Kean Bill Requiring Civics Classes in Middle School Signed by Governor
Civics must be included in middle school curriculums under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed into law today.
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean mandating the teaching of civics in middle school is now law. (Pixabay)
“A well-rounded education in civics is essential for creating knowledgeable, engaged citizens who understand the sacrifices and hardships made on behalf of our democracy,” said Kean (R-21). “The law signed today will help provide students with the skills and background necessary for them to actively participate in democratic society. Every student in our public schools will have the opportunity to learn about how our government functions, the rights of citizens, and the values our nation was built on.”
Kean Bill Assisting Service Members and Veterans Seeking College Education Becomes Law
Legislation that will help service members and veterans continue their education and attend college classes, sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, was signed into law today.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bill helping service members and veterans continue their education and attend college classes was signed by the Governor. (Flickr)
“New Jersey is becoming more accommodating to the brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms,” said Kean (R-21). “It is challenging enough to work and attend classes, but for those in the military, juggling schedules and managing deadlines is even more cumbersome. The new law will ease some of the burden of earning college credits for members of the military by offering them the flexibility when registering for classes or when military obligations conflict with course schedules.”
Kean Praises Brown’s Legislative Service & Commitment to Atlantic County
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean praised the legislative career of Senator Chris Brown (R-2) following the Atlantic County senator’s announcement that he will resign from the New Jersey Legislature to take on a new role serving Atlantic City:
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean praised the legislative career of Sen. Chris Brown following the Atlantic County senator’s announcement that he will resign from the New Jersey Legislature to take on a new role serving Atlantic City. (SenateNJ.com)
“Chris has been a valued member of our caucus, a trusted voice in the State House, and a fighter for all of the people of Atlantic County during his decade of service in the Legislature.
Kean Bill Protecting Patients of Rare Diseases Signed by Governor
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean establishing the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care was signed into law today.
The Governor signed 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. (©iStock)
The new law (S-2682) will assist residents living with any of more than 7,000 relatively unknown and difficult to diagnose rare diseases.
Kean Bill Strengthening ‘Shore Protection Fund’ Clears Senate
Coastal municipalities would get more help from the state for projects protecting the beaches and property from storm damage under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and cleared today by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that increases the funding for the “Shore Protection Fund” has been approved by the NJ Senate. (Bing Maps)
Kean’s bill, S-1071, increases from $25 million to $50 million the amount that is annually credited to the “Shore Protection Fund” from the collection of realty transfer fees (RTFs).
“This is an investment in the Jersey Shore that serves as an anchor to the state’s vital tourism economy,” said Kean. “Our boardwalks and coastal attractions are threatened by the growing severity of storms that erode the protective sand dunes. The additional funding will help with beach replenishment, and the construction of bulkheads, jetties and seawalls that provide our best defense against rising tides and storm-driven waves.”
Kean Bill to Allow More Seniors to Qualify for Savings on Prescriptions Through the PAAD and Senior Gold Programs Clears Senate
The Senate approved Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation that would allow more seniors and residents with disabilities to qualify for help with prescription drug costs.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation that would allow more seniors and residents with disabilities to qualify for help with prescription drug costs. (Wikimedia Commons)
“This legislation would help 20,000 more residents save money on prescription drugs by expanding income eligibility levels for New Jersey’s prescription drug programs for seniors,” said Kean (R-21). “The high cost of prescription medicine is one of the most troubling concerns of people living on fixed incomes, and this will ease the burden for more seniors.”
Kean’s Remarks During Senate Debate on State Budget
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) delivered the following remarks during the New Jersey Senate’s debate on the FY 2022 State Budget:
As a result of the many impacts of the pandemic over the past 15 months, there are a great many needs that this budget should address to help New Jersey recover and come back stronger.
Remarks from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean during the New Jersey Senate’s debate on the FY 2022 State Budget. (SenateNJ.com)
We know of students who have experienced significant learning loss due to closed schools and the challenges of remote learning, yet hundreds of districts across the state are still set to have their funding cut under this spending plan.
We know of the unemployed workers who couldn’t get their claims approved and we remember the long lines that plagued drivers at the MVC.
And still, this budget includes very little of the funding that is needed to fix the old systems that are at the root of many of these problems.
Kean Bill that Would Stabilize State Funding for Higher Education Clears Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions earned Senate approval today.
The Senate approved Sen. Tom Kean’s bill that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions. (SenateNJ.com)
“The dramatic increase in higher education tuition each year is making college and post-graduate education less affordable and less attainable for so many New Jersey families,” said Kean (R-21). “New Jersey has consistently underfunded colleges and universities, leading to a troubling affordability crisis. This legislation will create a commission to address this systemic problem by analyzing the available data from our state, as well as other states, and determine how we can more efficiently fund our higher education system.”
Kean Bill Protecting Residents’ Personal Data Advances
Individuals, corporations and businesses, and associations would be required to protect the personal information of customers, clients, and members or risk significant fines under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and advanced today by the Senate Commerce Committee.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean sponsors legislation that would require individuals, corporations and businesses, and associations to protect the personal information of customers, clients and members or risk significant fines. (©iStock)
Kean’s bill, S-1233, requires any entity that owns or licenses personal information about a resident of the state to implement a comprehensive security program to prevent the data from being compromised.
Committee Clears Kean Bill that Would Examine State Funding for Higher Education
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions was advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Tom Kean that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s higher education institutions was advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The dramatic increase in higher education tuition each year is making college less affordable and less attainable for so many New Jersey families,” said Kean (R-21). “One of the most obvious reasons for this increase is because New Jersey has consistently underfunded colleges and universities which has led to a large-scale affordably crisis. My legislation will create a commission to address this systemic problem by analyzing the available data from our state, as well as other states, and determine how we can more efficiently fund our higher education system.”
