Bateman Applauds Governor’s Realistic Energy Master Plan
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (Somerset/Morris), a member of the Senate Environment Committee, issued the following statement today after Governor Chris Christie revealed the state’s 2011 draft Energy Master Plan:
“The Governor’s plan lays a strong foundation to expand on our state’s energy independence while protecting the environment and growing the economy. By putting a bigger emphasis on cleaner technologies and green jobs, the plan put forth will permit New Jersey to reduce its energy consumption, and at the same time lower our emissions of greenhouse gases.
Oroho Legislation Halting Pension Abuse Clears Committee
Bills Target Double-Dip Loophole Available Only to Elected Officials
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Morris, Hunterdon) that would prohibit the practice of elected officials taking their pension, while continuing to receive their salary in elected office from which they supposedly retired was passed by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
“The law as it currently stands invites public officials, some of whom collect six figure taxpayer paid salaries for their service, to game the system and collect two public checks at the same time. This amounts to a serious breach of the public trust, ” Oroho stated. “Public service should be about getting something accomplished for the people you serve, not taking as much from the public treasury as you can.”
Doherty Praises Warren County’s Support of the Fair School Funding Solution
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ support of his Fair School Funding solution:
“The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected to represent the interests of the citizens of Warren County, have passed a resolution supporting a fair school funding formula that treats all children across the state equally. The Freeholders have acknowledged the language in the state constitution is clear: state aid must be distributed equally.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill Seeks to Protect Taxpayers by Targeting Bad Checks Written to Counties and Municipalities
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are set to introduce legislation that would permit municipalities and counties to increase the service charge imposed for checks returned for insufficient funds.
Under current law, the service fee imposed by a municipality or county cannot exceed $20 per check. The 9th District Delegation’s legislative initiative would allow municipalities and counties to impose a service charge up to, but not to exceed, the usual customary service charge of the commercial banking institution where the municipality deposits its checks and other written instruments.
Cardinale Statement on Judiciary Committee’s Release of Patterson Nomination
Senator Gerald Cardinale, the senior Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the release of Anne Patterson from the committee:
“Anne Patterson has unshakable credentials as a legal scholar with high ethical standards and a demonstrable judicial deportment. I am pleased that her conformation hearing has finally been held and look forward to voting for her conformation in the full Senate.”
Bateman Statement on the Confirmation Hearing for Anne Patterson
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s confirmation hearing for Anne Patterson, nominated by Governor Christie to the New Jersey Supreme Court:
“Anne Patterson is more than qualified to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has a rock-solid reputation as one of the brightest legal minds in our state and is highly respected by her peers in the legal community.
Opinion: Court Funding Decision a Supreme Failure
The following editorial by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-16) appeared in the Courier News on May 31, 2011:
In New Jersey’s 31 poorest school districts, the so-called “Abbott” districts, New Jersey spends more per pupil than anywhere in the state and almost anywhere in America- $4 billion in total for less than 25% of the state’s student population.
It all started thirty years ago, when the New Jersey Supreme Court ordered that increased funding for poor districts be used as a remedy for poor graduation rates and student outcomes among disadvantaged kids.
Tom Kean Statement on the Passing of the Brother of Senator O’Toole
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. issued the following statement regarding the sudden passing of Brian P. O’Toole, brother of State Senator Kevin O’Toole (R- Essex/Bergen/Passaic):
“It is with a heavy heart I am announcing that Brian P. O’Toole, brother of Senator Kevin O’Toole, succumbed yesterday to pancreatic cancer. The thoughts and prayers of the entire Senate go out to the O’Toole family for their loss.”
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, May 29, 2011 from 4PM – 8PM at Shook’s Funeral Home in Cedar Grove, NJ. A funeral mass will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church.
Singer Bill Protecting Patient Safety Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean) that would require all surgical practices to be licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services was passed by the Senate Health Committee today. Under current law surgical facilities only have to be registered, not licensed, and have less stringent operating requirements. The licensed centers are inspected every two to three years, have more specific staffing requirements and must report to the state medical errors that result in serious injuries.
“Surgical facilities often provide complicated, yet necessary surgical procedures and should have similar safety standards as ambulatory care facilities, ” Singer stated. “We must take the necessary precautions to prevent putting any patient at unnecessary risk.”
Doherty Files School Funding Plan & Constitutional Amendment in Response to Supreme Court Decision
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, filed a school funding proposal and a constitutional amendment to remove the Court from decisions on how we fund our schools.
“Because the Court has overstepped its clearly defined constitutional authority and assumed the duties of the Legislature and the Executive Branch, I have no choice but to make an effort to amend the constitution to remove the Court from school funding decisions.
