Editorial: Medical Examiner Reforms Long Overdue in NJ
The following editorial by Senator Kip Bateman on his bipartisan effort to reform New Jersey’s state medical examiner system, in order to provide compassion and justice for grieving families was published on MyCentralJersey.com and in the Courier News on July 6, 2018:
One of the most heartbreaking tragedies anyone can endure is the sudden loss of a loved one. It is a time of great upheaval and sorrow. Many questions will go unanswered and those who are left behind are often forever changed. The last thing we want surviving family members to worry about is whether or not government officials are doing their job.
Sen. Kip Bateman worked for 8 years on a bipartisan basis to reform NJ’s state medical examiner system, in hopes of providing compassion and justice for surviving loved ones. The landmark reform became law in July 2018. (©iStock)
Families should not have to spend years waiting for answers because of bureaucratic delays, or mistakes made at a State Medical Examiner’s Office. If an autopsy is necessary, it should be performed as soon as possible. If an investigation is required, it should be conducted without delay. These are simple expectations that any ME’s office should be able to meet.
Pennacchio Bill Cuts Red Tape to Help Veterans Get Hired
Bill Inspired by Local Veteran Will Help Military Personnel to Enter Civil Service
The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) that would remove an unnecessary bureaucratic hurdle for veterans applying for civil service jobs in New Jersey.
Senator Pennacchio’s bill to remove unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for veterans applying for civil service jobs in New Jersey has passed the Senate on July 1, 2018. (WikiCommons)
“It’s inspiring to see a veteran who has honorably served our nation return home and continue serving their community,” Pennacchio said. “Unfortunately, red tape can make it extremely difficult for these heroes to claim New Jersey’s civil service veteran’s preference, so they can continue to serve the public. These veterans have placed their lives on the line for our freedom. We should make it easier for them to utilize such an important career benefit.”
Bateman on Signing of “Revised State Medical Examiner Act”
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) issued the following statement on the signing of the “Revised State Medical Examiner Act” (S-879) today by Governor Phil Murphy:
Sen. Kip Bateman said the signing of his ‘Revised State Examiner Medical Act’ into law will help grieving families to find closure, while ensuring that criminal deaths are quickly investigated and those responsible held accountable. (©iStock)
“I’ve worked with Senator Vitale for the past eight years on a bipartisan effort to reform our state’s system of medical examiners to ensure that families are provided the information and care they deserve when a loved one dies under suspicious circumstances.
Now Law: Pennacchio/Corrado Bill to Combat Corruption on NJ State Investment Council
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans Joe Pennacchio and Kristin Corrado to combat corruption on the New Jersey State Investment Council.
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed Sens. Joe Pennacchio and Kristin Corrado’s bill to combat corruption on the State Investment Council. S-396 was introduced in response to scandals involving the council and the state pension system. (Wikimedia Commons)
The legislation (S-396) forbids members of the council from voting on investments that present a financial or familial conflict of interest. The bill was pushed forward by the senators in the wake of several pension scandals in New Jersey.
“This legislation is a critical step forward in our longstanding efforts to bring transparency and accountability to the way the government invests taxpayer dollars,” Senator Pennacchio (R-26) said. “I am glad to see Governor Murphy take action on our bill. There have been far too many violations of public trust on the State Investment Council in recent years. Anyone who handles public money must be held accountable.”
Kean: No Winners in Democrats’ Tax Fight, Only Losers
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said there were no winners in a fight over tax increases between Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney, saying taxpayers are the big losers under a compromise tax plan approved by Democrats yesterday.
Sen. Tom Kean said there were no winners in a fight over tax increases between Democrats, saying taxpayers are the big losers under a compromise tax plan they approved yesterday. (Pixabay)
“All of the headlines today focused on whether the Senate President or the Governor won their budget battle over whose massive tax increases to implement,” said Kean. “The truth is that there are no winners in this fight, only losers. And the biggest losers of all are New Jersey taxpayers who will pay $1.5 billion more this year as a result of the Democrats’ tax compromise.”
Pennacchio: No Way to Attract Amazon
In response to Trenton Democrats various proposals to increase taxes on New Jersey’s residents and businesses by billions of dollars this year, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) issued the following statement:
In response to Trenton Democrats various proposals to increase taxes on New Jersey’s residents and businesses by billions of dollars this year, Sen. Joe Pennacchio issued the following statement. (SenateNJ)
“Recently New Jersey offered Amazon 5 billion dollars to locate its headquarters in Newark. It is difficult to believe that as New Jersey offers Amazon a 5 billion dollar incentive with one hand, it is pinching their pockets and all business pockets in New Jersey with the other hand. Perhaps they were hoping Amazon would not notice.
Oroho-Bucco-Sweeney Bill Would Boost Vo-Tech Education, Fund School Security
Measure Would Provide $1 Billion for Job Training, School Security, and Clean Water Infrastructure
The New Jersey State Senate has passed the Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Senator Steve Oroho (R-Morris, Sussex, Warren) and Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris and Somerset) that would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection.
The Career and Technical Education and Security Bond Act would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our county vocational schools are currently unable to meet the needs of students and employers alike,” Oroho, a member of the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus said. “The overwhelming demand for these programs proves that many employers are actively looking for job candidates with technical training. With proper funding, I am confident that our County Vo-Tech schools will continue to create pathways to long-term employment for countless New Jersey residents.”
Bateman Bill Helping Seniors Collect Timely Reimbursement from Retirement Communities Passes Senate
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation protecting seniors and their families from being taken advantage of by retirement communities passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation protecting seniors and their families from being taken advantage of by retirement communities passed the New Jersey Senate. (Flickr)
“In their twilight years, older New Jerseyans should be concerned with being comfortable and cared for, not caught up in a financial tug-of-war with their retirement community,” Bateman (R-16) said. “Often entrance fees are hundreds of thousands of dollars, with seniors guaranteed a reimbursement when they leave the facility or pass on. Yet we’ve seen many instances when seniors and their families have to wait years for their money to arrive back. Ensuring our seniors and their estate receive timely refunds within a year of vacancy is only fair and common sense.”
O’Scanlon Legislation Improving Asset Forfeiture Transparency Passes Senate
Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation expanding transparency and reporting requirements of assets seized by law enforcement has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation expanding transparency and reporting requirements of assets seized by law enforcement has been approved by the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ)
“Accountability is paramount when law enforcement agencies seize assets from people, including homes and cars, which may have been utilized in illegal activity,” O’Scanlon (R-13) said. “We need to balance efforts to remove instruments employed in criminal activity with the property rights of owners. It can be extremely difficult for the owner to regain possession of a seized asset, even if no wrongdoing has been proven. Requiring the regular reporting of seized assets will improve transparency to ensure that the process of asset forfeiture isn’t abused.”
Statement from Senate Republican Caucus on State Budget
The fifteen members of the Senate Republican caucus issued the following joint statement this morning:
Statement from the Senate Republican caucus on the State budget. (SenateNJ.com)
“The failures of the Governor and Democratic majorities in both houses of the Legislature have brought us back to Trenton after our constitutional deadline to approve a balanced budget has passed.
“To be clear, these are failures of Democrats alone.
