Kean Bill Offering Vets Free Admission to State Parks on Veterans Day Advances
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s measure to provide free admission to State parks and forests and certain historic sites for veterans on Veterans Day has been advanced by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Tom Kean’s measure to provide free admission to State parks and forests and certain historic sites for veterans on Veterans Day has advanced. (©iStock)
“In recognition of our brave veterans who have protected our freedoms throughout war and peace, it is fitting to offer them complimentary admission to New Jersey’s beautiful State Parks on Veterans Day,” said Kean (R-21). “It’s a small way to honor our country’s military personnel and show our appreciation for their service and patriotism. We hope that this measure will help them enjoy the tranquility that the great outdoors offers in their home State.”
Committee Advances Kean Bill Protecting Dogs from Cruelty
Legislation Establishes Trunk Fighting as a Third-Degree Crime
Legislation strengthening protections against animal cruelty today cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
A Senate committee advanced Senator Kean’s legislation that would designate ‘trunk fighting’ of dogs an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree. (SenateNJ.com)
Sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, bill S-975 defines “trunk fighting” as the barbaric practice of enclosing two or more dogs in the trunk of a motor vehicle and instigating them to fight to the death. The bill establishes the contemptible act as an animal cruelty offense and a crime of the third degree.
Statement from Sen. Kean on Passing of Steve Adubato, Sr.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Stephen N. Adubato, Sr.:
Statement from Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean on the passing of Stephen N. Adubato, Sr. (CC0 Public Domain)
“Steve was a strong and respectful individual who had great insights into people. He will be remembered for putting his enormous talents in leading, teaching, and organizing people to use to benefit his beloved community. From the North Ward Center to the Robert Treat Academy and well beyond, Steve’s legacy of helping and educating people lives on in the valuable institutions he created and in the many lives he helped improve. I extend my sincere condolences to the entire Adubato family.”
Kean Calls Out Murphy for Waiting Too Long to Use CARES Act Funds to Help Municipalities with Pandemic Expenses
Releasing $60 Million to Local Governments is Less than 25 Percent of What Governor Promised in April, When Federal Money Became Available
In April, New Jersey received $2.4 billion in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act money, and six months later, Governor Murphy is just now releasing a small portion of the money to local governments.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Murphy’s allocation of CARES Act funds to local governments is less than 25 percent of what was promised to municipalities in April. (Pixabay)
At a public event in Evesham Township in Burlington County that resembled a campaign photo op for Democrat Congressman Andy Kim, Murphy said he was releasing $60 million to municipal governments, a drop in the bucket compared to what New Jersey towns have spent during the pandemic.
Kean Supports VFW’s Call for Independent Investigation of NJ Veterans Home Deaths
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in calling for an independent investigation of the nearly 200 deaths that occurred in State-run veterans homes due to COVID-19.
Sen. Tom Kean joined the VFW in calling for an independent investigation of the nearly 200 deaths that occurred in State-run veterans homes due to COVID-19 (Wikimedia Commons)
“It seems clear that a combination of serious policy failures by the Murphy administration coupled with poor oversight and local mismanagement contributed to the massive loss of life in State-run veterans homes,” said Kean (R-21). “Families and residents deserve to know that failures have been identified and fixed and that those responsible have been held accountable.”
Yesterday, the VFW Department of New Jersey called for an independent investigation after the number of confirmed and likely coronavirus deaths at the State-run veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park was revised upward by 47 to 190.
Kean, Bramnick & Munoz Call for Governor to Lift Youth Ice Hockey Restrictions
The 21st District legislators joined forces to urge Governor Phil Murphy to lift unnecessary restrictions that have prevented youth ice hockey teams from resuming competition.
Kean, Bramnick & Munoz (all R-21) urged Gov. Phil Murphy to lift unnecessary restrictions that have prevented youth ice hockey teams from resuming competition. (Pixabay)
“I have spoken with countless ice hockey parents and league officials who are confident they are informed, prepared, and ready to resume youth ice hockey competition in a manner that is safe for all involved,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean. “I agree, which is why I’ve spoken directly with the Governor’s Office on two separate occasions to urge that the restrictions on indoor ice hockey competition be reviewed and lifted.”
Kean and Bucco Speak at ‘Voices for Seniors’ Rally
Supporting Families Impacted by 7,100+ COVID Nursing Home Deaths
Showing their support for the families of the more than 7,100 lives lost in long-term care facilities due to the tragic mistakes made under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Anthony M. Bucco both spoke at the ‘Voices for Seniors’ New Jersey Rally at St. Joseph’s Senior Assisted Living and Nursing Center in Woodbridge on September 30, 2020.
Sens. Tom Kean and Anthony Bucco both spoke at the ‘Voices for Seniors’ New Jersey Rally at St. Joseph’s Senior Assisted Living and Nursing Center in Woodbridge on 9/30. (SenateNJ.com)
“So many families have been impacted by the pandemic, but those who have lost loved ones in nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care facilities are still seeking answers about this preventable tragedy,” said Kean (R-21). “For the past five months, Senate Republicans have called for a thorough, bipartisan, and transparent investigation into the more than 7,100 deaths in long-term care facilities. The families and loved ones of victims deserve to hear the truth and be given the peace of mind to know that those responsible are being held accountable.”
Kean’s Floor Remarks in Opposition to FY 2021 State Budget
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean delivered the following remarks during today’s Senate session in opposition to the FY 2021 State Budget:
I rise today in opposition to the budget as presented today. Sadly, this budget is a wasted opportunity to restructure our State’s finances in a way that will responsibly and safely rebuild our economy, an economy truly ravaged over the past several months by the ongoing pandemic.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean speaking in opposition to the FY 2021 State Budget at the New Jersey State House on September 24, 2020. (SenateNJ.com)
As you know, the Republican members of the Senate Budget Committee offered a number of suggestions that would have put us back on a thoughtful, reasonable fiscal course, including spending the CARES Act money earlier and more fully. There are billions still not spent months after it could have helped families and businesses across the state.
Kean Resolution Urging IRS to Relax FSA Rules for Health & Child Care Expenses During Pandemic Passes Senate
A measure sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to encouraging the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to relax the rules of flexible spending accounts (FSAs) used to pay for medical and childcare expenses throughout the COVID crisis has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Tom Kean’s resolution encouraging the IRS to relax the rules of FSAs used to pay for medical and childcare expenses during the COVID pandemic has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey parents need more support as they balance raising their children and running a household while working from home during these unprecedented times,” said Kean (R-21). “On the same note, many with postponed elective surgeries want to ensure they can use their funds for said procedures or be refunded at the end of the year rather than be held to the ‘use it or lose it’ rule. Making healthcare and childcare FSAs more flexible during this difficult time will lighten the load and better help New Jersey families survive this pandemic.”
Senate Republicans Launch Online Petition Urging Bipartisan Investigation of 7,000+ Deaths at Nursing & Veterans Homes, LTC Facilities
Special Investigative Committee Would Hold Those Responsible Accountable, Develop Effective Reforms, Keep Resident Safe
Senate Republicans launched an online petition to enlist the public’s support to convince legislative leaders to allow a special bipartisan committee with subpoena power to investigate the massive loss of life in New Jersey’s nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care (LTC) facilities due to COVID-19.
The online petition can be signed at https://www.senatenj.com/petitions/nursinghomes/.
Senate Republicans launched an online petition to convince legislative leaders to allow a special bipartisan committee with subpoena power to investigate the massive loss of life in New Jersey’s nursing homes, veterans homes, and long-term care facilities due to COVID-19. (Flickr)
“Since May, Senate Republicans have called for a thorough, bipartisan, and transparent investigation into the massive loss of life at our long-term care facilities,” said Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21). “We believe the families and loved ones of victims deserve to hear the truth and to know that those responsible will be held accountable. Current residents deserve to know that the failures that led to thousands of deaths have been thoroughly investigated and understood, and that effective reforms have been developed and implemented to keep them safe. Unfortunately, our repeated calls for the Legislature to form a special committee with subpoena power to perform this legitimate oversight of the executive branch have been ignored. Our online petition will give the public the opportunity to send the message that the Legislature shouldn’t shirk its responsibility to protect New Jerseyans.”
