Thompson to Intro Anti-Voter Fraud Bill in Wake of Hudson County Mail-In Ballot Scandal
New Bill Would Up Penalties for Extreme Voter Fraud to Second-Degree Felony, Punishable by Up to 10 Years in Prison
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) today announced plans to introduce legislation to increase penalties for extreme cases of voter fraud, in light of reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Hoboken woman with paying voters to submit vote by mail applications.
Sen. Sam Thompson will introduce legislation to up penalties for extreme voter fraud, in light of reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Hoboken woman with paying voters to submit vote by mail applications. (©iStock)
“Voter fraud is real, it is happening in New Jersey, and we have a duty to do everything in our power to protect the integrity of our electoral process. We will not stand by and allow slick political operatives to disenfranchise voters. Clearly, a stronger deterrent is necessary,” Senator Thompson said. “We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this threat to our democracy. We must ensure people who commit voter fraud receive a punishment that fits the crime.”
Cardinale Statement on Bergen County Sheriff Saudino
Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-Bergen) issued the following statement in response to recently released audio recordings of Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino making racist comments:
Sen. Gerry Cardinale responded to recently released audio recordings of Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino making racist comments. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s disheartening that someone in such an important position within our county can have such a low view of so many of the people he serves. You can dislike policies that you think are bad, but you can’t dislike entire communities.
“Further, Sheriff Saudino’s suggestion that Attorney General Grewal was appointed by the Governor solely for the sake of appearance is beyond the pale.
Cardinale Intros Bill to Stop Electric Companies from Cutting Critically-Ill Customers’ Power
Bill Follows Death of NJ Woman Who Died Waiting for PSE&G to Restore Service
Following the tragic death of a New Jersey woman who died after PSE&G shut off her power, Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) has introduced legislation that would prohibit electric public utilities from discontinuing service in cases where doing so would put lives of seriously-ill consumers at risk.
Sen. Gerry Cardinale has introduced legislation that would prohibit electric public utilities from discontinuing service in cases where doing so would put lives of seriously-ill consumers at risk. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is hard to imagine that a public utility company could be so callous, that they would put someone’s life in jeopardy, just to turn a profit,” Cardinale said. “Linda Daniels’s family pleaded with the electric company to restore her power, while she was gasping for air. My prayers are with her family. We can’t erase their pain, but we can take action to ensure this never happens to another terminally-ill customer again.”
Oroho Bill to Promote NJ’s Farm-to-Table Industry Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to promote farm-to-table businesses Statewide has passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s bill would promote farm-to-table businesses Statewide, by promoting restaurants on New Jersey’s tourism website. (SenateNJ.com)
“Farm-to-table restaurants provide vital opportunities for small businesses to compete in a new and rapidly-growing part of our vibrant agricultural tourism industry,” Senator Oroho said. “The impact of choosing a farm-to-table restaurant stretches far beyond a diner’s plate. By highlighting local restaurants that serve ‘Jersey Fresh,’ we’re feeding the future of New Jersey’s farms, restaurants, and our local economy.”
Kean Says Murphy Should Consider All Opportunities to Reduce Health Benefit Costs
Urges Administration to Support “Platinum-to-Gold” Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Phil Murphy can build upon the modest healthcare savings he announced today by supporting “platinum-to-gold” reforms proposed by the Legislature.
Sen. Tom Kean urged Gov. Phil Murphy to support significant cost savings on public employee healthcare through “platinum-to-gold” reforms proposed by the Legislature. (©iStock)
“We are encouraged by the modest savings on health benefits announced by Governor Murphy today and encourage him to look at opportunities for even larger savings, like a shift from platinum-to-gold that has bipartisan support in the Legislature,” said Kean.
Kean: More Must Be Done to Help NJ Transit & Other Agencies Recruit Qualified Employees
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said that a decision allowing NJ Transit to hire train and bus operators who live out of state is a good start, but more must be done to ensure that every State agency has the opportunity to hire qualified employees, regardless of where they live.
Sen. Tom Kean said that a decision allowing NJ Transit to hire train and bus operators who live out of state is a good start, but more must be done to ensure that every State agency has the opportunity to hire qualified employees, regardless of where they live. (SenateNJ.com)
Sen. Kean has long-sponsored legislation (S-508) that would eliminate in-state residency requirements for public employees.
Kean noted that he has repeatedly called for the passage of his bill, in light of the catastrophic staffing shortages that continue to put thousands of NJ Transit customers in harm’s way.
“Allowing NJ Transit to hire out-of-state employees is a good first step, but the reality is that without a full repeal of the in-state residency requirement, many agencies will continue to struggle to hire enough qualified employees for critical positions.
“I have no doubt that NJ Transit will be able to better serve commuters by casting a wider net to recruit candidates from neighboring states. Every agency, every department, and every school district in our state should be able to do the same thing.
“Let’s have the courage to make big, bold changes that we all know are in the public’s best interest. A full repeal of state residency requirements is the right thing to do. I urge legislative leaders to post my repeal legislation for a vote as soon as possible.”
Corrado Announces National Adoption Day Toy Drive
As part of her ongoing effort to support New Jersey’s foster children and adoptive families, Senator Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting children’s toy donations through November 9th.
All new and unwrapped toy donations collected at Senator Corrado’s district office will be distributed to the Passaic Vicinage on their National Adoption Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 16.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting new and unwrapped children’s toy donations through November 9th. (SenateNJ.com)
“Seeing a child find their forever-family is truly a blessing,” Corrado said. “I was fortunate to grow up in a loving home, where two of my sisters were adopted. This experience definitely inspired me to become a lifelong advocate for foster kids and adoptive families. During my time as Passaic County Clerk, I also had the privilege to participate in many remarkable Adoption Days,” Corrado added. “These moments celebrate a child’s path to a new family, and honor their story. Donating new and unwrapped toys is a great way for people in our community to show their support.”
O’Scanlon & DiMaso Warn Voters to Be Vigilant
Say New Voting Laws May Lead to Confusion
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) issued the following statement today regarding recent changes to voting laws:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Asw. Serena DiMaso warned voters to be vigilant this year following changes to New Jersey election law that will result in vote-by-mail ballots being sent automatically to some voters. (©iStock)
“Any resident who requested a vote-by-mail ballot in 2016, or later, must be vigilant this year before voting. The Governor and legislature have instituted a new policy wherein vote-by-mail ballots will be sent automatically to anyone who had previously requested them in 2016.
“Voters should check their mail and if a vote-by-mail ballot is delivered to their home, residents should use that to vote in this years’ election.
Bucco Bill to Give Research Animals a New ‘Leash’ On Life Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a second chance has passed the Senate Environment Committee. The bill would require New Jersey’s higher education institutions to offer laboratory animals to rescue organizations for purposes of adoption.
New Jersey uses more research animals than any other state in the country, according to the USDA. In 2017 alone, more than 5,000 cats and dogs were serving as research animals.
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill would give cats and dogs serving as research animals a second chance, by requiring institutions of higher education to offer them up for adoption. (©iStock)
“When a dog or cat is used for research, far too often their life is unnecessarily cut short,” Bucco said. “It is heartbreaking to see countless animals denied the right to a long life, when they could be given to a loving home. By creating a pathway to adoption, we can ensure our furry friends get a new ‘leash’ on life.”
Kean Legislation to Improve Transparency at NJ Transit, Independent State Agencies & Authorities
Says Important Public Oversight Hindered by Murphy Administration Secrecy
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean will introduce legislation to improve transparency at independent agencies and authorities of the State, including New Jersey Transit, the Turnpike Authority, the Motor Vehicle Commission, the Schools Construction Corporation, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
Sen. Tom Kean will introduce legislation to improve transparency at independent State agencies, including NJ Transit, to reverse the Murphy Administration’s attempt to limit information and hinder public oversight. (SenateNJ.com)
“Despite a crisis of mismanagement at New Jersey Transit that calls for greater scrutiny of its operations, the Murphy Administration has stemmed the flow of critical information to make it more difficult for the public and the media to act as watchdogs,” said Kean. “This new level of secrecy is designed to hinder oversight, which is contrary to the Governor’s promise to increase transparency. A legislative solution is called for that forces the shadow governments at New Jersey’s expansive independent agencies and authorities into the light.”
