Oroho Legislation Simplifying Process of Adding a Veteran’s Status on Driver’s License Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho simplifying the process for veterans to receive a veteran designation on their driver’s license was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
Sen. Oroho’s legislation simplifies the process for those with military service to add their their status as a veteran to their New Jersey driver’s license. (NJMVC)
“For the thousands of veterans that have already gone through the process of receiving an ID card from their county this legislation will now simplify the process of adding their status as a veteran to their license,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “This special designation on a driver’s license is a well-deserved symbol of a veteran’s life of patriotism, heroism and sacrifice. Now that this legislation has been signed into law I hope more veterans will seek out this worthy distinction on their license and be able to receive the recognition and appreciation they have earned.”
Oroho Bill Reinstating Certain Driving Privileges for Teens Working on Farms Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) reestablishing certain driving privileges for teenagers working on a farm in New Jersey was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Oroho reestablishing certain driving privileges for teenagers working on a farm in New Jersey was signed into law. (Wikimedia Commons)
Under the legislation, A-535/S-2547, 16-year-olds working on a farm will again be eligible to obtain a special agricultural driver’s license allowing them to drive by themselves during daylight hours while operating a farm vehicle and doing farm-related business. To be eligible the teen would need to complete an approved behind-the-wheel driver training course.
“Teenagers growing up on a farm are often heavily involved in the family business from an early age and their ability to operate farm equipment and vehicles is a key part of the farming operation,” said Oroho. “Today’s bill signing reinstates important driving privileges that for decades were a great benefit to many farm families. Allowing 16-year-olds to again be able to operate a farm vehicle by themselves to drive from one field to another or deliver produce or pick up supplies will increase the role they can play on the farm and the productivity of the business as a whole.”
Oroho Bills Protecting Honeybee population, Strengthening Beekeeping Industry Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho designed to protect and grow the state’s commercial and recreational bee industry was signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho designed to protect and grow the state’s commercial and recreational bee industry was signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno. (SenateNJ.com)
“Bees play a crucial role in the food chain and New Jersey’s agriculture industry as a whole,” said Oroho. “With honey bee populations hit hard by disease in recent years, beekeepers’ efforts to manage and maintain bee populations have become increasingly important. These new laws recognize that importance by making it easier for commercial and hobbyist beekeepers to operate throughout New Jersey.”
One of the bills signed into law today, S-1328/A-1294, extends “Right to Farm” protections to commercial beekeepers to protect them from restrictive municipal ordinances and public and private nuisance complaints. Under the “Right to Farm Act” complaints against agricultural operations are referred to county agricultural boards rather than municipal courts, eliminating the burden of lengthy and expensive litigation.
Pennacchio: Questionable DRPA Appointee Proves Immediate Need to Pass Bi-State Reform Bill
Assistant Senate Republican Leader Joe Pennacchio stated the following about a troubling unilateral appointment by Pennsylvania’s governor to the Delaware River Port Authority board, which was exposed by the Philadelphia Daily News:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said an exposé by the Philadephia Daily News on the questionable qualifications of DRPA board member Whitney White, pictured, further demonstrates the need for reforms to increase legislative oversight of the troubled agency. (Facebook)
“This Daily News exposé is yet another example of why the DRPA, with its continuing history of corruption, cronyism, waste, abuse and billions of dollars in debt, simply cannot operate unchecked. Our bi-state, bipartisan reform legislation would prevent unilateral DRPA appointments by Pennsylvania’s governor, just as any DRPA commissioner nominees by New Jersey’s governor must be approved in public by New Jersey’s Senate before being allowed on the board.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Time to Take the Fight to Heroin Dealers
Heroin dealers must face harsher sentencing in light of the devastating consequences of their criminality activity, says the 9th District Legislative Delegation. Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove want the New Jersey Legislature to follow through on enhancing penalties for heroin possession as a direct measure to curb New Jersey’s deadly heroin epidemic.
Legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf and Gove would increase penalties for certain heroin offenses. (Victor/Flickr)
Connors, Rumpf and Gove have worked closely with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office on heroin-related policy matters, including the drafting of legislation. The 9th District legislators pointed to two recent major announcements regarding the deadly consequences and costs related to heroin use in their call for legislative action to go on the offensive with heroin dealers:
“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that, nationwide, heroin-related deaths have nearly quadrupled from 2002 to 2013. Confirming what many already suspected, our own state statistics show that New Jersey’s death rates are higher than the national average which was 2.7 per 100,000 people for that time period whereas the death rate in our state for 2013 was 8.3 deaths per 100,000. The number of heroin deaths in New Jersey was 781 in 2014, including those in which morphine was found to be present according to the New Jersey Office of the State Medical Examiner.”
Oroho: Restoring State’s Horse Racing Industry Starts With Expansion of Gaming
Following the announced closure of one of the state’s preeminent horse racing training facilities, Senator Oroho today reiterated his call for a referendum to expand gaming beyond Atlantic City. Last week it was announced that after 36 years in business Showplace Farms in Millstone would be closing in October.
Sen. Oroho said an expansion of gaming beyond Atlantic City would help boost the state’s horse racing industry and related businesses. (Flickr)
“It’s no secret the equine industry in New Jersey has been struggling as racetracks here have to compete with larger purses in neighboring states that are fueled by casinos,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “To give the breeders, trainers and boarding facilities across New Jersey a fighting chance we have to even the playing field and that starts by opening up gaming across the state. The fact that the announced closure of Showplace Farms came soon after it became clear the legislature had run out of time to put the referendum on the ballot this November should be a wake up call.
Pennacchio: Latest Planned Parenthood Video Adds to the Concern of Agency’s Motives, Practices
Senator Joe Pennacchio today issued the following statement today regarding the release of a second video apparently depicting a Planned Parenthood representative discussing the procedure and price for providing body parts from aborted fetuses to medical research centers.
“This latest troubling video of a Planned Parenthood representative discussing the price of fetal tissue from aborted fetuses and apparent suggestions that abortion procedures can be altered to better harvest organs or tissue only adds to the concern surrounding the agency’s practices and true motives,” said Pennacchio (R-Morris). “For this high-level Planned Parenthood director to say that she wants a Lamborghini during the same conversation as naming prices for the cost of harvesting organs from aborted fetuses is at best a disturbing representation of the agency’s greed and complete disregard for human decency. At worst, the selling of aborted body parts is not only despicable but flat out illegal.”
Senate Passes Holzapfel-Wolfe-McGuckin “Betsy’s Law” Bill to Protect Boarded Animals
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin, all R-Ocean, to protect pet owners and their boarded animals was approved by the New Jersey Senate. The bill now heads to Gov. Christie for his consideration.
Betsy’s Law was drafted after the death of a Rottweiler, Betsy, who suffocated in her cage after being left unsupervised overnight at an animal hospital following a minor procedure. (Facebook)
“Betsy’s Law” was drafted in response to the death of a dog following a minor veterinary procedure. Betsy was boarded overnight and hanged herself in her crate as a result of a lack of animal supervision.
Singer Bill to Protect Developmentally Disabled From Dangerous Acts Gains Senate Approval
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would upgrade current law to better protect those with developmental disabilities from being victimized by the acts of others that are dangerous and potentially deadly gained Senate approval.
Sen. Robert Singer introduced the legislation after a 19-year-old autistic man was coerced into jumping into frigid Atlantic waters in February from a jetty in Manasquan by two men who videotaped and posted the incident to social media. (Flickr)
“Today’s unanimous Senate vote sends a clear message that bullying or taking advantage of anyone, especially those who are less able to protect themselves, is wrong and won’t be tolerated,” said Senator Singer. “These updates to current law will enhance protection for those with developmental disabilities and will make sure anyone committing these types of troubling acts is held accountable.”
Senate Passes Singer Trio of Healthcare Bills to Raise Awareness, Combat Skin Cancer, ALS, COPD
The New Jersey Senate advanced a trio of healthcare bills sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to raise awareness, encourage prevention efforts, and support New Jersey residents coping with Skin Cancer, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS,) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Sen. Robert Singer’s healthcare bills raise awareness, encourage prevention efforts, and support state residents coping with Skin Cancer, ALS, and COPD. (©iStock)
Senator Singer’s bill, S-2459, ignites an aggressive effort to fight COPD by creating an 11-member task force to investigate strategies to promote awareness on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The task force will also study the resources that are used statewide to combat COPD and determine the best way to improve the quality and accessibility of community-based services for those living with this disease. Nearly 451,000 people – 5.1 percent of New Jersey’s population – are living with COPD, according to the most recent statistics available from the CDC.
“We need to do more to help the hundreds of thousands of New Jersey residents struggling with COPD – the third leading cause of death in the U.S.,” said Senator Singer. “By establishing a task force to evaluate how we can raise awareness and expand community resources, we are helping countless New Jerseyans with COPD live fuller, happier lives.”
