Kean Bill to Allow Alcohol Sales in Small Theaters Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to support the arts by permitting small theaters to sell alcohol has advanced in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to support the arts by permitting small theaters to sell alcohol has advanced. (Pixabay)
“Small, local theaters give back to our towns and cities in immeasurable ways, boosting both social and cultural capital, and enriching our community’s character,” said Kean (R-21). “Allowing community theaters the opportunity to serve alcohol will bolster attendance and improve the economic viability of the arts throughout the Garden State. What better way to enhance the night-out experience than by sipping a cold drink while watching a new show?”
Kean Bill Would Ensure Behavior Analysts Properly Trained
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to ensure professionals engaged in behavioral analysis are properly trained and licensed was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
Sen. Tom Kean sponsors legislation requiring proper training and licensing of behavior analysts. (SenateNJ.com)
“When a professional is not skilled in behavior analysis, they can do more harm than good,” said Kean (R-21). “My measure addresses growing concerns about unlicensed, untrained, and unqualified practitioners attempting behavioral interventions and behavior modification.”
Kean Legislation to Lower Prescription Costs Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to limit out-of-pocket prescription costs was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to limit out-of-pocket prescription costs was approved by the Senate Budget Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Patients battling cancer and other chronic diseases have a tough enough time before they face the challenge of paying for expensive treatments and prescriptions, which can cost thousands of dollars a month or more,” said Kean (R-21). “Many other states have succeeded in limiting these outrageous fees for necessary prescriptions. Our efforts to make co-pays more affordable for life-saving prescriptions is the right thing to do.”
Kean Bill to Require Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation requiring all infants to be screened for spinal muscular atrophy has advanced in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is caused by abnormally functioning motor neurons that control voluntary movement, such as walking, talking, and swallowing.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation requiring all infants to be screened for spinal muscular atrophy has advanced. (©iStock)
“SMA is the number-one genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers in the United States,” said Kean (R-21). “It makes sense to test babies at birth for SMA, which will help infants access treatment as soon as possible, leading to better outcomes with potential life-saving results.”
Kean: Lifting 2% Property Tax Cap Is Not the Answer to School Funding Cuts
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a proposal to lift New Jersey’s successful two-percent property tax cap is the wrong answer to counter major school funding cuts that are hitting many districts through the enactment of S-2:
Sen. Tom Kean said lifting New Jersey’s successful 2% property tax cap is the wrong answer to counter major school funding cuts that are hitting many districts through the enactment of S-2. (Pixabay)
“I disagree with the Senate President’s suggestion that the solution to the school funding crisis created by S-2 is to let property taxes spiral out of control as they did in the years prior to the passage of the successful two-percent cap,” said Kean. “We need to change the school funding formula in order to help school districts lower some of their largest and fastest-growing costs.”
Kean said the “Every Child Counts” school funding reform plan proposed by Senate Republicans should be part of the solution.
Kean: Independent Contractor Bill Will Take Away Worker’s Choices
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean warned of the unintended consequences of legislation that would deem independent contractors to be employees under State law and plans to oppose the bill:
“My phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from people who are genuinely afraid of losing their livelihoods and their companies as a result of this proposed change to how independent contractors are treated under New Jersey law.
Sen. Kean said legislation that would classify independent contractors as employees could have severe consequences that would cost thousands of jobs and harm business. (Pixabay)
“Many people choose to work as independent contractors to have the freedom to work how and when they want, or to earn extra income through a side gig or hobby. There’s a real concern that many of those economic opportunities would disappear if independent contractors, who may only perform a single service or work a few hours a week or month, were required to be treated as employees with all of the resulting rules and regulations that apply to regular, full-time employees of a business.
Kean & Corrado Measure to Detect Deadly Fentanyl in Street Drugs Clears Committee
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Kristin Corrado sponsor legislation that would establish a program to detect fentanyl in the illegal drug supply. The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today approved the measure (A5445/S3909).
Senators Kean and Corrado sponsor a bill to establish a program to detect the presence of deadly fentanyl in the illegal drug supply.
The bill would require the attorney general to establish a program to test for fentanyl in all controlled dangerous substances seized by police in the state.
“The severity of this crisis demands action, and I am pleased the committee took up this bill today,” said Kean (R-24). “With the information we learn from this program, we can better understand where fentanyl is most common and which neighborhoods and towns face the greatest risks. The testing could help police track the sources of the deadly drugs and get them off the streets.”
Senate Republicans Unanimously Re-Elect Kean as Leader
Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr. has received the unanimous support of the Senate Republican caucus to continue serving as its leader for the upcoming 219th New Jersey Legislature.
Sen. Tom Kean has received the unanimous support of the Senate Republican caucus to continue serving as its leader for the upcoming 219th New Jersey Legislature. (SenateNJ.com)
“I’m honored to have the continued support of the Senate Republican caucus as we head into the 2020-2021 legislative session,” said Kean. “Their confidence in me is a reflection of the strong team we have built that is capable of both working across the aisle when common ground can be found and successfully countering the Democratic majorities when they go too far.”
Oroho, Kean & Pennacchio Call for Creation of Office of Labor Law Enforcement
Would Oversee & Coordinate Enforcement of State Labor Laws
Senators Steven Oroho, Tom Kean, and Joe Pennacchio called for the swift passage of legislation they sponsor that would protect workers, honest businesses, and taxpayers from the wide-ranging impacts of illegal labor practices.
Sens. Steven Oroho, Tom Kean, and Joe Pennacchio called for the passage of legislation they sponsor creating the Office of Labor Law Enforcement to crack down on illegal labor practices. (Pixabay)
“Companies that employ fraudulent work practices shouldn’t be allowed to profit, especially with public dollars,” said Oroho, who serves as the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “When we hear talk of a ‘stronger and fairer economy’ we should be doing all we can to close loopholes to prevent bad actors from abusing the system to the detriment of workers, taxpayers, and the State treasury.”
The legislation, S-3954, would establish the Office of Labor Law Enforcement to oversee, evaluate, and coordinate enforcement activities of the department regarding violations of the provisions of labor laws. The new office would be created within the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Kean: Our Fight for One-Seat Ride on Raritan Valley Line Has Yielded Results
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said years of work across multiple administrations has resulted in today’s announcement by Governor Murphy of weekday off-peak, one-seat-ride train service to Manhattan on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line.
Sen. Tom Kean said years of work across multiple administrations has resulted in the announcement of off-peak, one-seat-ride service to Manhattan on NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line. (SenateNJ.com)
Following the announcement at the Westfield NJ Transit Station, Kean issued the following statement:
“Westfield and other municipalities along the Raritan Valley Line are commuter towns. Having safe, reliable rail service directly impacts the quality of life of of our residents. Convenience matters too. That’s why I have long fought for a one-seat ride to Manhattan that doesn’t require commuters to waste time switching trains as they travel to and from work each day. The hours saved by not having to switch trains is time that can be spent having breakfast with family in the morning. It can make it possible to get home in time for a child’s game in the evening.
“I’ve worked for years alongside the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition and our mayors to make a one-seat ride a reality. It’s often seemed like an uphill battle, but we never gave up. We fought to ensure that Governor Murphy and his predecessor understood that this initiative is of the greatest important to our towns along the line. Today’s announcement is a direct result of those efforts.
