Several Oroho Bills With Local Impact Passed
Two bills sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) passed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today. S-2180 was drafted to assist Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative and S-2579 aids Knoll Heights Village in Sparta.
Two bills sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho with local impact were passed the Senate Budget &Appropriations Committee. S-2180 was drafted to assist Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative and S-2579 aids Knoll Heights Village in Sparta. (SenateNJ.com)
“Helping entities, in this case non-profits, navigate through the channels of state government in order to resolve an issue sometimes necessitates a change in the law,” said Senator Oroho. “Our office does a very effective job in working the legislative process for the benefit of so many in the district.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Sign Onto Superstorm Sandy ‘Clawback’ Bill to Assist Victims
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have all signed onto legislation intended to address circumstances in which Superstorm Sandy victims are required to repay overpayments in Sandy assistance aid.
Sen. Jennifer Beck’s legislation created foreclosure protections for victims of Superstorm Sandy. Applications are now being accepted by DCA. (FEMA)
Specifically, the companion legislation, S-3149 and A-4784, concerns adversely impacted homeowners impacted by the “clawback” of Community Disaster Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds awarded through the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation Program (RREM) and the Low-to-Moderate Income Homeowner Rebuilding Program (LMI).
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement regarding its sponsorship of the legislation:
Oroho & Space Express Disappointment at Passage of Resolution Blocking Proposed Septic Density Changes for Highlands Region
Say Rule Change Proposed by NJDEP Would Bring Balance to Highlands Law
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblyman Parker Space (both R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) expressed disappointment that the New Jersey Senate has provided final legislative approval to a resolution blocking septic density rule changes for the Highlands Region that have been proposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Sen. Steven Oroho and Asm. Parker Space expressed disappointment that the New Jersey Senate has provided final legislative approval to a resolution blocking proposed septic density rule changes for the Highlands Region. (Morris County Preservation Trust)
“The NJDEP has proposed reasonable revisions to septic density standards for the Highlands Region that would provide a measure of relief to residents who have been negatively impacted by the Highlands Act,” said Oroho. “This thoughtful proposal would stimulate much needed job creation and economic growth in the region in a manner consistent with the goals of the Highlands Act, while protecting clean water and carefully preserved open space. I’m disappointed that the Legislature has acted in a way that will perpetuate misguided policies that harm families living in the Highlands.”
Oroho Bill to Crack Down on Delinquent Boarding House Owners Passed by Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to clamp down on absentee owners of rooming and boarding houses was passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill gives towns more power to crack down on problematic boarding houses. (SenateNJ.com)
“We must expect a certain level of decency and cooperation from operators of any shared housing complexes, and it’s what our communities deserve,” Senator Oroho said. “We’ve heard many complaints from residents and local officials that they just don’t have the kind of enforcement powers that is often needed to rein in delinquent owners of certain properties.”
Senators Sweeney, Greenstein, Kean & Holzapfel Introduce Legislation to Strengthen Child Pornography Law and Establish Stricter Penalties
Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Law & Public Safety Committee Chair Linda R. Greenstein, Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, and Senator Jim Holzapfel yesterday introduced legislation that would strengthen New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establish additional penalties for violators.
Sens. Sweeney, Kean, Greenstein, and Holzapfel introduced legislation that would strengthen New Jersey’s child pornography laws and establish additional penalties for violators. (©iStock)
“If someone in New Jersey has engaged in the large-scale collection or distribution of pictures of children in sexually suggestive poses, they pose a serious threat to our children and our community,” said Senator Kean. “The Attorney General has highlighted the need to better address this growing problem, including the establishment of new child pornography crimes, tougher punishments, and better monitoring of offenders. There’s a bipartisan consensus that these protections are overdue.”
“We cannot allow the sexual exploitation of children to be tolerated in this state, nor can we turn a blind eye to loopholes in our laws that allow people to engage in this despicable activity in any way,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “It’s clear that people who collect child erotica are a threat to public safety and the children of New Jersey, and our laws must be tightened to reflect that.”
Oroho Bills to Aid Farmland Preservation Advanced by Senate Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to allocate more funds to help preserve New Jersey farmland was advanced by the Senate Environment Committee today.
Sen. Steve Oroho’s bill to help preserve more New Jersey farmland was advanced by a senate panel. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our heritage as the ‘Garden State’ goes back hundreds of years, and our farming tradition is still thriving in many families and communities throughout the state, especially in many of the areas that I represent,” said Senator Oroho. “These funding measures will help us continue our mission in saving that rich agricultural legacy.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: New Open Space Law Includes Areas Throughout 9th Legislative District
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove praised the signing of legislation (S-2997) that appropriates nearly $60 million for open space projects.
The 9th District delegation praised new funding for open space. (SenateNJ.com)
Funding for the projects will come from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues for the State acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including Blue Acres projects, and capital and park development projects.
The 9th District delegation, which supported and voted for the open space law, offered the following remarks:
Oroho/Space Varsity Letter Bill Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Parker Space and Senator Steve Oroho (both R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) to extend opportunities to earn varsity letters to high school students who participate in competitive activities other than athletics is now law after it was signed by Governor Chris Christie.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho and Asm. Parker Space to award varsity letters to students who participate in non-athletic competitions is now law. (Wikimedia Commons)
“It’s appropriate that kids who take part in extracurricular activities other than sports get a chance to earn a varsity letter,” said Assemblyman Space. “A varsity letter is a source of pride earned through tireless effort, fierce determination and unwavering commitment. These students compete just as passionately as any athlete, and they should receive recognition.”
Singer Bill Mandating Police Stop Driver Safety Education Passes Committee
Bill Requires MVC to update Drivers License Test, Manual to Include Procedures for Police Stops
The NJ Motor Vehicles Commission would be required to inform and test drivers on their responsibilities during police stops under legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and advanced by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill would require the MVC to inform and test drivers on the procedures they must follow during a traffic stop. (Flickr)
“Sadly, we have already seen too many examples of how a routine traffic stop can turn into a deadly encounter in a matter of minutes,” Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) said. “It is critical for us to hold law enforcement officers accountable for safely interacting with the public, but there are simple steps that drivers can also take to prevent a police stop from escalating into a dangerous situation.”
A Vet Is a Vet: Those Who Served Are Deserving of Benefits
When meeting with community groups, our delegation is often asked about the issue of veterans’ benefits. Justifiably, frustration is expressed by veterans who honorably served their country but didn’t serve during wartime and, thus, aren’t eligible for certain state veterans’ benefits.
Ending the disparate treatment shown to veterans living in New Jersey who honorably served their nation and are deserving of our gratitude and respect is an issue that needs to be addressed. (©iStock)
Members of our legislative delegation serve on both the Senate and Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs committees to more effectively serve our constituency which is comprised of a considerable number of veterans. Thankfully, the work by these committees in conducted in a nonpartisan manner, as playing politics with veterans’ issues is beyond the pale, even for Trenton.
Ending the disparate treatment shown to veterans living in New Jersey who honorably served their nation and are deserving of our gratitude and respect is an issue that needs to be addressed. To that end, we sponsored companion legislation, S-258 and A-143, commonly referred to as the “vet is a vet” legislation.
