9th District Delegation Bill Upgrading Crime of Trespassing in Nuclear Facility Advances
The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee today advanced legislation (A-3186) introduced by 9th District Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove which would increase from a 4th degree crime to 3rd degree crime the penalty for trespassing offenses committed in a nuclear generating plant.
A bill sponsored by Asm. Rumpf and Asw. Gove in the Assembly, and to be introduced by Sen. Connors in the Senate, increases the penalty for trespassing in a nuclear power plant. (Flickr)
9th District Senator Christopher J. Connors will introduce the Senate companion measure. Following the Committee’s action, the 9th District delegation issued a joint statement following the advancement of its legislative initiative:
“Security at our nuclear generating facilities has taken on a greater level of importance since 9/11. Obviously, this is an issue that hits close to home for us and our constituents, as the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is located in our legislative district.
Committee Advances Connors-Rumpf-Gove Veterans’ Housing Initiative
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would expand housing opportunities for veterans was approved by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
Legislation by Connors, Rumpf and Gove would expand housing opportunities for veterans. (Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall A. Clinton)
The 9th District delegation’s legislation, S-260, would reserve a portion of the tenant-based rental assistance vouchers under the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) for grants to veterans. The legislation passed the Senate unanimously in May of last year.
Aquaculture Bills Sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove Signed Into Law
Legislation prime-sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that will streamline the permitting approval process for aquaculture projects were recently signed into law.
Shellfish harvested from New Jersey waters. (Wikimedia Commons)
The first legislative measure, A-793, requires New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Environmental Protection (DEP) to seek to establish with the United States Army Corps of Engineers a joint application process for aquaculture projects that require both State and federal permits, licenses, or approvals for aquaculture projects in the State.
The second measure, A-794, requires the Department of Agriculture and DEP to adopt coordinated permit application and review program for aquaculture projects.
Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Veterans’ Housing Assistance Bill
A Senate committee advanced legislation introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would permit municipalities to set aside certain portion of municipal development trust funds to provide housing affordability assistance to veterans.
A senate panel advanced legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove to provide housing opportunities for veterans. (©iStock)
The 9th District delegation made the followed remarks regarding the advancement of their bipartisan veterans’ legislative initiative (S-938) by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee:
9th District Delegation Expresses Profound Sorrow at the Passing of Former Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr.
“We’ve lost a great man.”
Former 9th District Senator and Surf City Mayor Leonard T. Connors Jr. passed away on December 4th at the age of 87, surrounded by family.
Former Senator and Surf City Mayor Leonard T. Connors, Jr. passed away on Dec. 4th at the age of 87. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Leonard Connors served as Mayor of Surf City from 1966 to 2015 and began serving the first of his two terms as a member of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1977. He was a former director of the National Association of Coastal Mayors and served as a director for the United Way campaign.
Newly Enacted Laws to Help Finance Clean Drinking Water Projects in 9th Legislative District
Legislation now signed into law will direct more than $39 million to finance clean water and drinking water projects in the 9th Legislative District announced Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove announced that a new law will direct more than $39 million to finance clean water and drinking water projects in the 9th Legislative District. (Pixabay)
One enacted initiative appropriates certain federal and State monies to implement the 2016 New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program. The second initiative authorizes the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust to expend up to $411.35 million and any unexpended balances from previous authorizations to make loans for environmental infrastructure projects for FY2017.
“Protecting drinking water supplies is a core responsibility of government that affects every resident living in the state. Further, clean water projects are essential to protect wildlife habitats as well as the health of our waterways.
Senate Passes 9th District-Supported Bill Requiring Pledge Of Allegiance & U.S. Flag At All Public Meetings
The Senate passed legislation (S-308) sponsored Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would require all public bodies to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and to display the Unites States flag under the Open Public Meetings Act at the beginning of meetings.
All public bodies would be required to display the United States flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of meetings under legislation sponsored by Sen. Christopher J. Connors. (Wikimedia Commons)
The 9th District delegation made the following remarks in response to the Senate’s action:
“The Pledge of Allegiance and the U.S. Flag hold great meaning for many of our constituents, especially those who served and are serving in the Armed Forces as well as their families.
“Concerns were raised that, despite all the laws we have on the books, current law doesn’t require public bodies to recite the Pledge of Allegiance or to display the U.S. flag, although the overwhelming majority of public bodies do both voluntarily.
Connors-Rumpf-Gove Supported Measure Requiring South Jersey Representation on Turnpike Authority Advances
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by the 9th District legislative delegation requiring at least one member of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to be from South Jersey was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf and Gove would require at least one member of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to be from South Jersey. (Wikimedia Commons)
The measure, S-1674, sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, would require at least one member of the Turnpike Authority be a resident of Ocean, Atlantic, or Cape May County. Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are prime sponsors of the identical companion measure, A-3817, which is awaiting action by the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: The Fix Was Already in on Gas Tax & North Jersey Mass Transit
Citing a recent NJTV report, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove lambasted comments made by certain legislators demanding that rail projects in North Jersey get top billing for new revenue generated from the recent gas tax increase.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove lambasted comments made by certain legislators demanding that rail projects in North Jersey get top billing for new revenue generated from the recent gas tax increase. (SenateNJ.com)
Connors, Rumpf and Gove made the following remarks in response to the report:
“This media report just confirms what our delegation said from the beginning, motorists paying this unconscionable tax increase would be forced to watch as the revenue is funneled to North Jersey mass transit projects. This was one of the many reasons why our delegation vehemently opposed and voted against the gas tax increase legislation and, moreover, why we were extremely disappointed that Governor Christie signed it.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove to Propose Tax Deduction Lessening Burden of Gas Tax Increase
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove announced plans to introduce legislation to provide for a gross income tax deduction on fuel taxes paid by motorists for their personal vehicles.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove announced legislation to provide for an income tax deduction on fuel taxes paid by motorists for their personal vehicles. (Flickr)
Under the 9th District delegation’s proposal, the gross income deduction would be capped at $1,000 for 2016 and then increased to $2,000 for 2017.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove issued the following statement regarding their tax-credit proposal:
“From day one, our delegation vehemently opposed increasing the gas tax. In representing the interests our constituents, we voted ‘NO’ when the gas tax increase bill was presented on the floor of our respective houses for a final vote. Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed that the Governor signed the legislation.
