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.”
Senate Approves Bipartisan School Bus Safety Bill Package
A series of school bus safety bills sponsored Senators James Holzapfel, Kristen Corrado, Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Joseph Lagana, Vin Gopal, and Linda Greenstein has been approved by the New Jersey State Senate.
NJ Senate approves bipartisan school bus safety bill package sponsored by Senators James Holzapfel and Kristen Corrado. (SenateNJ.com)
The package aims to improve bus safety and accident response, make bus drivers and companies more accountable and require every student to carry an identification card at school-sponsored, off-campus activities.
“Parents should not have to worry about the safety of their child when they are on a school bus,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “We are taking action at the state level to require additional education training for school bus drivers and ensure the safety of our children. We want drivers and aides to be educated on how to handle an emergency situation. Any step we can take to prevent an accident involving a school bus will go a long way.”
“After so many tragic accidents, thousands of parents now have to think twice when they watch their child board a school bus,” Senator Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic) said. “There is nothing more precious than our children. If you’re going to drive a school bus, you should have a clean driving record and the qualifications necessary to transport our kids. This bill will ensure those standards are met. It’s the least we can do.”
Corrado, Singleton Bill to Help NJ Veterans Find Careers Passes Committee
The Senate Military and Veteran Affairs Committee has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Troy Singleton (D- 7) that would create a Military Veteran Career Transition Program. The bill would provide job placement and coaching for veterans statewide.
NJ Senate Committee has passed Sen. Kristin Corrado’s bipartisan bill that would create a Military Veteran Career Transition Program. (WikiCommons)
“The gap between military life and civilian employment can leave our veterans feeling frustrated. It’s time to bridge that gap,” Sen. Kristin Corrado said. “Veterans gain an abundance of experience throughout the course of their service to our country. They have skills that are an asset to a wide variety of employers and industries. The creation of a veteran transition program can provide services members with opportunities that will match their skill sets with job openings in their area.”
Corrado Applauds Formation of Bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation
Senator Kristin Corrado praised the formation of a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation to investigate the handling of the sexual assault allegations against a former high-level state official, examine government hiring practices and background checks, and conduct a review of the criminal justice system’s procedures for responding to allegations of sexual assault, abuse and harassment.
Sen. Kristin Corrado praised the formation of a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation. (©iStock)
“I commend Senate President Sweeney for making the decision to convene this special legislative committee and call upon Speaker Coughlin to join us to create a bipartisan joint legislative committee,” said Corrado. “As a co-equal branch of government, the Legislature plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of our government.”
Corrado had previously called for a legislative investigation into these matters.
Corrado Introduces Resolution to Create Special Legislative Committee to Investigate Governor’s Hiring Practices
In response to numerous concerns that have been raised regarding current and former employees of the Murphy Administration, Senator Kristin Corrado has introduced a resolution to constitute a special legislative committee to conduct a broad investigation into the hiring practices of Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Kristin Corrado has introduced a resolution to constitute a special legislative committee to conduct a broad investigation into the hiring practices of Gov. Phil Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
Click here to view a PDF of the resolution.
“The floodgates have opened with numerous reports of questionable hires by the Murphy Administration, including a corrupt official convicted on federal bribery charges, one with multiple allegations of sexual assault, and another who was involved in a major campaign finance scandal,” said Corrado. “We must investigate why the governor thought it was appropriate to hire these individuals into positions of public trust. We must examine the safeguards that exist in the hiring process, and learn how they failed or were sidestepped to allow Governor Murphy to reward his campaign workers with highly paid positions at taxpayer expense.”
Corrado Repeats Call for Legislative Investigation of Murphy Administration’s Hiring Practices
In a new letter sent today to Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senator Kristin Corrado repeated her call for a bipartisan legislative investigation into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration.
With concerns mounting, Sen. Kristin Corrado repeated her call for a bipartisan legislative investigation into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration. (©iStock)
Click here to view a PDF of the letter.
The full text of the letter is included below:
