Pennacchio, Singer Introduce Legislation to Keep Peace in NJ Streets
The Bill is Modeled After a Florida Bill Recently Signed Into Law by Gov. DeSantis
Less than 48 hours after a large party deteriorated into mayhem on Saturday night in Long Branch, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Robert Singer have introduced legislation that would strengthen laws preventing similar violent outbreaks.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Robert Singer introduced legislation strengthening laws preventing violent public outbreaks like the incident in Long Branch on June 19. (Flickr)
“What happened last weekend had nothing to do with partying and having a good time,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “It was lawlessness, and there is no appetite for that kind of behavior in New Jersey. Our police and law enforcement deserve credit for ensuring things didn’t get even more dangerous, but the situation was extremely volatile and had the potential to get out of control.
Bateman Bill Emphasizing NJ’s Clean Energy Goals Endorsed by Senate
New Jersey has committed to ambitious energy goals under the 2019 Energy Master Plan, and the Senate today approved Senator Kip Bateman’s bill codifying those targets.
Sen. Kip Batemen’s legislation advanced by the Senate codifies New Jersey commitment to ambitious renewable energy goals to help the environment. (Pixabay)
“The numbers reflect a very aggressive approach, but technological advancements make them attainable,” said Bateman (R-16). “With the support of Garden State residents, we are already making strides in the right direction. These are the goals we are aiming for, and these are the goals we will reach.”
Bucco Legislation to Fund Pediatric Cancer Research Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco to fund pediatric cancer research in New Jersey has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Tony Bucco and Grace Eline, both pediatric cancer survivors, vote YES to fund vital pediatric cancer research in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“As a survivor of pediatric cancer, I know there are few things that can make a child feel so scared or parents so helpless,” said Bucco (R-25). “I am thankful every day that I was one of the lucky ones who survived. With better-funded research, we can improve treatments and survival rates to ensure that luck is no longer a factor in deciding which children with cancer will have an opportunity to grow up and live full lives.”
O’Scanlon Bill Allowing Electronic Authorization for Medical Cannabis Patients Clears Senate with Gov’s Recommendations
The Senate today concurred with Governor Murphy’s recommendations to legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would allow patients to be authorized for medical marijuana by telemedicine.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation that would allow doctors to authorize medical marijuana for patients by telemedicine moved closer to enactment with the Senate’s concurrence with Gov. Murphy’s recommendations. (Flickr)
“Technology that has significantly changed the medical industry will improve the everyday health and wellness of eligible New Jersey residents who rely on medical cannabis to alleviate pain and treat their medical conditions,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “Doctors will be able to prescribe therapeutic marijuana electronically in certain circumstances, without requiring an in-office visit with the patients. The process will be easier and faster for patients.”
Kean Bill that Would Stabilize State Funding for Higher Education Clears Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions earned Senate approval today.
The Senate approved Sen. Tom Kean’s bill that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions. (SenateNJ.com)
“The dramatic increase in higher education tuition each year is making college and post-graduate education less affordable and less attainable for so many New Jersey families,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey has consistently underfunded colleges and universities, leading to a troubling affordability crisis. This legislation will create a commission to address this systemic problem by analyzing the available data from our state, as well as other states, and determine how we can more efficiently fund our higher education system.”
Bucco Bill Supporting the Needs of Individuals with Disabilities in the Workforce Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would help ensure state residents with disabilities have adequate access to employment opportunities as required by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) passed the Senate today.
State residents with disabilities would have better access to adequate employment opportunities under legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and approved by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, S-995, would establish a process for assessing the employment opportunities available to individuals with disabilities provided by community rehabilitation programs and businesses.
Corrado Bill Encouraging School Districts to Team with Universities to Train In-School Mental Health Providers Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado to help fill the need for more mental health professionals in schools was approved today by the Senate and now moves to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
Mental health services in New Jersey schools would be enhanced under legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado passed by the Senate. (Pixabay)
Corrado’s bill, A-4433/S-2715, establishes a grant program to assist school districts in the training of school-based mental health service providers. Districts that receive grants would be required to use the funds to create and grow programs to train graduate students to become mental health service providers in schools.
Schepisi Bill Allowing Paramedics to Administer Buprenorphine Approved by Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine, which is used to treat acute withdrawal symptoms after patients are revived from an opioid overdose with naloxone, was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Holly Schepisi that allows paramedics to administer buprenorphine was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“Each year, tens of thousands of Americans lose their lives from an opioid-related overdose, and the pandemic has only exacerbated this tragic reality,” said Schepisi (R-39). “The unprecedented rise in opioid-related deaths shows that we need to do more to combat the addiction crisis. My legislation will provide our first responders with the necessary tools to combat this insidious epidemic, prevent future opioid-related deaths, and get more people on the road to recovery.”
Oroho: Democrats Proposing No Significant New Tax Relief for New Jerseyans
Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement following a budget-related announcement by Governor Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leaders this morning:
Statement from Sen. Steven Oroho on a budget-related announcement from Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative issues. (Pixabay)
“Despite the State receiving a $5 billion tax windfall in recent weeks, Democrats are proposing no significant new tax relief for New Jerseyans. That stands in stark contrast to our Republican plan to significantly boost tax relief and fix long-standing structural budget issues. It’s likely we’ll see a spending spree of epic proportions for legislative add-ons when the final details of the budget are released.”
Pennacchio Calls for Learning, Healing on State’s First Juneteenth Holiday
Senator Joe Pennacchio today said New Jersey’s first Juneteenth state holiday is a living lesson in American history and an opportunity to unify all races.
New Jersey’s first Juneteenth state holiday is a lesson in American history, and Senator Joe Pennacchio said it is also an opportunity to unify the races. (Pixabay)
“It would be appropriate if state residents of all colors, backgrounds and cultures paused for a moment Friday to reflect on the atrocities of slavery and the bloody Civil War that helped deliver people of color from the crushing cruelties of servitude,” Pennacchio said. “The significance of this commemoration should be so much more than just a day off work. We all have an obligation to learn more about our nation’s past as it applies to race relations and the freedoms we share as Americans.”
