Kean: $3 Billion in Tax Hikes Is Not the Answer to New Jersey’s Problems
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean rebuked the idea that $3 billion in annual tax increases would solve New Jersey’s fiscal woes.
Sen. Tom Kean rebuked the idea that $3 billion in annual tax increases would solve New Jersey’s fiscal woes. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Democrats believe that hiking our taxes by $3 billion will fix New Jersey’s problems, but that’s an economic fallacy,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey’s property taxes and business taxes are already the highest in the nation, leading nearly half of New Jerseyans to consider moving their families and work out of the Garden State. The Legislature must reject policies like these that have never worked and focus our efforts on making New Jersey more affordable and competitive.”
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Kean Bill to Support Veterans Seeking Higher Education Clears Committee
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country was approved by the Senate Budget Committee. (Flickr)
“Going to school while serving is a difficult undertaking in itself, let alone trying to manage the traditional college semester timeline around deployment dates and other military obligations,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey should do everything in its power to be more accommodating to the brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Offering military members the flexibility to register late for classes and refunds for course tuition that conflicts with deployments is a small way to express our gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to defend our country.”
Kean Bill Helping Military Dependents Attend College in New Jersey Clears Senate
Extends In-State Tuition Rates to Students Whose Families Moved Away Due to New Military Assignments
Children of service members who attended high school in New Jersey would be eligible for in-state college tuition rates under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and approved today by the Senate.
Under Sen. Tom Kean’s bill, military dependents who attended three years of high school in state would qualify for more affordable resident tuition at public colleges or universities, regardless of their place of residence at the time they enroll in school. (©iStock)
“When military obligations cause families to relocate to New Jersey, they become part of the community, going to school, playing on teams, working in local businesses and making life-long friendships,” said Kean (R-21). “New orders may take them away, but this bill is an incentive for students to attend college and start careers in the Garden State.”
Kean: Chronic Student Outmigration Will Impact Higher Education & Economy
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on New Jersey’s Top Ten ranking in Wallethub’s 2020’s Most and Least Educated States in America:
Sen. Tom Kean said New Jersey’s top-ten ranking by Wallethub as one of the most educated states in America is threatened by a ‘brain drain’ of college students who leave the state and can’t afford to return. (Pixabay)
“While New Jersey is currently one of the ‘Most Educated States’ in the nation, our outmigration problem may put this notable statistic at risk in the future. Many high school graduates choose to attend college outside of New Jersey. Once these students leave, many never return to New Jersey to help build our workforce, support their families, or contribute to our communities. This is because our state is simply too expensive.
Kean: Rail Commuters Deserve Improvement, Not Delays & Excuses
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to serious concerns about New Jersey Transit (NJT) that were raised in a new report by the State Auditor.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to serious concerns about New Jersey Transit that were raised in a new report by the State Auditor. (SenateNJ.com)
“Virtually every aspect of New Jersey Transit’s rail operations, including poor on-time performance, problems with safety upgrades, and badly maintained infrastructure were laid bare in the State Auditor’s report,” said Kean. “As I’ve said repeatedly, rail commuters deserve improvement from New Jersey Transit, not more delays and excuses.”
As a member of both the Legislative Oversight Committee and the Senate Select Committee on New Jersey Transit, Kean has investigated in depth the myriad problems at NJT that have plagued commuters in recent years.
“We’ve worked closely with commuters, local officials, and transportation advocates to hold New Jersey Transit accountable for the thousands of delays, canceled trains, and the unacceptable quality of rail service overall,” added Kean. “Unfortunately, the State Auditor’s findings reinforce much of what we already know. New Jersey Transit isn’t doing enough to fix what’s wrong. New Jersey’s rail commuters deserve better.”
Kean Bill Helping Military Dependents Attend NJ Colleges Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation allowing the children of military members who attended high school in the New Jersey to qualify for in-state college tuition rates was passed by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation would provide in-state college tuition rates to the children of service members who attended high school in New Jersey but no longer live here due to military obligations. (Flickr)
“Families often relocate to our state because of military obligations,” said Kean (R-21). “They become part of the New Jersey fabric, attending school, participating in the community, and making life-long friendships. New orders may take them away, but this bill makes it easier for them to return to attend college in the Garden State, and possibly start careers and families here after graduation.”
Kean Bill to Support Veterans in College Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country has unanimously passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country has unanimously advanced. (©iStock)
“Going to school while serving is a difficult undertaking in itself, let alone trying to manage the traditional college semester timeline around deployment dates and other military obligations,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey should do everything in its power to be more accommodating to the brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. Offering military members the flexibility to register late for classes and refunds for course tuition that conflicts with deployments is a small way to express our gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to defend our country.”
NOW LAW: Kean Bill Will Protect Students Struggling to Repay NJ CLASS College Loans
Senator Tom Kean’s legislation to help students who are having trouble repaying their NJCLASS loans was signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to help students who are having trouble repaying their NJCLASS loans was signed into law. (Flickr)
“The NJ CLASS loan program was designed to aid students who need financial assistance beyond what the federal loan program has provided,” said Kean (R-21). “Students who are having trouble repaying these loans shouldn’t be punished with overly-aggressive collection practices, especially if they are making efforts to get their loans back in good standing.”
SIGNED INTO LAW: Kean Bill Supporting Jersey-Based Artists
Senator Tom Kean’s legislation to empower municipalities to reshape their downtowns, commercial districts and neighborhoods into vital, cultural incubators for Jersey-based artists has been signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to empower Jersey-based artists to grow and create has been signed into law. (Wikimedia)
His law, S-521, establishes a special designation that municipalities can use to promote artists living and working in New Jersey and across the United States.
“Look across New Jersey, and you will see concrete examples of how the arts play an integral role in our ongoing efforts to build vibrant communities,” said Kean, a longtime supporter of the arts. “Jersey-based artists support local jobs and foster statewide economic growth. This new law empowers these job creators to stay in New Jersey.”
NOW LAW: Kean Bill to Help Improve Health Care of Minority Women
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to advance the health of African-American women has been signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to advance the health of African-American women has been signed into law. (Flickr)
“For more than 50 years, minority women have suffered with more disease, complications and deaths in every aspect of women’s health. This initiative will help us discover the causes and address the issues,” said Kean (R-21). “Mortality rates three to four times higher for pregnant African-American women are unacceptable. We can close the gap and significantly improve the health outcomes for new mothers and their children.”
