SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Lawmakers in New Jersey say they are outraged by the lack of communication from federal authorities about the ongoing drone sightings across the state. The Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution this week demanding answers from the federal government.
The bill sponsor, Bergen County-based Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, a Republican, said the lack of transparency is maddening for members of both parties.
While this resolution can’t force cooperation or transparency from federal agencies regarding the use of drones in the state, DePhillips said Majority Leader Lou Greenwald and other Democratic colleagues are equally outraged by the lack of communication.
“Their response to date has been, ‘Nothing to see here, nothing to worry about,’ or even worse, that people are seeing things or making it up,” said DePhillips. “To date, the federal government response has been arrogant and obstructionist. They are stonewalling and they have not been giving answers to the people of New Jersey.”
He said they aren’t satisfied with the Federal Aviation Administration’s drone restrictions either, which were issued on Thursday, stating the ban does not adequately address the matter. DePhillips said there was no explanation as to why some areas of the state are prohibited and others are not.
“And even if there’s a military purpose behind drones or there is secret intelligence at issue, they can still come out and explain to members of Congress and members of the Legislature that they’re working on it,” he added.
The resolution passed the Assembly with a vote of 70-1.