Bucco Bill to Discover Why Businesses Leave NJ Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco that would require the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJLWD) to conduct exit interviews with companies that close their doors or relocate to another state has passed the Senate Labor Committee.
“When companies in New Jersey close their doors, or move to a more business-friendly state, the effects of layoffs are felt Statewide,” Bucco said. “Our mom-and-pop businesses help millions of families put food on the table. That is why it is critical that we discover the real reasons why so many job creators are fleeing New Jersey. This data will help us implement policies that draw innovators to our state, instead of driving them away.”
Sen. Anthony Bucco’s legislation would require the NJLWD to conduct exit interviews with companies that close, or relocate to another state. (WikiCommons)
Sen. Bucco’s bill, S-2356, aims to discover the tangible reasons why local companies are exiting the Garden State. More than 2,000 New Jersey jobs were placed at-risk this year, due to employers closing their stores or moving to a new state, according to a report by NJ Advance Media.
Bateman Bills to Incentivize Taxpayers & Public Utilities to Protect Pollinators Pass Committee
Two bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to provide corporation business tax credits to taxpayers and public utility companies who develop habitats to protect pollinators, such as honeybees, have passed the Senate Environment Committee.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s bills would provide corporation business tax credits to taxpayers and public utility companies who develop habitats to protect pollinators, such as the honeybee. (Flickr)
“We can’t keep New Jersey ‘the Garden State’ without pollinators and keystone species like the honeybee,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Think about all of the resources we have funneled into our farming and agricultural tourism industries. None of these businesses can flourish without pollinators. Providing CBT tax credits to people who take action to protect pollinators is a fiscally-responsible way to keep our ‘Jersey Fresh products’ growing strong for generations.”
Kean: Crumbling Hudson Rail Tunnels a Tragedy Waiting to Happen
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said the crumbling trans-Hudson rail tunnels are a tragedy waiting to happen after a piece of metal pierced the roof of a New Jersey Transit train this weekend.
Sen. Tom Kean said the crumbling trans-Hudson rail tunnels are a tragedy waiting to happen after a piece of metal pierced the roof of a NJ Transit train this weekend. (SenateNJ.com)
“It was pure luck that this didn’t happen during rush hour when commuters would have been standing where the damage occurred,” said Kean. “Looking at the pictures, it’s clear that somebody could have been killed. The poor state of the Hudson tunnels and our rail infrastructure in general is a tragedy waiting to happen.”
As a member of the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, Kean has pushed New Jersey Transit to address maintenance and staffing issues that impact the safety and reliability of the region’s rail service.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: As If We Needed Further Proof that the Gas Tax Increase Law Was a Scam
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, who vehemently opposed and voted against the 23-cent per gallon increase in the gas tax passed in 2016, released the following statement on the Murphy Administration’s recent announcement that gas tax will increase another 4.3 cents per gallon beginning October 1.
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, who vehemently opposed and voted against the 23-cent per gallon increase in the gas tax passed in 2016, said they also stand united with constituents in opposition to the Murphy Administration’s plans to raise the gas tax another 4.3 cents per gallon beginning October 1. (SenateNJ.com)
“Despite the financial hardships this regressive gas tax increase will impose, particularly on middle class families and seniors, no one should be surprised the revenue-starved state is reaching further into taxpayers’ pockets. Without hesitation, our Delegation broke with former Governor Christie by opposing the original 23-cent per gallon tax increase, because we knew that our constituency would be disproportionately impacted.
“Our Delegation remains consistent in our opposition, regardless of the New Jersey Department of Treasury’s decision to support a tax increase based on a review of fuel consumption levels. This is due to the fact that we proudly represent a commuting constituency with a large senior population. With little to no access to mass transit, our constituents primarily rely on the Garden State Parkway as a means of commuting on which, adding insult to injury, drivers are still paying the Corzine toll hikes that were deliberately targeted at our area of the state.
Kean Calls for Compromise on Minimum Wage & Fiscal Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said that bipartisan compromise is possible on a number of important initiatives, including raising the minimum wage and enacting fiscal reforms to lower the cost of government.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said bipartisan compromise is possible on raising the minimum wage and enacting fiscal reforms to lower the cost of government. (Pixabay)
“It would make a lot of sense to pair a minimum wage increase with proposals from the Legislature’s Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup to significantly reduce pension and health benefit costs going forward,” said Kean. “If the Governor is willing to join concerned Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature in getting the State’s fiscal house in order, I believe we can accomplish a lot of good things together for New Jerseyans.”
MEDIA ADVISORY (9/6): Bateman, Community Leaders to Host Prescription Drug Disposal Event at Hunterdon Healthcare
As part of an ongoing effort to combat New Jersey’s opioid abuse epidemic, Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) will join forces with local officials and representatives from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to host a prescription drug disposal event at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, at Hunterdon Healthcare in Flemington, New Jersey.
The event is open to the public and the media is encouraged to attend and help spread the word about the need to properly dispose of prescription medication.
Senator Kip Bateman, local leaders, and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals will host a prescription drop-off event on Sept. 6 at Hunterdon Healthcare in Flemington, NJ. (Wikimedia Commons)
The majority of teenagers who abuse prescription drugs acquire the substances at the home of a friend or family member, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“A life-threatening prescription drug problem often starts in one of the safest places we can imagine – our homes. An old bottle of painkillers left on a bathroom shelf may seem harmless, but for countless teens, a couple of pills left unattended is as dangerous as it gets,” Senator Bateman said. “No child should be able to easily access a medication that can be abused or sold for a profit.
“Participating in a prescription drop-off program is one the best ways to protect our daughters, sons, and neighbors from the perils of addiction. I encourage everyone in the area to join us and take action to combat New Jersey’s opioid crisis by safely disposing of the prescription drugs that are sitting in your home right now,” Bateman added.
WHAT: Prescription Drug Disposal Event
WHO: Senator Kip Bateman (R-16); Julian Malawi, Mallinckrodt Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy; Frederick W. Brown, Hunterdon County Sheriff; Anthony P. Kearns, III, Hunterdon County Prosecutor; William R. Healey, Hunterdon Healthcare Director of Donor and Community Relations; and Eric Orlando, Kaufman Zita Group Senior Vice President.
WHEN: Thursday, September 6, at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Hunterdon Healthcare Hospital: 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.
AVAILABILITY: OPEN
CONTACT Emily Everson, NJ Senate Republican Office: 609-847-3600; Rhonda Sciarra, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: 908-238-6765.
New O’Scanlon Bill Would Up Penalties for Animal Abuse
In light of recent reports of violent animal abuse in Monmouth and Ocean County, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) announced plans to introduce legislation establishing aggravated animal abuse as a new criminal offense, thereby increasing penalties for the cruel treatment of animals.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon announces plans to introduce legislation establishing aggravated animal abuse as a new criminal offense. (©iStock)
“Only a cruel coward would have the audacity to abuse or kill an innocent dog. I was appalled to read what happened to the dogs in Ocean County. No living creature should suffer through such catastrophic levels of abuse,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “For many of us our pets are family. Regardless, these are living creatures. We have to do everything we can to stop malicious people from endangering them. It is high time that the punishment for animal cruelty fits the crime. The cases we have seen throughout New Jersey prove that a stronger deterrent is necessary to keep our pets out of harm’s way.”
Cardinale Statement on the Passing of Former State Senator Henry McNamara
Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) released the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Henry McNamara.
Senator Gerry Cardinale released the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Henry McNamara. (SenateNJ.com)
“I had the honor of serving alongside Senator Henry McNamara for more than three decades. As a colleague, Hank always led by example. He was the architect of monumental environmental legislation, and a compassionate voice for his constituents. As a friend, I got to see firsthand what a wonderful, kind man he was. I am truly grateful. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Joan, and his family during this difficult time.”
Sacco, Scutari & O’Scanlon Introduce Camera Enforcement Inoculation Act
Senators Nick Sacco, Nick Scutari and Declan O’Scanlon joined together to introduce S-2893, which they have titled the “Camera Enforcement Inoculation Act.”
“We now have overwhelming proof that red light and speed cameras don’t improve safety,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “Every competent, independent, rigorous study done to date has shown that there is a net decrease in safety when these systems are employed. There is absolutely no reason why New Jersey should be complicit in these corrupt, highway robbery schemes.”
Senators Nick Sacco, Nick Scutari and Declan O’Scanlon joined together to introduce S-2893, which they have titled the “Camera Enforcement Inoculation Act.” (SenateNJ.com)
“These cameras are almost invariably placed where they’ll generate the most money, frequently at intersections with shortened yellow lights or roads with speed limits set to guarantee huge numbers of tickets. Profit-motivated enforcement is invariably corrupting. These tickets are an annoyance to those that can afford them. The people most impacted by these systems are the poor and working middle class. The impact can be devastating to those living paycheck to paycheck. New Jersey shouldn’t facilitate such theft from our citizens” O’Scanlon said.
Kean Statement on the Passing of Former State Senator Henry McNamara
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Henry McNamara.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on the passing of former State Senator Henry McNamara. (SenateNJ.com)
“We lost a man who for over 20 years steadfastly served the people of New Jersey with integrity and honor in the Legislature. Senator McNamara embodied the ideals of conviction and cooperation. As an environmental champion, he was always willing to reach across the aisle to advance important legislation. My deepest condolences go out to his family. May they find peace and comfort in the rich legacy he has left behind.“
