ICYMI: Dems’ Redistricting Scheme Has History of Widespread Opposition
REMINDER: New Jersey Democrats’ attempts to pass a constitutional amendment that would rig the legislative redistricting process to secure a permanent majority has long-faced widespread opposition from a variety of organizations, editorial boards, and nonpartisan New Jersey election experts.
On Monday, Senate Democrats will attempt to fast track the amendment (SCR-43) through the Senate Budget Committee, with little concern for transparency.
Here’s what’s others have said about the amendment:
“The constitutional amendment is worded in such a way as to pull the wool over voters’ eyes. This is Democrats being overly greedy for no good reason. It’s almost certain that they will do well with the next map and there are less egregious ways to prioritize the fairness metric. This just further erodes public trust in government for little actual gain.” Patrick Murray, Monmouth University Polling Institute Director (Politico, Nov. 19, 2018)
NJ Democrats’ attempts to rig the legislative redistricting process has long-faced widespread opposition. Here’s a roundup of what’s been said. (©iStock)
“To provide this kind of instruction to the commission undermines, I think, what it was intended to do and its value of being able to have both objective and subjective deliberations. Whatever party benefits, that’s not the point. The point is how the process is conducted. And I think this very specific information about how competitiveness should be determined really undermines the process.” – Ingrid Reed, former director of the Eagleton Institute’s New Jersey Project ( Jan. 7, 2016)
Kean: Democrats’ Redistricting Amendment About Cementing Their Control, Limiting Voter Choice
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a constitutional amendment (SCR-43) being fast-tracked by Democrats is designed to make legislative elections less competitive while cementing permanent Democratic majorities in the New Jersey Legislature.
Sen. Tom Kean said a constitutional amendment proposed by Democrats is designed to make legislative elections less competitive while cementing permanent Democratic majorities in the New Jersey Legislature. (SenateNJ.com)
“The constitutional amendment proposed by New Jersey Democrats is not about making our elections fairer or legislative districts more competitive,” said Kean. “This sham of an amendment is about power. It’s about Democrats who have controlled the Legislature for nearly two decades trying to cement their power by permanently rigging the election process in their favor.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: No Excuse for Delaying Protection of Property Tax Exemptions for Vets Coping with Natural Disasters
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are calling for action on their bill to protect tax exempt status of property owned by a 100 percent disabled veteran whose home has been destroyed by flood, storm event, natural cause, or other act of God.
9th district lawmakers are calling for action on their bill to protect tax exempt status of property owned by a 100 percent disabled veteran whose home has been destroyed by flood, storm event, natural cause, or other act of God. (©iStock)
The 9th District Delegation’s bipartisan-supported bill, S-900, passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee in late March of this year but has yet to be considered by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The Assembly version of the bill, A-714, is still awaiting action by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
“Under current law, 100 percent disabled veterans claim a full local property tax exemption on their primary home. Regretfully, it became apparent after Superstorm Sandy that the law does not protect the veteran’s exemption in the event of a natural disaster if the property is no longer useable as the owner’s residence.
“In what should be an easy and obvious fix, our delegation introduced this bill to continue the veterans’ property tax exempt status enjoyed before the destruction of their home, so long as substantial, ongoing construction is undertaken within a specified period of time.
“Veterans who served our nation, especially those who are 100 percent disabled, should be afforded the protection offered by our bill so as not to be victimized twice – first by having their home destroyed, and then by incurring a financial hardship from the loss of a considerable form of tax relief.
Corrado Says Murphy Shouldn’t Place Restrictions on Legal Assistance for Low-Income Residents
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) said the Murphy Administration’s restriction of $2.1 million of new funding to Legal Services of New Jersey to immigration-related matters will come at the expense of other vulnerable populations in New Jersey.
Sen. Kristin Corrado said Gov. Murphy’s restriction on millions of new funding for low-income legal assistance to immigration-related matters will come at the expense of other vulnerable populations in New Jersey. (©iStock)
“Every year, our State budget contains funding for Legal Services of New Jersey to provide free legal assistance to low-income residents in a variety of areas, including housing rights, domestic disputes, veterans benefits, and employment issues,” said Corrado. “That’s the right thing to do. This year, however, Governor Murphy is setting restrictions on millions of LSNJ’s funding to limit its use solely to immigration-related matters. I’m extremely concerned that this unnecessary restriction will prevent Legal Services from expanding support for the wide range of legal needs that face New Jersey’s low-income families, seniors, and veterans.”
Cardinale Legislation to Require Pediatric Cohorting Plans in Response to Wanaque Virus Deaths
In response to a severe viral outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) will introduce legislation requiring pediatric hospitals in New Jersey to develop plans to cohort patients who exhibit signs of potentially contagious infections.
Following the deaths of 11 children, legislation by Sen. Gerry Cardinale will require pediatric hospitals to develop plans to cohort patients who exhibit signs of potentially contagious infections. (©iStock)
“We were devastated to learn this morning that an 11th child has died from a contagious infection they received at the Wanaque Center,” said Cardinale. “This is an absolute tragedy for all of the families that are still struggling to understand what went wrong. We’re learning that part of the problem was an inability to separate those who were showing symptoms of infection from those who were not. We need to ensure that every pediatric facility has a plan and the ability to cohort patients to prevent dangerous viral outbreaks from spreading.”
Cohorting is the practice of grouping patients with the same infection together in a segregated area. Cohorted patients are often treated by dedicated staff that does not treat other patients. This practice helps prevent those who are sick or their caregivers from transmitting infectious diseases to other patients who may be susceptible.
Pennacchio on Murphy’s Snowmess: Governor, Don’t Blame Meteorologists – You Own This One
Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris, Essex, Passaic) released the following statement on Governor Murphy’s administration’s response to yesterday’s winter storm:
Sen. Joe Pennacchio said that Gov. Murphy should stop blaming meteorologists and take full responsibility for the Nov. 15 winter storm that put thousands of New Jerseyans in harm’s way. (SenateNJ.com)
“People have the right to expect their roads to be salted and plowed. This storm was not a surprise, but the State’s epic failed response was,” Senator Pennacchio said. “New Jersey citizens’ lives were profoundly disrupted. Families were separated for hours. First responders were stifled and put at risk.”
“Governor, don’t blame it on the meteorologists, or the poor guy driving the salt or plow truck. You own this one,” Pennacchio said.
Brown Joins Young Woman’s Efforts to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Atlantic County & Across America
As part of her ongoing efforts to raise awareness and combat the opioid epidemic, New Jersey native, Jessie Grieb, is currently walking a 2,575 mile journey down the East Coast of the United States.
Recently, State Senator Chris Brown hiked alongside Ms. Grieb and joined her efforts to shed light on this crisis.
Senator Chris Brown listens to Jessie Grieb during their walk through Atlantic County last month. (@ChrisBrownNJ)
“As a young boy, I learned we are all God’s children, and that we must do everything possible to ensure we help others along the way,” Senator Chris Brown said. “Jessie’s courage and determination to raise awareness of the dangers of addiction deserve our full support. Her journey is dedicated to ensuring other families are spared the tragedy of losing a friend or family member. A walk away from addiction is not measured by miles, but by the love and comfort we provide as we stride alongside our loved ones.”
Operation Yellow Ribbon Teaming with 8th District Legislators to Collect Cookies for Soldiers Overseas
Cookies Will Be Collected at 8th District Office on Saturday, Dec. 1st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The 8th Legislative District Office is teaming up with Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey to host a holiday cookie drive to send treats to troops deployed in the Middle East.
Video from the 2017 cookie drive.
Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, Assemblymen Ryan Peters and Joe Howarth and volunteers will be on hand during the drive on Saturday, Dec. 1, to pack and box the donated baked goods and store bought items.
While Operation Yellow Ribbon and the 8th District Legislators are packing up, Santa will be making the trip from the North Pole to welcome people who make donations.
The drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the 8th District Legislative Office at 176 Route 70, Suite 13 in Medford.
Kean & Oroho: First Amazon, Now Google. How Many Opportunities Will NJ Miss Before We Take Action?
Senate Republicans Call for Changes to Business Tax Policies in Wake of NYC Google Expansion Announcement
In light of yesterday’s Wall Street Journal report detailing Google’s plans to add 12,000 new jobs in New York City, Senate Republicans Tom Kean and Steven Oroho said that the expansion would cost New Jersey thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tax revenue.
Senate Republicans Tom Kean and Steven Oroho are calling for action following reports of Google’s plans to add 12,000 new jobs in New York City, which the senators said will cost New Jersey thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tax revenue. (WikiCommons)
“Given our state’s bad-for-business policies, it wasn’t a surprise that Amazon chose Long Island City over New Jersey, but the news of Google’s decision to expand to New York City is just as bad,” Senator Oroho said. “Many of these new Google employees will most likely choose to raise families in New Jersey, while paying income taxes in New York. That means we will lose out on the high-paying jobs that could have been created here, and the tax revenue we need to fund our schools.”
Kean: Murphy’s Tax Increases Blew NJ’s Shot for Amazon’s HQ2
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said massive tax increases imposed by Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats this year have likely blown New Jersey’s shot at luring Amazon’s new headquarters and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs.
Sen. Tom Kean said massive tax increases imposed by Gov. Phil Murphy and Democrats this year have likely blown New Jersey’s shot at luring Amazon’s new headquarters and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey was well on the path to creating the stable, predictable tax environment that employers like Amazon require until Governor Murphy’s budget reversed nearly a decade of fiscal discipline,” said Kean. “The massive multi-billion dollar business tax increase signed by Governor Murphy in July was the nail in the coffin for Newark’s proposal to host HQ2.”
