Pennacchio Lauds NJDOT for Addressing Traffic Concerns at Congested Intersection in Jefferson
Senator Urges Residents Who Will be Impacted by Improvement Project to View Transportation’s Online Presentation for Details
The New Jersey Department of Transportation is proceeding toward an extensive road project to alleviate heavy congestion and long delays for drivers on Route 15 and Berkshire Valley Road in Jefferson Township.
Senator Joe Pennacchio encouraged local residents who contend with the chronic traffic congestion at the Route 15 interchange in Jefferson Township to view an online presentation about NJDOT’s improvement plans at www.Rt15BVRPIC.com. (Pixabay)
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said the improvements will help residents and businesses in the area and urged those who will be affected to provide feedback and get information from NJDOT’s online presentation and virtual Public Information Center for the project.
Kean Bill Protecting Residents’ Personal Data Advances
Individuals, corporations and businesses, and associations would be required to protect the personal information of customers, clients and members or risk significant fines under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and advanced today by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean sponsors legislation that would require individuals, corporations and businesses, and associations to protect the personal information of customers, clients and members or risk significant fines. (©iStock)
Kean’s bill, S-1233, requires any entity that owns or licenses personal information about a resident of the state to implement a comprehensive security program to prevent the data from being compromised.
Bucco Bill Allowing Veterans Homes Residents to have Four-Legged Visitors Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco that would allow individuals with dogs, especially therapy dogs, to visit residents in State-run veterans homes was approved by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco that would allow individuals with dogs, especially therapy dogs, to visit residents in State-run veterans homes was advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (Flickr)
“Family pets, particularly dogs, have been shown in multiple studies to reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression. The simple act of petting a dog can reduce stress,” said Bucco (R-25). “My legislation will finally permit dogs, especially therapy dogs, to visit State-run veterans homes so that the men and women who served this country, and have sacrificed so much, can experience the joy and comfort of these lovable animals.”
Pennacchio & Bucco Call for Gov. Murphy to Sign Special Education Extension Bill
Senators Ready to Lead Charge to Override a Veto
Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Anthony M. Bucco called for Governor Phil Murphy to sign a bill into law that would allow students with disabilities whose education has been impacted by the pandemic to stay in school for an extra year.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Tony Bucco called for Gov. Phil Murphy to sign a bill into law that would allow students with disabilities whose education has been impacted by the pandemic to stay in school for an extra year. (Pixabay)
The Morris County senators said they were ready to lead the charge to override should Governor Murphy veto the legislation.
“Parents of students with disabilities are extremely concerned that the pandemic stole a critical year of education from their children,” said Bucco (R-25). “For these extremely vulnerable students, getting that year back would be nothing less than life-changing. Families are telling us they need more than Governor Murphy’s sympathy, they need his signature on the bill. His lack of action is leaving families in limbo and prohibiting their ability to plan for their children.”
Thompson: Democrats Deciding State Budget in Backroom Without Public Input
Senator Sam Thompson warned that transparency has reached a new low in Trenton as Governor Phil Murphy and the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, all Democrats, have eschewed any semblance of a public process to determine how tens of billions of dollars of State and federal funds will be spent.
Sen. Sam Thompson warned that transparency has reached a new low in Trenton as Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders have eschewed any semblance of a public process to determine how more than $50 billion of State and federal funds will be spent. (©iStock)
“Three men are deciding how more than $50 billion of State and federal funds will be spent with absolutely no public input,” said Thompson (R-12), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee. “In prior years, Democrats would at least pretend to want to hear from the public before rubberstamping the budget they had already agreed upon in private. This year, they’re dispensing with the charade and have completely cut the public out of the process. It’s the antithesis of the inclusive, open, and transparent government that New Jersey deserves.”
Senator Testa Visits Sprawling New Vineland Manufacturing Facility
Senator Testa Visits Sprawling New Vineland Manufacturing Facility
Senator Michael Testa toured a new 159,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Vineland this week as part of the First Legislative District Team’s business Recovery Tour.
Senator Michael Testa, left, toured Comar’s new manufacturing facility in Vineland last week. Testa is the new co-chair of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus of New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
The state-of-the-art plant was built for Comar, a premier supplier of specialty packaging solutions and custom molded medical devices and assemblies, and only recently went into production.
Oroho Bill to Train a New Generation of Manufacturing Experts Advances
As New Jersey’s expanding manufacturing sector continues to create jobs faster than companies can find qualified candidates, the Senate Higher Education Committee today approved Senator Steve Oroho’s bill that would enlist help from the state’s county colleges and vocational schools.
Senator Steve Oroho sponsors legislation that would establish a manufacturing career pathways in New Jersey colleges and vocational schools to train qualified candidates to fill job vacancies. (Pixabay)
Oroho’s bill, the Manufacturing in Higher Education Act (S-3216), would establish a manufacturing career pathway which would be offered through county colleges and vocational schools and aid the manufacturing industry.
Committee Clears Kean Bill that Would Examine State Funding for Higher Education
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions was advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions was advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The dramatic increase in higher education tuition each year is making college less affordable and less attainable for so many New Jersey families,” said Kean (R-21). “One of the most obvious reasons for this increase is because New Jersey has consistently underfunded colleges and universities which has led to a large-scale affordably crisis. My legislation will create a commission to address this systemic problem by analyzing the available data from our state, as well as other states, and determine how we can more efficiently fund our higher education system.”
Bateman Bill to Help Homeowners Remove Lead, Asbestos Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman that would help owners address dangerous lead and asbestos in their homes cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman would provide gross income tax deductions for homeowners paying to remediate lead in water and other health-threatening toxins. (Pixabay)
“For the health of residents, it is crucial to mitigate the risks of lead and asbestos in the home, but hazard abatement is costly,” said Bateman (R-16). “This bill will make it easier for homeowners to do the right thing and have trained professionals remediate toxins and carcinogens from their property ensuring a healthy environment for current and future residents of the property.”
Panel Clears Oroho Bill Pursuing Federal Jobs and Investment for NJ
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho that would help attract federal jobs and investment to New Jersey was approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation that would encourage the federal government to invest in jobs and infrastructure projects in the state was approved in committee. (Pixabay)
An office in the Department of Treasury, established under Oroho’s bill (S-1778) would be established for the purpose.
