Tag: Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean

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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Civics Instruction in Schools

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Ridgewood NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (S854) requiring civics instruction at the middle school level. Currently, New Jersey is one of a minority of states which does not require civics instruction for middle school students. Under the legislation, the New Jersey Center for Civic Education at Rutgers University will be directed to prepare civics curriculum guidelines for local school boards, ensuring that middle and high school students study the values and principles underlying the American system of constitutional democracy, the function of government, and the role of a citizen in a democratic society.

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New Jersey Autonomous Vehicle Task Force Takes on Self Driving Cars

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said a report from the New Jersey Autonomous Vehicle Task Force has mapped the road ahead for bringing driverless vehicles to New Jersey.

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Online Petition Urging Bipartisan Investigation of 7,000+ Deaths at Nursing & Veterans Homes, LTC Facilities

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Trenton NJ, 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.

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More College-Bound Students Leave New Jersey than Any Other State

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Trenton NJ , Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean sponsors legislation, approved today by the Senate, to study why so many New Jersey high school graduates choose to attend college out of state.

“Too many of our bright and talented high school graduates are deciding to pursue college degrees in other states,” said Kean (R-21). “The ‘brain drain’ hurts our state. Most of them never return to their home state to help bolster our workforce, contribute to communities, and help support their families. This study will help us better understand what we can do to reverse the trend.”

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Bill is a ‘Sweet Treat’ for Home Bakers

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Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey is the only state that prohibits the sale of fresh baked goods made in private kitchens, but Senator Kip Bateman has been working to change that for more than 10 years.

Bateman’s legislation that would bring the state more in line with the rest of the country advanced today when the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee passed S-73.

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Special Committee to Investigate NJ’s Response to COVID-19 Crisis

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Trenton NJ, State Senator Joe Pennacchio today thanked Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. for allowing the formation of a special committee to investigate the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

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Governor Phil Murphy’s Insane Budget , “does nothing to encourage New Jersey families to stay in the Garden State”

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Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy presented his budget proposal  and its the biggest budget in NJ history $40.9 billion  raising spending by 5.5%.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for FY 2021 does nothing to encourage New Jersey families to stay in the Garden State.

“Anyone who’s looking for a plan to make New Jersey more affordable will be disappointed by a budget proposal from Governor Murphy that raises taxes and makes no effort to constrain costs,” said Kean (R-21). “In a year when state revenues are booming, the governor’s spending plan represents a missed opportunity to demonstrate fiscal discipline and provide real tax relief to New Jerseyans.”

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NJ high school graduates choose to attend college outside of New Jersey

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Princeton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on New Jersey’s Top Ten ranking in Wallethub’s 2020’s Most and Least Educated States in America:

“While New Jersey is currently one of the ‘Most Educated States’ in the nation, our outmigration problem many put this notable statistic at risk in the future. Many high school graduates choose to attend college outside of New Jersey. Once these students leave, many never return to New Jersey to help build our workforce, support their families, or contribute to our communities. This is because our state is simply too expensive.

“This ‘brain drain’ really hurts our state, and it’s something we must understand better if we are to counter it successfully. My bipartisan legislation to study this outmigration pattern passed the New Jersey Senate last year.

“After investing so much to educate our next generation in grade and high school, it would be a real boost to have more of our talented high school graduates plant roots at home in the Garden State.

“A culture that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship attracts businesses and creates jobs. Raising taxes will not create that culture. Lowering costs across the board – for students, for families, for businesses, and for retirees – will make New Jersey more competitive. Healthy competition spurs the best innovation, leading to economic growth and job creation for generations to come.”

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Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country

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Ridgewood NJ,, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to help veterans further their education while serving their country has unanimously passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

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Drinks at Warner Theater ?

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Ridgewood NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Michael Testa’s legislation to boost support for the arts through allowing alcohol sales at small, non-profit theaters has been signed into law.

“This law will encourage more New Jerseyans to go their local theater where they can grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the show,” said Kean (R-21). “Giving small theaters the opportunity to serve alcohol opens an untapped revenue stream to support plays and performances. This will increase foot traffic and ticket sales, and bolster non-profit theater’s bottom lines across the Garden State.”

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Local Publisher Set to Reduce Community Coverage After Being Fined by Murphy Administration for Using Independent Contractors

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Murphy Administration Attempt to  Curtail Free Speech 

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean called on the Murphy Administration to end its attacks on independent contractors and the media after the Westfield Leader was fined for not classifying freelance reporters and photographers as employees.

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Trenton Needs to Focus on Fighting It’s Culture of Sexual Harassment

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said leaders in Trenton need to focus on fighting a culture of sexual harassment in response to a published report detailing women’s stories of abuse while working in the world of New Jersey politics.

“Whenever you start to think we’ve made progress in improving the culture in Trenton, a story like this comes out that proves you wrong,” said Kean. “It’s clear that a much greater focus needs to be placed on addressing the epidemic of sexual harassment and assault to protect everyone who works in New Jersey government, politics, and government affairs. Senate Republicans are ready to continue our efforts through the LSOC or another forum to put an end to the epidemic of sexual harassment that continues to victimize too many women in New Jersey.

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Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Recognizes the Importance of the GIG Economy

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean warned of the unintended consequences of legislation that would deem independent contractors to be employees under State law and plans to oppose the bill:

“My phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from people who are genuinely afraid of losing their livelihoods and their companies as a result of this proposed change to how independent contractors are treated under New Jersey law.

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Kean Bill Creating ‘Gateway Development Corporation’ to Build New Rail Tunnels to Manhattan

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s bipartisan legislation to establish the ‘Gateway Development Corporation’ has been signed into law. The commission will oversee planning, funding and construction of new rail tunnels and other projects that will double trans-Hudson rail capacity and provide one-seat rides to Manhattan on all NJ Transit lines.

“Constructing the Gateway Tunnel is critical to serving the growing number of New Jersey commuters, as well as creating jobs and securing long-term economic growth,” said Kean (R-21). “The Gateway Program will increase NJ Transit rail capacity to and from New York Penn Station by 70,000 riders a day and enable NJ Transit to provide direct one-seat rides to Manhattan, including on the Raritan Valley Line. I will continue to be a vocal advocate to ensure New Jerseyans have a dependable, affordable, and safe mass-transit service.”

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Broad Bipartisan Effort Stops Democrats from Further Rigging New Jersey’s Elections

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Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement on a report from leading academics on “Improving New Jersey’s Legislative Apportionment Process.”

“Last year, we raised the alarm when Democrats attempted to fast-track a constitutional amendment that would have made legislative elections less competitive while cementing permanent Democratic majorities in the New Jersey Legislature,” said Kean (R-21). “With broad bipartisan support from outside groups and respected academics, we defeated their attempt to rig our elections. Any changes to improve how we reapportion legislative districts should focus on making the process fairer and more transparent.”

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