Stanfield Bill Supporting Military Youth Participation in Legislative Youth Council Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would reduce the Legislative Youth Council’s residency requirement for certain military children was approved by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Stanfield’s bill that would reduce the Legislative Youth Council’s residency requirement for certain military children was approved by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Military-connected children will move several times throughout their childhood making it difficult to participate in certain residency-based programs,” said Stanfield (R-8). “In New Jersey, long residency requirements can prevent military children from participating in our Legislative Youth Council. My legislation would establish a minimum six-month residency requirement for military children to boost their engagement in New Jersey’s democratic process.”
Stanfield Bill Supporting Military Families and Helping Fill Need for Qualified Teachers Clears Committee
Senator Jean Stanfield (R-8) released the following statement after S-3235 was advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee:
“Teachers with certification from other states who relocate with their military spouses should be able to return to the work they love with less stress and aggravation,” said Stanfield. “Considering the sacrifices made by military families, these courtesies are hard earned and well deserved, and the well-documented shortages of teachers make this legislation even more important. This is a win-win for both military families and school districts throughout the state.”
O’Scanlon/Sarlo Introduce Bill to Define Private Beach Owners and Lessees Liability
Today, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) and Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36) announced bipartisan legislation that would clearly define private beach owners’ and lessees’ expectations and liability following the fall 2023 beach closures by Jenkinson’s beach in Point Pleasant.
“While it is clear that private beach owners and lessees are required to provide the public with access to the ocean, the law is not clear about their liability,” said O’Scanlon. “We want our world class beaches to continue being enjoyed by New Jerseyans and tourists alike but we also recognize that it’s ultimately necessary to codify the exact understanding of responsibility and provide peace of mind for everyone. Let’s be clear. At some point we all need to be accountable for our actions. If you go on an unguarded beach it’s up to you to keep yourself safe. It’s that simple. I thank Senator Sarlo in joining me as a sponsor of this bill and look forward to working together to get it on the Governor’s desk.” Continue Reading…
Joint Statement on the Passing of Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40), Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39), and Senator Jean Stanfield (R-8) released the following joint statement in response to the passing of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:
Sen. Kristin Corrado, Sen. Holly Schepisi, and Sen. Jean Stanfield issued a joint statement in response to the passing of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. (CC0 Public Domain)
“Justice O’Connor’s legacy as a trailblazer will shine for eternity and we are saddened by the news of her passing. She broke barriers while serving as the nation’s first female Supreme Court Justice and was a deciding voice in many landmark decisions that shaped the freedoms we all enjoy today. As we mourn her loss, let us celebrate the generations of women she has and will continue to inspire.”
Sen. Singer Bill to Protect New Jerseyans from Predatory Contactors Advances from Committee
Senator Robert Singer (R-30) released the following statement after S-1890 was advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee:
Sen. Robert Singer released a statement today after S-1890 was advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (Pixabay)
“For too long New Jerseyans have had to worry about the legitimacy of their contractor. This bill is another step in the right direction to give us all the confidence to make the decisions that best improve our quality of life,” said Sen. Singer. “By increasing transparency and setting a clear standard for contractors, we can greatly improve consumer protections and give the people of New Jersey the peace of mind they deserve.”
Schepisi Re-ups Call to Establish Government Efficiency and Regulatory Review Commission
Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39) released the following statement after news broke of Connecticut’s Governor withdrawing his plan to mandate future electric vehicle purchases by 2035 after bi-partisan pushback from Connecticut’s Legislative Regulation Review Committee.
Sen. Holly Schepisi released a statement today after news broke of Connecticut’s Governor withdrawing his plan to mandate future EV purchases by 2035. (Pixabay)
“While other Democrat governors come to their senses regarding unachievable mandates for electric vehicles, Governor Murphy continues to push his agenda to make New Jersey the California of the East Coast,” said Schepisi. “Instead of mandating policies that will inevitably hurt working and middle-class New Jerseyans, we need to make their lives easier. These policies are being implemented without regard for the capacity of our electric grid, the cost of improvements that will be required, or how the average family will afford the significant costs associated. That’s why I’m joining the call to establish the Government Efficiency and Regulatory Commission to reign in the Governor’s ever-increasing regulations being implemented through unelected boards and commissions.”
Stanfield Bill Revising Farmland Appraisal Process Clears Budget Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jean Stanfield that would help preserve more farmland in New Jersey was cleared by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Sen. Jean Stanfield’s bill that would help preserve more farmland in New Jersey was cleared by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (Wikimedia Commons)
“New Jersey is known as the Garden State because we have a rich agricultural heritage that extends multiple centuries,” said Stanfield (R-8). “Preserving farmland for future generations ensures that residents will maintain access to locally grown farm products, while limiting the outward expansion of densely populated cities and the fragmentation of natural habitats in rural communities. This legislation would revise the farmland appraisal process to make it more reasonable and incentivize more people to participate in the Farmland Preservation Program.”
Oroho Bill that Would Help Address EMT Shortage Clears Committee
Senator Steven Oroho (R-26) released the following statement after his legislation, S-2223, was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee:
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho that would help address the EMT shortage was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. (Pixabay)
“Throughout New Jersey, EMS and rescue squads are having difficulty recruiting volunteers and retaining staff. This shortage has even led to crew members working double shifts, which is taking a significant toll on the mental and physical health of our EMTs,” said Oroho. “Due to these conditions, volunteer squads have been forced to start billing patients to cover insurance fees and operating costs. Unfortunately, this makes the company providing the training ineligible for training reimbursement. To address this issue, my bill would shift the focus for reimbursement—from requiring the EMS squad to be all volunteer, to ensuring the EMTs who are trained work as volunteers in some capacity.”
In Letter to ELEC, Polistina Calls for Investigation into Dark Money Groups
In a follow-up letter to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), Senator Vince Polistina called for a full investigation into the dark money organizations that attempted to make a mockery of New Jersey’s election laws.
In a letter to the Election Law Enforcement Commission, Sen. Vince Polistina called for a full investigation into the dark money organizations that attempted to make a mockery of New Jersey’s election laws. (©iStock)
“During the last election, there were numerous reports about the efforts of some to recruit shadow candidates and establish various Super PACs to support these shadow candidates in South Jersey. Many of these activities were being conducted in a manner to hide the money responsible for running television ads and sending mailers in several districts,” said Polistina (R-2). “Perhaps the most egregious example is Jersey Freedom, a dark money organization that has a PO Box in Jamaica, New York, which sent mailers supporting third party candidates in various districts and also sent e-mails as early as September 7 targeting Congressman Van Drew. In fact, the third party candidate in District 2 ended his campaign because he was so distraught with Jersey Freedom’s efforts to mislead voters.”
Senator Bramnick Joins Corrado Bill to Prohibit Deepfake Pornography
“AI deepfake pornography is being used to harass, ridicule, and embarrass innocent students in our local schools. I’m joining as a sponsor of Senator Corrado’s legislation to increase penalties for bad actors who engage in the disgusting proliferation of deepfake pornography,” said Bramnick (R-21). “Republicans and Democrats should work together to address the pervasive issue of AI crimes to help school administrators and victims quickly respond when these disturbing incidents occur.”
Sen. Jon Bramnick announced that he is joining Sen, Kristin Corrado’s bill to prohibit deepfake pornography. (©iStock)
Senator Jon Bramnick announced that he joined Senator Corrado’s bill, S-3703, after an incident occurred at Westfield High School where AI was used to victimize 30 female students. The legislation would prohibit deepfake pornography and impose criminal and civil penalties for the non-consensual disclosure of deepfake pornography.
