Senator
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 $2000 per worker, when an employee is called to active duty.
You are invited to attend a town hall meeting with Governor Chris Christie in Westfield on, February 8th, 2012.
In order to ensure adequate seating for our attendees, please RSVP by clicking here.
We encourage you to include family, friends and neighbors in these open public forums with the Governor.
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.”
Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) joined Freeholder Lillian Burry in giving the opening remarks at the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council’s (MODC’s) seminar on the Fort Monmouth redevelopment effort. The seminar was organized by the MODC to inform the business community of the ongoing redevelopment efforts and what opportunities are available.
“There is great opportunity at Fort Monmouth, and Chairman Gorman, his Board and the FMERA team are working tirelessly to bring new business to that site,” said Beck. “We have already had over 130 visits from potential companies with serious, substantive interest in purchasing or leasing former Fort property. There is more than 5 million square feet of space available to potential employers; 800,000 square feet of that is dedicated, research and development space.”
Senator Diane Allen (R- Burlington), co-prime sponsor of New Jersey’s landmark Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABBRA), said today that she is committed to making any legislative fixes necessary to preserve the legislation in light of the laws rejection by the State Council on Local Mandates.
“The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act is absolutely the correct response to increased incidences of bullying in our schools,” said Allen. “While I disagree strongly with the Council’s rejection of the law, the Legislature needs to fix the law in accordance with the Council’s findings in order to preserve this important legal protection for children.”
Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (all R-11) would like to congratulate Delicious Orchards of Colts Neck for 100 years of operation.
Pictured from left to right: Bill McDonald, owner Delicious Orchards; Douglas H. Fisher, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture; Senator Jennifer Beck; Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande; Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini; and Jarrett R. Engel, Mayor of Colts Neck.
“I’m proud to congratulate Delicious Orchards for its many successful years of continued service to generations of New Jerseyans,” said Senator Beck. “They have demonstrated how a small family business that remains dedicated to its customers can grow and thrive and become a regional landmark that people will return to week after week and year after year. It’s a unique and amazing business that I encourage everyone to visit.”
