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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.

InsiderNJ

Union Beach, N.J. – Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (Monmouth – R’s) have introduced new legislation (A5566) which seeks to regulate the use of acoustic sonar surveying and subsequently pause current testing while a new permitting structure is developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) which would offer greater protection of marine life off the Jersey Shore.

The bill by the 13^th District Legislators comes as reports of another deceased humpback whale in the Raritan Bay have been confirmed, adding to the unprecedented and growing death toll of marine mammals along New Jersey’s coast since December of 2022:

“If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the photos and carcasses of marine mammals all along the Jersey Coastline would be enough to fill an encyclopedia,” said Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger. “We already have been calling for an immediate halt of sonar testing, but since that has fallen on deaf ears, we are moving to the next step and seeking to make NJDEP more accountable in the process that they’ve fumbled since the onset of this “green” initiative by the President and Governor.”

“It is unmistakably clear; the controversy surrounding these whale and dolphin deaths would have been avoided if the State had initially done its due diligence in researching the impact of sonar technology on marine mammals and not haphazardly ceding the future of New Jersey’s ecosystems to the whims of the federal government,” stated Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn. “Since the State and NJDEP have failed in their obligation to ensure our environment is protected, we are going back to the drawing board and strictly mandating their regulatory processes to implement a change of course. When our legislation is passed, it will offer peace of mind to residents who want to know that the beaches and oceans they love and rely on for tourism dollars are being safeguarded from unwarranted harm.”

Within the legislation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection would need to create a new, in-depth permitting process and monitoring system before any sonar or seismic surveying is allowed to take place. Further, NJDEP would have the authority to immediately suspend a sonar testing permit if a marine mammal is found injured or deceased, and the cause of injury or death is potentially related to the use of sonar testing.

NJDEP would also be compelled to investigate the cause of any marine mammal injury or death and determine if the use of sonar testing by the permittee contributed.  Any sonar testing would remain suspended until an investigation is conducted, and conclusions published:

“The power should be restored to the NJDEP as well as return oversight to municipalities which was egregiously taken in 2021 while everyone was concerned with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Scharfenberger continued. “In a ‘Home-Rule’ state, where residents pay the highest property taxes in the nation, the right for municipalities to decide their own development destiny is paramount.  Local planning boards should be the arbiters of any permits having to do with development or infrastructure in a given municipality.”

“Listen, I am a proponent of exploring alternative and green energy sources, but not at the risk of our oceans and marine life. Every time a whale or dolphin is located deceased off our shorelines, we receive countless demands by concerned residents for legislative actions. This is not a partisan issue. This is an environmental issue that I think all who love our Jersey Shore can support,” commented Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn. “I think it is reasonable to temporarily pause acoustic sonar testing occurring off our shorelines for wind turbine projects until an independent investigation is undertaken to prove there is no direct or indirect correlation between testing and marine mammal deaths. I also think it is reasonable to give the State greater control over what occurs off our shorelines. The bills Gerry and I proposed are responsive to the concerns of our residents. I do not think it is wise for government leaders to continue to ignore the calls by our residents to protect our shores, our environment, and marine life. We are not going to relent until their voices are heard and concerns eased.”

NJ GOP Assembly

Tackling bad behavior at youth sporting events, the Assembly on Thursday passed a bill in Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn’s “Penalty Box Act” to upgrade penalties for assaults against sports officials, coaches or staff. 

The bill (A4444/4471) aims to address the reprehensible conduct of adults behaving violently at youth sporting events and eliminate the toxic environment that is prevalent at youth sporting events. 

“Adults should be role models for children at sporting events. We know the psychological long-term effects upon children when they observe parents fighting in a home. The harm is no different when children observe toxic behavior among adults at soccer matches, basketball games or at a hockey rink,” said Flynn (R-Monmouth). “There is no excuse for an adult to act in a violent way at a sporting event.” 

The bill upgrades penalties for assaults against sports officials, coaches or staff from a simple assault to a fourth-degree aggravated assault if there are no injuries. That crime carries up to 18 months in prison and a fine up to $10,000. If the official is injured, the crime becomes third-degree, punishable by imprisonment of three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. 

Last June, a 72-year-old umpire was attacked by a coach during a youth baseball game in Branchburg and suffered a broken jaw and a concussion. 

“The goal of the Penalty Box Act is to restore civility to youth sports and address all bad behavior before it escalates to violence. I am pleased that there is bipartisan support to focus on this reprehensible conduct and return the joy of sports to players, coaches and sports officials at sporting events,” Flynn said. 

The other portions of the “Penalty Box Act” include anti-harassment, intimidation and bullying policies to reverse the harm caused when kids are subject to, or forced to observe, toxic conduct in athletic settings. That measure (A4486) has been referred to the education committee and will give players an avenue to speak out against these harmful environments.

NJ GOP Assembly

The Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution designating April 14 as Military Child Appreciation Day. The resolution (SJR106/AJR198) is sponsored by Assembly members Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn.

“It’s not just our enlisted or commissioned men and women who endure frequent moves and live with the reality that they may be away from their families for months. We have almost 2 million children in the United States whose mothers and fathers serve in the military,” Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) said. “The children make tremendous sacrifices as well. It is appropriate we take a day to recognize the sacrifices these children don’t have a choice but to make.”

Military Child Appreciation Month, established in 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to increase public awareness of issues faced by children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces, is celebrated each April. People wear purple to show their support for military children. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, and Sesame Street has partnered with the U.S. Armed Forces to offer opportunities for these children.

Last year a Republican-backed resolution naming the last full week in April every year as Military Child Appreciation Week in New Jersey was also adopted.

“Military children carry a unique burden that even many adults just don’t understand. It’s good to bring attention to the needs of these very special warriors who maybe can’t articulate everything they’re feeling, who need to know they are seen and appreciated for the sacrifices they don’t have a choice in making,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said. “Let’s always remember them.”

NJ GOP Assembly

A resolution designating April 14 as Military Child Appreciation Day was released from the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Thursday. 

Assembly members Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn sponsored the resolution (SJR106/AJR198). 

“It’s not just our enlisted or commissioned men and women who endure frequent moves and live with the reality that they may be away from their families for months. We have almost 2 million children in the United States whose mothers and fathers serve in the military,” Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) said. “The children make tremendous sacrifices as well. It is appropriate we take a day to recognize the sacrifices these children don’t have a choice but to make.” 

April is recognized as Military Child Appreciation Month, established in 1986 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to increase public awareness of issues faced by children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces. As part of this effort, people are asked to wear purple to show their support for military children. The U.S. Armed Forces has also partnered with groups such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 4-H, and Sesame Street to offer opportunities for these children. 

Last year a Republican-backed resolution naming the last full week in April every year as Military Child Appreciation Week in New Jersey was also adopted.

“Military children carry a unique burden that even many adults just don’t understand. It’s good to bring attention to the needs of these very special warriors who maybe can’t articulate everything they’re feeling, who need to know they are seen and appreciated for the sacrifices they don’t have a choice in making,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said.  “Let’s always remember them.”

NJ GOP Assembly

The Assembly Judiciary and Law and Public Safety committees held a joint hearing Thursday to consider 10 bills related to domestic violence. Judiciary committee members Assemblyman Robert Auth (R-Bergen) and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn (R-Monmouth) voted to advance the legislation and responded to the compelling and courageous testimony: 

“For far too long, domestic violence victims have suffered under the dark, damaging shadows cast from these cases – often leaving children, families, and individuals to struggle in obscurity. Today, we are making a change – offering a light of hope and help through those shadows by voting in favor of these bills. Victims need to know that they are not alone, that they do have resources and should not be condemned to suffer in silence from fear. Though domestic violence knows no gender, women are vastly more likely to be victims. By passing these bills, we demonstrate our support for women across New Jersey and willingness to protect them from these unjustified hardships. 

Our work is far from over and this is just the beginning. We will continue working hard to ensure victims receive the rightful protections they deserve and their abusers are strongly penalized.”

InsiderNJ

Scharfenberger & Flynn: NJDOE’s School Funding Numbers Spells Disaster for a Generation of Students

Middletown, N.J. – Assemblymembers Victoria Flynn and Gerry Scharfenberger (Monmouth – R’s) offer the following statement regarding the New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) “State Aid Summaries” which will cause massive cuts for school within the 13^th Legislative District (-$6.5 million) as well as across Monmouth County (-$19.9 million) for the upcoming 2023-24 school year:

“It is appalling to see that school districts in Monmouth County will continue to suffer cuts in State Aid for next school year. This flies in the face of all the promises made by Governor Murphy during his budget proposal that residents will see property tax relief – they absolutely will not according to the information just shared by the NJDOE.

Some schools will receive up to 20% less in state aid to fund their budgets.  Even if some of our schools receive more in this year, it will disappear due to the skyrocketing increase in health benefits costs issued by the State.

This is not a plan for success. The State is sitting on historic surpluses which are not being utilized to provide the support needed in our educational system to allow students to recover from the years of interrupted learning. Learning losses due to COVID-19 forced closures have been ignored by the NJDOE. School Districts are already struggling to compensate especially with a lack of actionable plan from Trenton. If these funding amounts go unchanged, an entire generation of students will face life altering effects, damaging their futures.

We are going to fight this and do everything within our power to see that our students and school districts receive the funding and education they deserve.”

Information on the individual schools within the 13^th Legislative District can be seen below.

InsiderNJ

Trenton, N.J. – Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (Monmouth – R’s) offer the following joint statement in response to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s FY’24 State Budget Address:

“We agree wholeheartedly with the spirit of today’s budget address – we must be guided by principles of fiscal responsibility as leaders of this great State. However, the proposals included in the Governor’s speech will only exacerbate the financial nightmares facing New Jersey residents because of the property tax burden here at home as well as high inflation rates due to the reckless economic policies of the federal government. 

Today’s budget address ignores the pleas of our local leaders who are scrambling to address the astronomical increase with health care costs in their upcoming budgets. The Governor’s failure to assist local government entities with the unanticipated increase in health care costs leave local school boards and municipalities to pass those costs onto residents by way of increases in taxes and reducing budgets to the bare minimum for services for their residents. That’s not a fairer New Jersey. 

To address the flight from New Jersey by residents who seek to reside in States that have a more friendly tax code, the Governor proposed a tax credit for senior citizens that will help them stay in their homes. Despite dedicating $2.5 billion in new costs for this proposal, it does not address the fact that it will still be cheaper for residents to seek refuge in other States from New Jersey’s crushing taxes. 

We are pleased the Governor included references in this budget to address learning loss among our students; yet, we are disheartened because the funding will not be available until next school year. We remained saddened that this State’s budgetary priorities are not laser focused on addressing learning loss, thus relegating an entire generation of kids to academic purgatory.

We therefore call on Governor Murphy to revisit his budget, removing needless spending and to work with us across the aisle to hear our plans. For instance, Minority Leader DiMaio has announced feasible a plan to address school funding, bringing with it substantial and sustainable relief.

Governor Murphy needs to stop worrying about the ‘Next New Jersey’ and concentrate on helping the current New Jersey before it is too late. Taxpayers are struggling, barely keeping their heads above water yet now must face a new $53+ billion spending spree weighing them down. 

We agree on one thing, a stronger economy builds a stronger New Jersey, but this budget falls short.” 

According to the information proposed by the Murphy Administration, his FY’24 Budget includes over $2.5 billion in new spending for a grand total of over $53 billion – a 53% increase since Governor Chris Christie’s last budget.

NJ GOP Assembly

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee considered and cleared several bills tackling the rise in car thefts in the Garden State on Monday, including two sponsored by Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn that would crack down on juvenile offenders and repeat criminals.  “New Jersey cannot properly address the increase in car thefts without discussing the impact of bail reform or the recruitment of juveniles to carry out crimes,” Flynn (R-Monmouth) said. “Car thieves don’t care if their targets are at home, if it is broad daylight or if they are ruining a minor’s future. They have become more and more brazen and because the administration is currently only slapping them on the wrist, they are willing to go out and commit more crimes.” 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. They also report that car theft rings are paying minors to participate in the crimes, because juveniles face less serious charges if caught. Flynn’s first bill (A5187) allows a court to order a juvenile to a home detention program for motor vehicle thefts. “Getting kids off the streets and monitoring their behavior will help stop the delinquent cycle and support the ultimate goal of preventing them from entering a correctional facility when they are older,” Flynn added. Her other bill (A5189) rolls back bail reform measures to ensure defendants charged with or convicted of an auto theft multiple times within 30 days would be detained while awaiting trial. Criminal courts are currently only authorized to order a defendant to be detained while awaiting trial for murder, crimes carrying life imprisonment sentences, or if they are found to be a flight risk, danger to the community or likely to obstruct criminal proceedings. “While I think bail reform measures were well-intentioned to give poorer residents the same opportunity as people who could come up with cash, the system has unfortunately helped establish career criminals,” Flynn said. “Repeat car thieves should be sitting behind bars not looking for their next victim.”