Kean Measure Creating Student Advisory Commission for Higher Education Earns Senate Support
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean sponsors legislation establishing the Senate Higher Education Student Advisory Commission. The measure was approved today by the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kean establishing the Senate Higher Education Student Advisory Commission cleared the Senate today. (SenateNJ.com)
“College students will have more influence on higher education policy under the bill,” said Kean (R-21). “Students selected to the commission can share valuable insight into the challenges and concerns facing young scholars on college campuses in a rapidly changing world.”
Senate Clears Kean Bill Assisting College Students with Dependent Children Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Kean that would help college students with children with the cost of education passed the Senate today.
Sen. Kean’s legislation will help college students with dependent children find scholarship and grant money they may be eligible to receive. (Pixabay)
“The skyrocketing cost of a college is a challenge for the majority of students, but for parents juggling childcare expenses and the cost of school, the burden can be overwhelming,” said Kean (R-21). “This measure can help lighten the load for parents seeking to provide more opportunities and better futures for themselves and their children, allowing them to qualify for more financial aid.”
Kean Measure to Analyze Criminal Justice Data and Demographics Passes Senate
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislative measure that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislative measure that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Justice is the cornerstone of American democracy, and all New Jersey residents deserve equal protection under the law,” said Kean (R-21). “This initiative will help elected officials and the public better discern and analyze how the law is being applied and enforced in New Jersey. Identifying any problem areas and initiating fitting solutions will support our mission in ensuing Lady Justice is blind, fair, and weighs all evidence impartially.”
Kean Measure Urging IRS to Relax FSA Rules for Health & Child Care Expenses During COVID Crisis Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s resolution encouraging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to relax the rules of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) used to pay for medical and childcare expenses during the COVID pandemic has advanced in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s resolution encouraging the IRS to relax the rules of FSAs used to pay for medical and childcare expenses during the COVID pandemic has advanced. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey parents need more support as they balance raising their children and running a household while working from home during these unprecedented times,” added Kean. “On the same note, many with postponed elective surgeries want to ensure they can use their funds for said procedures or be refunded at the end of the year rather than be held to the ‘use it or lose it’ rule. Making healthcare and childcare FSAs more flexible during this difficult time will lighten the load and better help New Jersey families survive this pandemic.”
Kean Bill to Examine Criminal Justice Data and Demographics Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would require the Attorney General to collect, record, and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has been advanced by the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation that would require the Attorney General to record and analyze criminal justice data, including demographic statistics, has advanced. (SenateNJ.com)
“All New Jersey residents deserve equal protection under the law,” said Kean (R-21). “Collecting criminal justice data in a consistent and uniform matter will give policymakers and the public a more detailed and accurate understanding of how the law is being applied and enforced in New Jersey. This will help us to identify any problem areas and develop appropriate solutions that enhance public safety, protect civil rights, and strengthen police relations with the communities they serve.”
Republican Senators: Senate Must Act Now to Investigate Deadly Pandemic Mistakes
Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, joined by Republican Senators Joe Pennacchio, Anthony M. Bucco, Steve Oroho, Kristin Corrado and Michael Testa, issued the following statement in response to coverage in The Star-Ledger questioning why the Legislature has failed to act on important hearings to investigate the State’s pandemic preparedness.
Senator Tom Kean and Senate Republicans today called for a Senate Select Committee to immediately begin investigating the Administration’s response to COVID-19. (SenateNJ.com)
“The hearings we called for more than two months ago aren’t happening, and we’re all angry and frustrated. Mistakes were made that cost thousands of people their lives in nursing homes, and we recognize the crucial need to understand what led to the mistakes. Delays and foot-dragging are costing us time we cannot afford to lose.
Kean on Bridging Digital Divide in Education
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean made the following statement in regards to the recently announced plan to help close the “digital divide” in education for the upcoming school year:
Sen. Tom Kean made the following statement in regards to the recently announced plan to help close the “digital divide” in education for the upcoming school year. (Pixabay)
“In February, with the threat of the coronavirus looming, I pushed the NJDOE to offer guidance to school districts on educating students across New Jersey in a remote learning environment, particularly for those who did not have access to the tools and resources needed to complete their instruction at home.
“In May, I was disappointed when the governor vetoed bipartisan legislation I had sponsored to expand access to laptops, tablets, hot spot devices, and other technology.
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Kean: Senate Republicans United Against Democrats’ New Effort to Hijack Legislative Redistricting & Disenfranchise Voters
Says Proposed Constitutional Amendment Another Thinly Veiled Attempt by Entrenched Democratic Incumbents to Avoid Competitive Election Districts
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean announced that the entire Senate Republican caucus is opposed to a proposed constitutional amendment being fast-tracked by legislative Democrats that would disenfranchise New Jersey voters by delaying the upcoming redistricting process unnecessarily. He urged concerned citizens to weigh-in prior to a public hearing that was hastily scheduled for tomorrow.
Sen. Tom Kean warned that a proposed constitutional amendment being fast-tracked is another thinly veiled attempt by entrenched Democratic incumbents to avoid competitive election districts. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is just the latest in a series of efforts by Democrats in recent years to hijack the redistricting process for partisan gain,” said Kean (R-21). “Their past efforts were shot down with unanimous disapproval from the public, media, and good-government organizations. This newest effort is another thinly veiled attempt by Democrats to maintain an iron grip on the Legislature after two decades of control.”
Kean Blasts Another Democrat Attempt to Shape Elections
The Democratic Legislature today advanced a play to further strengthen their majority advantage in State government.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a resolution introduced by the Democrats is just another attempt to disenfranchise New Jersey votes. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Nick Scutari and Assemblyman John McKeon proposed a constitutional amendment that would delay legislative redistricting until the 2023 election.
“This isn’t the first time Democrats have attempted to disenfranchise New Jersey voters. I don’t think anybody is surprised by this,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean. “This has become a pattern now as they hide behind cover and attempt to manipulate elections to their advantage.”
Kean Bill Helping College Students with Dependent Children Advances
The skyrocketing cost of a college education is a challenge for the majority of students, but for parent juggling childcare expenses and the cost of school the burden can be overwhelming.
Senator Tom Kean sponsors legislation, approved today by the Senate Higher Education Committee, that would help lighten the load on parent-students who may not be aware they can qualify for more financial aid.
Senator Kean sponsors legislation that would require colleges and universities to inform students that dependent care expenses can be included in determining the cost of attendance for financial aid applications. (SenateNJ.com)
“Young parents are pursuing college degrees to provide more opportunities and more productive futures for themselves and their children,” said Kean (R-21). “Attending college and making the grades can be a daunting task, but add the additional cost and work demands of caring for children and it’s enough to discourage even the most committed students. Parents can qualify for additional financial assistance with the dependent care allowance, but many aren’t aware of the benefit.”
