MORRIS COUNTY — Today was a very difficult day in American history.  The rioters who stormed the Capitol attempting to stage a coup against our government should be condemned in the strongest possible words and be held accountable to the fullest extent by the law. This is not who we are as people. What separates America from many other countries is that our country is of, by, and for the people: The people get to choose their leaders and not the other way around. In this year’s Presidential election, the voters of our county (for the first time since 1964), our state, and our nation chose Joe Biden as our President and Kamala Harris as our Vice-President.  I want to thank those Republicans who have stood up for the peaceful transition of power and I call upon all Morris County elected Republicans to condemn the lawlessness that occurred today.

MORRIS COUNTY  — Senator Joe Pennacchio called the escalating COVID death count within long-term care facilities a heartbreaking indication that after almost a year into the pandemic, errors by the Murphy Administration are still costing the lives of elderly residents.

“More than 300 seniors died in facilities in December alone, more than the previous three months combined,” said Pennacchio. “The Administration has clearly failed to learn from its mistakes – mistakes that contributed to the loss of more than 7,500 virus victims. COVID outbreaks continue a rampant spread through veterans and nursing homes, and the State’s policies have not been adapted. They are doing the same things and hoping for different results, and as the numbers show, that approach is failing miserably.”

The conditions in nursing homes and LTC facilities are spiraling, with cases and deaths nearly doubling in 45 days.  Department of Health statistics show that since Nov. 16, there has been a 132 percent increase in cases associated with outbreaks, and fatalities spiked 62 percent.

“The Administration has failed to apply the same common sense to nursing homes they have afforded the prisons,” Pennacchio said. “The state continues to allow new COVID-positive patients into nursing homes, exposing and putting at risk the vulnerable residents who reside there. How do they justify that?”

Pennacchio faulted the State Senate for “abdication of responsibility,” and “a historic indifference to the more than 7,500 souls that died.”

The Senator called for a Senate Select Oversight Committee to investigate the Administration’s handling of the COVID crisis in April. A month later, with fatalities mounting in nursing homes, Senate Republicans wrote a letter to Senate leadership requesting the creation of the panel.

“We had an agreement to convene the committee, but unfortunately, it became a partisan issue. On three different occasions, motions to form this important Senate Select Committee were voted down on partisan lines with Democrats refusing to commit to the oversight,” Pennacchio said. “The families of nursing home victims have no place to turn for answers because the State Senate turned its back on them.

“The Senate Dems showed more interest in figuring out who placed the cones on the George Washington Bridge than investigating the policies resulting in unthinkable numbers of deaths in nursing and veterans homes,” the Senator continued.

“The pandemic is more important than political gamesmanship, and the recent numbers make it crystal clear,” said Pennacchio. “The people sent us to Trenton to do a job, and it is time for the Senate to investigate the way the State has handled the COVID outbreak.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Drivers will soon have a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities during traffic stops — the most common law enforcement interaction for Americans.

Under legislation (A3871) signed by Governor Phil Murphy, the Motor Vehicle Commission must produce a video on drivers’ rights and responsibilities during police traffic stops and incorporate it into their education and testing process.

“As a mom and an advocate for education, I was excited to embrace this bill because it offers an important learning opportunity for new drivers. Understanding your rights when stopped for a traffic violation is just as important as reading and interpreting road signs,” said Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, a prime sponsor of the bill. “It equips drivers with the knowledge to act responsibly and ultimately encourages more positive police encounters. It also creates a safer environment for law enforcement.”

Drivers are granted certain rights under state and federal law, including the right to be free from unreasonable or illegal searches by law enforcement, and the right to remain silent and not answer questions by the police.

“We want to establish a foundation for safer, less stressful police interactions and in order to do that, we must educate people on what actions are permissible under the law,” said Dunn (R-Morris). “Educating new drivers is an issue that should be championed by both sides of the aisle and I am glad I will get to see this law implemented.”

The law will take effect in seven months. After this time, soon-to-be drivers will be required to watch the video before taking the written examination for a validated permit.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) took the oath of office as the Representative of New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Sherrill joins the 117th Congress for her second term.

“It’s an incredible honor to once again be sworn in and to continue my service to the 11th District,” said Rep. Sherrill. “I have high hopes for 2021 as we see the light at the end of the tunnel for COVID and ensure that people have a secure future in the aftermath of this horrible pandemic. I stand ready to work with my colleagues and the new administration to serve North Jersey and get us to the other side of this crisis.”