Senator Christopher Connors

May 14, 2009   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt are reassuring constituents that their Legislative District Office will not be shutting its doors for any furlough days and will remain open to the public. The 9th District Legislators made the announcement today in response to inquiries made by constituents regarding the implementation of the Governor’s plan requiring one-day furloughs for state employees in the months of May and June.

Connors, Rumpf and Van Pelt released the following statement:

“Despite our decision to participate in the Governor’s furlough plan for State departments that was also agreed upon by the Legislative Leadership, we wanted to inform constituents that our Legislative District Office will not be closed on any regular business day due to staff furloughs. Our office will remain open and will maintain normal business operating hours.

“A staff schedule has been designed whereby furlough days will be spread over the course of both May and June so there will be no disruption in the services provided by our office. We fully recognize that it is imperative for our office to continue assisting constituents, especially in these difficult times. The economic recession has drastically increased the number of unemployment claims filed in the state, which is a process that our office helps individuals with on a daily basis, along with other governmental matters.

“Another primary function of our office is to help enrollees and applicants with state property tax rebate programs. Constituents have been contacting us with greater frequency for assistance since the eligibility standards for the property tax reimbursement program, also known as the ‘senior freeze, ‘ were expanded to allow more senior homeowners to qualify. Both the unemployment claims and property tax relief programs have become financial lifelines for residents in these difficult economic times.

“Last, but certainly not least, our office will remain open to continue receiving telephone calls, faxes and E-mails from constituents in order for us to have an opportunity to review their input on State matters. Since the Governor’s Budget Address in March, our District Office has received more mail from constituents than at any other time in recent memory. Constituents obviously want to ensure that their legislative representatives consider their best interests, especially regarding taxes, as the deadline for approval of the State Budget draws near. As always, we greatly appreciate it when proactive constituents share viewpoints. This valued input is always the most important factor to us in determining what policies and legislation to support or oppose.”

For information on unemployment claims and property tax relief programs, constituents can visit the Connors-Rumpf-Van Pelt legislative website at http://district9.senatenj.com. Additional information is also available on the website, including contact information and directions for our District Office, recent press releases issued by our Delegation and a listing of websites for constituent municipalities.

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt are reassuring constituents that their Legislative District Office will not be shutting its doors for any furlough days and will remain open to the public. The 9th District Legislators made the [...]