For Immediate Release

Somerville, NJ – Candidates for the legislature in New Jersey’s 16th district, Mike Pappas, Vinny Panico and Joe Lukac are demanding that PARENTS make the final decision on if their children should wear a mask at school, not Phil Murphy.

Despite other states across the country making masks in schools optional, Governor Phil Murphy has announced that New Jersey students will be required to wear masks as in-person classes resume, and will STILL be required to wear masks in the Fall as the new school year starts.

“As a parent, I can tell you that nobody is more concerned with my daughter’s safety than my wife and me,” said Senate candidate and former Congressman Mike Pappas. “To think that New Jersey parents need Phil Murphy to dictate what’s best for their children is nothing more than gross paternalism and incredible encroachment on the rights of our state’s families.”

Assembly candidate Vinny Panico added, “As Board of Education President, I have heard from many in our community who are aghast at this decision. And, frankly, it is disturbing, but not surprising that our current Assemblymen have said nothing on the subject, they have a history of ignoring the needs of even their own local school district, which lost almost $700,000 in state aid while they sat on their hands.”

“I know Phil is used to ordering people like Roy Freiman and Andrew Zwicker around, but as a former School Board member, I can assure you that New Jersey parents don’t play that game,” added Assembly candidate and Manville Councilman Joe Lukac. “Parents in New Jersey know what’s best for their kids, and they will remind Trenton of that in November.”