Weinberg, McKeon, Kean: NJ Transit Reform Bill Will Make Agency Responsive, Transparent and Accountable
NJ Senate & Assembly give final approval to bill to add commuters to NJT Board, mandate public hearings, establish legislative oversight and expand disclosure
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman John McKeon and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. today lauded final passage of sweeping NJ Transit reform legislation that will add commuters to the NJ Transit Board, mandate public hearings prior to substantial schedule changes or fare hikes, expand legislative oversight, and mandate the disclosure of detailed fiscal, safety and personnel data.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman John McKeon and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. lauded the final passage of sweeping NJ Transit reform legislation. (SenateNJ.com)
“The overwhelming bipartisan passage of this legislation exemplifies the cooperation of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders who have stood together in recent years on the most important mass transit issues, from improving NJ Transit service to pushing for funding to expand rail and bus capacity by building the Gateway Tunnel and expanding the Port Authority Bus Terminal,” Senator Kean (R-Union) said.
Senate Passes Singer Bill to Bring More Nursing Aides to NJ
The New Jersey State Senate has passed reciprocity legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) that would allow nursing aides who have been certified in a different state to use their license to practice in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Senate has passed reciprocity legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer to allow nursing aides already certified in another state to use their license to practice in New Jersey. (©iStock)
Singer noted that unless the Legislature takes action, New Jersey will have the nation’s third largest shortage of nurses by 2030.
“We are in the midst of a statewide doctor and nurse shortage,” Senator Singer said. “This crisis is impacting the quality and speed of care that we can provide to our residents. There is no doubt that this problem will only continue to grow as New Jersey, and the country, struggles to meet the needs of an aging populous. This bill is an easy way to instantly expand the pool of highly-trained applicants.”
Senate Passes Bucco/Oroho/Singleton Bill to Let NJ Businesses Challenge State Regulations
New Jersey business owners would finally have the ability to push back against State regulations, under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco, Steven Oroho, and Troy Singleton. The bill, S-2345, passed the State Senate today.
Bipartisan legislation by Sens. Anthony Bucco, Steven Oroho, and Troy Singleton giving New Jersey business owners the ability to push back against State regulations has passed the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“We have seen a mass exodus of small business owners in recent years, and many are leaving because of red tape,” Senator Bucco said. “Every business owner should have the opportunity to fight back against rules and regulations that keep them from growing a business here. The New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act is a great tool. I hope that this legislation will encourage business owners to speak out and help us cut red tape, so they can stay and prosper in New Jersey.”
Doherty/Bateman Bill to Allow Dogs at Breweries Passes Senate
The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in New Jersey breweries.
The New Jersey Senate has passed a bill by Sens. Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman’s to allow dogs in consumption areas of microbreweries. (©iStock)
“Any time we see an industry that’s actually growing in New Jersey, we should seize any opportunity we can to help those businesses succeed,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “Employers face enough challenges as it is because of all the red tape in this state. Our bill was inspired by all of the brewery owners who have been vocal about the fact that being dog-friendly is good for business. Eliminating the regulation that keeps dogs out of breweries is an easy way to keep craft beer flowing in the Garden State.”
Kean/Beach Blockchain Task Force Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) and Senator James Beach (D-6) to establish a task force charged with exploring the merits of using Blockchain technology to modernize government systems and safeguard personal data has passed the New Jersey State Senate.
The New Jersey Senate has approved a bill by Sens. Tom Kean and James Beach establishing a task force to explore the merits of using Blockchain technology to modernize government systems and safeguard personal data. (©iStock)
“Blockchain is not a myth, or a passing fad. This technology has evolved tremendously since the early days of Bitcoin and crypto-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 every day to aid and protect residents statewide,” Senator Kean said. “The task force established by our bill will look for cost-effective ways to implement this technology in a way that can benefit our taxpayers.”
Senate Passes Bucco Bill Expanding Emergency Access to Lifesaving Prescriptions
The New Jersey State Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) that would allow a pharmacist to dispense an emergency supply of chronic maintenance drugs, without a current prescription from a doctor.
Sen. Bucco’s bill would expand the supply limit of certain medications to 30 days, ensuring people with serious conditions, such as allergies or diabetes, have enough on hand to keep them safe. (Wikimedia Commons)
“In the time it takes to get a doctor to authorize refill, a patient with a serious medical condition can end up hospitalized – or worse,” Senator Bucco said. “When a woman reached out to my office to share how her son almost died because of a dangerous over-regulation, I knew we had to pass this bill. By easing access to emergency medications, we can ensure that no mother ever has to go through the fear of losing her child like that ever again.”
Senator Bucco’s legislation aims to help patients and caregivers such as Debra Reinhart, a New Jersey woman whose son almost died when he was unable to get his insulin prescription, according to a report by NJ Spotlight.
Pennacchio/Turner Innocence Commission to Aid NJ’s Wrongfully-Convicted Passes Senate
Legislators Work With Exonerated Prisoners & Advocates to Advance “New Jersey Innocence Study and Review Commission”
The New Jersey Senate has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Shirley Turner to create a commission that would develop reforms and create a pathway to justice for those who have been wrongfully convicted in New Jersey.
From left: Exoneree Anthony Ways, Sen. Joe Pennacchio, Exoneree Jean Dorval, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nick Scutari, Exoneree Rodney Roberts, and advocate Lesley Risinger. All were present for the Oct. 29 committee passage of S-406, which will bring justice to the wrongfully convicted. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our innocence commission would address a wide variety of issues facing people who have been wrongfully convicted – from reintegrating back into society, to getting the compensation they deserve,” Senator Pennacchio explained. “The commission would also consider establishing a permanent panel that could review cases when our system fails.
“Innocent people should not spend a single day behind bars, but it happens all the time – even in New Jersey. I hope that our colleagues in the Assembly will listen to the stories we have shed light on throughout our journey to pass this bill. These people shouldn’t have to wait a moment longer for justice,” Pennacchio added.
Kean Statement On Redistricting Announcement
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement in response to news that the redistricting amendment has been pulled from Monday’s Senate Voting Session agenda:
Sen. Tom Kean said the decision to pull the redistricting amendment from the Dec. 17 Senate Session board list is a big win for the people of New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is a big win for the people of New Jersey. The proposed redistricting amendment would have disenfranchised millions of voters, taking away one of the most important rights we have as Americans: the power to choose who represents us in the halls of government.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Gerrymandering is wrong. We will remain vigilant, and fight back against any redistricting proposal that betrays democracy.”
Kean & Bramnick Call on Democratic Leadership to Cancel Senate & Assembly Votes Following Massive Opposition to Partisan Gerrymandering Scheme
At Public Hearings Yesterday, Not a Single Person Testified in Support
Following a massive display of opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment at public hearings yesterday, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick urged the Democratic legislative leadership to remove the partisan gerrymandering scheme from the voting agendas of the Senate and General Assembly on Monday.
Sen. Tom Kean and Asm. Jon Bramnick urged the Democratic legislative leadership to stop planned votes on a partisan gerrymandering scheme following unanimous opposition at public hearings yesterday. (SenateNJ.com)
“It would be an act of utter hubris for the Democratic majorities to forge ahead with the constitutional amendment in defiance of such clear public opposition,” said Kean (R-Union). “They should demonstrate that they’ve heard the massive outcry and do the right thing by cancelling Monday’s planned votes on this partisan gerrymandering scheme.”
O’Scanlon Warns of Dangerous Arbitrary Speed Limit Bill
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today warned his fellow legislators to apply science when considering a piece of legislation which would have legislators set the speed limit at 25 mph along certain stretches of Route 130 in Burlington at all times of the day and night, not just school hours.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon warns his fellow legislators to apply science when considering A-3576, legislation that would set the speed limit at 25 mph along certain stretches of Route 130 in Burlington at all times of the day and night, not just during school hours. (SenateNJ.com)
The legislation, also known as “Antwan’s Law,” (A-3576) is scheduled for a final legislative vote on Monday, Dec. 17 in the New Jersey General Assembly.
“The bill sponsors and community advocates most certainly have good intentions here. But we have science that is used to set speed limits. Allowing legislators to randomly set speed limits is not the scientific way to do it,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “You don’t alter the speed limit by randomly changing signs on the side of the road. In fact, that could make things more hazardous if those speed limits aren’t backed up by data.”
