Senate Committees Advance Bucco and Lagana Bills to Increase School Security
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Lagana to provide New Jersey law enforcement with the resources they need to protect local schools has passed the Senate Education Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco and Joseph Lagana to provide New Jersey law enforcement with resources to protect local schools has passed the Senate Education Committee. (Flickr)
The Bucco/Lagana bill, S-2676, would require school boards to provide law enforcement with copies of blue prints and maps of schools and school grounds.
“Local police officers must have access to school blueprints to ensure they are never blind before entering the building during a crisis,” Bucco said. “In a true emergency, a 30-second delay could be the difference between a child making it out of the building alive, or dying inside. We have to make sure law enforcement officials have all of the information they need to protect students and teachers from harm. Giving them a map of the school is a commonsense way to do that. ”
Bateman Editorial: Start Making NJ More Affordable — Now
The following editorial by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) on the need to advance the reforms proposed by the bipartisan Economic Fiscal Policy Workgroup was published on Dec. 6, 2018 in Gannett publications, including MyCentralJersey.com.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s editorial on the need to advance bipartisan fiscal reforms was published on Dec. 6, 2018 in Gannett publications, including MyCentralJersey.com. (Wikimedia Commons)
The most common concern I hear from my constituents is that our state has simply become too expensive. Young adults can’t afford to raise a family here. Their parents can’t afford to retire here, so they can help raise their grandkids. Far too many of our residents, from recent grads to seniors, are picking up their lives, and heading out of state.
As leaders of this state, we have two options: we can make fiscally responsible decisions to save New Jersey now, or force our kids to deal with a legacy of economic turmoil. Without immediate action, I fear they will face the latter.
It’s a hard truth to hear, but the reality is, that New Jersey’s future is dependent upon how we act today. That’s why I am proud to support the efforts of the bipartisan Economic Fiscal Policy Workgroup, which was commissioned by Senate President Steve Sweeney and is chaired by Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24.)
Doherty & Bateman Move to Allow Dogs at NJ Breweries
Legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in New Jersey breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in NJ breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. (Wikimedia)
“Across New Jersey, craft breweries are on the rise. We know how popular these destinations have become, even in smaller communities,” Doherty (R-23) said. “If we want to keep entrepreneurs here, we have to get rid of regulations that discourage them from planting roots in the Garden State. Allowing dogs is something our microbrewery owners have said will help their industry continue to grow and thrive.”
The Senators’ legislation, S-2753, would permit dogs in the sampling and tasting areas of New Jersey breweries, including indoor-only establishments.
“One of the biggest challenges any small business owner will face is increasing foot traffic. Our bill will increase foot AND paw traffic for local breweries,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Breweries are more than brick and mortar and steel tanks – they are hopping hang out spots where people can get together, hoist a pint, and make new memories. Allowing man’s best friend to come along will make those memories even better. My daughter just adopted a new puppy. I hope this bill will pass quickly, so we can go support our local brewery together, with Sydney in tow.”
Kean Bill Would Ban Students Convicted of Hazing From Receiving State Tuition Aid
New Jersey college students who are convicted of hazing would no longer be eligible to receive State financial aid, under new legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean.
The bill, S-3039, was today advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
More than 200 students have died from hazing-related accidents in the United States since 1838, and 40 students have died in the past decade alone, according to reports. (Economist.com/Hank Nuwer)
“Our children should never suffer the pain of being humiliated or forced to participate in dangerous activities like binge drinking, just so they can feel accepted by their classmates,” Sen. Tom Kean said. “The numbers do not lie. Half of all students are hazed at some point during their college career. Our legislation sends a clear message: if you engage in hazing, the state will no longer fund your education. Kids are at schools to learn, not to humiliate others for personal gratification.”
Senator Pennacchio’s Holiday Toy Drive Collecting Gifts for Children Through 12/17
If You Know of a Family in Need this Holiday Season, Call Us to Arrange for a Gift Pick-Up
State Senator Joe Pennacchio, once again, this year will be collecting toys for families and children in need. In the past, working in concert with many of the schools in his district, the Senator has collected thousands of toys.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio is hosting a holiday toy drive for children and families in need. Donations of unwrapped gifts will be collected at his legislative office in Montville through Mon., Dec. 17. (SenateNJ.com)
The Senator is also encouraging those who know of families and children who could use support, regardless of religious denomination, to call the office to make arrangements for individual pick-up for those families.
After Gruesome Colts Neck Murders, District 24 Lawmakers Echo Prosecutor On Death Penalty
In the wake of the tragic murder of a Colts Neck family, Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Harold Wirths (all R-24) are calling for action on their legislation to reinstate the death penalty for certain crimes.
District 24 lawmakers call for action on their legislation to reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey, in light of the gruesome murder of a family in Colts Neck. (©iStock)
On Tues., Nov. 20, Paul Caneiro allegedly killed his brother, Keith Caneiro, in front of Keith’s home in Colts Neck, according to Eyewitness News. After he allegedly killed his brother, Paul Caneiro went on to allegedly kill Keith’s wife, Jennifer, and their two children. Paul Caneiro then allegedly set fire to his brother’s home, with the victims inside.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni described the offense as the “most brutal” crime he had experienced since he became the county prosecutor. Gramiccioni also stated that “he would seek the death penalty if it was possible.”
“As lawmakers, our number one responsibility is to safeguard innocent people from harm,” Asm. Hal Wirths, a former member of the State Parole Board, noted. “The gruesome murder of the Caneiro family is proof that we must reinstate the death penalty. We should listen to officials like Prosecutor Gramiccioni, who have plainly said that this is a punishment we should be able to hand down in extreme cases of violence. We owe it to the loved ones who are grieving this tremendous loss. They deserve the ultimate form of justice. By reinstating the death penalty, we can give it to them.”
The lawmakers have long-sponsored legislation to reinstate the death penalty in New Jersey (A-3599, S-539, and ACR-82).
“The Colts Neck murderer deserves nothing less than the death penalty,” Sen. Steven Oroho said. “We can no longer ignore the public calls for action in gruesome cases like these. In 1992, New Jersey voters overwhelming enshrined the death penalty into the state constitution. However, Democrats overruled the will of the voters by banning the death penalty in 2007. Eliminating capital punishment has placed countless residents at risk. The horrible truth is that unless killers know the death penalty is on the table, there are monsters out there that will kill. In order to keep the public safe, we must reinstate the death penalty.”
Editorial: Don’t Ignore the Data. Legislators Who Care About Public Safety Must Vote ‘No’ on Marijuana
The following editorial by Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39) urging opposition to legislation to legalize marijuana was published on Dec. 4, 2018, on NorthJersey.com.
To view the data book on marijuana Senator Cardinale submitted to the officials, legislative staffers, and the media, click here.
Sen. Gerald Cardinale’s editorial urging opposition to legislation to legalize marijuana in New Jersey was published on Dec. 4, 2018 on NorthJersey.com. (Pixabay)
At the Nov. 26 committee hearing in Trenton on legalizing marijuana, passion ruled the day. Logic was on vacation. We saw:
Passion … for marijuana tax revenue.
Passion … for power, as most “cannabusinesses” will need a labor union agreement as a condition of licensure.
Passion … for the political contributions that will flow from the extremely-profitable marijuana lobbying industry.
All of this passion made it astonishingly easy for legislators to brush aside our sacred duty to protect the public’s safety and health. Here’s why they must.
I was appalled to see committee members ignore the testimony delivered by Sen. Ron Rice, the leader of New Jersey’s Legislative Black Caucus.
Bateman/Codey Bill to Fund State Acquisition of Lands for Recreation and Conservation Purposes Advances
A bill sponsored by Senator Christopher Bateman and Senator Richard Codey that would appropriate $15.696 million to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of funding the acquisition of lands by the state for recreation and conservation purposes advanced from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Senator Kip Bateman has sponsored legislation that would appropriate $16.696 million to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We must ensure New Jersey’s open spaces are preserved for generations to come,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “I have no doubt that, if passed, these funds will go towards worthy projects that will guarantee New Jersey can remain the Garden State.”
Bateman/Greenstein Bill Appropriating Funding for Capital Projects and Park Development Advances
A bill sponsored by Senate Environment and Energy Committee Vice-Chair Linda Greenstein and Senator Christopher Bateman that would appropriate $2.940 million to the Department of Environmental Protection to fund capital projects and park development advanced from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Bipartisan legislation would fund capital projects and park development advanced from the Senate Environment Committee. (©iStock)
“There is no greater lessen to teach our children than the importance of protecting the environment,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “We are blessed with landscapes that range from beautiful beaches, to wide open valleys, and mountaintops that reach the clouds. There are a number of projects we can tackle to preserve these magnificent destinations. Securing this funding is a fiscally-responsible way to do so.”
Senate Committee Advances Kean/Beach Blockchain Taskforce
Bipartisan Bill Would Modernize State Govt. Systems
The Senate Budget Committee has passed legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) and Senator James Beach (D-6) to launch the “NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force.”
The task force established under the bill would be charged with developing new strategies to increase the efficiency of electronic communication.
Sen. Tom Kean’s bipartisan bill that would launch the NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force passes committee. (Pixabay)
“The purpose of this taskforce is to look at every layer of government and see if there is a cost-effective way to implement this fast moving technology in a way that will benefit our residents,’ Kean said. “Blockchain is not a myth – nor is it hype. This technology has evolved tremendously since its initial platform for Bitcoin digital currency. The more I learn about Blockchain, the more I have come to see this as a great way for government offices to increase efficiency and secure the electronic systems we use to aid and protect residents Statewide.”
