Committee Advances Connors-Rumpf-Gove Bill To Create Fund for Volunteer Fire Companies
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee voted to advance legislation today sponsored by Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove that would support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee voted to advance legislation sponsored by Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove that would support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. (Pixabay)
Under the 9th District Delegation’s legislation (S-3925), the “Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program” would be established along with a special non-lapsing State fund that would receive an initial appropriation of $10 million to support the operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies.
NJ’s Sanctuary State Policies Make it a Target for Federal Immigration Failures
Atlantic City Airport Migrant Issue Shows Need to Repeal Sanctuary State Policies
9th District Legislators Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are denouncing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the Atlantic City Airport as a location to house 60,000 migrants.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove are denouncing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the Atlantic City Airport as a location to house 60,000 migrants. (©iStock)
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:
“A growing number of state residents are infuriated by seeing their tax dollars being used to support persons who are in this country illegally. Not coincidentally, many of these same legal residents have trouble paying their own bills and cannot afford to cover the costs of sanctuary state policies imposed by the federal government or by Trenton for that matter.
Trenton Can’t Get it Right on the State Budget – Not Even Close
Hundreds of millions of dollars in Christmas Tree-political projects, reckless deficit spending, and a jaw-dropping lack of transparency undermined the now-enacted $54 billion FY2024 State Budget that taxpayers will pay a steep price for immediately in the future.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in Christmas Tree-political projects, reckless deficit spending, and a jaw-dropping lack of transparency undermined the $54 billion State Budget that taxpayers will pay a steep price for in the future. (Pixabay)
Egregious spending—not tax relief—superseded every aspect of the budget. Incredibly, the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees were compelled to vote on the State Budget bill without even being given a copy of the bill. Waiting to the last minute to make $100 million changes to the budget was not so much a strategy but a desperate ploy to buy off votes with taxpayer dollars. This occurred even when it couldn’t be more obvious that New Jersey’s affordability crisis remains the dominant issue, more so by across-the-board costs increases resulting from inflation.
Assembly Approves $2,000 Income Tax Deduction for Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders
The Assembly on Friday passed a bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, providing a $2,000 income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members who meet certain qualifications including hours worked and training participation.

The Assembly on Friday passed a bill, sponsored by Asw. DiAnne Gove and Asm. Brian Rumpf, providing a $2,000 income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members who meet certain qualifications. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill (A757) delivers financial assistance to dedicated community volunteers while supporting efforts to retain and recruit firefighters and other EMS personnel.
“It is critically important to emphasize that the firefighters and rescue and first aid squad members covered under our legislation are volunteers, meaning that their efforts provide tremendous cost savings to local taxpayers. These volunteers have always given their time to help others and, we should never forget, they were there for the community when needed most by overcoming unprecedented public health challenges created by the pandemic,” Gove said.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Introduce Bill to Create Fund for Volunteer Fire Companies
9th District Delegation Bill Would Appropriate $10 Million for Volunteer Fire Company Fund
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. The 9th District delegation’s legislation would establish the “Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program” along with a special non-lapsing State fund that would receive an initial appropriation of $10 million to support the operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. (Pixabay)
The concept for the delegation’s legislation is strongly supported by the Borough of Pine Beach’s governing body. The governing body of Waretown has also stated its support for the establishment of a fund to support volunteer fire companies.
9th District Delegation: Trenton Doesn’t Get that the Cost of Living is too High for Residents
As the FY2024 State Budget hearings wind to a close, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are calling on the Murphy Administration and their legislative colleagues to make tax relief and corresponding government spending cuts priorities to best serve the interests of taxpayers.

As the FY2024 State Budget hearings wind to a close, District 9 lawmakers are calling on the Murphy Administration and their legislative colleagues to make tax relief and corresponding government spending cuts priorities. (Pixabay)
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:
“Unrelenting inflation has only exasperated the high cost of living in New Jersey that has the unenviable distinction of the highest property taxes in the nation. The State Budget is the state’s controlling document and, therefore, needs to be the centerpiece of fiscal reform and providing the financial security taxpayers desperately need.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Offshore Wind Turbines at Virtual Hearing
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove (all R-Ocean) expressed their opposition to offshore wind turbines during an independent hearing on whale and dolphin deaths that was held virtually today by New Jersey Senate Republicans.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove expressed their opposition to offshore wind turbines during an independent hearing on whale and dolphin deaths that was held virtually by N.J. Senate Republicans. (Pixabay)
The following testimony was submitted into the record on behalf of the legislators:
As coastal legislators, we call on the federal government to leave our oceans alone.
Massive wind turbines drilled into the ocean floor will wreak havoc on the fragile wildlife habitats and marine life that stand to be subjected to this extremely disruptive process.
Rumpf: Indefensible that Trenton Wants to Increase Funding for Inmates But Refuses to Restore School Funding Cuts
During a hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf challenged the Murphy administration on its proposed budget that would increase funding for inmates while Trenton refuses to fully restore funding to targeted school districts.

During a hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf challenged the Murphy administration on its proposed budget that would increase funding for inmates while Trenton refuses to fully restore funding to targeted school districts. (Pixabay)
Assemblyman Rumpf, who serves on the Assembly Budget Committee, directed his line of questioning to New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq., who recently testified before the committee.
“I speak on behalf of my 9th District legislative colleagues Senator Chris Connors and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove when I say that our children and educational professionals, as well as all taxpayers for that matter, deserve priority over increasing pay for inmates’ jobs,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “More infuriating is that nearly 7,600 prisoners were released during COVID yet the Murphy Administration is calling for an increase in funding for the Department of Corrections, including a $2.6 million increase for inmate wages for a total of $157.3 million.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Vote “YES” on School Funding Bill to Support Districts Hit With Catastrophic Cuts
9th District Legislators Praise the Efforts of their Constituents for Engaging in the Legislative Process
In representing the interests of their constituents, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove voted “YES” on legislation (S-3732) to restore 66% of the funding to 168 school districts that otherwise would have their aid cut under the state school funding formula and Governor Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year.

Connors, Rumpf, and Gove voted ‘YES’ on legislation to restore 66% of the funding to 168 school districts that would otherwise be cut under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year. (Flickr)
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove voted against the current school funding law (S-2/A-2) which was enacted in 2018, recognizing not only that catastrophic cuts would be imposed on constituent school districts, but also that the state’s school funding would become even more politicized to the detriment of thousands of students, education professionals, parents, and taxpayers.
Committee Advances Connors-Rumpf-Gove Veterans’ Housing Legislation
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee approved legislation today (S-171) introduced by Senator Christopher Connors that would permit a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove that would permit a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans. (©iStock)
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are the prime sponsors of the Assembly companion version, A-745, which is awaiting consideration by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.