Senators Joe Kyrillos and Jennifer Beck (both R-Monmouth) praised a pair of Monmouth County schools for achieving tops in the country in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). U.S. News & World Report ranks the High Technology High School in Middletown and the Academy of Allied Health and Science in Neptune first and fourth in the nation, respectively, for educating students across those core subjects.

“It is a tremendous accolade that for the third consecutive year, High Technology High School is America’s best high school for these important subjects that prepare students for high-demand professions,” said Kyrillos, of Middletown.

Read the rest of Kyrillos, Beck Praise Monmouth’s Best in the Nation STEM Schools (98 words)

Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) establishing criminal penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident has been approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Senator Donald Norcross (l) and Senator Jim Holzapfel (r) with Bonnie Post at a meeting of the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee on Monday, June 17, 2013. Post, whose husband Robert was killed in a hit-and-run boating accident, was present to testify in support of legislation (S-2859) sponsored by Norcross and Holzapfel to enhance the penalty for leaving the scene of a boating accident.

“Now that our summer season has begun, residents are anxious to return to the water and safety is always our first concern. With more boaters on our waterways, accidents are bound to happen. This bill will increase the penalty of leaving a boating accident to a second degree offense if the other party dies as a result of their injuries,” said Senator Holzapfel.

Read the rest of Holzapfel Bill Establishing Penalties for Leaving Scene of Boating Accident Passes Committee (248 words)

Gov. Chris Christie today took life-saving action by signing Senator Kevin O’Toole’s legislation to require all hospitals to have protocols to immediately transfer critically ill patients to other facilities for better treatment.

“People need to know that they and their loved ones are guaranteed the best care during the most critical moments of their lives,” said O’Toole (R-Bergen). “There is no excuse to trap patients and their families in intensive care when they have a better chance for survival at a different facility.”

Read the rest of Christie Signs O’Toole Bill to Save Critically Ill Hospital Patients (108 words)

Senator Gerald Cardinale announced today he’s sponsoring legislation aimed at reducing the amount of recyclable waste in New Jersey landfills by encouraging inmate landfill recycling programs.

“Every year exorbitant amounts of recyclable materials end up in landfills across New Jersey, endangering local environments and costing taxpayers and businesses millions of dollars in waste removal fees,” said Cardinale (R-Bergen, Passaic). “It’s time we think outside the box to curb this continual cycle of waste.”

Read the rest of Cardinale Announces Bill to Authorize Inmate Landfill Recycling Programs (120 words)

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today regarding nearly $1 million in federal Superstorm Sandy relief funds for Sea Bright Borough:

“This support for Sea Bright will help maintain their excellent local services as the community rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. I will continue working with other Monmouth County municipalities and the Gov. Christie administration to make sure New Jersey residents receive critical benefits from their federal tax dollars through the trying recovery process.”

Read the rest of Kyrillos Lauds Nearly $1M in Sandy Recovery Funds for Sea Bright (39 words)

Senator Diane Allen today praised news that Burlington City has been awarded $100,000 through the National Boating Infrastructure Grant Program for the first stages of a new 16 slip marina along the city’s waterfront.

The NBIG grant is administered through the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Office of Maritime Resources and provided through the US Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service.

“The Delaware River and boating have been an integral part of Burlington City’s rich history for hundreds of years,” said Allen (R-Burlington). “The addition of a marina will draw more boaters to the city’s Riverfront Promenade as well as the city’s historical downtown sites and businesses.”

Read the rest of Allen Praises $100,000 Grant for New Burlington City Marina (123 words)

Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10) said that $15 million of Essential Services Grants awarded to Toms River will help local officials to maintain funding for critical services while the community recovers from massive destruction suffered during Hurricane Sandy.

“The $15 million awarded to Toms River will help our community devastated by Hurricane Sandy to survive the financial strain that has followed the storm,” said Holzapfel. “This grant will ensure that public safety, our children’s education and other basic services are not sacrificed as we work to rebuild and recover.”

Read the rest of Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin: Toms River to Receive $15 Million in Disaster Recovery Grants (293 words)

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) stated the following about today’s visit with Gov. Chris Christie to schools most impacted by Superstorm Sandy, Union Beach Memorial and Monmouth Beach Elementary:

“Our communities are whole when their schools are thriving,” Kyrillos said. “The re-opening of Union Beach Memorial and Monmouth Beach Elementary schools is a monumental step for local families and school children to move forward from the state’s worst storm. With only five schools still closed, we are at the brink of complete structural recovery.”

On June 3, Senator Kyrillos also attended the official reopening of these two schools:

Read the rest of Kyrillos Returns to Schools Most Impacted by Sandy with Gov. Christie (117 words)

Facility to Provide Assistance and Counseling to Storm Victims Looking to Rebuild

Senator Jennifer Beck today attended the opening of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) ‘reNew Jersey Stronger’ Housing Recovery Center in Freehold. Eligible homeowners whose primary residences were damaged or destroyed in the storm can visit the Housing Recovery Centers to apply in-person for two grants designed to encourage them to resettle in their homes and help them repair, elevate or rebuild their residences. Homeowners will have access to housing counselors who will assist in navigating the entire application process and provide support and clear guidance.

“This facility will be a boon to those affected by Sandy who are looking to rebuild and move forward,” said Beck. “The Center will be open seven days a week 8:00AM – 8:00PM to provide our residents with assistance and guidance. The DCA will also be offering mobile offices for those unable to get to the Freehold office.”

Read the rest of Beck Attends Opening of Housing Recovery Center in Freehold (101 words)

Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) lauded an Assembly panel for advancing her bill, S2505, which facilitates fair flood insurance settlements and holds insurance companies accountable to state laws.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that thousands of Monmouth County families have been without a home since Sandy struck, having received slow responses or lowball offers from flood insurers,” Beck said. “Politics should not block this bill allowing swift recovery for Superstorm Sandy victims being neglected or shortchanged by their insurance companies. I thank the Assembly for getting the ball rolling.”

Read the rest of Beck Applauds Assembly Advancement of Sandy Bill to Facilitate Flood Insurance Settlements, Urges Immediate Senate Action (172 words)