10th District Legislators Plead with Governor Murphy to Allocate Funds for Beach Replenishment
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sent a letter to Governor Phil Murphy requesting that his administration allocate funds to cover costs associated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project.

Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano urged Gov. Phil Murphy to allocate funds to cover costs associated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project. (Flickr/USFWS)
Various shore municipalities such as Bay Head, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River, and Brick are expected to pay the remainder of the costs which total over $7.5 million and would ultimately drain local budgets.
LD10 Lawmakers to NJ State School Board – Stop Hiding and Meet Face to Face
The 10th Legislative District lawmakers – Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano – released a statement today blasting the State Board of Education for meeting virtually and avoiding public comment:

Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano today called on the State Board of Education to stop hiding and return to in-person meetings so parents can express their concerns. (SenateNJ.com)
“Children are back in school, businesses are open as usual, and our roads and highways are as crowded as ever. It is fair to say the pandemic is in the rearview mirror and New Jersey is back to normal.
Harmful Health Impacts of Recreational Marijuana Has 10th District Legislators Saying “I Told You So” to Advocates
A recent report conducted on the potency of cannabis and the increased risk of psychosis and addiction has 10th District Legislators saying “I told you so” to marijuana advocates. Recreational sales of marijuana are now available statewide, however, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano stand firmly in their opposition to this change.

A recent report conducted on the potency of cannabis and the increased risk of psychosis and addiction has 10th District Legislators saying “I told you so” to marijuana advocates. (CC0 Public Domain)
“For years, we have been warning the public and elected officials of the dangers associated with marijuana consumption,” said Senator Holzapfel. “We openly fought against and voted down any legislation aimed at a legalizing cannabis, urging our colleagues to see through the empty promises made by the Democrats. Now, recreational marijuana is stronger than ever, with no limit on the level of potency, leading to severe health issues for the general public.”
Holzapfel: Lavish Credit Card Spending by Rutgers Athletics is an Insult to New Jersey Taxpayers
One week after Senator Jim Holzapfel slammed Democrats’ $100 million giveaway to Rutgers athletics, an investigation by NorthJersey.com and USA Today uncovered nearly $10 million in credit card charges made by the athletics division.

One week after Sen. Jim Holzapfel slammed Democrats’ $100 million giveaway to Rutgers athletics, an investigation by NorthJersey.com and USA Today uncovered nearly $10 million in credit card charges made by the athletics division. (Pixabay)
“Rutgers athletics seems to have a penchant for wasting taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “It runs up $10 million in credit card debt, receives $100 million from Democrats in the state budget, and all the while our K-12 schools face significant budget cuts and layoffs. As I’ve said before, our local schools should be funded first, period. We should not be using taxpayer dollars to bail out the athletics division yet again, especially in light of these recent credit card spending sprees. This wasteful spending is only driving the cost of college tuition higher for tens of thousands of New Jersey families who are already struggling with high taxes and inflation.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Blast Murphy’s Plan to Make Payments to Illegal Immigrants from Budget Slush Fund
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano (all R-10) blasted Governor Phil Murphy’s apparent plan to use $53 million from a slush fund created by Democrats in the new state budget to make payments of $500 to illegal immigrants in New Jersey.

Sen. Jim Holzapfel, Asm. Greg McGuckin, and Asm. John Catalano blasted Gov. Phil Murphy’s apparent plan to use $53 million from a slush fund created by Democrats in the new state budget to make payments of $500 to illegal immigrants in New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“The Democrats who control the Legislature know that Governor Murphy’s program giving big cash payments to illegal immigrants is so unpopular with most New Jerseyans that they were afraid to fund it directly in the state budget,” said Holzapfel. “Instead, they created a slush fund that Governor Murphy controls that appears to have been designed specifically to continue making these ridiculous payments. If they think the program is so great and deserving of taxpayer funds, Democrats should have been brave enough to put it in the budget they enacted.”
Holzapfel Slams $100M Giveaway to Rutgers Athletics
Senator Jim Holzapfel criticized New Jersey democrats for earmarking $100 million in the state budget for a Rutgers University basketball arena and football practice facility while simultaneously slashing school aid to Brick and Toms River.

Sen. Jim Holzapfel criticized New Jersey democrats for earmarking $100 million in the state budget for Rutgers athletics while simultaneously slashing school aid to Brick and Toms River. (Pixabay)
“It’s outrageous that the democrats are cutting funding to nearly 200 school districts while giving a huge gift to Rutgers athletics,” said Holzapfel (R-10). “Our public K-12 schools need to be funded first, period. Spending $100 million on something like this shouldn’t even be considered while our school children’s programs are being cut and teachers are being laid off. This is some of the most egregious fiscal behavior I’ve seen in years.”
Senate Clears Bipartisan Bill Increasing Security at Voting Locations Inside Public Schools
Senator Holzapfel Says Emphasis is on Student Safety
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and approved by the Senate today would help ensure safety at schools that are used as polling locations across the state.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel and approved by the Senate would help ensure safety at schools that are used as polling locations across the state. (SenateNJ.com)
Under current law enacted last year, police officers are prohibited from polling places unless there is an emergency. The measure advanced today, S-2912, would allow police officers, when requested by school officials, to be present during voting at public schools.
10th District Legislators Call on Governor and Attorney General to Assist Local Law Enforcement with Future ‘Pop-up Parties’
Legislation Sponsored by the Lawmakers Would Enhance Penalties for Riots
In an effort to stop “pop up parties” at the source and penalize those who promote, and attend, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sponsored legislation to protect tourists, residents and businesses at the Jersey Shore. The 10th District Legislators point to Governor Murphy and the Attorney General for their lack of action to assist local law enforcement prior to these chaotic events, and request a coordinated plan be implemented to address the public safety concern.

In an effort to stop “pop up parties” at the source and penalize those who promote, and attend, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have sponsored legislation to protect tourists, residents and businesses at the Jersey Shore. (Flickr)
The bill S-1206 expands the definition of a riot and enhances penalties for certain crimes committed during a riot. In addition, the bill creates new crimes of mob intimidation and cyber-intimidation by publication. Many of these “pop up parties” are circulated and gain popularity on social media platforms such as Tik-Tok and Instagram.
Repeal Dems’ Anti-Cop Law that Puts Students and Voters at Risk, Say Ocean County Lawmakers
Democrats’ anti-cop crusade in the Legislature is having real-life and dangerous consequences, say Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano. The Ocean County lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation that would repeal a law banning law enforcement from polling stations and ballot drop boxes on election days.
When the measure (A4655) to keep cops from polling places came to the Assembly floor last session, Republicans warned of its potential dangers while Democrats claimed it was necessary to prevent voter intimidation.
10th District Legislators Introduce Resolution Urging Congress to Reinstate Military Members Discharged for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have introduced a resolution which urges Congress to reinstate U.S. service members who were forcibly discharged from duty in response to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. This resolution comes in response to several Marines from Ocean County who were discharged for opting out of the vaccine which prompted Congressman Chris Smith to introduce H.R. 7570.

District 10 lawmakers introduced a resolution that urges Congress to reinstate U.S. service members who were forcibly discharged from duty in response to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. (©iStock)
“Our military service members have given so much to preserve our freedoms and they should not be punished for making a personal medical decision,” stated Senator Holzapfel. “Our legislation is urging Congress to do the right thing and allow the brave men and women of our nation the opportunity to continue their service while receiving the benefits they rightfully deserve.”