MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials issued a Winter Weather Alert and are reminding motorists that Governor Phil Murphy has declared a State of Emergency and the NJ State Police issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction, both starting at 12 midnight tonight, Monday, February 11, due to the anticipated severity of Winter Storm.

NJDOT is prepared and coordinating our response with our regional transportation partners to ensure the safety of all travelers. The Department has 2,500 plows and spreaders that are ready to be activated statewide wherever they are needed.

Ice and winds could bring trees and branches down on roadways. NJDOT crews have tree-clearing equipment available to remove debris from state highways to ensure plows, emergency personnel and utility companies can get through. In addition, the Department and our transportation partners are prepared for possible flooding in South Jersey from heavy rain.

The Department is reminding motorists:

• AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL during the storm
• Consider Telecommuting tomorrow, if possible
• If you must drive and road conditions deteriorate, GET OFF THE ROAD somewhere safe and wait it out
• Always STAY CLEAR of plows and spreading trucks.  If they are behind you, let them pass
• DO NOT PASS between trucks that are in a plow formation
• Be patient and use caution

Commercial Vehicle Travel Restriction

The restriction applies to the entire length of all Interstate Highways in New Jersey including:

• I-76
• I-78
• I-80
• I-195
• I-280
• I-287
• I-295
• I-676

The restriction DOES NOT apply to:

• New Jersey Turnpike
• Garden State Parkway
• Atlantic City Expressway

The commercial vehicle travel restriction in New Jersey applies to the following vehicles:

• All tractor-trailers
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
• Recreational vehicles
• Motorcycles

In order for NJDOT and our regional and local transportation partners to safely and efficiently clear roadways of snow and ice, motorists need to Clear the Roads so We Can Clear the Roads.

NJDOT will deploy our Incline Package assets on I-280 and I-78 at Jugtown mountain (between Exits 7 and 11), which includes pre-positioning towing assets, NJDOT Safety Service Patrol (SSP) trucks, and coordination with New Jersey State Police.

NJDOT will be using Variable Message Signs throughout the storm to provide updates. Once conditions improve, NJDOT will lift the Winter Weather Congestion Alert.

Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news and updates follow us on the NJDOT Facebook page or on Twitter @NJDOT_info.

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26,) a member of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, today once again called for greater oversight and accountability of tax incentive programs and the NJ EDA, including the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act.

Below are Senator Pennacchio’s remarks as prepared for delivery during the February 11 joint meeting of the State Senate Economic Growth and Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committees:

“We are here today to discuss the quote ‘oversight and effectiveness’ of the NJ EDA’s tax incentive programs.

“I think that it’s pretty clear from the comptroller’s report last month that “effective” is not a word that any of us would use to describe many of the tax incentives that have been doled out in recent years.

“And certainly, there should have been MUCH more oversight of the dollars that were distributed on the backs of our taxpayers. If anyone deserves a tax break, it’s them. As the comptroller’s report illustrated, the extreme lack of oversight has created an environment that is ripe for abuse.

“There is one stark example of this that I feel we have a duty to address today – and that is the recent signing of the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act.

“I can’t imagine how any elected official can call tax incentive reform in one breath, and then dole out millions to Hollywood millionaires in the next.

“New Jersey faces serious financial challenges. We have the highest property taxes in the country. Our schools are still underfunded, and so are our public employee pension and health benefit systems.

“We simply cannot afford to spend money on a single tax incentive program that doesn’t create jobs or produce revenue.

“The Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act is a giveaway to special interest groups who have no interest in the long-term financial wellbeing of our state.

“Why even call it a tax incentive program? As designed, the program does not give these companies any reason to invest more money into our economy than they have previously spent. It is, in my view, an unconscionable waste of State resources.

“Go back and take a look at the fiscal note of that law. OLS is on record as saying that there is absolutely no proof that it will produce a return on investment.

“Multiple studies have also shown that in other parts of the country, film industry tax incentive programs simply don’t pay off.

“The first study, published by the journal The American Review of Public Administration, ‘examined the impact of the programs on states’ motion picture industry employment and wages. Thom found that the incentives had no sustained impact on wage growth and little effect on employment. The programs also failed to prompt an expansion or relocation of filmmaking businesses from concentrations in California and New York.’

“The second study, published the journal American Politics Research, ‘examined why states kept or terminated their incentives from 1999 to 2015. States that slashed the incentives already had spent very little or had grown skeptical that the program wasn’t working, the researchers found.’

“In fact, more than a dozen states have discontinued film tax credits in recent years, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

“By green lighting tax incentives for the film industry, New Jersey wasted at least $425 million on companies that will at best, make a temporary investment in our communities before laying off workers and heading back to the Hollywood Hills.

“For $425 million, we could have hired more than 6,000 additional special education teachers to help our must vulnerable students, and still pay them the going rate.

“I was absolutely appalled to see this tax incentive program signed into law, which is why I immediately began exploring ways to ensure we don’t waste any more money on these unnecessary handouts.

“In October, I formally introduced legislation, S-3051, which would require regular audits of every single business tax incentive that is managed by the NJ EDA.

“My bill would also ensure that reports on these audits are published prominently on the Legislature and State Auditor’s websites.

“The comptroller’s report that brought us here today proves that this Legislature must take action to prevent the continued waste of taxpayer dollars.

“We can start by posting my bill for a vote, so that every taxpayer and leader can see exactly where our money is going.

“If we really want to create jobs, than we need to focus on cutting taxes and reducing regulations to make New Jersey more business-friendly.

“State agencies and politicians should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the private sector, or using agencies like the EDA as a way to hand out favors to friends and donors.

“To protect the public’s trust in government this must change, and it must change now.

“I look forward to working with you, as we fight for a more transparent, accountable and affordable state for all.”

Click here for a copy of Senator Pennacchio’s legislation, S-3051.

MORRIS COUNTY — This week the leadership of Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) were invited to the White House for a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence and National Drug Control.

Policy Director Jim Carroll, National LEAD Executive Board member William Schievella and Morris County Police Chiefs Association President Ciro Chimento were among leaders that spent a day discussing the alarming rise in fentanyl laced heroin and cocaine.

“Aggressive law enforcement and prosecution needs to be coupled with prevention strategies to stop people from becoming addicted in the first place”, said Schievella a retired Chief of Detectives from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and former Morris County Undersheriff.

LEAD is the largest growing evidence based drug prevention program in the nation which places law enforcement and educators together with the community to stop children from using Drugs. LEAD is glad to work closely with the National Drug Control Policy Office within the White House to be in the forefront of the fight against drugs.

MORRIS COUNTY  — Kevin Hasenbein, a 19-year-old who has proved his talent on the Morristown High School football field, has scored a spring internship with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Kevin, who has Down Syndrome, officially started his new position February 4 fulfilling tasks alongside Sheriff’s Office detectives in the Evidence Section.

His internship, slated to run through June 24, involves Kevin working at the Superior Courthouse on Mondays and in the Evidence Section on Wednesdays.

“I, along with all members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, welcome Kevin’s enthusiastic presence. His spirit and energy will make us better people,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

Kevin also is completing a separate internship on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the Civil Division of the Superior Court in Morristown.

Kevin, in 2018, obtained his Morristown High School diploma after fulfilling his graduation requirements at a school in Chatham. He returned to Morristown High School in the fall to participate in its Colonial Learning Independence For Employment, known as the Colonial L.I.F.E. program, which assists 18 to 21-year-old individuals in learning basic employment skills.

Through Colonial L.I.F.E.’s partnerships with Morris County Superior Court and Morris County government, Kevin is tackling his internships, known as Structured Learning Experiences. Colonial L.I.F.E. Job Coach Jonathan Mestell will accompany Kevin while he works for the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Kevin already achieved headline-making celebrity status in October 2018 during Morristown High School’s Homecoming football game against the Delbarton School.

Kevin’s younger brother, Eric, plays for the high school’s Colonials football team and Kevin is an honorary member and ardent fan. The Colonials arranged for Kevin to suit up for the Homecoming game and participate in a dazzling play in which he outran players to carry the ball 80 yards into the end zone to score a touchdown.

Morristown High School Transition Coordinator Patricia Herbert said Kevin is well-known and beloved at the high school.

“Kevin is very personable. He’s like a rock star at school. He’s always got a smile on his face and is truly a pleasure to be around,” Herbert said.

MORRIS COUNTY —  Following the tragic death of Mallory Rose Grossman, a 12-year-old Rockaway student who committed suicide after suffering from bullying, Senators Joe Pennacchio and Patrick Diegnan have introduced bipartisan legislation to standardize and strengthen New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws.

Their legislation, “Mallory’s Law,” represents a comprehensive approach to prevent and respond to bullying in New Jersey, by increasing the repercussions and ensuring school officials take preventative actions before tragedy strikes.

“My heart breaks for Mallory’s family,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said. “We must take action to ensure no one ever goes through this again. ‘Mallory’s Law’ combats the harassment and intimidation that can lead children to take their own lives. This bill would also require school and county officials to address bullying, before it gets out of control. Increasing transparency and accountability, while standardizing this process, will help us end the culture of bullying.”

Mallory Grossman was bullied on school grounds and harassed via Snapchat and text messages relentlessly, before she took her own life on June 14, 2017.

Mallory’s parents have turned their grief into action, by starting “Mallory’s Army,” a national movement to save other children from the devastating effects of bullying. On December 18, 2017 Senator Pennacchio and his colleagues in the State Senate honored Mallory’s Army for their efforts.

“Mallory Rose Grossman’s story will help others,” said Seth and Dianne Grossman, the parents of Mallory Grossman. “Her journey has been the inspiration for many in New Jersey to bring change to the way bullying issues are handled in and out of school. We are grateful to Senator Joe Pennacchio, Senator Patrick Diegnan and all of the administrative teams for working with us on ‘Mallory’s Law.’ It’s a law we believe is in the best interest of all of our children, schools and families.”

“Many people say that bullying doesn’t happen or that kids just need toughen up. I can tell you that bullying is still happening in our schools, and it is causing an enormous amount of psychological distress to our students,” Senator Patrick Diegnan (D-18) said. “Our society struggles with handling mental health issues. We especially have to fix these issues when they affect young students in our schools. Unfortunately, we are too late for Mallory, a student who committed suicide after intense bullying. It shouldn’t take the loss of life for us to act.”

Pennacchio and Diegnan’s legislation would reinforce and intensify the state’s “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights.” The legislation was signed into law after cyber harassment led to the tragic suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi in 2010.

Although New Jersey’s “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” is considered to be one of the toughest anti-bullying laws in the nation, students have continued to be victimized to the point of suicide.

“Mallory’s Law” would expand the school bullying reporting and notification process. This bill would forward all accounts of bullying to the executive county superintendent and the parents of students involved in the incident.

Cyber harassment has further-intensified bullying, with children now being badgered at home through their cell phones and computers.

Recently, Paterson fifth grader Samara Moreno committed suicide after being bullied at school. She was 11-years-old.

“The current anti-bullying laws on the book must do more to protect our kids in an era where people are instantly accessible via social media platforms like Snapchat and iMessage,” Senator Pennacchio added. “’Mallory’s Law’ will ensure the bully, parents, and the school are made well aware of any incidents, and that proper disciplinary actions are taken before we lose more young lives.”

“Mallory’s Law” would ensure that parents are more involved when their child is accused of bullying. The bill would also direct New Jersey school districts to provide means for parents to complete an online form to report any occurrences of bullying.

The legislation would also require that each school district’s anti-bullying policy must include specific penalties for bullying. Any proven act of bullying would lead to the incident being added to the student’s permanent record.

Under the bill, bullies found culpable of harassment more than three times must attend anti-bullying training with their parents. Law enforcement will also be notified to see if the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice has been violated.

Victims of bullying are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

Studies have also shown that children who are bullied by their parents, or witness their parents engaging in bullying perpetration are more likely to be bullies themselves, which demonstrates the need for this legislative effort to ensure parents are held accountable if their child bullies a fellow student.

A civil liability may be imposed on the parent of a bully who demonstrates blatant disregard of supervising their child, if their child has been judged to be delinquent of harassment or cyber harassment.

“The State of New Jersey must take every appropriate action to reduce bullying by increasing the strength and transparency of the reporting process,” Senator Pennacchio added. “Enacting ‘Mallory’s Law’ will bring us one step closer to ensuring bullying will not be tolerated in any school in the Garden State.”