Kean: Bucco Has Our Prayers & Support in Cancer Battle
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement regarding Senator Anthony Bucco’s diagnosis and upcoming treatment for throat cancer:
Sen. Tom Kean’s statement regarding Sen. Anthony Bucco’s diagnosis and upcoming treatment for throat cancer. (SenateNJ.com)
“We want Senator Bucco to know that he won’t be alone in his upcoming fight against cancer. He has the prayers and full support of his Senate Republican family, and I’m sure of the entire Legislature. Knowing Tony, I have no doubt his battle against cancer will be successful.”
Kean/Vitale Bill to Help NJ Moms, Address Maternal & Infant Mortality Rates Advances
Bill Would Improve Statewide Medicaid Data Analysis Practices
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senate Health Committee Chair Joe Vitale to improve the health, well-being and safety of New Jersey’s expectant mothers and newborns on Medicaid has passed the Senate Health Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean to improve the health, well-being and safety of New Jersey’s expectant mothers and newborns on Medicaid has passed the Senate Health Committee. (Flickr)
New Jersey’s maternal and infant mortality rates are some of the highest in the country, especially for African Americans. S-3406 would address this crisis by improving certain Medicaid data analysis and healthcare practices.
“Mothers and their newborn babies are dying at shocking rates in New Jersey, and across the country,” Senator Kean (R-21) noted. “Evaluating the medical data of pregnant Medicaid patients Statewide can help us better understand risk factors and break down barriers to care. This legislation, along with the rest of our bipartisan maternal healthcare package, will help close the racial disparity gap, build stronger families, and save lives.”
Senate Transportation Committee Approves Creation of New Gateway Development Commission
Diegnan, Kean laud NJ-NY-Amtrak partnership as critical to build new tunnels, expand rail capacity and spur economic growth
Legislation sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean creating the Gateway Development Commission was approved on Thursday by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean and Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr. creating the Gateway Development Commission was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Gateway Project will increase NJ Transit rail commuter capacity to and from New York Penn Station by 70,000 riders a day and enable NJ Transit to provide direct one-seat rides on every rail line,” said Senator Kean (R-Union). “The Morris & Essex Line’s Midtown Direct rail service is a major reason that downtowns like Morristown, Madison and South Orange are now thriving, and we need that same transit-oriented development to spur economic growth on the Raritan Valley Line and throughout North and Central Jersey.”
Kean Announces Corrado as Newest Member of Senate Republican Leadership
Sen. Kristin Corrado will replace Addiego as Deputy Whip
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean today announced that Senator Kristin Corrado (R-Passaic, Bergen, Essex) will join the Senate Republican Caucus Leadership as Deputy Whip.
Sen. Tom Kean announces Sen. Kristin Corrado will join the Senate Republican Caucus Leadership. Corrado is replacing Addiego as Deputy Whip. (SenateNJ.com)
“Senator Corrado has proven to be an effective and respected leader in our caucus, and I’m proud to expand her role as a member of our Senate Republican leadership team,” Senator Kean (R-Union, Somerset, Morris) said. “Most recently, she has been a courageous and compassionate voice of reason on the special committee investigating the Murphy Administration’s hiring practices.
“She has a strong history of being an admirable public servant, and the experience and knowledge necessary to move our caucus forward. I know that in this new role, Senator Corrado will continue to be a strong advocate for families and taxpayers throughout the state we are proud to call home. I thank her for stepping up and joining us in our fight for a brighter, more prosperous future for all New Jerseyans.”
Kean, Cunningham Bill to Create Campus Sexual Assault Commission Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Senate Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission cleared the Senate today.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Sen. Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission passed the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“College campuses should be nurturing and secure environments where students can grow and learn without fear,” said Senator Kean (R-Morris/Somerset/Union). “So many survivors have bravely come forward to share their stories. They deserve justice. By establishing a commission, we can develop real deterrents to combat the campus assault epidemic and keep generations of students safe from sexual violence.”
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Singer & Kean Fight to Change Code Blue Law to Save Lives During Winter Weather
New Bill Drafted in Response to Concerns that NJ’s Homeless Need More Protection from Severe Cold
In response to concerns that local officials in Toms River and throughout New Jersey are struggling to authorize shelter for the homeless during winter weather events, Senator Robert Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean will introduce legislation to change New Jersey’s Code Blue standards to ensure no one pays the price for language in the law.
In response to local concerns, Sens. Robert Singer and Tom Kean will introduce legislation to change New Jersey’s Code Blue standards. (©iStock)
Currently, a Code Blue is triggered when temperatures reach 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder without precipitation or 32 degree or colder with precipitation. The new bill would eliminate the 25 degree standard, so that a Code Blue would be triggered as soon as the temperature falls to 32 degrees, regardless of whether or not there is precipitation at the time.
The bill will be formally introduced during the next Senate quorum on Thursday, Jan. 31.
“I was devastated to hear that the homeless are being turned away from shelters in Ocean County this winter,” Senator Singer (R-30) said. “Snow or no snow, when the temperature reaches 32 degrees, it’s time to get inside. I cannot even begin to imagine the terror someone must feel when it’s freezing and you have nowhere to go. Code Blue was designed to save lives. No one should be forced to suffer because of problematic language in a law that was meant to help people.”
Kean, Cunningham Bill to Create Campus Sexual Assault Commission Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Senate Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee .
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and Sen. Higher Education Chair Sandra Cunningham to create a Campus Sexual Assault Commission cleared the Senate Budget Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“College campuses should be nurturing and secure environments where students can grow and learn without fear,” said Senator Kean (R-Morris/Somerset/Union). “So many survivors have bravely come forward to share their stories. They deserve justice. By establishing a commission, we can develop real deterrents to combat the campus assault epidemic and keep generations of students safe from sexual violence.”
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Kean: NJ Transit Hiring Successes Due to Lifting Public Workers Residency Requirements
More Proof We Should End Limitations Across State Government
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said New Jersey Transit’s recent hiring successes highlight how eliminating residency requirements could benefit all of State government:
Sen. Republican Leader Tom Kean said NJ Transit’s recent hiring successes highlight how eliminating residency requirements could benefit all of State government. (SenateNJ.com)
“For years I have called for New Jersey to eliminate the rigid state residency mandates for public employment,” Kean said. “Those hiring limitations are a big part of the reason NJ Transit ended up so short staffed, leading to many cancelled trains and buses for commuters. I am pleased we succeeded in getting NJ Transit exempted from these requirements, which led to recent accomplishments in filling vacancies in their training programs.”
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Kean’s Response to Murphy’s State of the State
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement following Governor Murphy’s State of the State address:
Sen. Tom Kean’s response to Governor Phil Murphy’s State of the State address. (SenateNJ.com)
“If you ask many New Jerseyans if they believe we have a state that is ‘stronger and fairer’ than a year ago, I think you’ll find the answer to be ‘no.’
“For the past year, Governor Murphy has ignored basic fiscal reforms that would lower the cost of government and make New Jersey more affordable for residents and taxpayers.
“It’s not surprising, but it is disappointing, that he failed to demand action on any of those reforms today, too. The result of this ongoing failure is repeated over and over in headlines that highlight the continued flight of residents and employers from New Jersey.
Weinberg, McKeon, Kean: NJ Transit Reform Bill Will Make Agency Responsive, Transparent and Accountable
NJ Senate & Assembly give final approval to bill to add commuters to NJT Board, mandate public hearings, establish legislative oversight and expand disclosure
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman John McKeon and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. today lauded final passage of sweeping NJ Transit reform legislation that will add commuters to the NJ Transit Board, mandate public hearings prior to substantial schedule changes or fare hikes, expand legislative oversight, and mandate the disclosure of detailed fiscal, safety and personnel data.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Assemblyman John McKeon and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. lauded the final passage of sweeping NJ Transit reform legislation. (SenateNJ.com)
“The overwhelming bipartisan passage of this legislation exemplifies the cooperation of Republican and Democratic legislative leaders who have stood together in recent years on the most important mass transit issues, from improving NJ Transit service to pushing for funding to expand rail and bus capacity by building the Gateway Tunnel and expanding the Port Authority Bus Terminal,” Senator Kean (R-Union) said.
