ACTION ALERT – Majority in Trenton unveiled their new version of S3820/A5777 gives Murphy his Executive Powers through 2022- FULL control! CALLS AND EMAILS NEEDED! – TRENTON RALLY ON JUNE 3RD

A5777/S3820 – “Provides for termination of public health emergency declared by Governor to address COVID-19 pandemic.” – This is a very misleading title as the bill actually transfers permanent powers to the Governor, Commissioner of Heath and heads of State agencies. The bill EXTENDS ALL executive orders for another 30 days and several until January 1, 2022, in addition to the added authorities of “…the Governor, Commissioner of Health and the head of any State agency may issue orders, directives and waivers….” (There are 2 types of declared emergencies in NJ right now: the public health emergency and the general state of emergency. A5777/S3820 says it will end the public health emergency only (then basically continues the emergency powers). The general state of emergency will continue.)

A5777/S3820 is extremely problematic in that New Jersey needs a balance of power. There is no reason to give more power and control to the Executive Branch. We need checks and balances. We need a legislature that is accountable to the people and works for the public good.

Background:
A5777 was introduced in committee on Tuesday, May 18th. The bill was voted on without any public comment or committee discussion. It was then posted for a full Assembly vote on Thursday, May 20th. The bill was ultimately held. S3820 was introduced and slated for second reading in the Senate which indicates there will be no committee hearing or discussion. The provisions of this bill are too important and all-encompassing to be passed without any public dialog. No opportunity to comment or question or explanation. How can we get this right if we can’t discuss it?

Calls and emails are needed to your two Assembly members and district Senator (identify yourself as a constituent) and the sponsors of the bill, Assembly Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Sweeney and Governor Murphy. (Find your legislators here https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Default.asp)
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin – 732-855-7441 (district office) asmcoughlin@njleg.org
Senate President Sweeney – 856-251-9801, 856-339-0808 (district offices) sensweeney@njleg.org Tell Coughlin and Sweeney – “Do NOT POST A5777/S3820”
Governor Phil Murphy – 609-292-6000 https://www.state.nj.us/governor/contact/all/

Some points to consider;
 Why do we need A5777/S3820? (there is no longer a public health emergency)
 Why are we bypassing committee and public comment?
 We need to address individual issues with proper legislation and legislative debate, not centralizing power with no oversight and accountability.
 What is the scope of authority that the Health Department and other state departments will ultimately have to control policy and regulations?
 This is a slippery slope of unchecked authority.
 We need to let the Executive orders expire. We need legislation that would address specific needs individually; not this bill that is masquerading as a cure all.
VOTE NO ON A5777/S3820 – WE CAN DO BETTER. WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

Remember, the entire NJ legislature and the Governor are up for election. The primary is June 8th and general election is in November. We need legislators who will do the work and not relinquish power.
TRENTON RALLY on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 at 12:00 noon
Directions to the State House: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp
This article explains a bit regarding the legislation https://www.northjersey.com/.../gov-phil.../5151630001/