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NJ GOP Assembly

Most school districts across northern Monmouth County as well as the county’s regional schools saw increases in their school state aid, Assembly members Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn announced Thursday.

Both Assembly members have advocated for fair state aid disbursements amid the devastating cuts brought on by the school funding formula known as S2.

>”We successfully argued last year that our school districts could not absorb state aid losses and provide the thorough and efficient education guaranteed to New Jersey school children under our state constitution,” Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth), a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, said. “While we were able to secure stabilization aid last year for many of our schools, this year we’re pleased to see so many of them receiving regular state aid.”

Legislative District 13, comprising 16 municipalities, saw an overall bump of more than $5 million in total school state aid.

“We have been relieved by the announcement of state aid funding today for our towns, which is the result of the dedication and efforts of all interested parties. So many members of our community – local school districts, teachers, parents, and elected officials – all worked together with state officials to make this announcement a reality,” Flynn (R – Monmouth) said. “This is a victory for the students and taxpayers of District 13, and most importantly, reflects the commitment of our school districts to support student success. The benefit from increased funding for our schools will be monumental on a myriad of levels, strengthening the path forward for our next generation of leaders to be successful.”

State aid totals and % increases:

• Marlboro: $8,057,759, 7.45%
• Matawan-Aberdeen: $15,251,934, 7.06%
• Keyport: $5,675,580, 18.24%
• Holmdel: $5,135,133, 8.68%
• Middletown: $13,990,077, 5.98%
• Rumson Boro: $1,166,449, 11.92%
• Little Silver: $897,082, 2.41%
• Oceanport: $965,847, 19.03%
• Monmouth Beach: $254,651, 8.55%
• West Long Branch: $958,441, 28.76%
• Henry Hudson Regional: $1,093,926, 100%
• Red Bank Regional: $2,029,229, 13.54%
• Shore Regional: $931,316, 4.48%

Aid remained stable for Union Beach, $5,725,773; Keansburg, $24,300,776; and Monmouth County Vocational, $8,120,555.

New Jersey Monitor

A bill that would overhaul New Jersey’s affordable housing system cleared another hurdle Monday when the Assembly’s housing committee advanced it along party lines.

Committee members heard about 90 minutes of testimony from affordable housing advocates who called the measure overdue and mayors and other critics who warned that unwanted housing units would burden schools, municipal infrastructure, and environmentally fragile areas.

The bill, which has a $16 million appropriation, now must go before legislative budget and appropriations committees before the full Assembly and Senate can vote on it.

The state Department of Community Affairs would get $4 million of that allocation to establish a process to calculate a municipality’s affordable housing obligations under a formula meant to minimize litigation and reduce a 224,000-unit shortage of affordable housing in New Jersey. The rest would fund an affordable housing dispute resolution program, where municipalities can challenge their obligations.

The panel’s Republican members — Assembly members Vicky Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger, who represent Monmouth County — voted against the bill, citing concerns about how further development would worsen flooding and overwhelm schools, utilities, and other infrastructure.

Most of those who testified Monday supported the legislation.

Staci Berger, president and CEO of the Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey, told lawmakers housing stability helps build generational wealth and is a critical social determinant of health.

“For the better part of the last 20 years, recalcitrant public officials used every tactic they could to delay the creation of homes that people need, to keep their communities exclusive, and not ‘change the character’ of their towns,” Berger said.

New Jersey has a “moral obligation … to build homes in every community because people in New Jersey, whether they are from here or they come here, deserve to live in a safe, stable and affordable home,” she added.

Beverly Brown Ruggia of New Jersey Citizen Action said housing unaffordability drives the financial struggles of scores of New Jersey residents.

“Housing costs create the widest gaps in kitchen table budgeting for working families,” she said.

Adam Gordon of the Fair Share Housing Center applauded the expanded transparency the bill would bring. It would require regulatory updates on how affordable homes are built and occupied and how funds that nonprofit developers can use to create and rehabilitate affordable housing are spent — information that hasn’t been updated in almost 20 years, according to the Fair Share Housing Center.

Local officials who testified largely said they endorse the idea of affordable housing, but their communities can’t handle it.

Timothy C. McDonough, mayor of Hope Township in Warren County, warned lawmakers not to apply a one-size-fits-all model to affordable housing.

“In Warren County, we have virtually no infrastructure at all. We have no mass transit, no water and sewer systems — everything is well and septic systems. A lot of towns up in that area are the same way,” McDonough said.

Stacey Fox of Mercer County Defense League, an open space preservation group, complained that development is destroying the garden part of the Garden State.

“We are quickly losing our identity,” she said.

NJ GOP Assembly

Assemblyman John DiMaio was elected by Assembly Republicans on Tuesday to continue as minority leader.

“I am honored to be entrusted again this year to lead the Assembly Republicans. We have a lot of work to do to restore good government to the state of New Jersey and this new leadership team is poised to meet the challenges head on,” DiMaio (R-Warren) said. “We will fight for accountability in Trenton and push back on big government principles that reject our values of individual rights, lower taxes and economic growth. We will fight for families struggling to make ends meet under Democrat’s control. We will fight for the future of New Jersey.” 

The caucus also elected to promote Assemblyman Antwan McClellan to deputy minority leader and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips to conference leader. Assemblyman Brian Bergen will replace McClellan as minority whip and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz will be the new budget officer.

“Serving as deputy minority leader of this caucus is a great privilege. We will combine the energy of our new members with those who have invaluable experience and institutional knowledge so that we can steer the state back from the sharp left it has taken under Gov. Phil Murphy,” McClellan (R-Cape May) said. “Assembly Republicans will work together to make New Jersey a state that delivers security and affordability for all.”

Assemblyman Jay Webber will remain as appropriations officer. Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger moves up to become the policy chair and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf was promoted to parliamentarian.

Completing the leadership team are the following: Assemblyman Rob Clifton as assistant minority leader, Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn as deputy minority conference leader, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis and Assemblyman Christopher Barranco as assistant minority conference leaders, Assemblyman Erik Peterson as deputy minority whip, and Assemblyman Don Guardian and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn as assistant minority whips.

Joining their first caucus were newly-elected members Gregory E Myhre (R-Ocean), Paul Kanitra (R-Ocean), Dr. John Azzariti (R-Bergen), Dawn Fantasia (R-Sussex), Michael Inganamort (R-Morris) and Al Barlas (R-Essex).

Assembly Republicans will have 28 members in the 221st legislative session.

NJ GOP Assembly

When someone passes away without a will in New Jersey, the burden on families and next of kin can be difficult to manage. These situations become even more complicated when a person who dies without a will happens to be in the middle of a divorce. Seeing that, Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn set out to rectify these issues and bring about some closure to families.

On Monday, Flynn’s bill (A2351) helping families to resolve conflicts by clarifying the rights of the surviving spouses in a divorce proceeding was signed into law.

“In the rare circumstance a spouse dies before a judge signs off on the divorce, it is important to preserve the agreed upon distribution of assets. This law will avoid lengthy legal battles and clarify what surviving spouses, children and parents are entitled to inherit,” Assemblywoman Flynn (R-Monmouth) said. “Surviving spouses in divorce proceedings in New Jersey have either received everything or nothing. This is a fairer process.”

In the 1990 court case of Carr v. Carr, the husband died during divorce proceedings and the wife could not claim rights to his estate or the pending spousal support. She never received an equitable distribution of the marital assets because the divorce ended with the husband’s death, and she had no way to inherit an elective share of his estate because they lived separately.

In the 2018 case of Acosta-Santana v. Santana, a husband died in the middle of the divorce proceedings, although a draft settlement would have given each party half the marital assets. However, since the divorce was not finalized, the wife received approximately $600,000 more than she would have, because she was beneficiary of the marital home, the life insurance policy, his retirement benefits and all jointly-owned accounts.

The law ensures that a surviving spouse or civil union partner would receive the distribution of assets as described in the pending divorce settlement agreement or a portion of their property.

“It is important to honor the intentions of both parties before the unfortunate and unexpected occurred. Death and divorce are very difficult even without having to jump through legal hurdles. Coming to a quicker resolution is better for the surviving spouse and loved ones,” concluded Flynn.

NJ GOP Assembly

New Jersey may soon fall in line with the majority of states by making for-profit debt adjusters eligible to receive licenses to operate. Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn’s bill amending the law that limits debt adjuster licenses to nonprofit agencies passed the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday. 

“It’s time to ease restrictions on the types of businesses that can offer debt settlement services, because in the end it burdens residents and hurts legitimate companies that help consumers who often earn too much income to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Consumers in over 40 other states have a choice and this bill ensures New Jersey residents are afforded the same opportunity to hire licensed for-profit debt adjusters,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said.  

A debt adjuster is a person or company that helps consumers in debt by working with creditors to significantly reduce debt load. In order to conduct business in the state, nonprofit debt adjusters must obtain a license through the Department of Banking and Insurance to provide credit counseling. 

Flynn’s bill (A1739) allows for-profit debt adjusters to apply for a license provided they are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission and do not hold consumer funds in a company-owned account. For-profit debt adjuster companies will be subjected to the same rules and restrictions as nonprofit entities unless they conflict with federal law. 

“Twenty-two percent of New Jersey residents have debt in collections, which cripples their credit and can result in lawsuits and garnished wages. Those in desperate need of financial assistance should have options because the best route to settling or compounding debt depends on a variety of factors including type of debt, income, assets, and more,” Flynn explained. 

According to a Federal Reserve analysis, households in New Jersey hold $1.54 in debt for every $1 of income. Additionally, New Jersey’s personal bankruptcy rate of 108.89 per 100,000 residents is the highest in the Northeast. 

The Senate passed the companion bill (S2989) unanimously.

NJ GOP Assembly

During the Assembly Housing Committee hearing on the bill overhauling a town’s affordable housing obligations Wednesday, there were many people who testified from private interest groups but only one was a local elected official, while other stakeholders didn’t have an opportunity. 

That wasn’t enough to get a full account on the effects of the legislation and the breadth of opposition to it, said Assemblyman Rob Clifton and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn. 

“It stood out that only one local official was able to attend the meeting and share their concerns about the bill,” said Clifton (R-Monmouth). “I am getting tons of messages from mayors and others in local government that are extremely worried about how quickly this is moving. They have to work during the day, they don’t have time to read a massive piece of legislation and then testify within 24 hours.” 

The complicated 68-page bill (A4) was made public Tuesday afternoon ahead of the Wednesday morning committee meeting. Sponsors plan on passing the bill on Jan. 8, the final day of the current legislative session. Completely rewriting affordable housing law and processes surely needs more time to get more input from affected groups, Flynn stated.

“Something of this magnitude moving so quickly should raise alarm to anyone interested in good government, transparency, and public input,” said Flynn (R-Monmouth). “We didn’t hear from teachers or environmentalists either, or experts on our energy grid as the state forces more electricity mandates that strain the system. There are so many factors that need to be carefully thought out instead of rushed. This legislation isn’t meeting that mark.” 

The bill is expected to be heard again, and possibly amended, on Jan. 4. The Senate counterpart is also expected to be voted on in January. 

Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, the state Judiciary cited numerous problems with the bill, including constitutional concerns.

NJ Assembly GOP

Legislation authored by Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn increasing the competitive advantage of New Jersey-based insurance companies nationally while potentially reducing policy costs for Garden State residents, passed the Assembly on Thursday.  

Flynn’s bill (A4785/S3409) would allow for higher foreign investment limitations, thus allowing New Jersey insurance companies to greater diversify portfolios overall. The legislation would level the playing field for New Jersey insurers as companies in 36 other states across the nation have already been granted the same opportunities.  

“Limiting foreign investments for insurers only increases the cost of insurance for policyholders here in New Jersey and contributes negatively to the cost of running and building an insurance business.  I am pleased to join my colleague Assemblyman McKeon across the aisle to take this step towards making New Jersey more affordable for its residents and more business friendly for the insurance industry,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said.  

Flynn’s bill would allow insurance companies to invest up to 30% of assets in foreign countries that have received a high rating from an independent, nationally recognized American rating agency. Companies could invest no more than 10% in any one country. 

“Any time we can allow insurance companies to meet their obligations to policyholders in a more cost-effective way is a win for New Jersey,” Flynn explained.  

The largest foreign markets for U.S. insurance companies are the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and France. The most common investments for insurers include debt securities, such as bonds, and equity securities, such as stocks and mutual funds. 

“Expanding opportunities for more diversified strategic investments serves the interests of both New Jersey insurance companies and policyholders,” Flynn said.

Patch.com

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Immediately after Danish company Orsted made the surprise 3 a.m. announcement Tuesday they are canceling all plans to build offshore wind turbines off the Jersey Shore, the three Republican lawmakers who represent Middletown had just four words:

“We told you so.”

“Tonight’s announcement by Orsted is not a surprise to those who have been relentless in questioning the Governor’s overzealous ‘green’ energy mandates,” said state Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, who represent the Middletown area in Trenton (Scharfenberger is the former Middletown mayor). “For those of us who simply asked reasonable questions about the long-term, practicable and financial viability of the proposed offshore projects, this is an ‘I told you so’ moment.”

As Patch was one of the first media outlets to report two years ago, Orsted was planning to build two massive wind farms off Atlantic City; the turbines would have started at about 15 miles out and they would have been visible from Atlantic City beaches on clear days. In 2021, the company released these renderings of how the turbines would look from the beach.

However, in a 3 a.m. Europe time earnings phone call Orsted led from its Copenhagen headquarters Tuesday, Orsted CEO Mads Nipper announced his company is completely abandoning Ocean Wind One and Ocean Wind Two, citing supply chain problems.

Minutes later, Gov. Phil Murphy released a furious statement, saying: “Today’s decision by Orsted to abandon its commitments to New Jersey is outrageous and calls into question the company’s credibility and competence. As recently as several weeks ago, the company made public statements regarding the viability and progress of the Ocean Wind 1 project.”

This summer, Orsted asked for millions of dollars in tax breaks to build the wind farms, which Murphy gave them.

Gov. Murphy is now even pursuing litigation against Orsted:

“My administration insisted upon important protections that ensure New Jersey will receive $300 million to support the offshore wind sector should Orsted’s New Jersey projects fail to proceed,” said Murphy Tuesday night. “I have directed my administration to review all legal rights and remedies and to take all necessary steps to ensure that Orsted fully and immediately honors its obligations.”

Republican Congressman Chris Smith, who represents the southern portion of Middletown, said he “welcomed” the news that Orsted is backing out.

“Turns out that despite huge taxpayer subsidies and credible predictions of big increases to ratepayers, Orsted has concluded they will still lose money,” said Rep. Smith Wednesday morning. “Orsted’s decision was a first step in exposing the economic unsustainability and environmental dangerousness of ocean wind turbines — each the size of the Chrysler building in New York City — and Orsted’s pulling out of the deal may help slow and eventually halt similar projects off New Jersey’s coast.”

“The wind projects backed by the Governor and Trenton Democrats never seemed to add up – financially or environmentally,” said the Middletown lawmakers. “What is a surprise is the feigned outrage by the Governor in response to Orsted’s announcement that it is abandoning these projects. It was quite obvious in June that these projects were unsustainable without substantial financial backing by taxpayer dollars. The Governor and the Democratic-led legislature knew this, and yet rammed a billion-dollar bailout bill through Trenton for Orsted without any regard for N.J. taxpayers.”

“We strongly disagree with the Governor’s position to use litigation to resurrect what is ultimately a horrific deal for our state,” they continued. “Rather than spend more N.J. taxpayer funds to make Orsted ‘honor their commitment,’ as the Governor suggested in his statement, New Jersey should instead take legislative action to prevent any further ill-conceived corporate bailouts for foreign companies immediately.”

The three Republican lawmakers are continuing to call for a moratorium for all offshore wind projects off the Jersey Shore.

Orsted’s wind farm would have been New Jersey’s first offshore wind project. However, plans are still moving forward on other wind farms off the Jersey Shore: Another Norwegian company called StatOil is working with British Petroleum (BP) to build Empire Wind 1 and 2 off Long Branch. Empire Wind 1 and 2 will be the largest wind farms to date, with 174 monopiles. 

Orsted is also still moving forward to build Revolution Wind, and another wind farm called South Fork Wind off Long Island.

SenateNJ.com

Holmdel, N.J. –Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn and Assemblyman Gerry
Scharfenberger (Monmouth – R’s) are calling for an emergency session and subsequent independent committee hearings to discuss the horrific treatment of Veterans in care homes by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report released yesterday by the United States Department of Justice and the United States District Attorney’s Office of New Jersey outlined in graphic detail how the Murphy Administration’s failures led to devastation, subjecting over 7,900 Veterans to cruelty and ultimately culminated in our heroes losing their lives in vain.

O’Scanlon, Flynn, and Scharfenberger release the following statement:

“The conclusions offered by the District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice are, at a bare minimum, horrific. In all our years, we have never seen such a scathing report, detailing complete failures and lock of compassion for human life by State officials. It is almost inconceivable that this occurred – we owe it to those Veterans as well as their families to find recourse and impose consequences on all those involved. There must be accountability for those who failed to protect our must vulnerable residents.

It is a sad day in New Jersey history to have an administration placed on notice for neglecting to protect our Veterans, heroes who sacrificed so much to protect and preserve liberty of our Country. It is disgraceful that our Veterans could be treated with complete disdain by officials and bureaucrats. Making matters worse is the cavalier attitude by those responsible for this, essentially expressing feigned shock by the findings as if they were not already aware of the havoc they imposed.

As members of the New Jersey Legislature, we will not stand idly by after having been made aware of the findings. We call on our leaders and colleagues in the Legislature to come back into session immediately so that we can hold hearings to review this report and attempt to bring justice for those who lost their lives as well as for their families who were rendered helpless as they were banned from visiting and robbed of sharing final moments with their loved ones.

We must also seek justice for those Veterans who today continue to live in substandard conditions due to the State’s neglect. We can ill afford to wait any longer for reports and a determination from our own State Attorney General, we must act now.

In the same vein, we must ensure this never happens again. We must enact stronger laws to prevent one person and unelected administrators from ever being able to impart unilateral control over the lives of citizens. Never again should the authority of the New Jersey Legislature be usurped by one individual lest we suffer the same failures in the future.”

NJ GOP Assembly

Criminals charged with auto theft more than once during a 90-day period could soon await trial behind bars under a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn and Assemblyman Ned Thomson and passed by the Assembly Friday. 

The bill (A5189) rolls back bail reform measures that have contributed to the revolving door of car thieves in New Jersey. 

“This bill thoughtfully targets the car theft crisis occurring throughout our communities by providing the necessary support law enforcement has called for to address the ‘catch and release’ policies that have enabled car theft rings to flourish,” said Flynn (R-Monmouth). “The rise in car thefts was one of the first issues I aimed to tackle as a member of the Legislature, so I am especially thankful to see this bill advance to the governor’s desk with resounding bipartisan support.” 

From 2020 to 2022, car thefts increased by about 34%. New Jersey State Police estimate that more than 15,600 cars were stolen last year. According to the state’s auto theft task force, a small number of criminals are responsible for the majority of auto thefts. 

“Residents feel unsafe in their own homes and cars, because these crimes have continued to plague our state. However, today we took a substantial step towards dismantling the crime rings that are responsible,” Flynn added. “I stand firm in my commitment to protect the safety of my constituents and residents of every New Jersey neighborhood.” 

Criminal courts are currently only authorized to order a defendant to be detained while awaiting trial for murder or crimes carrying life imprisonment sentences, or if the accused is found to be a flight risk, danger to the community or likely to obstruct criminal proceedings. This bill allows a court to detain defendants charged with or convicted of an auto theft multiple times within 90 days.

“Empowering the courts to close the door on repeat car thieves will help put an end to the crime cycle the system currently supports,” said Thomson (R-Monmouth). “Simply letting offenders off with a slap on the wrist has only contributed to the rise in crime that has touched every corner of the state. In order to provide residents the peace of mind they deserve and protect them from falling victim to career criminals, New Jersey must take a tougher approach. The overwhelming support for this legislation will hopefully inspire the governor’s swift signature.”

Once signed, the legislation takes effect immediately.