Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Extending Governor’s Executive Powers
In a unified stance, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove opposed A-5820/S-3866, a bill approved by Democrats yesterday allowing many of Governor Murphy’s most controversial executive orders to remain in effect while also providing the Governor with new non-emergency pandemic powers.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove opposed a bill approved by Trenton Democrats allowing many of Gov. Murphy’s most controversial executive orders to remain in effect while also providing the Governor with new non-emergency pandemic powers. (SenateNJ.com)
A previous version of the legislation, A-5777, was pulled from consideration prior to the General Assembly’s voting session on May 20 after public outrage.
Oroho Bill Allowing Remote Bingo, Raffles Headed to Gov’s Desk
Measure Helps Charities and Organizations That Struggled to Raise Funds During the Pandemic
Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation that would allow bingo games and raffles to be conducted remotely was approved by the Senate today and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Senator Oroho’s legislation that would help non-profits and organizations by allowing bingo games and raffles to be conducted remotely is now in the hands of the Governor. (Pixabay)
Under Oroho’s bipartisan bill (A-4297/S-2631), organizations eligible to host the fund-raising games in person under current law would be permitted to utilize technology approved by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission to conduct remote activities.
Kean Measure Designating April of Each Year as ‘Educational Opportunity Fund Month’ Approved by Senate
A resolution sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Month” has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
A resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund Month” cleared the Senate. (Pixabay)
“Since 1968, the Educational Opportunity Fund has provided critical services and support for hundreds of thousands of students, including counseling, tutoring, and developmental course work,” said Kean (R-21). “By designating the month of April as ‘Educational Opportunity Fund Month,’ we will help bring awareness to this important program that continues to make college more attainable for students facing academic and financial challenges.”
Bateman Bill Energizing Access to Electric Charging Sites in NJ Moves to Governor’s Desk
Bipartisan legislation that would help spur the adoption of electric vehicles in the state was advanced today by the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman encourages the inclusion of zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure in municipal redevelopment projects. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Kip Bateman sponsors the bill (A-1653/S-2142) encouraging the inclusion of zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure in municipal redevelopment projects. Approved by the Assembly in July, the measure now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Oroho Bill Supporting ‘FIRST’ Robotics Programs in School Districts Clears Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would establish a pilot program in the Department of Education to support FIRST Robotics Programs in school districts was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho that would establish a pilot program in the Department of Education to support FIRST Robotics Programs in school districts was approved by the Senate. (Pixabay)
“All of the available data clearly shows that STEM fields are some of the fastest-growing in the country and will continue to be for some time,” said Oroho (R-24). “My legislation will put science, technology, engineering, and mathematics front and center in select New Jersey schools and inspire students to pursue education and career opportunities in those fields.”
Bucco & Doherty’s Bill Supporting Firefighters Awaits Governor’s Consideration
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty supporting essential volunteer and professional firefighters in the state cleared the Senate today and now moves to the Governor’s desk for review.
Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Mike Doherty’s bill supporting firefighters and allowing more of them to qualify for membership in the NJ State Firemen’s Association passed the Senate. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-4745/S-3277, would allow more firefighters to qualify for membership in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association (NJSFA) and earn exempt firefighter certificates.
O’Scanlon Denounces Bill Claiming to Curb Governor’s Powers
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) issued a statement following the passage of A-5820, which Democrats claimed would limit Governor Murphy’s public health emergency authority.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon denounced a bill approved by Democrats today that they falsely claimed would limit Gov. Phil Murphy’s public health emergency authority. (SenateNJ.com)
“The bill that was passed today might claim to curb the Governor’s powers, but it fails to do so in many key areas,” said O’Scanlon. “OPRA requests pertaining to the pandemic are still off-limits, muting the legislative, media, and public examination of the administration’s policies. Including those policies that led to so many deaths in nursing homes, the needless devastation of countless businesses, and all other aspects of the pandemic response.”
Oroho-Sponsored ‘Made in NJ’ Bill Awaits Governor’s Review
Senator Steve Oroho’s legislation that would alter the verbiage on official State logos denoting the manufacturer of goods in New Jersey is on its way to the Governor’s desk after clearing the Senate today.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho revising the State logo designating goods manufactured in the state is on its way to the Governor’s desk. (SenateNJ.com)
Currently, goods produced in the state are designated as “New Jersey-Made” or “NJ-Made.” Under Oroho’s bill, A-2765/S-1838, there will be more options: “Made in New Jersey,” “Made in NJ,” or “MINJ.”
Doherty Bill to Let Kids Run Lemonade Stands, Other Temporary Businesses Without Permits Passes Senate
Measure Expands Upon Doherty’s “Right to Shovel” Law
The New Jersey Senate has given final legislation approval to a measure sponsored by Senator Michael Doherty that would allow children to run temporary businesses such as lemonade stands without municipal permits.
Sen. Michael Doherty’s legislation allowing children to run temporary businesses such as lemonade stands without municipal permits has passed the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“There’s an endless stream of stories from around the nation about children being harassed by local officials for running lemonade stands without permits,” said Doherty (R-23). “Instead of providing space for kids to learn about entrepreneurship, they’re being taught harsh lessons about the heavy hand of government by overzealous bureaucrats. Our legislation makes clear that New Jersey’s children have the right to run a lemonade stand from their driveway or mow a neighbor’s lawn for a few bucks without a municipal license or permit.”
Kean Measure Allowing More Financial Flexibility for Nonprofits that Host Bingo & Raffles Approved by Senate
A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would allow more organizations to use the proceeds from conducting games of chance to support their organizations has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would allow more organizations to use the proceeds from conducting games of chance to support their organizations cleared the Senate. (Pixabay)
“Many non-profits and charities have seen their primary revenue sources severely reduced because of the pandemic,” said Kean (R-21). “This resolution gives organizations that host bingo or raffles additional financial flexibility in how the proceeds may be used. This common-sense measure will take the same benefits given to veterans and senior citizens groups, and afford them to other nonprofit organizations.”
