Kean Bill to Improve Transportation Access for Residents with Developmental Disabilities Advances
State residents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities would have an easier time traveling independently under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and cleared this week by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean would make independent travel more accessible for state residents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities. (SenateNJ.com)
The legislation (S-3442) requires the Department of Transportation (DOT), the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to review current infrastructure design practices for highway and public transportation projects.
Panel Advances Kean Bill to Make Medicine More Affordable for NJ Seniors
More seniors and residents with disabilities will be eligible for help with prescription drug costs under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and advanced today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean would ensure more seniors and residents with disabilities will be eligible for help with prescription drug costs. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The high cost of prescription medicine is one of the most troubling concerns of people living on fixed incomes,” said Kean (R-21). “This legislation would help 20,000 more residents save money by expanding income eligibility levels for New Jersey’s prescription drug programs for seniors.”
Kean Measure Designating April of Each Year as ‘Educational Opportunity Fund Month’ Approved by Senate
A resolution sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Month” has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
A resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund Month” cleared the Senate. (Pixabay)
“Since 1968, the Educational Opportunity Fund has provided critical services and support for hundreds of thousands of students, including counseling, tutoring, and developmental course work,” said Kean (R-21). “By designating the month of April as ‘Educational Opportunity Fund Month,’ we will help bring awareness to this important program that continues to make college more attainable for students facing academic and financial challenges.”
Kean Measure Allowing More Financial Flexibility for Nonprofits that Host Bingo & Raffles Approved by Senate
A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would allow more organizations to use the proceeds from conducting games of chance to support their organizations has been approved by the New Jersey Senate.
A constitutional amendment sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would allow more organizations to use the proceeds from conducting games of chance to support their organizations cleared the Senate. (Pixabay)
“Many non-profits and charities have seen their primary revenue sources severely reduced because of the pandemic,” said Kean (R-21). “This resolution gives organizations that host bingo or raffles additional financial flexibility in how the proceeds may be used. This common-sense measure will take the same benefits given to veterans and senior citizens groups, and afford them to other nonprofit organizations.”
Kean: Democrats’ Flawed Bill to “End” Public Health Emergency Can Hardly Be Called a Compromise
Republicans Were Never Consulted on Measure Extending Murphy’s Emergency Powers & Pandemic Restrictions Until Next Year
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a flawed bill agreed to by Governor Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats to extend pandemic emergency measures until 2022 can hardly be called a compromise when no Republicans were consulted.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a flawed bill agreed to by Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative Democrats to extend pandemic emergency measures until 2022 can hardly be called a compromise when no Republicans were consulted. (SenateNJ.com)
After the rushed bill was pulled from the Assembly’s agenda today in response to public outrage, the Senate President said he was disappointed in Republicans for not supporting the “compromise” legislation.
“It’s hard to call the bill a ‘compromise’ when Republicans were never consulted or invited to be part of any negotiation on ending the public health emergency,” said Kean (R-21). “Keeping emergency executive orders and unnecessary restrictions in place after the public health emergency has ended makes absolutely no sense. If asked, we would have told them it’s a bad deal.”
Kean-Sponsored Bill, “Laura Wooten’s Law,” Approved by Assembly
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation named in honor of Mrs. Laura Wooten that requires civics instruction in middle school has been approved by the New Jersey Assembly.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation that requires civics instruction in middle school was approved by the New Jersey Assembly. (Pixabay)
“Civics education helps foster an understanding and appreciation of our democracy,” said Senator Kean (R-21). “All students should have the opportunity to learn about the function of government, the rights of citizens, and the values that underpin American democracy. This legislation will give students the skills and knowledge they need to actively participate in a democratic society.”
On Tax Day, Kean Calls for Action on Bill to Create Charitable Deduction
Measure Creates Tax Deduction for Contributions to NJ Charities During COVID-19 Pandemic
With tax filings for 2020 due today, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said many New Jersey taxpayers will once again notice an important tax deduction for charitable giving is offered on federal but not state returns.
With tax filings for 2020 due, Sen. Tom Kean said many New Jersey taxpayers will once again notice an important tax deduction for charitable giving is offered on federal but not state returns. (SenateNJ.com)
“In a year when many New Jerseyans contributed to local charities that supported communities and families impacted by the pandemic, taxpayers were likely surprised to learn when preparing tax returns that New Jersey offers no income tax deduction for charitable giving,” said Kean (R-21). “As charitable nonprofits try to recover from the pandemic, the lack of a New Jersey tax deduction may impact their ability to raise funds and continue helping people. We have bipartisan legislation that’s stalled in the General Assembly that could address those needs and concerns.”
Kean/Singleton Bill Making Trunk Fighting a Crime Becomes Law
A bill sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Troy Singleton making trunk fighting with dogs an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree was signed today by Governor Murphy.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Troy Singleton making trunk fighting with dogs an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree was signed by Governor Murphy. (©iStock)
The new law, S-975, defines trunk fighting as enclosing two or more dogs in the trunk of a motor vehicle and instigating them to fight to the death.
Corrado & Kean Host “Return to School Roundtable” with Parents, Students, Educators & Experts
Senator Kristin Corrado and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean hosted a virtual “Return to School Roundtable” with parents, students, educators, and experts to discuss returning students to classrooms full time and the various challenges that have resulted from the pandemic.
The meeting was held this morning via Zoom and livestreamed for public viewing on Facebook Live.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean hosted a Return to School Roundtable on Friday, May 7, 2021. (NJ Senate Republicans/YouTube)
“I’m glad we could provide a forum for parents, students, and education advocates to have an open discussion with their lawmakers about the importance of returning to school in a manner that is both responsible and safe,” said Corrado (R-40). “There was broad consensus that many students are missing out on a variety of important interactions and support systems both inside and outside of their classrooms resulting in learning loss and physical and emotional harm. It’s imperative that we get kids back into the classroom full time as soon as possible.”
“There was a clear and uniform sentiment expressed by our panelists that the potential risks to students of COVID-19 in a school setting is less than the real harm that is impacting students due to learning loss and social isolation with continued hybrid and remote learning,” said Kean (R-21). “We also heard repeated concerns that districts have struggled with differing county and local health department requirements leading to a wild inconsistency in school closures and pandemic response measures. It’s clear that we need to open up our schools fully and trust that our administrators know how to keep their students and teachers safe.”
TODAY @ 10 AM: Corrado & Kean to Livestream Return to School Roundtable
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) will hold a virtual Return to School Roundtable today, Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Tom Kean will livestream a Return to School Roundtable with parents, students and education professionals today, Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m. (SenateNJ.com)
During the livestreamed meeting, the senators will talk with parents, students, and education professionals about returning students to the classroom full time and the challenges and concerns resulting from pandemic-related disruptions.
