Bateman: Too Many Unresolved Questions for Marijuana Legalization to Move Forward
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) issued the following statement after votes were cancelled in the Senate and General Assembly on legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey:
Sen. Kip Bateman’s statement following the cancellation of votes in the Senate and General Assembly on legislation to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“The decision by legislative leaders to cancel today’s planned votes on marijuana legalization is reflective of the significant concerns that exist among both Republicans and Democrats with current proposals.
Corrado Bill Honoring Women Veterans Passes Senate
Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) bipartisan legislation to establish “Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day” in New Jersey has unanimously passed the State Senate.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s bipartisan legislation to establish “Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day” in New Jersey has passed the State Senate. (U.S. Navy)
“Women in the military play an invaluable role in defending the freedoms we hold near and dear,” Corrado said. “From pilots to physicians, and infantry to intelligence, our nation’s survival is dependent on the heroism of our patriotic women. To commemorate all women who have bravely served our country throughout wartime and peacetime, it is only fitting we dedicate June 12 as ‘Women’s Veteran Appreciation Day.”
Kean Legislation to Boost NJ’s Non-Profits Approved by Senate
Measure Creates State Income Tax Deduction for Charitable Giving
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would provide a boost to state charities, offer relief to taxpayers, and increase support for communities in need has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Tom Kean was joined by advocates from the non-profit community for the Senate passage of legislation creating a state income tax deduction for certain charitable contributions. Pictured from left: Adam Perle, ArtPride; Jacob Toporek, NJ State Association of Jewish Federations; Samantha DeAlmeida, American Cancer Society; Sen. Tom Kean; and Linda Czipo, Center for Non-Profits. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, S-2179, creates a state income tax deduction for contributions made to qualified New Jersey-based charities.
“This legislation will provide a significant boost to the non-profit charitable organizations that provide critical services to seniors, disabled residents, and families in need across New Jersey,” said Kean (R-21). “At the same time, we’re creating new opportunities for residents to obtain tax relief and for government to achieve savings. This legislation is long overdue.”
Kean Bill Putting Physical Healthcare and Behavioral Healthcare on Equal Footing Passes Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) to enhance enforcement and oversight of behavioral health parity laws has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean to enhance enforcement and oversight of behavioral health parity laws has passed the New Jersey Senate. (Flickr)
“New Jerseyans should be able to access behavioral healthcare with the same ease as the treatment you would get for a physical illness or injury,” Kean said. “I am committed to improving access to behavioral healthcare throughout the Garden State. We will continue to fight to improve access to quality care for our residents.”
Senate Passes Erin’s Law to Bring Child Sex Abuse Education to NJ Classrooms
Bucco Bill named after survivor requires age-appropriate “safe-touch” education for grades Pre-K through 12
The New Jersey Senate has passed “Erin’s Law,” legislation long-sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) to require all school districts to incorporate age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention and awareness education into the NJ Student Learning Standards, formerly known as the core curriculum.
Today’s Senate passage follows a years-long effort by Senator Bucco, Erin Merryn – the survivor for whom the bill is named – and a number of other local advocates, who have worked together to ensure every child in New Jersey has the tools they need to recognize and report sexual abuse.
Erin’s Law, sponsored by Sen. Bucco, would require NJ schools to teach kids in grades Pre-k through 12 about sexual assault. The bill is named for Erin Merryn, a survivor who has become a national advocate. (Photo Courtesy of Erin Merryn)
Erin Merryn, a child sex abuse survivor who has become a national advocate, has successfully fought to enact Erin’s Law in states around the country. If signed, New Jersey would be the 36th state to enact Erin’s Law. Read Erin’s testimony here.
“Every child should understand how to recognize and report sexual abuse. Teaching kids not to talk to strangers isn’t enough when their abuser could be hiding in plain sight. 93 percent of kids know their attacker. They need age-appropriate safe-touch education to stay safe,” Senator Bucco said. “Erin and I have spent years trying to get this bill signed into law and we won’t stop until every child, in every New Jersey classroom, has access to this lifesaving information. We cannot allow anyone to suffer in silence for a moment longer.”
“None of this would have been possible without Senator Bucco and his staff, who always believed in Erin’s Law and understood how important it is to protect children. As a result, hopefully kids across New Jersey will soon be able to understand personal body safety, so they can use their voice if something horrible ever happens to them,” Erin Merryn said. “Now that the Senate has passed Erin’s Law, it is my hope that the Assembly will concur, and the Governor will sign our bill to help abused children right away. There is no time to waste.”
O’Scanlon: Medical Marijuana Reforms Shouldn’t Be Tied to Outcome of Full Legalization
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said legislation fixing New Jersey’s medical marijuana program shouldn’t be tied to the fate of a separate effort to legalize the adult use of recreation marijuana.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said legislation fixing New Jersey’s medical marijuana program shouldn’t be tied to the fate of a separate effort to legalize the adult use of recreation marijuana. (©iStock)
“If we truly believe that our medical marijuana program exists to ease the suffering of very sick patients, we shouldn’t tie efforts to improve the program to the outcome of a vote on recreational use,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “Unfortunately, it seems likely that the very real needs of medical marijuana patients will continue to be held hostage by the supporters of full legalization, who insist that the very different pieces of legislation must live or die together on the floor of the Legislature. It’s despicable.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin: We Support Superintendent Healy’s School Funding Testimony
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10) today said that they stand by Toms River Regional School District Superintendent David Healy’s testimony, as delivered during a public budget hearing, stating that they will continue to fight for fair funding for students in Ocean County and throughout New Jersey.
District 10 Legislators stand by Toms River Regional School District Superintendent David Healy’s testimony, as delivered a March 21, 2019 public budget hearing, stating that they will continue to fight for fair funding for students in Ocean County and throughout New Jersey. (Wikimedia Commons)
Superintendent Healy testified at a March 21, 2019 public budget hearing in Newark, urging officials to stop all further cuts until the flaws in the state’s funding formula are fixed. The severe funding cuts to schools within Legislative District 10 have been vehemently opposed by legislators, school officials, and students.
“Superintendent Healy’s testimony shines a light on the glaring holes in our state’s school funding formula,” Senator Holzapfel said. “As a result of Governor Murphy’s funding cuts, District 10 is set to lose over $5.5 million in State aid for the 2019-2020 school year. On behalf of students and taxpayers in our district, we will continue to speak out against the deeper cuts that will be imposed in the years to come if the Governor’s budget proposal becomes law.”
Doherty: Democrats’ Backroom Dealing on Pot Will Lead to More Drug Dealing in Our Communities
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) said Democratic leaders are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization within their legislative caucuses.
Sen. Mike Doherty said Democrats are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization. (©iStock)
“The backroom dealing by Trenton Democrats over legalization is almost certain to lead to more drug dealing in communities across New Jersey,” said Senator Mike Doherty. “That’s what will happen if drug dealers with multiple felony convictions for possessing pounds of marijuana are given a clean slate as part the Democrats’ rush to legalization.”
Cardinale: Recent Pro-Marijuana Editorials are Rife with Inaccuracies
Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-39) the ranking Republican on the State Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following response to two pro-marijuana editorials published this week on NJ.com and NorthJersey.com:
Sen. Gerald Cardinale said that two pro-marijuana editorials published on NJ.com and NorthJersey.com are rife with inaccuracies. (©iStock)
“It is incredibly disappointing that two of the most widely-read news sources in our state are spouting misinformation, and going out of their way to hide data that clearly illustrates the grave consequences of legalizing marijuana for recreational use,” Senator Gerald Cardinale said.
“A March 20 editorial on NorthJersey.com notes that the experience of legalization has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’ in other states. We know this is not true.
“In Colorado, marijuana-related motor vehicle fatalities skyrocketed following legalization. It would be even worse in New Jersey, because of our population density and high traffic levels. Our State Association of Chiefs of Police opposes legalization because they simply don’t have the resources, technology, or personnel to combat a drastic increase in drugged driving.
Pennacchio Condemns NJ’s ‘Sanctuary State Directive’ for Protecting Dangerous Criminals
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week:
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Sen. Joe Pennacchio released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week. (SenateNJ.com)
“Illegals that commit horrendous crimes are finding refuge in New Jersey and today’s news report of a murderer who was deported proves that,” Pennacchio said. “This killer was hiding out in Newark. Fortunately, federal authorities deported him back to his home country so he can be tried for aggravated murder and associating with criminal organizations. The recent implementation of Attorney General’s ‘sanctuary state’ directive is putting New Jersey communities at risk and it is putting our families in danger. We must fight back.”
