Kean/Vitale Bill to Help NJ Moms, Address Maternal & Infant Mortality Rates Advances
Bill Would Improve Statewide Medicaid Data Analysis Practices
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Health Committee Chair Joe Vitale to improve the health, well-being and safety of New Jersey’s expectant mothers and newborns on Medicaid has passed the Senate Health Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean to improve the health, well-being and safety of New Jersey’s expectant mothers and newborns on Medicaid has passed the Senate Health Committee. (Flickr)
New Jersey’s maternal and infant mortality rates are some of the highest in the country, especially for African Americans. S-3406 would address this crisis by improving certain Medicaid data analysis and healthcare practices.
“Mothers and their newborn babies are dying at shocking rates in New Jersey, and across the country,” Senator Kean (R-21) noted. “Evaluating the medical data of pregnant Medicaid patients Statewide can help us better understand risk factors and break down barriers to care. This legislation, along with the rest of our bipartisan maternal healthcare package, will help close the racial disparity gap, build stronger families, and save lives.”
Singer Bill Package to Improve Maternity Care Advances
Legislation to make Pregnancy, Delivery, and the Postpartum Period Safer
A trio of bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth) that aims to improve the health and well-being of mothers before, during, and after pregnancy unanimously passed the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. The bills’ passage comes in the wake of a state and national health emergency: African American mothers are dying both during and after childbirth at disproportionately higher rates than white mothers, with some of the most staggering rates occurring right here in New Jersey.
A trio of bipartisan bills sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that aims to improve the health and well-being of mothers before, during, and after pregnancy passed the Senate Health Committee. (©iStock)
“New Jersey’s high maternal illness and death toll are disturbing, particularly for African American mothers,” Singer said. “We must take action to fix this deadly crisis. This requires a comprehensive approach of prioritizing maternal health during pregnancy, childbirth, and throughout the postpartum period. Enacting this legislation package will reduce preventable deaths and ensure more New Jersey mothers and babies leave the hospital happy and healthy.”
Committee Advances Oroho/Singleton/Addiego Bill Package to Combat Surge in Foreclosures
A bipartisan bill package sponsored by Senators Steve Oroho, Troy Singleton, and Dawn Marie Addiego which would tackle the surge in foreclosures and streamline the pending cases has passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
A bipartisan package of bills sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho would combat NJ’s surge in foreclosures and streamline pending cases. (©iStock.com)
The impetus of these bills stems from the report which was released in May of 2017 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Special Committee on Residential Foreclosures. This report was the culmination of work from key stakeholders in the process such as the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
“Going through a foreclosure is incredibly traumatic for families that are already struggling. It’s a legally cumbersome, expensive, and confusing process for everyone involved,” said Senator Steven Oroho (R-Morris/Sussex/Warren), a member of the Special Committee on Residential Foreclosures. “Our legislation will make New Jersey’s foreclosure process more just and efficient. This will give families the opportunity to start fresh, while helping towns reduce the number of vacant houses that create public safety issues in our neighborhoods.”
Bucco Bill Establishes Grace Period for Late Water & Sewer Bills
New Jersey residents who fall behind on their water and sewer bills would be given a 30-day grace period before interest begins to accrue, under legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco. The bill, S-2066, was today advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
NJ residents who fall behind on water and sewer bills would be given a 30-day grace period before interest begins to accrue, under Sen. Anthony Bucco’s bill. (©iStock)
“When you’re already coping with the highest property taxes in the country, it can be pretty easy to fall behind on your utility bills,” Senator Anthony Bucco (R-26) said. “Giving consumers a 30-day break before interest starts piling up is a simple fix that will make it a lot easier for people to stay in their homes.”
Senate Transportation Committee Approves Creation of New Gateway Development Commission
Diegnan, Kean laud NJ-NY-Amtrak partnership as critical to build new tunnels, expand rail capacity and spur economic growth
Legislation sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean creating the Gateway Development Commission was approved on Thursday by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean and Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. creating the Gateway Development Commission was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Gateway Project will increase NJ Transit rail commuter capacity to and from New York Penn Station by 70,000 riders a day and enable NJ Transit to provide direct one-seat rides on every rail line,” said Senator Kean (R-Union). “The Morris & Essex Line’s Midtown Direct rail service is a major reason that downtowns like Morristown, Madison and South Orange are now thriving, and we need that same transit-oriented development to spur economic growth on the Raritan Valley Line and throughout North and Central Jersey.”
Corrado: Gov. Murphy Shouldn’t Be Allowed to Sweep Hiring Scandal Under the Rug
Senator Kristin Corrado said Governor Phil Murphy should not be allowed to sweep a hiring scandal under the rug, with key questions unanswered and major discrepancies in the stories told by current and former staff in the Governor’s inner circle.
Sen. Kristin Corrado said Gov. Phil Murphy should not be allowed to sweep a hiring scandal under the rug, with key questions unanswered and major discrepancies in the stories told by current and former staff in the Governor’s inner circle. (SenateNJ.com)
“The report commissioned by Governor Murphy doesn’t get us any further in understanding who was responsible for hiring someone with serious allegations into a high level position in the Governor’s administration,” said Corrado, a vice-chair of the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee. “Neither the Governor nor his staff will give us a clear and definitive answer to the important question of who hired Al Alvarez, and nobody has been held accountable for a string of failures that continued for nearly a year after the allegations were first raised to senior officials. There are numerous inconsistencies in the stories of Murphy Administration officials that must be resolved. While the report claims it was the system that failed Katie Brennan, it was in fact the Governor and senior officials in his transition office and administration who failed her.”
Pennacchio & Diegnan Introduce ‘Mallory’s Law’ to Toughen NJ’s Anti-Bullying Laws
Bill Named in Memory of 12-Year-Old Rockaway Student Increases Accountability, Strengthens Process
Following the tragic death of Mallory Rose Grossman, a 12-year-old Rockaway student who committed suicide after suffering from bullying, Senators Joe Pennacchio and Patrick Diegnan have introduced bipartisan legislation to standardize and strengthen New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio has introduced “Mallory’s Law” to toughen NJ’s anti-bullying laws. Pictured: the Senate honors Mallory’s Army on Dec. 18, 2017 for its fight against bullying. (SenateNJ.com)
Their legislation, “Mallory’s Law,”(S-3433) represents a comprehensive approach to prevent and respond to bullying in New Jersey, by increasing the repercussions and ensuring school officials take preventative actions before tragedy strikes.
“My heart breaks for Mallory’s family,” Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) said. “We must take action to ensure no one ever goes through this again. ‘Mallory’s Law’ combats the harassment and intimidation that can lead children to take their own lives. This bill would also require school and county officials to address bullying, before it gets out of control. Increasing transparency and accountability, while standardizing this process, will help us end the culture of bullying.”
Mallory Grossman was bullied on school grounds and harassed via Snapchat and text messages relentlessly, before she took her own life on June 14, 2017.
Bucco Says New Minimum Wage Law Will Lead to Layoffs and Automation
Warns that Minimum Wage for Unemployed Workers Replaced by Robots or Kiosks is Zero
Senator Anthony Bucco said a law signed by Governor Phil Murphy today to raise the minimum wage in New Jersey from $8.85 to $15 per hour will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies.
Sen. Anthony Bucco said a law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to raise the minimum wage from $8.85 to $15 per hour will force small business owners to make tough choices about staffing levels and the adoption of labor-replacing technologies like kiosks. (SenateNJ.com)
“As a small business owner, I understand how difficult it is to maintain employees’ jobs and benefits when we’re constantly faced with new taxes and expensive mandates from the State,” said Bucco (R-25). “I have no doubt that the huge costs being forced on employers by Governor Murphy and the Democratic legislature will lead to reduced hours for workers, layoffs, and the faster adoption of automation technologies that already are driving workforce reductions in many industries.”
O’Scanlon Condemns Murphy Signing ‘Disastrous’ Minimum Wage Law
Says this is simply too much too fast
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today condemned Governor Murphy’s signature of a bill which would rapidly raise the minimum wage to $15 and have widespread negative impacts for New Jersey.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon condemned Gov. Murphy’s signature of a bill which would rapidly raise the minimum wage to $15 and have widespread negative impacts for New Jersey. (WikiMedia)
“This law will have disastrous consequences for our business community and minimum wage workers. It simply goes too far too fast,” O’Scanlon stated. “I serve on the bipartisan manufacturing caucus and we heard from every single manufacturer that it was impossible for them to absorb this increase without losing jobs.”
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Oroho: Minimum Wage Increases Wage Increase Will Lead to Lost Benefits for Workers, Less Jobs
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said a minimum wage increase signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy today will lead to reductions in other forms of employee compensation.
Sen. Steven Oroho said a minimum wage increase signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy will lead to reductions in other forms of employee compensation. (Pixabay)
“The legislation signed by Governor Murphy fails to recognize that most employers have a fixed budget for total compensation, which often covers the cost of wages, bonuses, health benefits, life insurance, and vacation time,” said Oroho. “When one of those costs goes up, another cost has to be reduced. By mandating higher wages, the Governor’s action is certain to lead to the elimination of bonuses, a reduction of paid time off, and higher premiums, deductibles, and co-pays for health benefits for many workers.”
Oroho said that kind of compensation trade-off was demonstrated by Amazon when it announced in October that it was raising pay for hourly employees to $15/hour.
