Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean

March 14, 2008   

Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 292-5199
Senator Tom Kean

Non-Partisan OLS Says Bill Needs 30 Votes To Move On Monday

Senate Republican Leader Thomas H. Kean issued the following statement regarding a legal memorandum issued by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concerning A-873, the paid family leave legislation. The memorandum states that the bill will require an emergency vote before it can be considered by the State Senate on Monday. A copy of the memorandum is attached.

“Yesterday, the Democrat-led General Assembly jumped through a series of parliamentary hoops to repair a constitutional flaw in the paid family leave legislation. However, by doing so, they replaced the Senate bill with an Assembly bill. The non-partisan attorneys at OLS have advised me that absent a vote to consider the new Assembly bill as an emergency measure, the bill will require the normal three readings in the State Senate before it can be voted upon.

“Any attempt to move this legislation on Monday, absent an emergency, will clearly violate Article IV, section IV, paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution. Therefore, the bill cannot be passed on Monday without the approval of at least 30 Senators. That will not happen.

“Republicans have long argued against this bill for many reasons, including concerns about imposing an expensive new mandate on businesses during a slowing economy. Under the current Senate schedule, this bill could be considered in May or June. That would give proponents of the legislation the opportunity to take into account the impact of the slowing economy on New Jersey businesses.”

Non-Partisan OLS Says Bill Needs 30 Votes To Move On Monday Senate Republican Leader Thomas H. Kean issued the following statement regarding a legal memorandum issued by the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concerning A-873, the paid family leave legislation. The memorandum states that [...]