Doherty: Don’t Be Shocked If Murphy Uses Delta Variant, Opaque Testing Procedures to Justify Another Shutdown
Senator Michael Doherty said New Jerseyans should not be shocked if Governor Phil Murphy uses the Delta variant and overly sensitive PCR tests as an excuse to reimpose COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates.
Sen. Michael Doherty said New Jerseyans shouldn’t be shocked if Gov. Phil Murphy uses the Delta variant and overly sensitive tests as an excuse to reimpose COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates. (Pixabay)
“The Murphy administration continues to engage in a massive display of fear-mongering over the Delta variant,” said Doherty (R-23). “Nobody should be shocked if the Murphy administration uses it as an excuse to lockdown New Jersey again and reimpose all of the COVID restrictions and mask mandates we fought to have lifted.”
“Although the Delta variant of COVID-19 may be more contagious than prior strains of the virus, it appears to be weaker and less dangerous than prior variants,” stated Doherty. “It is well known in the scientific community that as viruses mutate, they become more contagious but less lethal.”
Doherty also expressed concern that the Murphy administration is allowing PCR tests for COVID-19 with a high cycle threshold (Ct) to be counted, despite evidence that many individuals who test positive at higher Ct levels are asymptomatic, no longer sick, or past the point of being contagious.
Last year, a New York Times article highlighted how many states failed to set reasonable limits on the number of amplification cycles performed on COVID-19 test samples, leading to unnecessary concern about high numbers of positive cases that actually pose little if any risk to the public.
“The Murphy administration still refuses to answer basic questions about how COVID-19 PCR tests are performed in New Jersey,” added Doherty. “His administration has refused to inform the public regarding the number of amplification cycles that are performed during testing. Why the total lack of transparency? Even though there has been a reported bump in the total number of cases due to the Delta variant, there has not been a corresponding surge of people who are severely sick or hospitalized. That fact alone should be enough to forestall a new round of executive orders. But I fear the worst from a governor who has shamelessly acknowledged that he doesn’t consider the Constitution prior to making decisions.”
Bucco & Doherty’s Bill Supporting Firefighters Signed by Governor
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s legislation allowing more firefighters to join the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) was signed by Governor Murphy.
The Governor signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Mike Doherty allowing more firefighters to join the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association. (Pixabay)
The new law, A-4745/S-3277, supports essential volunteer and professional firefighters in the state by increasing the maximum eligibility age to join the NJSFA from 45 to 57. As a result, firefighters could begin serving with the fire service later in life and still earn qualification for exempt firefighter certificates.
Bucco & Doherty’s Bill Supporting Firefighters Awaits Governor’s Consideration
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty supporting essential volunteer and professional firefighters in the state cleared the Senate today and now moves to the Governor’s desk for review.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s bill supporting firefighters and allowing more of them to qualify for membership in the NJ State Firemen’s Association passed the Senate. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4745/S-3277, would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
Doherty Bill to Let Kids Run Lemonade Stands, Other Temporary Businesses Without Permits Passes Senate
Measure Expands Upon Doherty’s “Right to Shovel” Law
The New Jersey Senate has given final legislation approval to a measure sponsored by Senator Michael Doherty that would allow children to run temporary businesses such as lemonade stands without municipal permits.
Sen. Michael Doherty’s legislation allowing children to run temporary businesses such as lemonade stands without municipal permits has passed the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“There’s an endless stream of stories from around the nation about children being harassed by local officials for running lemonade stands without permits,” said Doherty (R-23). “Instead of providing space for kids to learn about entrepreneurship, they’re being taught harsh lessons about the heavy hand of government by overzealous bureaucrats. Our legislation makes clear that New Jersey’s children have the right to run a lemonade stand from their driveway or mow a neighbor’s lawn for a few bucks without a municipal license or permit.”
Doherty: It’s Time for Everyone to Unmask
Blasts Gov. Murphy’s Continuing Mask Mandates for Kids at School, Daycare & Summer Camp
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) issued the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s continuing mask mandates:
Sen. Michael Doherty blasted Gov. Phil Murphy’s newest executive order which perpetuates mask mandates for children at school, daycare, and summer camp. (Pixabay)
“I support an immediate end to all mask mandates for children, students, and adults.
“As most people are likely aware, the governor announced that his mask restrictions will soon be lifted for adults in many indoor and outdoor settings.
“Unfortunately, children attending school, daycare, and summer camp are not among those who will be permitted to unmask under Governor Murphy’s latest executive order.
Bucco/Doherty Bill Supporting Volunteer Firefighters Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty supporting essential volunteer firefighters in the state was advanced by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s bill supporting essential volunteer firefighters and allow more of them to qualify for membership in the NJ State Firemen’s Association advanced today. (Pixabay)
The bill, S-3277, would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
Doherty: End the Mask Mandate, Limit Emergency Powers of Murphy & Future Governors
Senator Michael Doherty criticized Governor Phil Murphy’s refusal to follow the rest of the nation in lifting his unnecessary mask mandate along with a convoluted bill (A-5777) by legislative Democrats to end the public health emergency without actually limiting the governor’s emergency powers.
Sen. Michael Doherty criticized Gov. Phil Murphy’s refusal to follow the rest of the nation in lifting his unnecessary mask mandate along with a bill by Democrats to end the public health emergency without actually limiting the governor’s emergency powers. (New Jersey Office of the Governor/YouTube)
“It’s ridiculous that New Jerseyans are the last people in America subject to pointless mask mandates that King Murphy refuses to eliminate,” said Doherty (R-23). “The governor has been allowed to act like a king because legislative Democrats have refused any effort to hold him accountable for his lunacy. Their new bill rubberstamping his executive orders until 2022 looks more like Stockholm syndrome than true oversight by a supposedly co-equal branch of government. It’s sad, not just for Democrats, but for every New Jersey resident who will continue to suffer due to their lack of leadership.”
Doherty said Governor Murphy’s actions during the pandemic demonstrate the dangers of the sweeping authority that New Jersey’s laws grant to the state’s chief executive during times of emergency.
Doherty: Murphy’s Unnecessary Gun Control Push Won’t Distract from His Pandemic Failures
Says New Restrictions Would Put Rural Families at Risk
Senator Michael Doherty said a push for stricter gun laws is a weak attempt by Governor Phil Murphy to distract New Jerseyans from his many failures responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and would put rural residents at increased risk.
Sen. Mike Doherty said a push for stricter gun laws is a weak attempt by Gov. Phil Murphy to distract from his pandemic failures and will put rural New Jerseyans at increased risk. (Flickr)
“Governor Murphy’s push for more gun control is an effort to divert attention from all the damage he’s done to New Jersey over the past year,” said Doherty (R-23). “Unfortunately for the governor, he can’t escape his record of shutting down businesses unnecessarily, destroying two-million jobs, and mismanaging the unemployment system and MVC.”
Doherty: New Law on Underage Marijuana & Alcohol Use Another Step by Democrats to Cut Parents Out of Parenting
Says Keeping Parents in the Dark on Substance Abuse a Recipe for Disaster
Senator Michael Doherty said a new law prohibiting police from notifying parents of marijuana and alcohol use by children is another step by Democrats in their race to replace parents with government.
Sen. Michael Doherty said a new law prohibiting police from notifying parents of marijuana and alcohol use by children is another step by Democrats in their race to replace parents with government. (Pixabay)
“This latest law is another step by New Jersey Democrats to cut parents out of parenting,” said Doherty (R-23). “They’re already legislating liberal values into our public school curriculum in an attempt to supersede family values, and they’re working hard to eliminate the right of parents to make important medical decisions for their children. Now they’re saying parents don’t need to be notified when kids are caught using drugs or alcohol. This erosion of parental rights should frighten every single mom and dad in New Jersey.”
Doherty & Cardinale Bill to Bolster Ranks of Volunteer Firefighters Clears Senate
The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Doherty and Senator Gerald Cardinale that would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Doherty and Sen. Gerald Cardinale that would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and earn exempt firefighter certificates. (Pixabay)
Firefighters could begin their time with the fire service at a later age under the bill, S-1634, which would increase the maximum eligibility age to benefit from membership from 45 to 57.
