersey taxpayers.”
Corrado and Oroho highlighted other concerning hires of the Murphy Administration that have yet to be investigated by the select committee.
Senate Advances Corrado, Singleton Bill to Permit Health Care Professionals to Waive Copayments for Military Members
A bill sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Troy Singelton, which would permit certain healthcare professionals to waive copayments, advanced from the Senate.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s bill to allow certain healthcare professionals to waive copayments for active-duty military members and their families passed the Senate. (WikiMedia)
The bill, S-2968, would supplement the Health Care Quality Act and permit a primary care physician or an advanced practicing nurse to waive the health insurance copayments of active duty military members when they receive a service covered under a health benefits plan.
“Our active-duty military members should be able to easily afford health insurance copayments for themselves and their families,” said Senator Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic). “We owe it to these brave men and women to provide the best medical care possible, at a reasonable cost. Waiving health insurance copayments is a small gesture to thank our active-duty personnel for their service to our country.”
Corrado, Singleton Bill to Assist Homeless Veterans Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin M. Corrado and Senator Troy Singleton, which would expand the current pilot program to authorize grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans, cleared the Senate .
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado which would expand the current pilot program to authorize grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“It’s our duty to ensure the safety and well-being of our heroes, especially those who have fallen on hard times,” said Senator Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic). “These grants will allow many incredible non-profit organizations to purchase and rehabilitate more abandoned properties for New Jersey’s homeless veterans. No one who has sacrificed so much in service to our country should have to spend a single night without a roof over their head.”
Corrado Bill To Display ‘U Text U Drive U Pay’ on Inspection Sticker Advances
Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) legislation to require all inspection stickers to display ‘U Text U Drive U Pay,’ reminding motorists of the penalty associated with texting while driving, has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to require inspection stickers to display ‘U Text U Drive U Pay,’ reminding motorists of the penalty associated with texting while driving, has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Distracted driving is deadly,” Corrado said. “Texting behind the wheel frequently causes completely preventable car crashes. To reduce the number of accidents, we must increase public awareness of the steep repercussions associated with picking up one’s phone behind the wheel. This bill will hopefully remind drivers to put their phone down, so they can avoid costly tickets and save lives.”
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Corrado Moves to Exempt Local Workers From Minimum Wage Increase
New bill would exempt municipal, county and school district employees from State minimum wage law
In response to mounting concerns regarding how the latest minimum wage law will impact local governments and taxpayers, Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) formally introduced legislation on Thursday, Feb. 14 to exempt certain government workers from State minimum wage increases.
Prior to Governor Murphy’s signing of the minimum wage increase, municipal, school and county government employees were exempt from the State minimum wage, and were subject only to federal increases. Senator Corrado’s new legislation would restore this exemption, so that these employees would once again only be subject to the federal minimum wage.
Sen. Kristin Corrado has introduced legislation to exempt municipal, county and school district employees from the State minimum wage, to protect taxpayers and preserve access to affordable community programs and services. (SenateNJ.com)
“The new minimum wage law is forcing local leaders to make impossible choices,” Senator Corrado said. “Many of our towns currently provide extremely affordable community services, such as daycare, summer camp, and recreational classes for seniors. The unintended consequence of this law is that many of these programs will disappear, unless we take action to keep local government programs accessible.”
“Given our two-percent cap, there is only so much wiggle room in local budgets, so raising taxes to cover higher wages isn’t really an option,” Corrado added. “If we want to continue to keep families and seniors in our communities, we should do everything we can to preserve these programs now.”
Corrado: Gov. Murphy Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Sweep Hiring Scandal Under the Rug
Senator Kristin Corrado said Governor Phil Murphy should not be allowed to sweep a hiring scandal under the rug, with key questions unanswered and major discrepancies in the stories told by current and former staff in the Governor’s inner circle.
Sen. Kristin Corrado said Gov. Phil Murphy should not be allowed to sweep a hiring scandal under the rug, with key questions unanswered and major discrepancies in the stories told by current and former staff in the Governor’s inner circle. (SenateNJ.com)
“The report commissioned by Governor Murphy doesn’t get us any further in understanding who was responsible for hiring someone with serious allegations into a high level position in the Governor’s administration,” said Corrado, a vice-chair of the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee. “Neither the Governor nor his staff will give us a clear and definitive answer to the important question of who hired Al Alvarez, and nobody has been held accountable for a string of failures that continued for nearly a year after the allegations were first raised to senior officials. There are numerous inconsistencies in the stories of Murphy Administration officials that must be resolved. While the report claims it was the system that failed Katie Brennan, it was in fact the Governor and senior officials in his transition office and administration who failed her.”
Corrado Calls for Transparency in Public Settlements
Senator Kristin Corrado announced plans to introduce legislation next week that would require any settlements made using taxpayer dollars to be made public.
Sen. Kristin Corrado will introduce legislation requiring any settlements made using taxpayer dollars to be made public. (SenateNJ.com)
“Taxpayers have a right to know when public dollars are used to settle claims involving government employees, including matters such as wrongful termination, sexual harassment, or a hostile work environment,” said Corrado (R-40). “Transparency will deter bad actors and improper conduct.”
Corrado/Singleton Bill to Assist Homeless Veterans Clears Budget Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin M. Corrado and Senator Troy Singleton to expand the current pilot program authorizing grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans has cleared the Senate Budget Committee.
Sens. Kristin M. Corrado and Troy Singleton’s bill would authorize grants to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes for homeless veterans. (©iStock)
“Veterans should never have to wonder where they will rest their head at night. Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed so much for us already, we must do everything we can to guarantee these heroes have a warm bed and a roof over their heads,” Senator Corrado (R-40) said. “Many New Jersey nonprofit organizations are building hope and restoring homes for local homeless veterans. By extending additional grant money to such organizations, these volunteers will be able to buy and rehabilitate more abandoned properties to provide our veterans with the homes they earned.”
Advanced: Bucco/Corrado Bill Package to Create American Legion License Plates
Bills Inspired by Local Member Aim to Promote Patriotism & Raise Funds for Vets
Two pieces of legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans Anthony Bucco and Kristin Corrado that would authorize the creation of two separate special American Legion Auxiliary license plates have been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Anthony Bucco and Kristin Corrado authorizing American Legion Auxiliary license plates has been approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (©iStock)
The bills would authorize the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) to issue “American Legion Auxiliary” and “Sons of the American Legion” license plates.
“American Legion members honorably answer the call of ‘Service Not Self.’ These proud men and women have been instrumental in our efforts to advocate for policies that protect and uplift our nation’s heroes,” Sen. Anthony Bucco said. “These license plate designations are a great way to honor the Legion’s strong traditions, and support their efforts to serve, educate, and give back to local veterans.”
Corrado Says Murphy Shouldn’t Place Restrictions on Legal Assistance for Low-Income Residents
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) said the Murphy Administration’s restriction of $2.1 million of new funding to Legal Services of New Jersey to immigration-related matters will come at the expense of other vulnerable populations in New Jersey.
Sen. Kristin Corrado said Gov. Murphy’s restriction on millions of new funding for low-income legal assistance to immigration-related matters will come at the expense of other vulnerable populations in New Jersey. (©iStock)
“Every year, our State budget contains funding for Legal Services of New Jersey to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents in a variety of areas, including housing rights, domestic disputes, veterans benefits, and employment issues,” said Corrado. “That’s the right thing to do. This year, however, Governor Murphy is setting restrictions on millions of LSNJ’s funding to limit its use solely to immigration-related matters. I’m extremely concerned that this unnecessary restriction will prevent Legal Services from expanding support for the wide range of legal needs that face New Jersey’s low-income families, seniors, and veterans.”
