Senate Approves Bucco Bill Establishing Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey
Statewide Initiative is Necessary to Combat Addiction and Save Lives
August 31 of each year will be designated Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey under a bill sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and passed today by the Senate.
Senator Bucco’s resolution designating August 31 of each year as Overdose Awareness Day in New Jersey cleared the Senate. (www.overdoseday.com)
“Every day, the battle against substance abuse disorder and opioid-related death continues in this state and across the nation,” said Bucco (R-25). “Information can be empowering to those who often feel helpless against this deadly disease. Establishing this meaningful day will honor the lives of those lost to addiction for years to come and hopefully save many more from the grasp of drugs. Elected officials on both sides of the aisle must work together now more than ever to increase awareness and remove the stigma surrounding addiction.”
Oroho Bill to Improve Broadband Speeds and Quality in Rural Areas Clears Senate
The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho that would bring faster, more reliable internet service to rural areas of New Jersey.
The Senate cleared Senator Oroho’s measure that would bring faster, more reliable internet service to rural areas of New Jersey. (©iStock)
Parts of the state with inferior broadband service, including portions of Sussex and Warren counties in Oroho’s legislative district, would benefit from the bill (S-1458) to bring state-of-the-art technology to communities currently underserved by cable providers.
“Too many neighborhoods in my district are hindered by slow internet speeds and it has taken a toll,” said Oroho (R-24). “Most communities across New Jersey enjoy lightning-fast downloads, but in less populated rural towns, internet users remain stuck in the slow lane.”
Senate Clears Kean Bill Assisting College Students with Dependent Children Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Kean that would help college students with children with the cost of education passed the Senate today.
Sen. Kean’s legislation will help college students with dependent children find scholarship and grant money they may be eligible to receive. (Pixabay)
“The skyrocketing cost of a college is a challenge for the majority of students, but for parents juggling childcare expenses and the cost of school, the burden can be overwhelming,” said Kean (R-21). “This measure can help lighten the load for parents seeking to provide more opportunities and better futures for themselves and their children, allowing them to qualify for more financial aid.”
Kean Measure to Analyze Criminal Justice Data and Demographics Passes Senate
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislative measure that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislative measure that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Justice is the cornerstone of American democracy, and all New Jersey residents deserve equal protection under the law,” said Kean (R-21). “This initiative will help elected officials and the public better discern and analyze how the law is being applied and enforced in New Jersey. Identifying any problem areas and initiating fitting solutions will support our mission in ensuing Lady Justice is blind, fair, and weighs all evidence impartially.”
Oroho Measure to Establish NJ Manufacturing Week Passes Senate
Senator Steve Oroho’s resolution to create Manufacturing Week in New Jersey has passed the State Senate.
The legislation, SJR-57, would designate the first week of October of each year as Manufacturing Week.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s resolution to establish ‘Manufacturing Week’ has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“As a proud member of the bipartisan Manufacturing Caucus, we are tasked with exploring new strategies to make New Jersey more competitive for manufacturers so they can expand or choose to locate their businesses in the State,” said Oroho (R- 24). “New Jersey has one of the most educated and skilled workforces in the nation, and our ideal location in the Northeast provides manufacturers with the infrastructure for wide-scale distribution of manufacturing products and services. Designating this week is a step toward re-establishing New Jersey as a place that welcomes business and capital investment.”
Bateman’s Home-Baking Bill Clears Senate
Measure Would Allow the Sale of Fresh Baked Goods Made in Residential Kitchens
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would allow the sale of home-baked goods made in residential kitchens was approved today by the Senate.
Senate approves Senator Bateman’s bill to allow the sale of home-baked goods made in residential kitchens. (Pixabay)
“Bakers working in their own kitchens can prepare sweet treats for sale at fund-raisers, but they can’t sell their cookies and cakes for profit,” said Bateman (R-16). “There’s no reason to prevent them from offering their goods to local consumers. This bill addresses a long-outdated statute and allows home bakers to earn some extra money for their baking talents to help pay New Jersey’s notoriously high taxes.”
Pennacchio/Gopal Measure to Create Permanent Veteran Commission and Military Post-Deployment Task Force Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Vin Gopal that would establish a permanent commission to study the various definitions of veterans and a task force to analyze issues facing returning members of the United States military has unanimously passed the Senate.
Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Vin Gopal’s bill that would establish a commission to study the various definitions of veterans and a task force to analyze issues facing returning members of the military has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Unfortunately, there’s so much confusion and ambiguity about the definition and classification of veterans regarding, where they served and how they served. As a result some may qualify for one program but not another,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “Establishing a standardized definition of ‘veteran’ will provide clarity and ensure New Jersey can deliver more opportunities and benefits to those who served our country at home and abroad.
“Both the task force and commission will shed light on indispensable insights and actionable recommendations so our State can better support our brave armed service members, and veterans can receive the benefits they rightfully deserve,” Pennacchio said.
Pennacchio’s Attempt to Open Restaurants for Indoor Dining Flagged by Senate Democrats
Frustrated by the Governor’s refusal to loosen restrictions on restaurants for indoor dining, Senator Joe Pennacchio today proposed legislative action to address the stalemate that is suffocating the state economy.
Senator Pennacchio’s attempt to gain Senate support for opening New Jersey restaurants for indoor dining was blocked by the Democrats. (Pixabay)
Pennacchio implored the Senate to adopt an amendment to S-766 to allow restaurants to follow appropriate precautions and open their doors to indoor customers immediately.
The Democrat majority instantly moved to block the effort, and as a result, restaurants remain off-limits indefinitely, subject to the Governor’s impulse.
“Arbitrary rules are destroying an entire industry. This was an opportunity for the Legislature to become directly involved in pandemic public policy but the Democrats passed,” said a disappointed Senator Pennacchio. “They chose politics over the best interests of New Jersey’s crucial hospitality industry and the hundreds of thousands of residents who depend on it for their livelihoods.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove’s Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief Measure Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove which would extend the current disabled veteran’s property tax exemption to disabled veteran shareholders and their surviving spouses residing in a cooperative or mutual housing corporation was passed by the State Senate on July 30 of this year.
Legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove to help more veterans qualify for the disabled veteran’s property tax exemption was passed by the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
The 9th District legislators issued the following statement regarding the advancement of their veterans’ initiative (S-956):
“This legislative proposal was introduced to correct a discrepancy in State whereby disabled veterans could not receive the veteran’s property tax exemption as cooperative or mutual housing corporations. To receive the exemption under current State law, a disabled veteran’s permanent residence must be a condominium, one-family, or multifamily home.
Pennacchio Bill to Abolish ‘Freeholder’ Title Clears Senate
Almost 10 years ago, Senator Joe Pennacchio first introduced legislation that would eliminate the “Freeholder” title in New Jersey county governments. Today the bill was passed by the Senate.
Senator Pennacchio’s bill that would eliminate the ‘freeholder’ title in New Jersey county governments was approved by the Senate. (Wikimedia)
“As a former freeholder, I am well aware that most people don’t know what the title means or what a freeholder does, and I spent so much time explaining the definition of freeholder,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “People need to understand the responsibilities and importance of the boards that lead county government. It was obvious it was time for a change.”
