New Jersey Assembly Republicans

Source: Assembly Republican Press Release

Legislation permitting owners with a limited exemption from local land use restrictions in order to raise an existing structure to the new elevation level proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was approved by the Assembly today.

The bill, A-3890, is sponsored by Assembly Republicans Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen and Passaic, and Assemblyman Scott Rudder, R-Burlington, Atlantic and Camden.

Holly Schepisi

“The lessons learned after the devastation caused by Super Storm Sandy were costly,” said Schepisi. “Property owners are faced with the decision of whether or not they should incur the expense to raise their homes or face astronomical increases in their homeowners’ insurance. They shouldn’t be put in a Catch-22 position by an ordinance prohibiting them from conforming with FEMA’s recommendations. Government should not hinder those who have come to grips with undertaking the exorbitant cost of safeguarding their home and conforming to the standards it establishes.”

The exemption to Schepisi and Rudder’s bill would apply only to the extent necessary to meet the new FEMA base flood elevation applicable to the location in question. It allows a person to raise the structure to the “highest applicable flood elevation standard,” which is defined as the higher of two standards: (1) the new FEMA base flood elevation plus two additional feet, or (2) any applicable flood elevation standard required as it relates to regulations adopted by the Department of Environmental Protection.”

Scott Rudder

“For many people it is not an easy choice as to elevate their home, walk away from it, or roll the dice that we won’t see another 100-year flood in our lifetime,” said Rudder. “One piece of red tape they shouldn’t have to cut through is an intractable local ordinance keeping them from doing what the federal government prescribes. Common sense and some flexibility are in order in dealing with this once-in-a-lifetime decision.”

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From: The Press of Atlanitic City — The following is an editorial excerpt from The Press of Atlantic City supporting legislation A-1503 sponsored by Assembly Republicans Michael Patrick Carroll, Anthony M. Bucco, Caroline Casagrande and Holly Schepisi. It also touts a law sponsored by Assembly Republican Declan O’Scanlon and Casagrande to shift the tax assessment deadline.

With the number of appeals growing so rapidly, towns have had to scramble to patch holes in their budgets – laying off workers or bonding to pay refunds.

So it’s easy to see the logic of a bill (S1896/A1503) sponsored by state Sen. Anthony R. Bucco and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, both R-Morris, Somerset. The bill would require counties, school districts and fire districts to share the pain and help pay those tax refunds when appeals are successful.

Admittedly, it’s a bit of a Sophie’s choice. Counties and school districts are no more able to pay unexpected refunds than municipalities are. It

doesn’t seem like a great tradeoff to lose teachers instead of police officers or county workers instead

of city workers, but at least it would be more fair.

What could also help is an idea being tried by Monmouth County, which has shifted the deadline for tax appeals from April to Jan. 1. That way government bodies will know how much assessed value they will actually have before they go through their budgeting process. Upper Township, in Cape May County, has saved money by handling informal appeals through the township tax assessor’s office before the end of the year, reducing the number of appeals in April.

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Source: Assembly Republican Press Release

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen and Passaic, was among a contingent of New Jersey and New York legislators attending a press conference at the Orangetown Parks Department Facility in Pearl River, N.Y. today, encouraging New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill creating a bi-state commission that will work to reduce flooding in Bergen and Rockland counties. New Jersey passed its version of the law in 2011.

Holly Schepisi

“Although separated by the state border, residents in Bergen and Rockland counties share a common problem – widespread and out of control flooding,” said Schepisi. “Both states have an opportunity to work collaboratively on solving an issue which impacts homeowners and businesses and often causes significant financial loss. Governors Christie and Cuomo have worked cooperatively on other issues impacting both states, and we share a common interest in fixing a problem that has gone on for far too long.”

Much of this flooding stems from the rivers and tributaries that stretch between state lines, including the Mahwah River, Hackensack River, Ramapo River, and other waterways, making it difficult to formulate a joint response to the challenges affecting each community.

“For years, people have been frustrated by a lack of meaningful progress that addresses such a recurrent and widespread problem,” continued Schepisi. “Between Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and Super Storm Sandy, the flooding created has pushed people to the point where they rightfully expect their government to take action and solve the problem. The bipartisan and bi-state support of legislators shows we are committed to taking action. I am confident Governor Cuomo agrees.”

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From: NJ Spotlight – Republican lawmakers on the committee disputed that view, arguing that the bill would create a new bureaucracy that would stall efforts to rebuild the Jersey Shore.

Holly Schepisi

“If these are implemented, how would you see anything rebuilt in the next 10 years?’ asked Assemblyman Holly Schepsi (R-Bergen), a member of the committee.

Business lobbyists echoed that argument, questioning whether a new bureaucracy, one with a $20 million budget, could speed up rebuilding of the Jersey Shore.

“One of the concerns with creating an agency like this it become a behemoth,’’ said Michael Cerra of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. “You could wind up with a lot of gridlock.’’

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Press release – Legislation permitting owners with a limited exemption from local land use restrictions in order to raise an existing structure to the new elevation level proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee today.

The bill, A-3890, is sponsored by Assembly Republicans Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen and Passaic, and Assemblyman Scott Rudder, R-Burlington, Atlantic and Camden.

“Expensive lessons were learned after the devastation caused by Super Storm Sandy,” said Schepisi. “Property owners are now faced with the decision of whether or not they should incur the expense to raise their homes or face astronomical increases in their homeowners’ insurance. They shouldn’t be put in a Catch-22 position by a local ordinance prohibiting them from conforming with FEMA’s recommendations. Fairness and logic suggest that government not hinder those who have come to grips with undertaking the exorbitant cost of safeguarding their home.”

The exemption to Schepisi and Rudder’s bill would apply only to the extent necessary to meet the new FEMA base flood elevation applicable to the location in question. A “new FEMA base flood elevation” is defined as any advisory base flood elevation proposed or adopted after October 29, 2012. FEMA’s base flood elevation represents the elevation of a flood with a one percent chance of occurrence during any given year, commonly referred to as a “100-year flood.”

“For many people it is not an easy choice as to elevate their home, walk away from it, or roll the dice that we won’t see another 100-year flood in our lifetime,” said Rudder. “One piece of red tape they shouldn’t have to cut through is an intractable local ordinance keeping them from doing what the federal government prescribes. Common sense and some flexibility are in order in dealing with this once-in-a-lifetime decision.”

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From: NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders — New Jersey State Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-39) presented the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome & Associated Disorders’ (NJCTS) first annual Youth Advocate Award to Emily Fleischman at the NJ Walks For TS at Ramapo College on April 14. Fleischman, a senior at River Dell High School, won the award after writing a children’s book – “Emily’s Tic” – about her experiences with Tourette Syndrome and speaking to children at schools across North Jersey about the neurological disorder, among other fine accomplishments.

Holly Schepisi

“Emily is an inspiration to all of us on how to help yourself and others while overcoming life’s challenges. I was honored to recognize her work as an author and youth ambassador to raise awareness and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome,” said Assemblywoman Schepisi, a part of the NJ Walks For TS at Ramapo College Honorary Committee. “Helping NJCTS raise money for Tourette research and the wonderful services the Center provides allowed me the opportunity to meet many families affected by Tourette who benefit from their programs. It was a truly uplifting time.”

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Holly Schepisi

From: NJ Press Media — Holly Schepisi, Republican, 42, of Westwood, was elected to the Assembly in the 39th Legislative District last year. “She stands out in a crowd; she brings a different perspective to issues, maybe because she hasn’t been involved (in elective office),” a colleague said.A former prosecutor and public defender, she worked for former Rep. Marge Roukema, the last woman from New Jersey to be elected to Congress.

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Holly Schepisi

From: Paramus Post –  New Jersey State Senator Bob Gordon and New Jersey State Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi participated in the fourth Lawmakers Cookoff at Karina’s Cuchina. Each Cookoff is novel in its treatment and this was no different. Gordon had Chef Jesse Jones as his sous-chef while Schepisi attempted a solo effort. Even more interesting is the fact that one is a Democrat and the other a Republican! Of course the food for the event was supplied by Fairway Market which ensured the best quality for their efforts.

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Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen and Passaic, a survivor of malignant melanoma contracted from the use of tanning beds, issued the following statement after Gov. Chris Christie signed into law legislation that prohibits minors under 14 years of age from using spray tanning in tanning facilities and prohibits minors under 17 years of age from using tanning beds without parental consent. Schepisi is a co-sponsor of A-2142/S-1172 that fines tanning establishments for violating the new law.

Holly Schepisi

“I know first-hand the dangers of using tanning beds and the potential harm they can cause. The lure of enhancing one’s attractiveness can be very enticing, but the hidden dangers are not always known or manifested until years later. I was fortunate in overcoming my malignancy. Unfortunately, there are times when the diagnosis from this cosmetic enhancement comes too late and does irreparable harm to young vibrant lives that are full of potential. The new law will at least raise awareness of this aesthetic procedure and give people pause before using it.”

The legislation was passed by the Assembly on Feb. 14 and a week earlier by the Senate.

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Municipalities slammed by a spike in tax appeals are calling on the state Legislature to require schools and counties — both of which receive a portion of taxes collected by the towns — to pay their share of the refunds.

While towns keep approximately one-third of every tax dollar collected, and sometimes less than that, they are required by law to reimburse the entire amount of the refund if a homeowner successfully challenges a property assessment, officials say.

Two bills proposed last year in the Senate and Assembly that would mandate that counties, school boards or any other taxing authorities pay their prorated share of the refunds in the following year’s budget have stalled in committees.

Holly Schepisi

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, R-River Vale, who co-sponsored the Assembly bill, said it was based in common sense and fairness.

“It’s not unfair to ask all of the parties receiving the benefits to participate in this,” Schepisi said. “It ends up being a much better way of apportioning the responsibility, and allows each of the various entities to help support the refunds.”

From: Bergen Record

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