Connors, Rumpf & Gove

January 7, 2011   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
District 9

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove of the 9th Legislative District that would establish a set-aside program whereby three percent of all State contracts would be set aside for veteran-owned businesses was passed today by both the Senate and Assembly. The measure will now head to the Governor’s desk for signature.

The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement regarding the passage of their veterans’ initiative (S-2314/A-3308):

“We are extremely grateful for the bipartisan sponsorship and substantial support for our legislative initiative that we believe will provide a well deserved economic benefit to our veterans.

“We have also had the privilege of working with veterans’ organizations to fine–tune the provisions of the legislation. Amendments recommended by the New Jersey American Legion were adopted to strengthen our legislation by requiring documentation proving veteran status so as to prevent any abuse of the program by ineligible business owners who would deny opportunities to qualified veteran-owned businesses.”

“If enacted, our legislation will provide that New Jersey join the more than a dozen other states that have instituted some form of set-aside program for veteran-owned businesses. It will present a means of assisting our veterans with the understanding that their service may have placed them at an economic disadvantage, through no fault of their own, in a job market with limited opportunities. Equally critical, the timing of this legislation is appropriate as our state and country continue to struggle to emerge from the recession.”

Members of the 9th District Delegation currently serve on both the Senate and Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Connors, Rumpf and Gove are also the prime sponsors of several other veteran legislative initiatives, including a measure which recently advanced in the Assembly that authorizes free hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and free admission to State parks and forests for individuals with certain types of military service. They are also the prime sponsors of legislation that would authorize municipalities to offer free or reduced-priced beach badges to active military personnel, including members of the New Jersey National Guard, as well as their families.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove of the 9th Legislative District that would establish a set-aside program whereby three percent of all State contracts would be set aside for veteran-owned businesses was passed today by [...]