TRENTON, N.J. – Inspired by the family of a longtime Sussex County volunteer EMT, Eskil “Scott” Danielson, who died in the line of duty in 2016, Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Parker Space sought to change the state’s workers’ compensation law to protect surviving spousal benefits for all emergency responders....
TRENTON, N.J. – Democrats in the Assembly and Senate passed a $54.3 billion state budget Friday afternoon that differed from the one they passed late Wednesday night in their respective budget committees. Amendments were not offered to avoid a government shutdown. “The budget we are voting on today is...
TRENTON, N.J. – In order to meet the workforce demands of an evolving manufacturing industry and prepare students for successful careers in New Jersey, the Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee voted Thursday to advance the “Manufacturing in Higher Education Act,” sponsored by Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Brandon Umba....
TRENTON, N.J. – After taxpayers and government employees were hit with double-digit rate spikes last year, a new report from the actuary hired by the state to assess its health insurance plans recommends immediate and long-term ways to cut premium expenses. “Anything the state can do to lower costs...
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey has an official state bird, two state foods, and even a microbe, but not an official mineral. That is likely about to change. Since 2015, Sussex County legislators and schoolchildren have pushed to declare a state mineral. On Thursday, the Assembly passed a bill...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio and Republican budget officer Hal Wirths respond to Gov. Phil Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Murphy proposes to spend $53.1 billion – that’s a 53% increase since Murphy took office. WATCH: GOP leaders slam...
TRENTON, N.J. – Veterans who are 100% disabled would have less paper to submit when renewing parking privileges under a bill sponsored by Assemblymen Hal Wirths and Parker Space. The Assembly on Monday passed their bill (S660/A2438). “I am happy we can provide a little helping hand to veterans who...
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey has a state employee recruitment problem. A Jan. 23 report published by the N.J. Association of School Administrators found that education is “at a precipice,” with schools unable to provide the constitutionally required thorough and efficient education to all students. Why? There is a...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly on Thursday passed a bill that protects farmers’ rights to sell firewood obtained from another property. The bill (A111) is sponsored by LD 24 Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths. “Farming has evolved through the years, and farmers have had to adapt to those...
TRENTON, N.J. – Taxpayers can’t afford to play politics, says Assemblyman Hal Wirths following Tuesday’s Big Oil lawsuit announcement from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration. Officials from the attorney general’s office, DEP and consumer affairs are suing five oil and gas companies and a trade group for contributing to the...