Doherty: Murphy Sitting on Billions in CARES Act Funds, Giving Out Crumbs While Main St. Businesses Close Forever
Senator Michael Doherty called on Governor Phil Murphy to start distributing in full the $2.1 billion of unspent CARES Act funds received by New Jersey to the small businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments that it was intended to help.
Sen. Mke Doherty called on Gov. Phil Murphy to start distributing in full the $2.1 billion of unspent CARES Act funds received by New Jersey to the small businesses, non-profit organizations, and local governments that it was intended to help. (Pixabay)
“While Governor Murphy is sitting on more than $2 billion of federal relief funds, we have businesses across New Jersey that still haven’t gotten a penny of aid to help them survive the many impacts of COVID-19,” said Doherty (R-23). “He’s squirreling away billions for his own purposes while acting like the crumbs he’s doling out through his benevolence are going to save New Jersey. It’s beyond ludicrous. That money isn’t his, it’s a return on the surpluses New Jersey taxpayers send to Washington year after year. It was supposed to be disbursed quickly to help struggling employers and employees to survive this crisis. He still refuses to do that.”
According to a published report by NJ Spotlight, 97.7% of the CARES Act relief funds delivered to New Jersey remains unspent four months after receipt from the federal government.
Doherty: Democrats $10 Billion in New Debt Runs Roughshod Over NJ Taxpayers and the Constitution
Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) released the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats approving $10 billion in unconstitutional borrowing:
Sen. Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to Gov. Murphy and legislative Democrats approving $10 billion in unconstitutional borrowing. (Pixabay)
“I was proud to join with many of my colleagues in the legislature to vote against this risky and reckless borrowing scheme, which saddles New Jersey taxpayers with $10 billion in new debt, and tens of billions of dollars in future interest payments.
2 Months After Testa/Doherty Call to Reopen In-Person Unemployment Centers, Crickets from Murphy Administration
Some Unemployed Workers Waiting Since March for Benefits
Senator Michael Testa and Senator Michael Doherty reiterated their call for Governor Murphy to reopen the New Jersey Department of Labor’s (DOL) in-person unemployment offices to better serve residents who lost their jobs due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and lockdown orders issued by the administration.
Sen. Michael Testa and Sen. Michael Doherty reiterated their call for Gov. Murphy to reopen the DOL’s in-person unemployment offices to better serve residents who lost their jobs. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s been two months since we requested that the Murphy Administration open unemployment offices for walk-in service, yet there’s still no movement to better serve out-of-work New Jerseyans,” said Testa (R-1). “Our neighbors and friends who have not seen a paycheck since the shutdown began four months ago are racking up credit card debt and draining their bank accounts to survive. It’s clear that trying to obtain unemployment benefits remotely is not working for many people, and struggling New Jersey families cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Doherty: Thank Gov. Murphy For Your Long Wait at MVC
‘Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail’
Senator Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to the blatant failures of the Murphy administration as it neglected to adequately prepare for the reopening of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) that had been shut down since March due the COVID-19 lockdown:
Sen. Michael Doherty responded to the blatant failures of the Murphy administration as it neglected to adequately prepare for the reopening of the MVC. (Wikimedia)
“After a four-month lockdown, the MVC that New Jerseyans returned to was an utter nightmare. Long lines wrapped around the agencies, negatively impacting those waiting in the heat and humidity as well as the communities surrounding the centers. Many residents were turned away without any help or guidance. The failure to properly plan for this reopening is an absolute disgrace.
Doherty: Murphy’s Mask Mandate Represents a Clear and Present Danger to New Jersey
Senator Michael Doherty blasted Governor Phil Murphy for his arbitrary and unscientific approach to responding to the coronavirus, including a new mandate that will force New Jerseyans to wear masks even when outside.
Sen. Michael Doherty blasted Gov. Phil Murphy for his arbitrary and unscientific approach to responding to the coronavirus. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy has used the opportunity presented by the coronavirus to initiate a big government power grab,” said Doherty (R-23). “His unilateral and oppressive actions are destroying the economy and will now negatively impact everyday New Jerseyans outside in the summer sun.
Doherty: Murphy’s Flip-Flopping on Indoor Dining Killing Restaurants
Senator Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s order to postpone the opening of indoor dining:
Sen. Michael Doherty released the following statement in response to Gov. Murphy’s order to postpone the opening of indoor dining. (Pixabay)
“The July 2nd reopening date for indoor dining that Governor Murphy had announced presented a glimmer of hope for our local restaurants who have been struggling to pay bills with their dining rooms closed for more than three months. Many restaurants have barely survived to this point and they were already at great risk of going under due to the governor’s previous executive orders. By flip-flopping on his decision to allow indoor dining to resume, Governor Murphy just dashed their hopes and almost certainly ensures that many restaurants will close permanently.
Doherty Reiterates Opposition to Using Politically Correct Standards for Selecting School Textbooks
Says Ridiculous State Mandates Dilute Ability of Schools to Teach Fundamentals
During today’s meeting of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) expressed his opposition to legislation that would force school districts to buy textbooks from vendors on a list approved by the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) due to their incorporation of “inclusive material.”
Sen. Mike Doherty opposed legislation that would force school districts to buy textbooks from vendors on a list approved by the NJDOE due to their incorporation of ‘inclusive material.’ (Flickr)
“Our state spends too much time trying to incorporate identity politics into our curriculum, and too little ensuring that all of our students are proficient in the basics of reading, writing, science, and math when they graduate,” said Doherty. “The simple fact is a math textbook should teach math, a chemistry textbook should teach chemistry. A publisher that produces a textbook that effectively teaches those topics shouldn’t be barred for failing to reach some bureaucrat’s vague standard for ‘inclusive materials.’”
Doherty: Murphy Continues to Trample the Constitution by Outlawing Religious Services
Senator Michael Doherty said Governor Phil Murphy should lift restrictions on religious services that led to a New Jersey church being cited for violations of his executive order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people.
Sen. Mike Doherty said Gov. Phil Murphy is trampling the Constitution and should lift restrictions on religious services that led to a New Jersey church being cited for violations of his executive order prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people. (National Archives)
“Governor Murphy keeps saying he’s guided by science in his decision making, but why is 10 the magic number for the amount of people who can gather safely in churches, temples, mosques, or synagogues?” Doherty (R-23) asked. “If so-called ‘essential retail’ stores can operate safely at half of their stated capacity, why can’t houses of worship be trusted to operate with similar precautions? Governor Murphy needs to stop eviscerating the Constitution and allow houses of worship to operate like other essential services.”
Doherty & Testa Bill Would Limit Gov. Murphy’s Executive Authority
Senator Michael Doherty and Senator Michael Testa have introduced legislation to place limits on Governor Phil Murphy’s executive orders and those of future governors.
Sen. Michael Doherty and Sen. Michael Testa have introduced legislation to place limits on Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive orders and those of future governors. (SenateNJ.com)
“Last I checked, the State of New Jersey had three branches of government, not one,” said Doherty (R-23). “The governor’s preference to lead via executive order rather than through collaboration with elected legislators has proven to be dangerous and deadly. Our proposal to place limits on executive authority will ensure that the administration is transparent about the continued need for any executive orders that it believes should be extended.”
Doherty to Governor: Open Police, Fire Academies
Senator Michael Doherty called on Governor Murphy to open police and fire academies across the state.
Communities across the state are in need of newly trained police and firefighters, and Senator Doherty is urging the Governor to reopen the state’s training academies. (Flickr)
“Even in a state under strict lockdown during a pandemic, there is a constant need for qualified police officers and firefighters,” said Doherty (R-23). “When the academies were shut down due to the coronavirus, it blocked the dreams of hundreds of young men and women who are committed to protecting and helping state residents. It’s time to allow instructors to go back to work preparing and training a new generation of New Jersey heroes.”
