O’Scanlon Legislation Would Increase Penalties For Domestic Violence During A State Of Emergency

Senator Declan O’Scanlon

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.”

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PNC Testing Center Not Open Yet

Don’t drive to the PNC Arts Center on the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel looking to get tested for COVID-19 just yet. You’ll be in the way and delay the set up of the coming testing site.

Friends: please do not drive to the PNC @declanoscanlon & I met with the agencies involved to discuss We will let you know when it’s open, what the criteria is to be tested. FYI, there will definitely be criteria & you will be turned away if you do not meet it. Stay safe & well pic.twitter.com/YbuIFCbwei

— Serena DiMaso (@Sdimaso) March 19, 2020

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Red Bank Regional High School Goes Virtual As Student Contracts COVID-19

A Red Bank Regional High School student has tested presumptive positive for COVID-19 and the school with hold its classes via the Internet starting tomorrow, March 12, 2019. The school’s Virtual School Insturctional Plan and be found here.

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O’Scanlon: COVID-19 is cause for diligence, not panic

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:

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Fiore will not seek reelection in Middletown

Middletown Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore

Deputy Mayor Tony Fiore will not seek a 5th consecutive term on the Middletown Township Committee.

In a February 29 email to Middletown’s Republican leadership, Fiore said, “My recent expanded responsibilities at work (which include many nights of travel) coupled with my most important responsibilities as a husband and father, will make it impossible for me to continue to serve the Committee the only way I know how, at 110%.”

“The Township is in better shape than it was when I came into office 12 years ago,” Fiore said in a phone interview. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

First elected in 2008 in the wake of Operation Bid Rig, the investigation by Chris Christie’s U.S. Attorney’s Office that resulted in the indictment and convictions of many Monmouth County elected officials including a Middletown Township Committee member, Fiore has been the driving force in reforming Middletown’s municipal government.

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O’Scanlon: Minimum Wage Increase Has Created Budget Challenge. What to Watch For In Proposed Budget

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 »

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O’Scanlon’s Legislation Protecting Seniors Property Tax Break Advances

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 »

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Leinsdorf calls for sidewalks on Route 36

Atlantic Highlands activist Joshua Leinsdorf says that Route 36 in Atlantic Highlands, Highlands and Middletown has a higher per capita pedestrian death rate tham Newark and he wants our elected officials to come together to solve the problem rather than blaming other agencies has they have for years.

Leinsdorf posted the following video and narrative on Art Gallagher’s personal facebook page:

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O’Scanlon: Aberdeen Officials Need to Atone for False, Political Mailing Sent on Taxpayer Dime, Threats to County Officials

Councilman Greg Cannon threatened  County Officials

Taxpayers paid for political mail

Senator Declan O’Scanlon

Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today sharply criticized Aberdeen Township’s taxpayer-funded distribution of flagrantly misleading information regarding the municipal record on taxes.

In July, Aberdeen’s governing body sent out a mailing to residents blatantly, and falsely, claiming that there was no increase in municipal taxes. The mailing blamed tax increases on schools, Monmouth County, and assessment methodologies.

“I’ve worked well and in good faith with Aberdeen during all my years in the legislature. Our good relationship makes my having to make this statement all the more difficult. But the Aberdeen administration failed its constituents on so many levels revolving around this demonstrably misleading, blatantly political, taxpayer-funded communication that I simply cannot let it stand,” said O’Scanlon

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O’Scanlon: Murphy’s $54 million childcare subsidy proves minimum wage hike hurts struggling families

Senator Declan O’Scanlon said that $54 million of new subsidies announced by Governor Phil Murphy to cover the rising cost of childcare due to an increased minimum wage highlights the pain caused by government mandated wage policies to both families and taxpayers.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – raising the minimum wage sounds lovely in theory but stings in reality,” O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said. “While this $54 million childcare subsidy may seem great for a few qualifying families that are struggling to afford childcare, there are many other low- and middle-income families that won’t get a penny of help as their cost of living rises as a direct result of Governor Murphy’s minimum wage increases. The simple fact is that most New Jersey families will be stuck shelling out more of their hard-earned money for a variety of services, including childcare, which have become less affordable as costs have been driven higher by expensive government mandates.”

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