MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Ali said the obstructionists opposed to the creation of a party line for candidates are acting out of their own self-interest and not for the good of the party.

Ali said the small group of people who filed legal action to stop the Morris GOP County Committee from voting on Saturday, January 16 to adopt a party line are misusing the courts and misleading people to desperately grab power and influence within the party.

“It’s very unfortunate that some people who are used to getting their way are more concerned with obtaining power than in investing in changes that will make our party stronger,” said Ali.

“Creation of a party line will allow our valued county committee members to play a significant role in determining the candidates that will represent our party – bring more democracy to our party than we have now,” said Ali. “For selfish reasons, the opponents of the party line system want to continue to marginalize the county committee – and in the process — disenfranchise them and devalue their work.”

Ali said the party line system will make the Morris GOP stronger and better prepared to face off against liberal Democrats who have been making inroads in the county the last few years.  In fact, she stated, “The dissenters wanted this for years until they didn’t want it when it was initiated under our Administration”.

“The Democratic Party has gotten stronger in Morris County and the Republicans are losing ground because of obstructionists like this who spend their time trying to derail positive forward momentum, instead of spending time getting candidates elected. If objectors such as David Scapicchio and John Sette and their group worked half this hard during the election, Rosemary Becchi and Tom Kean would be in Washington DC as members of the United States Congress” observed Ali.

“So, I have to ask the dissenters if they want to continue on this path until the Democrats take control of Morris County, or are they willing to put their egos and interest aside and become team players and help us build a stronger Morris GOP?  As always, we have a big tent open to all.”

Ali said she has been working with a team of lawyers to bring the party line system to a vote by the county committee and is certain that everything is in order.

“Our legal team has assured me that everything we are doing is within the law and bylaws of our party,” said Ali.

MORRIS COUNTY — To continue supporting our small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy signed A-4853/S-3011 to reduce businesses’ UI contribution rate for a period of time.

“COVID-19 continues to pose economic challenges to businesses across the state,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s bill signing will alleviate the financial burdens many businesses are facing and help them get back on their feet during this difficult time.”

This legislation will reduce the amount of an employer’s unemployment taxes through the Fiscal Year 2023. Additionally, the bill will permit nonprofit and governmental employers that elect to make UI payments equal to the full amount of benefits paid to individuals attributable to service in the employ of the nonprofit or governmental employer to reduce their UI benefit payments by fifty percent for the duration of the public health emergency. The bill will result in cost savings to State entities, public institutions of higher education, local governments, and school districts during the pandemic. The short-term savings will be made possible by federal unemployment insurance advances. The recently enacted federal stimulus package extended interest-free borrowing of these loans through March 14, 2021. As of December 17, 2020, 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have availed themselves of these loans.

“The contributions New Jersey employers have made to our Unemployment Trust Fund have helped keep a record number of workers afloat during this pandemic,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “This new law will help reduce further hardship on employers while protecting the vital lifeline of unemployment for the future.”

“Many New Jersey businesses are struggling right now, and we cannot allow them to be further penalized by a rise in Unemployment Insurance costs when layoffs were the only option for them to save their business,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “This law will be influential in preventing further economic damage to our businesses and communities.”

“Due to a loss of revenue, COVID-19 has forced many small businesses to lay off or furlough dedicated employees in an effort to stay in business,” said Senator Fred Madden, chair of the Senate Labor Committee. “These layoffs were not wanted by any employer and, as a result, they should not be punished with paying the cost for Unemployment Insurance claims.”

“The coronavirus has left businesses reeling from months of closures, mass layoffs, and declining revenue,” said Assemblyman Louis Greenwald. “By next year, the unemployment tax rate is expected to rise to the highest bracket, requiring employers to pay more at a time when many will likely still be getting back on their feet. We need to take action to ease the tax burden on employers during this economic crisis.”

“Many businesses were required to close quickly at the start of the pandemic. New Jersey’s economic recovery will not come as swiftly,” said Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo. “Anything we can do to reduce rising tax obligations resulting from COVID-19 is a step we need to take.”

“Not since the Great Depression has our country faced an economic crisis like the one we are seeing today,” said Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli. “After all they’ve endured, businesses need relief so that they can keep employees on the payroll and rise to meet any future challenges brought on by the coronavirus. This new law will provide critical tax relief to employers as they continue on the long road to recovery.”

“A similar phase-in payroll tax measure was utilized after the financial crisis of 2007-2009,” said Michael Egenton, Executive Vice President of Government Relations for the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. “This legislation will provide predictability and certainty to employers, especially during these challenging economic times due to the pandemic.  Rather than move businesses into the most expensive of six columns to replenish the unemployment insurance fund, the bill will shift them one column over instead of five this July.  Additionally, this bill prevents a rate increase for employers who had to carry out layoffs through no fault of their own.  We commend the Governor, Senate President Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and the sponsors – Senator Madden and Assembly Majority Leader Greenwald – for their support in making sure our employers do not experience “sticker shock” as we all work towards replenishing the UI fund.”

“NJBIA thanks Governor Murphy and the bipartisan supporters of this important legislation,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “Without it, New Jersey business owners would be looking at a massive payroll tax increase this summer, effectively penalizing struggling employers who were forced into workforce reductions beyond their control. Spreading out this increase over three years makes this increase more palatable and helps give our businesses a fighting chance.

“The CCSNJ commends Governor Murphy for signing this vital piece of legislation,” said Christina Renna, President, and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey. “With most businesses having to temporarily close their doors to help slow the spread of COVID-19, employers were forced to make tough choices in order to survive. An additional increase to the employer contribution of the UI Fund would have been a tax increase businesses did not deserve and could not afford as the pandemic continues. Thank you to the Governor and Legislature for recognizing and taking swift action to assure employers were not faced with this difficult burden.”

“The NJ YMCA State Alliance would like to commend the Governor for providing much-needed relief to the non-profit community,” said Dr. Darrin Anderson, CEO, New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. “The signing of this bill allows us to concentrate our resources on supporting the unprecedented needs in the community.”

MORRIS COUNTY — An aging workforce could benefit from a bill passed by a legislative panel expanding discrimination protections for those aged 70 years and older.

“There is no reason our laws should stop preventing age discrimination in the workplace once someone has reached 70 years old,” said Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, a prime sponsor of the legislation heard in the Assembly’s Aging and Senior Services Committee today. “Some seniors have to keep working because of New Jersey’s high cost of living, while others just find their careers very rewarding. Either way, their age shouldn’t hold them back.”

Under DeCroce’s bill (A681), public employers would no longer be permitted to force public employees to retire at a certain age under a law that allows them to do so if they can show retirement age relates to the employment in question. Additionally, higher education institutions would not be allowed to require tenured employees to retire at 70 years old. Employers would also be prohibited from refusing to hire or promote a person solely because a person is over 70 years old.

“The exceptions to the age discrimination protections on the books are discriminatory,” explained DeCroce (R-Morris). “Current and potential employees should be evaluated on their skill sets, performance history, and credentials – not the date on their birth certificates.”

According to AARP-NJ, workers 65 and older are the fastest-growing labor pool. Workers who are 50 and older will make up 35 percent of the workforce by 2022. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey revealed more than one in three New Jerseyans between ages 65 and 74 were employed or looking for work. The latest data shows more than 21 percent of adults over 65 are currently working.

The bill does not make changes to the New Jersey Constitution, which includes mandatory retirement for Supreme Court justices and some other judges upon reaching age 70, and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System members.

MORRIS COUNTY — In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, Post Offices will be closed and only Priority Mail Express will be delivered on Monday, January 18. Full mail delivery, postal retail operations, and mail collections will resume on Tuesday, January 19.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Wharton Police Department Chief David Young announce the arrest of Luis Rodriguez-Ponce, 29, of Rockaway Township.

The defendant has been charged with Invasion of Privacy, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9a, a crime of the fourth degree; Peering into Dwelling Places, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3c, a crime of the fourth degree; and Stalking, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-10b, a crime of the fourth degree.

It is alleged that between December 1, 2020, and January 9, 2021, the defendant stalked a female acquaintance, sent her harassing communications, and followed her back to her home on several occasions. It is further alleged that the defendant peered into her bedroom window as she was changing her clothes.

The defendant has been charged by warrant-complaint and is currently lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with Criminal Justice Reform. Acting Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit and the Wharton Police Department, whose efforts contributed to the investigation of the matter.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to call the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Wharton Police Department at (973) 366-0557.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

NEW JERSEY — Former N.J. Republican Chair  Doug Steinhardt announced, “unfortunately, unforeseen professional obligations have made it untenable for me to continue in this race as a candidate for Governor.”

Steinhardt who stepped down as head of the state GOP to run for governor — also thanked his supporters, saying “your message was heard loud and clear, and you do have a voice.” Together we will rise above, and we will ultimately Take Back New Jersey.

Steinhardt, a 52-year-old Warren County attorney, said in a statement he was exiting the battle for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.

He did not specify what those obligations are.

Steinhardt is a partner in Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor LLC .