Schepisi Urges Murphy Administration to Order Teachers to Stop Logging Private Info of Students & Families in Third-Party Advocacy Apps
Senator Calls for Investigation, Will Introduce Legislation Banning Practice That’s Being Pushed on Teachers by NEA & AFT
After it was revealed that national teachers’ unions have been training and instructing New Jersey teachers to log the personal health information of students and their families in a progressive organization’s campaign app, Senator Holly Schepisi called for an investigation and urged the Murphy administration to prohibit the invasive practice.
After it was revealed that national teachers’ unions have been training and instructing New Jersey teachers to log the personal health information of students and their families in a progressive organization’s campaign app, Sen. Holly Schepisi called for an investigation and urged the Murphy administration to prohibit the invasive practice. (©iStock)
“New Jerseyans might be surprised to hear that teachers are being told to engage students and parents in private conversations about their health and COVID-19 vaccination status and to log what they learn in a campaign-style tracking app run by a progressive advocacy group,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Unbelievably, that’s exactly what’s happening, as I’ve been told by concerned teachers. It’s a gross invasion of privacy that Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Education should prohibit immediately.”
Bucco/Pennacchio/Schepisi Legislation Supporting Pediatric Cancer Research Signed into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco, Joseph Pennacchio, and Holly Schepisi that would support funding for pediatric cancer research has been signed into law by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Tony Bucco, Joe Pennacchio, and Holly Schepisi that would support funding for pediatric cancer research has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“I am pleased that the Governor signed both of these bills into law today. As a survivor of pediatric cancer, I know there are few things that can make a child feel so scared or parents so helpless,” said Bucco (R-25). “I am thankful every day that I was one of the lucky ones who survived. With better-funded research, we can improve treatments and survival rates to ensure that luck is no longer a factor in deciding which children with cancer will have an opportunity to grow up and live full lives.”
Statements from Corrado & Schepisi on Gov. Cuomo’s Resignation
Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Holly Schepisi released the following comments on the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation from office today following allegations of sexual abuse by a number of women. (@NYGovCuomo/Twitter)
“All women deserve to feel safe in their workplace – whether that be on the campaign trail or in the chambers of a State House,” said Senator Kristin M. Corrado (R-40). “From Albany to Trenton, those who protected and perpetuated sexual abuse cannot be let off the hook.”
Schepisi Calls on Murphy Administration to Open Ringwood State Park to Swimming
Senator Holly Schepisi called on the Murphy administration to reverse its decision to cancel swimming completely at Ringwood State Park for the 2021 season due to a shortage of lifeguards.
Sen. Holly Schepisi called on the Murphy administration to reverse its decision to cancel swimming completely at Ringwood State Park for the 2021 season due to a shortage of lifeguards. (Pixabay)
“There are labor shortages all across New Jersey in virtually every industry,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Aside from the Murphy administration, everyone else is finding a way to adapt even if it means operating with fewer staff on a limited schedule. Why can’t that happen at Ringwood State Park? It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.”
Schepisi Bill Allowing Paramedics to Administer Buprenorphine Approved by Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine, which is used to treat acute withdrawal symptoms after patients are revived from an opioid overdose with naloxone, was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“Each year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives from an opioid-related overdose, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this tragic reality,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The unprecedented rise in opioid-related deaths shows that we need to do more to combat the addiction crisis. My legislation will provide our first responders with the necessary tools to combat this insidious epidemic, prevent future opioid-related deaths, and get more people on the road to recovery.”
Schepisi Bill Allowing Paramedics to Administer Buprenorphine Clears Committee
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine, which is used to treat acute withdrawal symptoms after patients are revived from an opioid overdose with naloxone, was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine was advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Each year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives from an opioid-related overdose, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this tragic reality,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The unprecedented rise in opioid-related deaths shows that we need to do more to combat the addiction crisis. My legislation will provide our first responders with the necessary tools to combat this insidious epidemic, prevent future opioid-related deaths, and get more people on the road to recovery.”
Schepisi: Still No Guidance from Murphy for Reopening Adult Medical Day Care Programs
Day Programs for Alzheimer’s Patients Remain Closed Due to Lack of Guidance from Murphy Administration
Senator Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration continues to drag its feet on providing guidance that would allow adult medical day care programs to reopen.
Sen. Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration continues to drag its feet on providing guidance that would allow adult medical day care programs to reopen. (Pixabay)
“My office hears almost daily from distressed families that have struggled for more than a year without any support or relief to care for spouses and grandparents with challenging conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer’s,” said Schepisi (R-39). “They can’t understand why Governor Murphy continues to ignore the needs of their loved ones who need access to day programs that provide medical care and opportunities for social interaction. These critically important programs should be allowed to reopen immediately.”
Schepisi: Kids Shouldn’t Need Masks Outdoors
Senator Holly Schepisi is calling on Governor Murphy to lift the mask mandate that requires children to wear masks in outdoor settings.
Sen. Holly Schepisi is calling on Gov. Murphy to lift the mask mandate that requires children to wear masks in outdoor settings. (Pixabay)
“Data has consistently shown that the levels of COVID-19 transmission outdoors are extremely low,” said Schepisi (R-39). “In fact at the end of last summer, the NJ Commissioner of Health reported that with 746 active camps in the State only one camper tested positive for COVID. Despite this knowledge and despite his own Executive Order 175 which specifically provides that a child does not have to wear a mask when the individual is exposed to extreme heat outdoors, Governor Murphy is ignoring his own science and orders by still requiring that children wear masks outside during the hot and humid New Jersey summer. This is an irrational decision that does not align with any of the available data. It’s time to return this State to some semblance of normalcy, and allowing kids to leave the mask at home would be an important step forward.”
Schepisi on Murphy’s Refusal to Follow CDC Guidance to Lift Mask Mandate
Senator Holly Schepisi said Governor Phil Murphy should follow updated guidance issued yesterday by the CDC to remove mask and social distancing requirements for those who are vaccinated.
Sen. Holly Schepisi said Gov. Phil Murphy should follow updated guidance issued yesterday by the CDC to remove mask and social distancing requirements for those who are vaccinated. (Pixabay)
“The CDC offered clear guidance yesterday that there’s no need from a public health perspective for people who are vaccinated to wear masks or social distance indoors or outdoors, even around unvaccinated people,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The CDC says they are basing their new guidance on scientific studies that demonstrate vaccinated people are protected from the virus and incapable of transmitting it to others. There’s absolutely no justification for Governor Murphy to maintain burdensome restrictions that are not supported by science.”
Schepisi Introduces Legislation Requiring Face-to-Face Interaction to Address Unemployment Delays
To help address the ongoing unemployment delays in New Jersey, Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39) and Senator Michael Testa (R-1) have introduced legislation to help residents get the benefits they have earned by requiring state employees to work in person if their job requires face-to-face interaction with the public.
To help address the ongoing unemployment delays in New Jersey, Sen. Holly Schepisi and Sen. Michael Testa have introduced legislation to require state employees to work in person if their job requires face-to-face interaction with the public. (SenateNJ.com)
“I have heard from so many constituents who have been waiting months to get their unemployment payments. These delays are indefensible and have significantly impacted thousands of New Jersey families,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Trying to settle claims online or via email clearly has not worked. Yet, in most cases, the problems could be easily solved with a face-to-face discussion with a Department of Labor specialist. My legislation will get State workers back to their desks where they can meet face-to-face with New Jerseyans and solve the problems in a timely manner.”
