TOMS RIVER, NJ – As the seeds of the revolution in New Jersey against Governor Phil Murphy’s draconian executive orders began today at a Bellmawr gym, two Republican lawmakers from the Jersey Shore are seeking harsher penalties against those who defy those orders. Under the proposed bill, defiant business owners, graduation parties, beach parties, church services would carry a $15,000 fine for the owners or organizers.
“There must be a stronger penalty for violating the social distancing orders during this outbreak,” said Assemblyman McGuckin. “The strong financial penalties that would be imposed by our legislation should discourage people from hosting gatherings in violation of the prohibition during this crisis.”
New Jersey Assemblyman Greg McGuckin and John Catalano, out of New Jersey’s 10th District want to fine those who violate those orders as much as $15,000 dollars. This comes as Murphy himself has begun slightly relaxing rules he imposed to force New Jersey businesses to shut down.
$15,000 FINES FOR VIOLATING MURPHY’S LAW
The bill prosed by McGuckin and Catalano would establish a monetary penalty of $15,000 for any person who willfully or knowingly hosts gatherings in violation of any provision of the “Emergency Health Powers Act.” The current fine for violations is just $1,000 and a possible misdemeanor charge. According to the legislation, the host of any indoor or outdoor social gathering that exceeds the number permitted to gather will be penalized. The penalty would be sued for and collected by the Commissioner of Health, along with all costs associated with the commissioner’s enforcement action.
Gatherings of all kinds and social events have been prohibited by the Governor since March 21 when he issued an executive order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
. Read more about this story at InsiderNJ. The above is an overview of a bill Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin and John Catalano, District 10-NJ Republicans introduced to the state legislature to increase fines for Governor Phil Murphy’s statewide COVID-19 lockdown.
