All information or remarks concerning the character or qualifications of any person nominated by the Governor which are brought to the attention of the Judiciary Committee or other appropriate committee during its consideration of the nomination shall not be made public. (Senate Rule 20:4)
Each house shall choose its own officers, determine the rules of its proceedings, and punish its members for disorderly behavior. (New Jersey State Constitution, Article 4, Sec. 4, Par. 3)
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) and Senator Gerald Cardinale (R- Bergen), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding the release and public discussion of documents pertaining to Supreme Court nominees Bruce Harris and Phil Kwon that are guaranteed confidentiality under Senate rules.
The Senators have sent a letter requesting an investigation and corrective action, including disciplinary proceedings for any Senator involved, to Senate President Stephen Sweeney:
Senator Tom Kean, Jr. and Senator Raymond Lesniak said today that dismissive comments made by NJEA Executive Director Vincent Giordano about school children in chronically failing districts make a compelling case for school choice.
When asked about children in failing districts whose families did not have the resources to pay for private education, Mr. Giordano responded, “Life’s not always fair and I’m sorry about that.”
Portugal Has Hand Out for American Dollars, But Won’t Hand Over Murderer Who Escaped from New Jersey Prison
President Obama should not consider giving any assistance to Portugal as long as it continues to shield violent American fugitive George Wright, 30th District Republicans Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Dave Rible and Sean T. Kean said today.
“George Wright is a convicted killer who escaped from prison and is a fugitive from justice,” Singer, R-Ocean and Monmouth, said. “The Portuguese courts erred when they ruled that the statute of limitations on his murder conviction has expired. A convicted murderer cannot just run out the clock on his sentence by hijacking a plane and leaving the country, as Wright has done. He must be brought to justice and serve the term of imprisonment to which he was sentenced.”
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law S-2145/A-1816, requiring hospitals and doctor’s offices to provide patients more information about the state health care appeals program. The bill was sponsored by Senator Diane Allen, R-District 7, and in the Assembly by Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande and Mary Pat Angelini, R-District 11.
At a press conference today Assemblywoman Casagrande said she is pleased the Governor signed the measure because very few people are even aware they have the right to appeal their health insurer’s decision to an independent panel of physicians. “Many have accepted unjust denials for treatment because they did not know their rights” says Casagrande.
Legislation is Aimed at Helping Taxpayers Navigate Tax Law and Compliance
A longstanding proposal by Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington) to create an office within the Treasury Department to improve customer service for taxpayers and streamline compliance issues has been approved by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee.
S-1187 establishes the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate, a position appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate that would bear responsibility for improving taxpayers’ experience in dealing with Treasury’s Division of Taxation and make recommendations to improve tax law so as to ease compliance problems for businesses and individuals.
Legislation authored by Senators Steven Oroho (R- Sussesx/Warren/Morris) and Anthony Bucco (R- Morris/Somerset) providing tax credits to businesses employing members of the New Jersey National Guard or reservists in the United States Armed Forces has been cleared by the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
The bill, S-234, gives employers a credit against the New Jersey Gross Income Tax and/or Corporation Business Tax of 20% of an employee’s salary, not to exceed $2,000 per worker, when an employee is called to active duty.
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has advanced legislation (A-638) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would establish a “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use.
“Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states. The Connors-Rumpf-Gove measure would establish the HOFNOD program on a Statewide basis by enabling the Division of Fish and Wildlife to implement and model the program after the pilot HOFNOD program implemented in Ocean County in 2000. To the maximum extent possible, the Division would implement and operate the program in every county in the State.
High School Chosen as Entrant in Charity Championship Competition
Senator Jennifer Beck and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (both R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today applauding Neptune High School for being chosen as an entrant for New Jersey into the Cablevision Charity Championship:
“Public service and charitable activities should be an aspect of every young person’s education. The student’s at Neptune High School have shown are making giving a priority through their Fliers Fighting Cancer events. The moneys from their various charitable events go to a truly worthy cause, Mary’s Place by the Sea, where women who have received cancer treatment can go to for support during their recovery.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement regarding Senate Democrats’ increasingly evident intention of breaking its promise of confirmation hearings for the nominations of Phil Kwon and Bruce Harris to the New Jersey Supreme Court:
“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate Majority seems intent on breaking the Senate President’s promise of speedy confirmation hearings for Phil Kwon and Bruce Harris.”
Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) issued the following statement on the sentencing of Bridget Grimes and Debra Sloan each to three years in state prison. Three women suffered from neglect and abuse while living in a state-licensed home run by Sloan and under the supervision of Grimes, including Tara O’Leary, a 29 year-old woman for whom Tara’s Law is named.
“Today, justice has been served. While no punishment can restore the lives of the victims of these crimes, solace can be taken in knowing that no one else will suffer at the neglectful and abusive hands of Grimes or Sloan,” Beck said. “The majority of state caseworkers, charged with the safety and care of those unable to care for themselves, perform their jobs admirably and thoroughly, but this sentencing serves as a message to any who would abuse their authority and take advantage of the developmentally disabled. We honor the memories of the victims by ensuring that no other New Jersey citizen is left to waste away in an abusive and neglectful home.”
