Schepisi Introduces Bill to Honor Victims of Fentanyl Poisoning and Raise Awareness
Senator Holly Schepisi introduced a joint resolution, SJR-128, to designate July 14th of each year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day.
Sen. Holly Schepisi introduced a joint resolution, SJR-128, to designate July 14th of each year as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day. (Pixabay)
“Most people are unaware of the fact that a loved one can die, not just by taking heroin, but rather what they believe to be a prescription pill given to them by a friend. Counterfeit pills made to look like Xanax, Valium and Ativan containing Fentanyl are poisoning our children, our friends, our neighbors and has become an epidemic in New Jersey,” said Schepisi (R-39). “This is an issue that hits close to home for thousands of other New Jersey families as Fentanyl recently accounted for more than seventy-five percent of drug related deaths in the state. Far too many young Americans, like Max Lenowitz, a son, an athlete, and a friend to so many, have had their lives cut short because of Fentanyl poisoning. This resolution would honor individuals like Max and raise awareness for the thousands of other victims who have tragically lost their lives to this lethal drug so we can work to prevent further deaths from occurring.”
Schepisi: Murphy Administration Won’t Admit They’re Considering New Vaccine Requirements for School Children
Senator Holly Schepisi said the Murphy administration won’t admit it’s considering adopting new vaccine requirements for school children even after the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) sent proposed rule changes and a solicitation for comments to “stakeholders” on May 8.
A slide from the presentation sent by the NJDOH to stakeholders requesting input on proposed changes to vaccine requirement for school children. (NJDOH)
“The Murphy administration is looking to mandate COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots, and Gardasil in order for children to attend school through proposed rule changes,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The DOH reached out to supposed ‘stakeholders’ to share their proposal privately, while never hinting to members of the Legislature or parents that this might be in the works. It’s another shocking example of this administration trying to sneak through a major policy change that would further erode parental rights.”
Bucco & Schepisi Bill to Provide Career Pathways for Ex-Offenders Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Holly Schepisi that provides employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals was approved by the Senate Labor Committee.
Sen. Bucco and Sen. Schepisi’s bill that provides employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals was approved by the Senate Labor Committee. (Pixabay)
“It can be extremely difficult for people to find the jobs they need to become self-supporting after serving their time and being released from prison,” said Bucco (R-25). “We know that the combination of a criminal record and a lack of job training results in significant barriers to employment for former prisoners, which increases the likelihood that someone will become a repeat offender. The Second Chance Program will address this unfortunate reality by connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with employment opportunities to help them become contributing members to society.”
Senate Clears Schepisi Bill that Would Increase the Safety of Drinking Water
The New Jersey Senate approved legislation yesterday sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that would help municipally-owned water companies comply with new DEP regulations while still being able to provide water to customers.
The New Jersey Senate approved legislation yesterday sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that would help municipally-owned water companies comply with new DEP regulations. (Pixabay)
“Due to New Jersey’s strict regulations concerning forever chemicals, water companies in the state are required by the DEP to engage in mitigation measures when any water well exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the maximum contaminant level for PFAS,” said Schepisi (R-39). “These measures can be extremely costly for small, municipally-owned water companies and can impair the ability of those companies to provide an adequate supply of water to the communities they serve. Many pre-existing wells exist on municipally-owned properties that are encumbered by Green Acres and are prohibited from constructing the very treatment vessels that are required. This legislation would address the issue by allowing certain exemptions from Green Acres regulations.”
Schepisi Bill that Would Increase the Safety of Drinking Water Advanced by Committee
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that would help municipally-owned water companies comply with new DEP regulations while still being able to provide water to customers.
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that would help municipally-owned water companies comply with new DEP regulations. (Pixabay)
“Due to New Jersey’s strict regulations concerning forever chemicals, water companies in the state are required by the DEP to engage in certain mitigation measures when any water well exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the maximum contaminant level for PFAS,” said Schepisi (R-39). “For small, municipally-owned water companies, these measures can be extremely costly and burdensome and can impair the ability of those companies to provide an adequate supply of water to the communities they serve. Many pre-existing wells exist on municipally-owned properties that are encumbered by Green Acres. As a result, they are prohibited from constructing the very treatment vessels required by the DEP to mitigate. My legislation would address the issue by allowing certain exemptions from the Green Acres regulations.”
Oroho/Pennacchio/Schepisi: State Board of Education Should Focus More on Learning Loss, Less on Identity Politics
Gender Identity on State Board’s Agenda Again with New Proposal Impacting Sex Ed Classes
Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho, Senator Joe Pennacchio, and Senator Holly Schepisi said the State Board of Education should focus more on addressing pandemic-related learning loss and less on identity politics in response to the Board’s newly released agenda for its December meeting. The Board also should be more transparent and accessible, the senators said.
Sen. Steven Oroho, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, and Sen. Holly Schepisi said the State Board of Education should focus more on addressing pandemic-related learning loss and less on identity politics. (Flickr)
“It’s shocking that the State Board of Education remains focused on identity politics when we know New Jersey students are far behind where they should be due to pandemic-related learning loss,” said Oroho (R-24). “Instead of coming up with a plan to help students get caught up, the State Board continues its march to infuse gender identity and progressive politics into every aspect of our children’s education. They should put as much effort into helping students get better at reading, writing, and math.”
Editorial: Ending the Trenton Logjam to Improve Protections for Temporary Workers
In this NorthJersey.com editorial, Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-39) discusses a bill stalled in Trenton that would put the entire temporary work industry and the New Jersey economy at risk and her alternative legislation that can end the logjam and provide temp workers the protections they deserve:
In this NorthJersey.com editorial, Sen. Holly Schepisi discusses a bill stalled in Trenton that would put the entire temporary work industry and the New Jersey economy at risk and her alternative legislation that can end the logjam and provide temp workers the protections they deserve. (©iStock)
Too often, politicians in Trenton respond to reports of wrongdoing by pushing for overbearing new laws instead of advocating for better enforcement of those already on the books.
That’s what’s happening today with a complex and likely destructive bill that could hurt temporary workers, staffing agencies, and the client businesses they help to fill important positions on a temporary basis.
Schepisi Bill to Improve Safety of Telehealth Services Advances
The Assembly Health Committee has advanced a measure that would improve telehealth services and ensure that doctors can effectively coordinate emergency care for patients when needed. The legislation, A-2193, is the Assembly version of Senator Holly Schepisi’s bill, S-606, which was approved by the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee in March.
Sen. Holly Schepisi’s legislation to improve telehealth services and ensure that doctors can effectively coordinate emergency care for patients when needed has advanced. (©iStock.com)
“During the pandemic, patients and health care providers alike realized the convenience and efficiency of using telehealth and telemedicine services,” said Schepisi (R-39). “Given the major increase in mental health needs over the past two-and-a-half years, telehealth services have proven to be the fastest access to care for many patients who have found in-office visits to local providers almost impossible to schedule without lengthy waits. This legislation is designed to ensure that all patients receive the same standard of care in emergency situations regardless of whether they are in their doctor’s office or attending their appointment virtually.”
Schepisi Seeks Permanent Solution for Temporary Workers
Introduces Legislation Protecting Employees without Jeopardizing Industry
Senator Holly Schepisi today introduced legislation that would protect temporary workers and the agencies that employ them from the detrimental effects of another bill that could soon be on its way back to the Governor’s desk.
Sen. Holly Schepisi introduced legislation that would protect temporary workers and the agencies that employ them from the detrimental effects of another bill that could soon be on its way back to the Governor’s desk. (©iStock)
Schepisi’s measure, modeled after a recently enacted law in Massachusetts, creates important protections for workers without strangling New Jersey’s staffing sector with burdensome red tape.
“As early as this afternoon, the State Assembly could vote to adopt the Governor’s conditional veto of legislation that threatens the stability of not only staffing agencies but the businesses that depend on them for short-term workers,” said Schepisi (R-39). “This is an extremely flawed bill, and the Governor’s veto doesn’t come close to mitigating some of its most problematic facets.”
Schepisi Implores State Health Benefits Commission Members to Find Alternatives to Devastating Premium Hikes
In a letter to members of the New Jersey State Health Benefits Commission prior to their meeting to consider astronomical increases in health benefits costs, Senator Holly Schepisi urged them to “think ‘outside of the box’ to evaluate other options rather than creating an additional fiscal burden on those already struggling.”
In a letter to members of the State Health Benefits Commission prior to their meeting to consider astronomical increases in health benefits costs, Sen. Holly Schepisi urged them to “think ‘outside of the box’ to evaluate other options rather than creating an additional fiscal burden on those already struggling.” (©iStock.com)
In addition to active state and local workers who could lose $1,500 per year or more under the planned cost structure, Schepisi noted her significant concerns about the impact of the increase on “local governments and school districts that shoulder a disproportionate share of the benefit costs.”
“Higher premiums will break the backs and the budget of local governments and school districts across the state that already pay a significant share of premiums for their employees,” Schepisi wrote. “More importantly, local governments will have to face slashing personnel or programs in order to absorb these unintended increases into their upcoming budgets. For a municipality with 70 governmental employees the additional proposed cost may result in over $500,000 in unanticipated expense.”
