Editorial: We Must Make N.J. Affordable or More People Will Leave, Lawmaker Says
The following editorial by Senator Mike Doherty was published by NJ.com on November 8, 2019:
Elected public officials have a responsibility to deliver essential public services at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers. Too often, however, we see officials at all levels of government resigned to the notion that New Jersey will always be a high-cost place. They accept as fact that it’s impossible to fix our roads or build new schools without levying the highest taxes in the nation.
In this NJ.com editorial, Sen. Mike Doherty says lawmakers must demonstrate the same initiative in trying to cut excessive taxes that our former residents have shown in trying to escape them. (©iStock.com)
To that point, Governor Murphy seems content to promote New Jersey as a “good value for money,” rather than make an actual effort to cut costs. He recently told business leaders that if taxes are a primary concern, New Jersey is “probably not your state.”
That’s a mind-boggling statement considering New Jersey leads the nation in the out-migration of residents, according to a study conducted by United Van Lines. People are listening to the defeatist attitudes of leaders like Murphy and are lining up to leave.
Doherty Moves to Control Nuisance Gnats on the Delaware River
Senator Mike Doherty introduced legislation today to ensure the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) annually budgets for black fly suppression on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River.
Sen. Mike Doherty introduced legislation to ensure the NJDEP annually budgets for black fly suppression on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. (SenateNJ.com)
“Black flies are a terrible nuisance that plague the health and well-being of Hunterdon County residents, visitors, and small businesses alike,” said Doherty (R-23). “The State must step up and pay to spray the New Jersey side of the Delaware River to suppress the gnat population. Fighting back against black flies will improve the quality of life for Hunterdon County residents, and boost shopping and dining tourism along the scenic Delaware.”
Bucco/Doherty Bill to Teach High Schoolers About Safe Haven Act Is Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco and Senator Michael Doherty to ensure that all high school students are taught about the “New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act” has been signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Michael Doherty to ensure that all high school students are taught about the ‘New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act’ has been signed into law. (NJSafeHaven.org)
“Since its enactment, New Jersey’s Safe Haven Act has saved the lives of seventy-two infants,” said Bucco. “Think of how many more innocent newborns will be positively impacted by increasing awareness of this program amongst our teens. Through this new law, we can help prevent more cases of illegal abandonment and give unwilling parents the opportunity to surrender a child lawfully, anonymously, and safely.”
“We’ve seen the horror stories in the news where a distressed teenage parent unsafely abandons their newborn, sometimes leading to the baby’s death,” said Doherty. “We have the tools to prevent those terrible outcomes through a program that has already proven to work. Further expanding education about Safe Havens can save a helpless baby from desertion and give a loving family the child they always wanted. I am pleased that all New Jersey high school students will be taught about this lifesaving program.”
Doherty: Medical Study Shows Consuming Fluoridated Water During Pregnancy Causes Low IQ in Children
In response to a new medical study indicating that fluoride consumed by expecting mothers may lower their children’s IQ, Senator Michael Doherty warned of the dangers of exposing pregnant women to fluoride, which is often found in drinking water.
In response to a new medical study, Sen. Michael Doherty warned of the dangers of exposing pregnant women to fluoride, which is often found in drinking water. (Flickr)
Pediatrician Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, who is the editor-in-chief of JAMA Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed medical journal that published the study, was shocked and hesitant to release his findings, fearing public backlash. But he has stated that the impact of prenatal fluoride exposure is comparable to the impact of lead.
“Everyone, especially pregnant mothers, should have the right to clean, healthy water,” said Doherty (R-Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset). “This medical research indicates that the future intelligence of unborn children is at risk if a pregnant women consume fluoride commonly found in drinking water. Similar to avoiding sushi and alcohol, we should caution mothers-to-be to limit their fluoride exposure to promote the health and well-being of their developing child.”
Doherty Slams Corporate Welfare Tax Breaks that Haven’t Helped Camden Residents
Says City’s Budget Outlook is Dismal Due to Millions in Lost Revenues
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) slammed New Jersey’s ineffective tax incentive scheme saying new reports show that it has done little to help residents in the state’s poorest city.
Sen. Michael Doherty slammed New Jersey’s ineffective tax incentive scheme saying new reports show that it has done little to help residents in the state’s poorest city. (Pixabay)
“Large corporations shouldn’t be given special tax breaks that mom and pop businesses are never offered,” Doherty said. “While the State of New Jersey is pouring millions of dollars to entice wealthy businesses to move to Camden, those subsidies have done nothing to lift the city’s residents out of poverty. Instead, Camden continues to face revenue challenges while the State bankrolls the development of grandiose corporate headquarters on the Delaware River waterfront that do little to improve the lives of those in the community.”
Doherty Named Top Conservative Lawmaker by the American Conservative Union
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) was honored as the top conservative lawmaker in the New Jersey Senate by the American Conservative Union. He received the “Award for Conservative Excellence” in recognition of his voting record in the 2018 legislative session.
Sen. Michael Doherty was honored as the top conservative lawmaker in the State Senate by the American Conservative Union. (ACU Foundation)
“Whenever I vote on legislation in committee and on the Senate floor, two fundamental concerns are always in the back of my mind – my constituents, and the U.S. Constitution,” Doherty said. “If a bill may hamper citizens’ rights or heighten taxes, I will stand up and do what’s right for the people of New Jersey. My voting history speaks for itself – I am proud to be a fiscally conservative leader in the great Garden State.”
Bucco/Doherty Bill to Educate High Schoolers on Safe Haven Program Heads to the Governor’s Desk
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco and Senator Michael Doherty ensuring that high school students are taught about the “New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act” has received final legislative approval and is heading to the Governor’s desk.
Sens. Anthony Bucco and Michael Doherty’s legislation ensuring that high school students are taught about the “New Jersey Safe Haven Protection Act” is heading to the Governor’s desk. (NJSafeHaven.org)
“Teenage parents often hide pregnancies to avoid punishment from parents, and they’re among the most likely to abandon a newborn baby in an unsafe manner,” Bucco (R-25) said. “New Jersey’s Safe Haven Act has proven to saves lives by giving parents who may not want a child a safe, anonymous, and legal way to surrender a baby. After the recent tragedy in Neptune, where a young teenage mother is accused of murdering her newborn child, we need to make sure that all of New Jersey students understand this option. Expanding education can protect a baby from harm and prevent teen parents from making extremely bad choices that may send them to jail.”
“New Jersey’s Safe Haven Act saves lives,” Doherty (R-23) said. “Fostering awareness of this program may save a helpless baby from desertion and give a loving family the child they always wanted.”
Doherty Legislation to Exempt Veterans from State Park Fees Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) to allow veterans with service-related disabilities into New Jersey State parks and forests free of charge passed the Senate Environment Committee.
Sen. Michael Doherty’s legislation to allow veterans with service-related disabilities into NJ State parks free of charge passed the Senate Environment Committee. (©iStock)
“The courage and valor of our disabled veterans deserve to be honored,” Doherty said. “Demonstrating our appreciation through free access to New Jersey’s State parks and forests is small way to say ‘thank you’ for their selfless sacrifices. Whether they are fishing with an old friend, or hiking with their children, our disabled veterans can know every time they enter a State park that New Jersey residents are eternally grateful for their service to our country.”
Senate Passes Doherty Resolution Naming May “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month”
Senator Mike Doherty’s (R-23) resolution designating the month of May as “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month” has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Mike Doherty’s resolution designating the month of May as “Civil War Veterans Recognition Month” has passed the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Civil War was the bloodiest and deadliest war in our nation’s history,” Senator Doherty said. “More than 620,000 soldiers lost their lives right here on American soil. Our young nation emerged bruised but not broken; fragile yet indivisible. To honor the Grand Army of the Republic and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, it is fitting that we designate the month of May as ‘Civil War Veterans Recognition Month.’”
Doherty: Pharmaceuticals are contaminating NJ’s water supply, putting families at risk. We must act now.
In response to reports demonstrating that the water supply is awash with pharmaceutical pollutants, Senator Michael Doherty (R-Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset) is renewing his call for action on legislation he has long-sponsored to protect families statewide from the harmful effects of consuming contaminated water.
The United States EPA, in a conjunction with Riverkeeper and Cornell University, have confirmed that the Hudson River is heavily-polluted by commonly-prescribed pharmaceuticals such as anti-depressants, blood pressure, and cholesterol medications.
Pharmaceutical pollution is severely impacting all manner of water ecosystems and resources, according to a May 2019 report by The Atlantic. The resulting contamination of marine life also poses a threat to the commercial fishing industry.
Sen. Mike Doherty is calling for action on legislation he has sponsored for more than a decade to combat pharmaceutical water contamination, in response to mounting reports of polluted waterways. (Pixabay)
“Everyone, regardless of where they live, should have the right to clean water,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “I’ve sponsored a bill for at least 10 years to study and combat pharmaceutical pollution, and although it passed out of committee last year, it has never reached the Senate floor.
“It is incredibly disappointing that so few environmental groups have joined the effort to remove pharmaceutical pollutants from our water. The consequences for further delays are dire.
