Senator Tom Kean speaks after Governor Chris Christie signed Interest Arbitration Reform into law with legislators and mayors from around the state in Wayne, N.J. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)
Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean speaks after Governor Chris Christie announces reaching a bipartisan agreement to enact critical elements of the Christie Reform Agenda at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)
Senator Tom Kean speaks after Governor Chris Christie signs bill to rename Trauma Center at University Hospital after the late Assemblyman Eric Munoz in Newark, N.J. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)
Senator Tom Kean speaks after Governor Chris Christie announced a bipartisan consensus with Legislative leaders to provide property tax relief through an even stronger cap of 2 percent with at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Saturday, July 3, 2010. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)
Senator Tom Kean speaks after Governor Chris Christie signs FY 2011 Budget with the First Lady Mary Pat Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno in South River, N.J. on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. (Governor’s Office/Tim Larsen)
Senator Tom Kean talking with State Troopers at the 11th annual Blue Mass honoring law enforcement held at St. Mary of Assumption Cathedral in Trenton on April 13, 2010.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean speaking at a ceremony to mark the signing of S-2, S-3 and S-4 by Governor Chris Christie on March 22, 2010. The package of bills reforms public employee pensions, requires contributions toward healthcare benefits by public employees and limits payments for unused sick time and sick injury leave. (Governor Photos/Tim Larsen)
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean speaking during the Senate session on March 11, 2010.
Governor-Elect Chris Christie and Lt. Governor-Elect Kim Guadagno joined Tom Kean in the Senate Chambers for the swearing-in of Senator Mike Doherty on November 23, 2009.
Senator Tom Kean, a former volunteer fireman, inspecting new thermal imaging cameras with members of the Millburn Fire Department. Photo Credit: Millburn Fire Department
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean appeared on NJTV’s NJ Today with Mike Schneider tonight to discuss important Republican-sponsored legislation that has been blocked by Senate President Stephen Sweeney. Sweeney has said that he will not post any Republican-sponsored bills for a vote.
Speaking of the need for sick leave reform, Kean noted it was reported today that 25 retiring police officers in Jersey City could cost property taxpayers $5 million when their accumulated sick leave is paid out, and taxpayers statewide are on the hook for $880 million in accumulated sick leave that may need to be paid.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean discussed important legislative initiatives and other unfinished business that majority Democrats in the Legislature have failed to act upon at a New Jersey State House press conference on May 20, 2013.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. and Senate Budget Committee Member Joe Pennacchio stated the following in response to today’s announcement of New Jersey’s continued private-sector job growth and state revenue gains:
“Each month we are welcoming the good news for New Jersey families that we’re continuing to add private-sector jobs and the state’s revenues are rallying now beyond projections,” Kean said. “Members of this legislature should be inspired to act on more Republican reforms that can enhance jobs and revenue growth. Those who want to get things done should join Senate Republicans to enact more bipartisan reforms to improve the quality of life for New Jerseyans.”
Hundreds of families and school children near the landfill face serious health risks due to the improper, overdue closure by the site’s private ownership group. Kean and Oroho sent a letter today to Senator Richard Codey, urging him to support legislative remedy S2617, sponsored by fellow Morris County Senators Anthony Bucco and Joe Pennacchio.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union, Morris, Somerset) applauded Gov. Christie for signing into law today the “Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection, and Treatment Act,” of which he is first co-sponsor.
“Millions of human trafficking victims are tortured in New Jersey and the world over via a growing, underground enterprise,” Kean said. “In this state, people of all ages and backgrounds are now better protected from this form of modern-day slavery. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors are more empowered to prevent criminals from physically and emotionally destroying lives in New Jersey.”
The following editorial by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) to urge action on accountability, ethics and campaign finance reforms was published in Sunday’s Press of Atlantic City:
You are correct that there is too much finger-pointing and not enough action in Trenton to make government accountable. So why don’t you join us in demanding answers from those who aren’t getting the job done?
The Democratic majority in this Legislature has total control over what bills are posted for votes, starting at the committee level. Despite our repeated public calls for action, Senate committee chairmen Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, and James Whelan, D-Atlantic, continue to ignore Republican measures to provide a pure, transparent government to New Jersey residents. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Salem, Gloucester, Cumberland, who can force legislation through committees, has also neglected our bills to make government accountable at all levels in this state.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) lauded today ‘s announcement of approved upgrades to colleges and universities in New Jersey.
“Last November, New Jersey voters made the right decision to invest $750 million in improvements for colleges and universities around this state,” said Kean, a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee. “Today, the public’s investment is honored by the approval of dozens of projects all over the state that will make colleges more competitive and attractive. These colleges are now charged to offer the most innovative tools for the success of their students, who will ultimately be leaders in New Jersey’s workforce.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union) stated the following regarding today’s New York Times report that New Jersey is paying half of New York City’s rate for Superstorm Sandy debris removal:
“I was pleased to read this morning that by acting swiftly and wisely on a debris removal contract, the Gov. Christie administration has both expedited New Jersey’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy and saved taxpayers money in the process. Gov. Christie’s leadership has once again benefited New Jersey families and businesses. New Jersey’s contractor has removed approximately three-times the amount of Sandy debris as New York City’s contractor and is charging half as much.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. and Economic Growth Committee Member Senator Steven Oroho stated the following in response to today’s announcement of New Jersey’s continued private-sector job growth:
“Gaining 10,000 private-sector jobs a month is certainly something to boast, especially in a state where employers pay too much for government and are confined in a straight jacket of regulations,” said Kean (R-Union).
“Another month of steady job gains proves that New Jersey’s economy is on the right track,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris), a member of the bipartisan Red Tape Review Commission. “There are certainly more job recovery efforts we need to undertake to enhance our state’s competitiveness in order to regain the hundreds of thousands of jobs lost before Governor Christie took office.”
Senators Tom Kean (R-21), Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Dawn Marie Addiego (R-8) joined Governor Chris Christie for the signing of SJR-70 on Monday, April 15, 2013. The legislators are co-sponsors of the Senate Joint Resolution congratulating Israel for 65 years of independence.
Kean said, “On the anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel, it is important that we reaffirm our support for Israel and its people. New Jersey and Israel share deep ties, both cultural and economic, that represent a unique friendship that we must make every effort to sustain.”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (center) and Senator Anthony Bucco (right) watching as Governor Chris Christie signs SJR-70 on Monday, April 15, 2013.
Co-sponsors of SJR-70, Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego (left) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (right), pictured with New Jersey Israel Commission Chairman Mark S. Levenson (center), at the signing of the resolution.
