Gov Signs Kean Bill Assisting Military Dependents Attending College in New Jersey
Students Whose Families Moved Away Due to New Military Assignments Will be Eligible for Cheaper In-State Tuition Rates
Service members’ children who attended high school in New Jersey would be eligible for in-state college tuition rates under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed today by the Governor.
Service members’ children who attended high school in New Jersey would be eligible for in-state college tuition rates under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed by the Governor. (Flickr)
“When military obligations bring families to New Jersey, they become part of the community,” said Kean (R-21). “They attend school, participate on athletic teams, earn spending money working in local businesses, and form life-long friendships. New orders may take them away, but this bill is an incentive for those students to attend college and start careers in the Garden State.”
Kean Names Testa Co-Chair of Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Senator Michael Testa (R-1) to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Sen. Michael Testa to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus. (Pixabay)
“Senator Testa has been a leader on the legislative manufacturing caucus as it works to secure New Jersey’s future as the go-to destination for high-tech manufacturing,” said Kean (R-21). “He’s worked closely with Senator Oroho, who will continue to play an active role in the work of the caucus after serving honorably as co-chair. I’m proud that Senate Republicans have such a skilled and dedicated team that’s focused on improving the Garden State’s economy.”
Kean Bill Protecting Patients of Rare Diseases Clears Senate
Medical Conditions Can Increase Vulnerability to COVID
The Senate approved legislation (S-2682) sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care.
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care. (Flickr)
Doctors have identified more than 7,000 relatively unknown and difficult to diagnose rare diseases, and there is increasing concern that many of these relatively unknown illnesses can make victims more susceptible to the coronavirus.
Kean Responds to Ruling in Public Worker State Residency Case
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to a ruling by a Superior Court judge that a Somerville teacher living in Pennsylvania could not be fired because a state residency requirement is unconstitutional:
Sen. Tom Kean responded to a court ruling that a Somerville teacher living in Pennsylvania could not be fired because a state residency requirement is unconstitutional. (©iStock)
“It’s been clear for years that the law forcing employees who work for the State, local governments, and public schools to live in New Jersey was flawed for a number of reasons, including those cited by the judge,” said Kean (R-21). “While the ruling appears to apply just to this one individual, it’s likely to lead to other litigation and be cited in other cases. It makes more sense than ever to repeal the residency requirement completely.”
Kean Measure Designating April of Each Year as ‘Educational Opportunity Fund Month’ Clears Committee
A resolution sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Month” has been advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
A resolution sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that designates April of each year as “Educational Opportunity Fund Month” has been advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee. (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 Bill Requiring Colleges and Universities to Provide Student Loan Debt Repayment Information Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that requires institutions of higher education to provide information on federal and state student loan repayment programs has been advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that requires institutions of higher education to provide information on federal and state student loan repayment programs cleared the Senate Higher Education Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Many people in New Jersey, as well as around the country, have struggled with student loan repayment and may be unaware of the options available to them,” said Kean (R-21). “Under my legislation, colleges and universities in New Jersey will be required to tell graduating students about the various state and federal repayment programs that are available. Our hardworking, soon-to-be graduates deserve to be properly informed so that their student loan debt does not become unmanageable in the future.”
Kean Bill Strengthening ‘Shore Protection Fund’ Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that increases the funding for the “Shore Protection Fund” from $25 million to $50 million has been advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that increases the funding for the “Shore Protection Fund” has been advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (Bing Maps)
“All of our shore communities and their local economies depend on us preserving our valuable coastline,” said Kean (R-21). “By doubling the amount of money that goes to the ’Shore Protection Fund,’ we will ensure that homes, small businesses, beaches, and boardwalks are properly maintained and protected from environmental factors such as erosion and sea-level rise.”
Governor Signs Kean Bill to Keep the Lights On at Hospitals, Nursing Homes
In a power outage, utility companies must prioritize the restoration of electricity to hospitals and nursing homes under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed into law today.
The Governor signed legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that requires power companies to prioritize the restoration of power to hospitals and nursing homes after an outage. (Pixabay)
The Governor endorsed the bill, A-1226/S-265, requiring the Board of Public Utilities to adopt regulations obliging electric companies to give preference to restoring electric service to critical facilities, including chronic or acute renal dialysis centers, and research labs or clinics that store human blood, tissue, or DNA.
Kean Statement on Passing of Superior Court Judge Peter Barnes
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Superior Court Judge Peter J. Barnes III:
Statement from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean on the passing of Superior Court Judge Peter J. Barnes III. (CC0 Public Domain)
“For the past 25 years, Judge Barnes has honorably served New Jersey. From his time as a councilman in Edison to his recent service on the bench, Peter lived up to the family tradition of public service exemplified by his father and brother.
Kean Statement on the Passing of Sen. Gerald Cardinale
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39):
Sen. Gerry Cardinale passed away this morning at age 86. Click for high resolution. (SenateNJ.com)
“Our Senate Republican family is deeply saddened by the passing of our longest serving member, Senator Gerald Cardinale.
“Gerry, the dean of our caucus, was a trusted voice in the Senate for nearly four decades. Generations of Republicans and Democrats who served alongside him in the Legislature were guided by his sage advice. We are all better legislators for having served with him.
“Please join us today in praying for Gerry and his family. Rest in peace, Senator, and thank you for everything you have done for New Jersey.”
