Singer Introduces Hospital Community Payment Legislation
Senator Robert Singer introduced bipartisan legislation that would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for blanket tax exemptions on their property. The bill is also sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Joseph Vitale.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for property tax exemptions. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, which would update tax laws that date back to 1913, would have acute-care hospitals make payments to their home communities to offset the cost of local services.
“These hospitals are an important part of the communities they serve, providing medical care, creating jobs and contributing to their local economies,” said Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “We recognize and appreciate their value. These payments will help compensate for the services the hospitals receive from the municipalities, including law enforcement and firefighters. The hospitals have worked with us in a cooperative way to craft this legislation.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Rutgers Sells Out Taxpayers in Million-Dollar Buyout of Football Coach
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove of New Jersey’s 9th Legislative District issued the following statement in response to expensive payouts that reportedly will be made by Rutgers University to its recently terminated head football coach and athletic director:
Connors, Rumpf & Gove responded to expensive payouts that reportedly will be made by Rutgers to its recently terminated head football coach and athletic director. (SenateNJ.com)
“Once again, New Jersey’s taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars are being wasted to pay for Rutgers University’s costly and highly publicized mistakes.
“Recently, the State University fired its football coach, Kyle Flood. For failing to meet Rutgers’ standards, the former coach will reportedly be rewarded with a whopping $1.4 million buyout. Mind you, this coach was given a two-year contract extension in September 2014. And there’s more. Rutgers highly controversial and highly compensated Athletic Director, Julie Hermann, was also fired on the same day. News outlets are reporting that she is owned $1.6 million on her $465,000 yearly salary contact that runs through 2018.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Call for End to Seismic Blasting Near Barnegat Bay
The New Jersey General Assembly passed a legislative resolution sponsored by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove which urges the cancellation of seismic blasting plans in the Atlantic Ocean near Barnegat Bay. The resolution (AR-220) further urges the National Marine Fisheries Service to cancel any future plans relating to the performance of seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean near Barnegat Bay.
A graphical depiction of a marine seismic testing array. (Hannes Grobe/Wikimedia Commons)
Assemblyman Rumpf, Assemblyman Gove and Senator Christopher J. Connors, representatives of the 9th Legislative District in the New Jersey Legislature, have vehemently opposed the seismic blasting program on account of environmental concerns raised by prominent environmental and fishing organizations.
Pennacchio Legislation to Prevent Students From Enrolling in NJ Schools Under Fake Addresses Now Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio to help prevent families from lying about a child’s address in order to enroll the child in an out-of-district New Jersey school is now law.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s legislation to prevent families from lying about a child’s address in order to enroll the child in an out-of-district New Jersey school is now law. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is estimated that thousands of students across New Jersey are illicitly enrolled in a New Jersey school outside their home district,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic, Essex). “This type of “boundary hopping” comes at a significant cost to the receiving school and it takes away valuable resources and opportunities from the students and families who live in the district and pay taxes to fund their local schools. This legislation gives districts a valuable tool to help settle questions about where a student is really living when a residency dispute arises.”
Singer Bill to Protect Consumers, Establish Standards for Third-Party Energy Suppliers Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to increase consumer protections for customers of third-party energy suppliers was signed into law by Governor Christie.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation increasing consumer protections for customers of third-party energy suppliers was signed into law. (Flickr)
“Today’s bill signing ensures a greater level of transparency in the third-party energy supplier marketplace and establishes clear standards to better protect consumers,” said Singer. “Too many customers who switched to third-party suppliers in hopes of lowering costs have been lift with astronomical gas or electric bills due to confusing or misleading contracts.”
Holzapfel: Time to Crack Down on Drivers Who Speed Past School Buses
The following editorial by Senator James W. Holzapfel on legislation he sponsors to establish a pilot program for municipalities and school districts to use video monitoring systems to help enforce laws against illegally passing a school bus was published on NJ.com on Nov. 28, 2015:
Sen. Jim Holzapfel’s legislation would establish a pilot program allowing the use of video monitoring systems to help enforce laws against illegally passing a school bus. (SenateNJ.com)
Parents across the nation share one simple expectation: Children boarding and exiting a school bus should never be in harm’s way. Shockingly, an estimated 14 million drivers illegally pass stopped school buses each year nationwide, even when school bus stop arms are extended.
Unlawfully passing a school bus is a serious crime in New Jersey. Callous and reckless drivers who choose to break this law must be held accountable for their actions.
Video: Singer Discusses Bipartisan Effort to Address Property Taxation of Non-Profit Hospitals
Senator Robert Singer (R-30) appeared on Comcast Newsmakers with host Jill Horner to talk about a bipartisan effort to come to a compromise on how non-profit hospitals in New Jersey pay property taxes.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: School Funding Disparity for Suburban and Rural Taxpayers Just Got Worse
Citing the growing disparity in State school funding as one of the chief reasons for high property taxes, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove lambasted the enactment of legislation that provides an undisclosed amount of supplemental State aid to the Atlantic City School District.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove lambasted the enactment of legislation that provides an undisclosed amount of supplemental State aid to the Atlantic City School District. (Flickr)
The legislation, A-3983, narrowly passed both houses of the Legislature in June. Senator Connors, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove all opposed and voted against the bailout bill when it was presented on the floor of their respective Houses for final passage.
Toys for Tots Donations Welcome at Senator Pennacchio’s Montville District Office
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Bergen, Morris, Passaic) announced that his legislative office will be collecting Toys for Tots donations throughout the holiday season. All are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Senator’s District 26 office in Montville.
Senator Pennacchio’s legislative office will be collecting Toys for Tots donations throughout the holiday season. (Flickr)
“The holiday season is a time for us to come together to support those in need, and teach our own children the value of making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” Senator Pennacchio said. “It is truly a privilege to open our doors as a collection site for Toys for Tots, a wonderful organization that has given hope to millions of children. I urge my constituents to take the time to make a donation and embrace the spirt of generosity that this season inspires.”
Oroho Statement Supporting Proposed Overhaul of New Jersey Water Quality Management Rules
Senator Steven Oroho, (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) expressed his support for sensible changes to state water quality management regulations that will no longer hinder reasonable economic growth yet maintain key environmental standards.
Sen. Steven Oroho expressed support for changes to state water quality management regulations that will allow economic growth while maintaining key environmental standards. (Pixabay)
“The water quality management plan drafted by the previous administration forced municipalities to adopt extremely complex and overly broad regulations that put local planning agencies at odds with the DEP,” Senator Oroho said. “We cannot continue to enforce a ‘one-size-fits-all’ set of mandates. Our communities must have the flexibility to develop clear and consistent land-use plans that recognize zoning and environmental impacts that are unique to each municipality.”
