Quantcast

Garden State Times

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

News from March 2024

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Bucco Bill to Bolster Employment Opportunities in Healthcare Clears Committee

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

The Senate Labor Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco aimed at enhancing employment opportunities within New Jersey's healthcare sector. Sen. Bucco highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare professionals due to staffing shortages, stating, "Healthcare professionals have endured disproportionate mental and physical strain amidst ongoing staffing shortages stemming from pandemic-induced challenges. The diminished presence of essential healthcare workers is concerning, especially now, during a time when New Jersey is...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Singer Bill Providing Additional Protections to Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities Advances

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer aimed at protecting residents of long-term care facilities in New Jersey has made significant progress. The bill, which focuses on preventing Medicaid application assistors from charging for their services, received approval from the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.In a statement, Singer (R-30) expressed his concerns about the current situation, stating, "A growing number of Medicaid specialists have moved into the nursing home industry, telling families that they can help them qualify for...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Committee Approves Singer Bill That Would Codify Rules for Pharmaceutical Services in Nursing Homes

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Singer aimed at regulating pharmaceutical services in nursing homes. Singer emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “This legislation will help to prevent conflicts of interest when it comes to the pharmaceutical industry and nursing homes.” He highlighted the significance of managing complex health conditions and comorbidities in long-term care facilities through proper medication management.The bill, known as S-1965, aligns with current regulations...

Medium c7oko66cz8f6qub1i7do6g0q284l

Fantasia's Bill for Farm Preservation Advances in Assembly

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia’s bill funding preservation efforts at five farms in northwestern New Jersey.The bill (A3698) reallocates $1.723 million from corporate tax revenue and a 2009 farmland preservation fund to the State Agriculture Development Committee, which oversees the state’s Farmland Preservation Program. The committee will use the money for grants to help farmers pay for approved preservation projects."Preserving farmland throughout New Jersey, and especially in the northwestern...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Senator Joe Pennacchio Criticizes Montgomery McCracken Covid Report

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

State Senator Joe Pennacchio criticized the Montgomery McCracken report commissioned by Governor Murphy regarding the State's response to the Covid pandemic. Senator Pennacchio expressed his disappointment with the report's cost and content, stating, “even with its large girth of more than 900 pages, the cost of the report was not justified by its content.”Pennacchio highlighted his concerns about the report's lack of substance, emphasizing that the report focused more on the history of the Covid outbreak and footnotes rather than addressing the failures in New Jersey's...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Committee Advances Corrado Bill That Would Establish Program at Rutgers to Help Adults with Autism

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would establish the "Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program” in the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services."Many adults with autism in New Jersey are currently without access to high-quality services and supports. As a result, these individuals are often completely reliant on parents, family, and other caregivers to meet basic needs,” said Corrado (R-40). "This situation represents a crisis for...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Bucco & Singleton Bill to Provide Career Pathways for Ex-Offenders Advances

By Garden State Times | Mar 14, 2024

The Senate Labor Committee advanced bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) and Senate Majority Whip Troy Singleton (D-7) that aims to provide employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals."It can be extremely difficult for individuals to secure employment opportunities necessary for self-sufficiency after serving their time and transitioning back into society," said Senator Bucco (R-Morris). "The combination of a criminal record and insufficient job training creates substantial hurdles to employment, leading...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Senate GOP Calls for Bipartisan Solution to Affordability Crisis

By Garden State Times | Mar 13, 2024

Senate Republicans have made a united stance against the Democrats' court-mandated housing bill in New Jersey. In a statement issued, they emphasized the need for a bipartisan solution to address the affordability crisis in the state.According to the Senate Republican Caucus, the lack of progress in solving the housing crisis is not due to a shortage of ideas or advocacy on their part but rather the reluctance of Trenton Democrats to consider their proposals. They highlighted the importance of constructing housing units in a sensible manner without compromising open...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Sen. Corrado Statement on NJ COVID Report

By Garden State Times | Mar 12, 2024

Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) has expressed strong criticism towards Governor Murphy's handling of the pandemic in New Jersey, particularly in relation to the State's Veterans nursing homes. In a statement released regarding the results of the Independent Review of New Jersey's pandemic response, Sen. Corrado stated, "Governor Murphy spent $9 million on a report that told us what we already knew – he failed to protect those who were willing to give their lives to protect our country. The Murphy Administration's incompetency caused deaths in our State's Veterans nursing...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Amato, Rumpf & Myhre Praise the Awarding of Grants to Fire Departments in the State

By Garden State Times | Mar 11, 2024

Senator Carmen Amato Jr., Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblyman Greg Myhre have commended the allocation of $20 million in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants to various local and regional fire departments in the State, including 16 fire departments in the 9th Legislative District.In an announcement made by Governor Phil Murphy, the funding aims to "ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment." The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) awarded grants to 353 fire departments through a competitive application process.The 9th...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Amato, Rumpf & Myhre Share Treasury’s Update on Unclaimed Property

By Garden State Times | Mar 11, 2024

The New Jersey Department of Treasury offers New Jerseyans the opportunity to find out if they were one of nearly 33 million people in the United States with unclaimed assets such as forgotten bank accounts, unpaid life insurance benefits, utility deposits, and unused rebate cards.According to the Treasury, in Fiscal Year 2023, the Unclaimed Property Administration (UPA) "returned a record $202.95 million in assets to rightful owners, the result of 73,686 claims filed with the agency. This effort far surpassed UPA's previous record set in Fiscal Year 2022."The Unclaimed...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Senator Bucco Statement on NJ Covid Report

By Garden State Times | Mar 11, 2024

Senator Anthony M. Bucco has expressed his concerns and recommendations following the release of an independent review of New Jersey's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his statement, Senator Bucco highlighted the unanticipated severity of the pandemic and New Jersey's lack of preparedness to handle such a crisis.Senator Bucco emphasized the need for bipartisan legislative hearings to delve deeper into the report's findings and to ensure that the state is adequately equipped to handle future disasters. He underlined the importance of learning from past mistakes,...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Holzapfel Calls on NJSIAA to Reverse Manasquan/Camden Decision

By Garden State Times | Mar 8, 2024

Senator Jim Holzapfel has called on the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) to reverse their decision regarding the recent Manasquan/Camden boys basketball game. In a statement, Holzapfel expressed his stance on the matter, emphasizing the importance of fairness and recognition of merit in sports.“It’s often said that sports bring us together, and this is a perfect example,” remarked Sen. Jim Holzapfel, highlighting the unifying nature of sports in society. He further added, “I wholeheartedly agree with my Senate colleague, Sen. Gopal, in that...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

O’Scanlon Bill Protecting Seniors from Scammers Advances

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable senior citizens and people with disabilities from theft scams has made significant progress. The bill, known as S-1649, passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, marking a crucial step towards safeguarding these populations from financial exploitation."Seniors have always been prime targets for criminals who prey on their trusting nature and easy demeanor," emphasized O’Scanlon (R-13), highlighting the vulnerability of this demographic to malicious actors. He further pointed out the detrimental...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Corrado Bill Establishing Penalties for Unlawful Deepfakes Advances

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously in favor of advancing legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would establish penalties for individuals who create or disseminate deepfakes for an unlawful purpose."The public sharing of unlawfully generated 'deepfakes' can be just as devastating for a victim as having a real form of media disseminated without their consent. This is especially true in cases where artificial intelligence has been used to create pornography," said Sen. Corrado (R-40). "We have an ethical responsibility to uphold...

Medium c7oko66cz8f6qub1i7do6g0q284l

At Assembly TTF hearing, Republicans demand safer roads, lower commuter costs

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

TRENTON, N.J. – When voting against a bill to raise the gas tax and reauthorize the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), Republicans on the Assembly Transportation Committee highlighted concerns for road safety, commuter costs, and the need for a return on investment for residents.Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips emphasized the importance of ensuring a return on investment for residents, stating, "We all support transportation infrastructure... But, our residents want and deserve to see return on investment."Assemblyman Michael Inganamort expressed opposition to the gas...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Committee Clears O’Scanlon Bill That Would Expand the “Sexual Assault Victim's Bill of Rights”

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would allow sexual assault victims to be notified of certain developments in their criminal case was approved today by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. "This measure would help dramatically improve the investigatory process for sexual assault cases,” said O’Scanlon (R-13). “By allowing victims to receive additional information about their case, and to provide input, this legislation would expanded the rights of victims and allow our criminal justice system to more effectively meet their needs."O’Scanlon’s...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Senator Testa’s "Harrison's Law" Aims to Provide Better Support for Assault Survivors with Disabilities

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

Senator Michael Testa's legislation, known as "Harrison's Law," has successfully passed through the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee, taking a significant step towards implementation. The bill aims to enhance the support provided to individuals with developmental disabilities who are survivors of sexual assault.Highlighting the importance of the legislation, Senator Testa emphasized the vulnerability of individuals with developmental disabilities to sexual assault. He stated, "Individuals with developmental disabilities often face higher risks of sexual assault than...

Medium c7oko66cz8f6qub1i7do6g0q284l

Kean bill will provide game clock review in high-stakes high school games

By Garden State Times | Mar 7, 2024

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Assemblyman Sean Kean is taking action following a controversial referee decision in a high school basketball game by introducing legislation that would allow for game clock review in certain high-stakes high school games.Kean expressed his motivation for the bill, stating, "With today’s technology, it seems outdated to say that no video recording may be used to review or challenge a clock decision." He further emphasized the need for such measures by pointing out a recent incident where an incorrect call impacted the outcome of a Group 2 Semifinal...

Medium 0dfpcxhwobttmzde3ax07xipf6sg

Amato Appointed to Intergovernmental Relations Commission

By Garden State Times | Mar 6, 2024

Senator Carmen Amato, Jr. has been appointed to the New Jersey Intergovernmental Relations Commission to represent New Jersey’s interests as a member of the Council of State Governments."It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve on this unique commission," said Amato (R-9). "I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to represent New Jersey on the national stage and to develop meaningful, long-lasting partnerships with officials in neighboring states."The Intergovernmental Relations Commission was created in 1964 by the New Jersey...