Kean’s Resolution to be Voted on in Key Committee as AZ Withdraws Bid to Host Biggest Game
The possibility that New Jersey will play host to Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 gained traction over the weekend. On Friday, Arizona announced that they would no longer be applying to host the Super Bowl that year, leaving New Jersey, South Florida and Tampa as the remaining three finalists.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean commented today on an initiative by Governor Christie that would adjust unemployment insurance fund benefits to ensure the stability of the fund. A constitutional amendment, sponsored by Senators Kean and Sweeney, banning future raids on the unemployment fund will be voted on by the voters in November.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean announced today that Senator Kevin O’Toole (R-40) will be appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee to replace Senator Bill Baroni. Senator O’Toole will replace Senator Baroni beginning with the March 1, 2010 meeting.
Senator Michael Doherty’s employee health care reform legislation, Senate Bill 3, is estimated to save taxpayers nearly $1 billion over the next three fiscal years. The bill, which passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 0 on Monday, will require state, local and school employees to pay at least 1.5% of their base salaries toward their health benefits.
“Nearly every private sector and federal government employee pays a far larger share of the soaring cost of health care coverage than this bill requires,” Senator Doherty said. “Our state is on the brink bankruptcy in part because we haven’t made the common sense changes to state and local benefit plans that many employers adopted decades ago.”
Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande have recently written to officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requesting an update on the status of the Fort Monmouth revitalization plan.
The plan was submitted on September 5, 2008, but no word of approval has come back from either HUD or the Department of Defense (DOD).
Senator Joe Kyrillos, a senior Republican senator on the Judiciary Committee, said he hopes that there are no further delays of hearings and votes on the governor’s nominees. The Senate Judiciary Committee adjourned today before a vote on the education commissioner’s nomination or selection of a date when the hearing will be resumed.
“The governor needs to have his team in place if government is to function smoothly,” Kyrillos said. “Delays make it more difficult for nominees to assemble their own teams and begin working on behalf of taxpayers.
The 12th District Legislators are please to announce that S-826, known as the “Diploma Mill Bill” was passed today in the State Senate.
The bill requires that in order for a public school employee to receive tuition assistance for coursework or a completion of a degree that the college or university be fully accredited. This bill was created in response to school employees using on-line “diploma mill” programs to increase their salaries.
In an overwhelming display of support, the full Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would allow municipalities to provide free or reduced-fee beach badges to active military and New Jersey National Guard personnel, as well as their spouses and children over the age of 12.
The 9th District Lawmaker’s legislation (S-114) seeks to amend current law, which only authorized municipalities to provide free or reduced beach badges to persons 65 or older and certain disabled individuals. Existing law also provides that children under the age of 12 cannot be charged for beach badges.
Americans for Prosperity Present Senator Ciesla Award for His Outstanding Pro-Taxpayer Voting Record During the 213th Legislative Session
A host of AFP citizen activists presented District 10 legislator, Senator Andy Ciesla (R-Ocean/Monmouth), with the group’s coveted “Hero of the Taxpayer” award.
Senator Ciesla was acknowledged for his stellar voting record on critical legislation during the 213th Legislative Session. AFP’s Legislative Scorecard judged lawmakers across 54 critical votes that were deemed to have a profound impact on taxes and spending in New Jersey.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean made the following statement today after it was announced that Senator Bill Baroni has been appointed to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey:
