O’Scanlon Releases Justice Reform Bill Package
“This is only the beginning.” – Senator O’Scanlon
Senator Declan O’Scanlon has introduced three bills aimed at keeping financial incentives out of municipal courts. The bills (S-3059, S-3060, SR-108) were introduced in the wake of direct recommendations from July’s Supreme Court Subcommittee on Municipal Court Fines, Operations, and Revenue.

Sen. Declan O’Scanlon has introduced three bills aimed at keeping financial incentives out of municipal courts. (©iStock)
“The courts should be upholding justice, not in the business of raising revenue,” O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said. “The purpose of my legislation is to take financial incentives out of the equation. Our judges and police officers should welcome these reforms, as enforcers of justice we will be taking the pressure off them to be the tax collectors the status quo incentivizes.”
Sen. Singer & Duvi Honig Announce the Designation of ‘New Jersey Economic Development Day’
Legislation Inspired by Local Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce
The New Jersey State Senate has passed a resolution sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that names the second Monday of May as “New Jersey Economic Development Day.”

The New Jersey State Senate has passed a resolution sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that names the second Monday of May as New Jersey Economic Development Day. (SenateNJ.com)
“I was proud and honored to work with Duvi Honig and the Orthodox Jewish Chamber Of Commerce to put words into action and enhance New Jersey’s business network,” Singer stated. “By teaming up with Mr. Honig and the Chamber, we can take networking to a new level in this state. Additionally, I want to thank Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Loretta Weinberg for their leadership and support of our legislation. I look forward to celebrating ‘Economic Development Day’ for years to come.”
Oroho, Gopal Bill to Fund Critical Manufacturing Training Programs for NJ Veterans and Residents Passes Senate
The New Jersey State Senate has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) Senator Vin Gopal (D-11) that would extend funding for manufacturing workforce development. The legislation would make a General Fund supplemental appropriation of $250,000 to the Department of State for the purpose of funding the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP), Inc.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s bipartisan legislation would extend funding for manufacturing workforce development. (SenateNJ.com)
More than 1 million in-state jobs are supported by New Jersey’s manufacturing industry.
“There is a common misconception that accessing a high-paying job requires an expensive four year degree. That is not the case,” Oroho said. “Workforce development programs, such as the NJMEP, have produced tangible results for our veterans, unemployed, and underemployed residents.
Senate Passes Doherty/Sweeney Bill Allowing Counties to Share Tax Administrators
The New Jersey State Senate has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Mike Doherty and Senate President Steve Sweeney that would increase government efficiency and lower the cost to taxpayers, by allowing counties to share tax administrators.

Sens. Mike Doherty and Steve Sweeney’s bipartisan bill would increase government efficiency and lower the cost to taxpayers, by allowing counties to share tax administrators. (SenateNJ.com)
“Inefficiencies at the county level are bleeding taxpayers dry. We must seize every opportunity to encourage local governments to share services, and bring these costs down. Allowing counties to share a tax administrator is a great start,” Senator Doherty (R-23) said. “I look forward to seeing our communities reap the rewards of this commonsense change.”
Pennacchio: Disappointed to See Paterson BOE Fly to Vegas on Taxpayers’ Dime
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) questioned the Paterson Board of Education’s decision to use taxpayer dollars to fly to a conference in Las Vegas, calling the trip a “colossal waste” of public funds.

Sen. Joe Pennacchio questioned the Paterson Board of Education’s decision to use taxpayer dollars to fly to a conference in Las Vegas, calling the trip a colossal waste of public funds. (WikiCommons)
“We constantly hear reports of overcrowded classrooms, crumbling infrastructure, scare resources, and layoffs at Paterson Schools. How could any public servant justify spending thousands on a trip to Vegas, when the children they are supposed to be fighting for don’t even have their own textbooks? Surely, there are better ways to spend that money. This is an outrageous misuse of taxpayer dollars and every parent who hears about this should be furious,” Pennacchio said.
“I have one thing to say to these Board of Education members: grow a conscience, respect the people you represent, and cancel this trip immediately. $5,000 is a lot of money and your district can’t afford to spend it on a lavish vacation, no matter the alleged ‘educational value’ of this so-called conference. If it is that important, pay for it yourself.”
Singer Bill Would Allow Nursing Aides with Out-of-State Licenses to Practice in NJ
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) that would allow nursing aides who were certified in a different state to use their license in New Jersey.

Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would allow nursing aides who were certified in a difference state to use their licenses in New Jersey. (Flickr)
“Unless we take action to increase the number of medical professionals actively working in our state, we will have the nation’s third largest shortage of nurses by 2030,” Senator Singer said. “This is creating life or death situations in homes and hospitals in every corner of New Jersey. Nursing aides have one goal: to keep us healthy. We should not let State regulations keep them from achieving it.”
Advanced: Oroho Bill to Extend Funding for Manufacturing Workforce Development Programs
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) that would extend funding for manufacturing workforce development programs has passed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
More than 1 million in-state jobs are supported by New Jersey’s manufacturing industry.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s bipartisan bill would extend funding for manufacturing workforce development programs. (SenateNJ.com)
“The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program has added or saved more than 32,000 jobs. Creating this program was an important step towards building a more innovative workforce,” Senator Oroho said. “Manufacturing is a rapidly-growing field where opportunities for high-paying jobs and long-term success abound. By increasing funding for the NJMEP, we can encourage more New Jerseyans to enter our booming manufacturing industry.”
Thompson to Intro Anti-Voter Fraud Bill in Wake of Hudson County Mail-In Ballot Scandal
New Bill Would Up Penalties for Extreme Voter Fraud to Second-Degree Felony, Punishable by Up to 10 Years in Prison
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) today announced plans to introduce legislation to increase penalties for extreme cases of voter fraud, in light of reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Hoboken woman with paying voters to submit vote by mail applications.

Sen. Sam Thompson will introduce legislation to up penalties for extreme voter fraud, in light of reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged a Hoboken woman with paying voters to submit vote by mail applications. (©iStock)
“Voter fraud is real, it is happening in New Jersey, and we have a duty to do everything in our power to protect the integrity of our electoral process. We will not stand by and allow slick political operatives to disenfranchise voters. Clearly, a stronger deterrent is necessary,” Senator Thompson said. “We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this threat to our democracy. We must ensure people who commit voter fraud receive a punishment that fits the crime.”
Oroho Bill to Promote NJ’s Farm-to-Table Industry Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to promote farm-to-table businesses Statewide has passed the Senate Economic Growth Committee.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s bill would promote farm-to-table businesses Statewide, by promoting restaurants on New Jersey’s tourism website. (SenateNJ.com)
“Farm-to-table restaurants provide vital opportunities for small businesses to compete in a new and rapidly-growing part of our vibrant agricultural tourism industry,” Senator Oroho said. “The impact of choosing a farm-to-table restaurant stretches far beyond a diner’s plate. By highlighting local restaurants that serve ‘Jersey Fresh,’ we’re feeding the future of New Jersey’s farms, restaurants, and our local economy.”
Corrado Announces National Adoption Day Toy Drive
As part of her ongoing effort to support New Jersey’s foster children and adoptive families, Senator Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting children’s toy donations through November 9th.
All new and unwrapped toy donations collected at Senator Corrado’s district office will be distributed to the Passaic Vicinage on their National Adoption Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 16.

Sen. Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting new and unwrapped children’s toy donations through November 9th. (SenateNJ.com)
“Seeing a child find their forever-family is truly a blessing,” Corrado said. “I was fortunate to grow up in a loving home, where two of my sisters were adopted. This experience definitely inspired me to become a lifelong advocate for foster kids and adoptive families. During my time as Passaic County Clerk, I also had the privilege to participate in many remarkable Adoption Days,” Corrado added. “These moments celebrate a child’s path to a new family, and honor their story. Donating new and unwrapped toys is a great way for people in our community to show their support.”