Getting Serious in the Lame-Duck Session
The following editorial by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. was published in The Record on December 8, 2011:
The end of every two-year legislative session is known as “Lame Duck” — the time between Election Day and the start of the new legislative year, representing our last chance to pass bills pending before the Senate and Assembly.
While these sessions are always marked by a flurry of action, quite frequently that action is on legislation of little or no substance. Lame Duck proceedings are too often like a drawn-out episode of Seinfeld, the show about nothing.
Tom Kean: “Debt Report Shows Stability, Predictability to NJ Businesses”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement on the most recent Debt Report presented to the state Commission on Capital Bonding and Planning:
“The debt report shows that this Governor is fixing the mess left by McGreevey, Corzine, and an unchecked Democratic legislature that just couldn’t say no to spending money the state didn’t have. Gone are the days of double digit debt increases that are passed on to our children and grandchildren.
Video: Tom Kean Calls for Passage of Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) at State House Rally
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean urged the passage of the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) at a rally held at the New Jersey State House.
From the State House steps, Senator Kean delivered the following remarks:
Tom Kean: “Anti-OSA Rally Defends Unacceptable Status Quo For Kids in Failing Schools”
Responding to opponents of legislation designed to give children in chronically failing schools immediate access to a better education, Senator Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union), co-prime sponsor of the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA), said that protesters are defending an unacceptable status quo for students in poorly performing districts:
“The only people abandoning public education are those who say that we should keep kids trapped in a failing school for fear of change.
Tom Kean, Jr. Welcomes Senate President’s Support for ‘Use It or Lose It’ Sick Leave Reform”
Flashback: “GOP state senator renews call to set limits on sick-leave payouts for public employees.” (The Press of Atlantic City, 3/8/11)
“Senate Republicans call on Democrats to act on Christie’s cost-cutting proposals.” (NewJerseyNewsroom.com, 3/22/11)
Following Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s recent announcement of support for Republican efforts to reform sick leave rules for public employees to a ‘use it or lose it’ system, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. is encouraging Senator Sweeney to post the measure in the next Senate voting session:
Kean/Allen Sponsored “Caylee’s Law” Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senators Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) and Diane Allen (R- Burlington) upgrading penalties for failing to report the disappearance or death of a child has cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Known as “Caylee’s Law”, the bill increases the penalty to a crime of the fourth degree for failing to report the death of a person to the proper authorities. A new crime of failing to report the disappearance of a child within 24 hours is also created under the legislation, carrying fourth degree penalties as well.
Senator Tom Kean, Jr. Statement on the Passing of Assemblyman Peter Biondi
Senate Republican leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) today issued the following statement mourning the death of Assemblyman Peter Biondi:
“Rhonda and I extend our deepest condolences to the Biondi family. Pete was an effective legislator and a warm, gregarious man who reminded us all not to let our political differences stand in the way of working together for the people of New Jersey. He will be missed by all of us in the State House.”
Senate Republicans Elect Leadership for 2012-2013 Session
The Senate Republican Caucus today met to elect its leadership team for the 2012-2013 legislative session. Senator Tom Kean, Jr. (R- 21), will serve as Republican Leader, with Senator Diane Allen (R- 7) serving as Deputy Republican Leader.
Rounding out the caucus’s leadership team is Senator Kevin O’Toole (R- 40), Republican Whip, Senator Robert Singer (R- 30), Conference Chairman, Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R- 16), Deputy Conference Chairman, and Senator Anthony Bucco (R- 25), the caucus’s Budget Officer. All leaders were elected unanimously.
Senator Tom Kean Asserts Subway Line Extension Will Boost Regional Economy
Meadowlands, Xanadu and Future Super Bowls and Olympics Would Receive Boost
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean commented today on the ancillary benefits of the proposed extension of the Number 7 subway line to the Secaucus transfer station:
“New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently discussed a study that confirmed the value of extending the MTA’s Number 7 line to Secaucus. Governor Christie has encouraged serious consideration of the project. The extension will create jobs and reduce traffic congestion in northern New Jersey. Economic development, cleaner air and improved commuter convenience make this proposal a win, win, win.
Senator Tom Kean Notes Federal Government’s Actions on Student Loans
President Also Needs to End Debt Collectors’ Robo Calls to Cell Phones
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement regarding a proposal by President Obama that would allow students to consolidate their loans at lower interest rates:
“The very difficult economic environment that has persisted during President Obama’s tenure demands that extraordinary measures be taken to ease the burden of students unable to find employment. The President’s proposal to permit students to consolidate loans from the federal government, at lower interest rates is worthy of consideration in these difficult economic times and could provide some relief to struggling graduates.
