Senator Kean Named “Distinguished Arts Advocate”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) is honored to have been named a Distinguished Arts Advocate by ArtPride NJ at the group’s annual conference in Trenton.
Senator Tom Kean speaking to ArtPride NJ after being honored as a “Distinguished Arts Advocate” at the Trenton War Memorial on Thursday, May 10, 2012.
ArtPride NJ works to increase awareness and promote the arts in schools and communities as a means of improving educational achievement, economic development, and the overall quality of life in New Jersey.
Senator Kean Submits Legislation to Close Pay to Play Loophole, Apply Rules to All Players
Bill Applies Pay to Play Restrictions to Previously Omitted Recipients of Large Public Contracts
Declaring that ethics reform is only effective if it treats all parties equally, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) has submitted legislation today that would close the most substantial loophole in New Jersey’s anti-pay to play law.
The bill would apply the same restrictions on campaign contributions and activity that currently exist for other government service providers to labor unions under contract, including project-labor agreements, with state, county, or municipal government entities.
Senator Kean Named “Legislator of the Year” by New Jersey Conference of Mayors
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) is honored to have been named “Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey Conference of Mayors at the group’s 46th Annual Spring Conference in Atlantic City.
“The most difficult job in government is being a Mayor,” said Kean. “Local government is where the rubber meets the road in terms of delivering services and making decisions that have a real, immediate impact on the quality of life New Jersey residents enjoy. There’s no hiding or passing the buck when you’re the CEO of a municipality, which is why it is such an honor to have received this award.”
Senator Tom Kean, Jr. Statement on the Passing of Charles McFadden, Jr.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R-Union) issued the following statement on the passing of Charles McFadden, Jr., the father of Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, following a battle with cancer:
“Rhonda and I extend our deepest condolences to Lieutenant Governor Guadagno for her family’s very difficult loss. Watching a parent fight and eventually succumb to illness is a particularly difficult experience, and we know that the people of New Jersey grieve with Kim and her family in this trying time.”
Tom Kean: “Another Day, Another Tax Survey Shows New Jerseyans Still Paying the Bill for Trenton Dems’ Tax Hikes”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement in response to the latest Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) survey ranking New Jersey’s tax climate 49th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia:
After nearly a decade of total Democrat control in Trenton, New Jerseyans are still paying the price for “courage to spend” policies that pushed taxes to new heights in our state.
Kean, O’Toole, Beck, Bateman, Bucco, Pennacchio, Cardinale and Kyrillos Send Letter to NYC Mayor Opposing Commuter Tax
Republican Senators representing districts with large numbers of New York City commuters have sent a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressing their strong opposition to any effort to restore a .45% income tax on New Jersey commuters working in New York City.
The proposal to bring back the “commuter tax”, which was abolished in 2000, has been floated by Manhattan Borough President and 2013 Mayoral candidate Scott Stringer. Proceeds from the levy would be used to bail out the long-dysfunctional Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr.’s Statement on Phil Kwon
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement regarding the Senate Judiciary Committee’s rejection of Phil Kwon’s nomination to the New Jersey Supreme Court:
What occurred today in the Senate Judiciary Committee today was, in a word, wrong.
Tom Kean to Education Law Center: “Enough Already”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued the following statement responding to renewed threats of legal action against the state by Education Law Center Executive Director David Sciarra.
Mr. Sciarra’s comments followed the announcement by the Christie Administration of a $100 million commitment to address emergent school repair issues by the Schools Development Authority (SDA):
It wasn’t so long ago that SDA’s predecessor, the Schools Construction Corporation, frittered away $8.6 billion in money borrowed at taxpayer expense without much to show for it. This funding was sapped away from its intended purpose by mismanagement for which nobody was held to account.
Committee Advances Singer, Kean Bill to Increase Fines for Illegally Passing School Buses
Paramount legislation by Senator Bob Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to increase fines on drivers who illegally pass school buses was unanimously advanced today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
“We’re dealing with one of the most life-threatening driving offenses and the stakes must be raised for those committing such a senseless crime,” said Singer (R-Monmouth and Ocean). “Vulnerable, defenseless children being picked up or dropped off along our roadways can be killed because of such carelessness. It’s more than reasonable to make violators pay double.”
Tom Kean: “Work Together on Tax Package that Meets the Needs of All New Jerseyans”
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. issued the following statement on Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s tax cut proposal:
For the eight years that Democrats held complete control in Trenton, they attacked the middle class and raised the cost of living in New Jersey with 115 tax and fee increases on everything from owning your home, commuting to work or vacationing down the shore. Property taxes spiked by 60% and property tax rebates diminished when the economy soured and people needed relief the most.
