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.
Kean, Bateman & Corrado to Serve on Senate Select Committee on NJ Transit
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Senator Kip Bateman (R-16), and Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) will serve on the newly formed Senate Select Committee on New Jersey Transit to investigate the continuing failures of the troubled commuter rail agency and develop an action plan to improve service.
Sens. Tom Kean, Kip Bateman, and Kristin Corrado will serve on the newly formed Senate Select Committee on New Jersey Transit to investigate the continuing failures of the troubled commuter rail agency and develop an action plan to improve service. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey Transit’s continuing struggles during the Murphy Administration have left commuters with unacceptably poor service,” said Kean. “Senate Republicans are committed to working to develop solutions to give rail-riding New Jerseyans the reliability they need and deserve every single day.”
Kean Mourns Passing of Sen. Tony Bucco
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean mourned the passing this evening of Senate Republican Conference Leader Anthony R. Bucco (R-25):
Sen. Anthony Bucco holding an 8-week-old yellow Labrador retriever named “NJ” after presenting a resolution to The Seeing Eye for helping to pass Dusty’s Law which enacts criminal penalties for harming or interfering with a service animal or guide dog. (The Seeing Eye)
“I am unbelievably saddened by the passing of my good friend Tony Bucco. He was a leading voice in Morris County politics for more than 40 years and in Trenton for more than two decades. He was a gentleman who earned trust on both sides of the aisle by being a man of his word. Most importantly, he was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. On behalf of the entire Senate Republican caucus, I extend our condolences to all who knew and loved Tony Bucco. He was a great man and a great friend who will be sorely missed.”
Kean Bill to Expand Prenatal Care Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey by expanding Medicaid coverage to include group prenatal care services has been signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey has been signed into law. (Flickr)
“Right now, moms and babies across the country are dying at disturbing rates from preventable complications,” said Kean (R-21). “Here in New Jersey, the statistics are particularly alarming, especially among women of color. Our state’s most vulnerable mothers and newborns deserve greater access to quality healthcare throughout pregnancy. The enactment of this law will help close the racial disparity gap, create stronger families, and save lives.”
Kean/Beach Bill Creating “Blockchain Task Force” is Now Law
Bipartisan Law Will Modernize State Govt. Systems
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator James Beach to create the “NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force” has been signed into law. The task force is charged with exploring the merits of using Blockchain technology to modernize government systems and safeguard personal data.
Sens. Tom Kean and James Beach’s legislation to create the “NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force” has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“Blockchain technology is the new generation of currency and a new standard of secure exchange,” said Kean (R-21). “In this Internet age, local governments should be able to take advantage of blockchain’s capability to facilitate safe, paperless transactions that are impervious to cyber-attacks. The task force established by this law will seek out practical ways to implement this technology in a way that will benefit New Jersey’s taxpayers.”
Now Law: Kean Bill Creating ‘Gateway Development Corporation’ to Build New Rail Tunnels to Manhattan
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bipartisan legislation to establish the ‘Gateway Development Corporation’ has been signed into law. The commission will oversee planning, funding and construction of new rail tunnels and other projects that will double trans-Hudson rail capacity and provide one-seat rides to Manhattan on all NJ Transit lines.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to establish the ‘Gateway Development Corporation’ has been signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Constructing the Gateway Tunnel is critical to serving the growing number of New Jersey commuters, as well as creating jobs and securing long-term economic growth,” said Kean (R-21). “The Gateway Program will increase NJ Transit rail capacity to and from New York Penn Station by 70,000 riders a day and enable NJ Transit to provide direct one-seat rides to Manhattan, including on the Raritan Valley Line. I will continue to be a vocal advocate to ensure New Jerseyans have a dependable, affordable, and safe mass-transit service.”
Kean Statement on Proposed Legislative Redistricting Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on a report from leading academics on “Improving New Jersey’s Legislative Apportionment Process.”
Sen. Tom Kean’s statement on a report from leading academics on “Improving New Jersey’s Legislative Apportionment Process.” (SenateNJ.com)
“Last year, we raised the alarm when Democrats attempted to fast-track a constitutional amendment that would have made legislative elections less competitive while cementing permanent Democratic majorities in the New Jersey Legislature,” said Kean (R-21). “With broad bipartisan support from outside groups and respected academics, we defeated their attempt to rig our elections. Any changes to improve how we reapportion legislative districts should focus on making the process fairer and more transparent.”
