Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said today that local governments have a right and obligation not to turn on the residents they are sworn to serve, at the behest of a higher level of government.
Speaking about Asbury Park’s resolution passed on Wednesday allowing the City’s restaurants to open for indoor dining on June 15, in defiance of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 152, O’Scanlon said:
Senator Declan O’Scanlon followed his call for insurrection by moon gazing with a serious framework for New Jersey to contain COVID-19 while unleashing our economic engines.
Sen Declan O’Scanlon and Governor Phil Murphy discuss the micro management of sports betting at Monmouth Park, January 2019
By
Senator Declan O’Scanlon
Under the leadership of Governor
Phil Murphy, New Jersey residents have responded remarkably well given the
unprecedented and deadly invisible enemy we have faced. We have flattened
the curve and reversed the trends of COVID-19. We have changed our behavior,
likely forever. I credit the Governor with making some tough calls and
sympathize with the difficulty of challenges he’s faced, and will face going
forward.
“We waited,” Gov. Phil Murphy said, “because we wanted to get it right.”Governor Murphy said that in response to a question about whether he waited too long to call for our state lockdown.
Sometimes hesitating to “get it right” is wise. Other times it’s the hesitation itself that dooms one to failure. Now Governor Murphy faces a similar test of judgment regarding opening our state back up and potentially saving, or killing our economy.
We faced several major health threats in the last century – Spanish Flu of 1918 and Hong Kong flu in ‘68. But if you ask people today to name t… Read the rest of this entry »
Senator Declan O’Scanlon today called on the Legislature and Governor’s office to coordinate efforts to spearhead a rebirth of New Jersey’s once world-leading manufacturing and pharmaceutical research and production industries.
“The time is right now for New Jersey to be planning to take a lead role in re-domesticating these critical industries” said Senator O’Scanlon. “We still have the educated workforce, we still have incredible research universities, we still have the capital and investment resources and we still have the foundation of industrial knowledge and capability that made New Jersey the pharmaceutical and industrial capital of the world last century.
American Restoration technicians disinfecting a Hazlet Police Vehicle
All American Restoration, a Freehold based mold remediation and environmental cleanup company, is using its science and technology to keep Monmouth County first responders safe from COVID-19.
Last weekend the the company disinfected police cars and ambulances in Red Bank, Little Silver and Hazlet, in an effort to prevent first responders from being infected by the corona virus via surface transfer in their vehicles.
As New Jersey continues under a state of emergency due to the coronavirus, please know that my district office remains available to serve constituents by phone and email. Included below are links to information that you may find helpful, along with important state and national news updates related to COVID-19.
Senator Declan O’Scanlon is introducing legislation that will give prosecutors the discretion to charge individuals suspected of domestic violence the a higher degree crime than the underlying offense if committed during a State of Emergency.
“Unfortunately, with everyone being asked to stay home, we can anticipate an increase in domestic violence situations. There is a special place in hell for anyone who would cause harm to another while being asked to hunker down for the greater good,” said O’Scanlon. “This bill provides that an act of domestic violence or child endangerment committed by a person during a state of emergency may, at the discretion of the prosecutor, be charged one degree higher than the underlying offense.”
Senator notes that current pandemic is a historical reminder of the pre-vaccine world
Senator Declan O’Scanlon issued the following statement in response to the announcement that the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has reached two communities within his district, Little Silver and Hazlet:
Direct Support Professionals Asking for $16.5 Million to Cover Minimum Wage Increase
When the Democrats in Trenton passed legislation in 2019 to increase the state minimum wage incrementally until it reaches $15 per hour in 2024, Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Republicans in both houses warned of the consequences for New Jersey taxpayers, those providing essential services and those that depend on those services.
Two months after the implementation of the second annual increase raising the state hourly minimum from $10 to $11, O’Scanlon’s cautions are being proven. Read the rest of this entry »
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would allow senior citizens to continue to enjoy their “senior freeze” benefit if they downsize to a smaller home was advanced by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.
“The Senior Freeze provides needed property tax relief for older homeowners, including many who are struggling to make ends meet on fixed incomes,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “While the majority of senior citizens live in one- or two-person households, only a small percentage of them reap the savings provided by selling their family home and downsizing.
“This measure will ensure if an eligible homeowner does move to a smaller, more affordable home, it will not jeopardize their reimbursement,” O’Scanlon explained. Read the rest of this entry »
