Connors, Rumpf & Gove to Hold “Meet Your Legislators” Event for Galloway and Port Republic Constituents on 2/21
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, will hold a “Meet Your Legislators” event on Tuesday, February 21 to meet with constituents from Galloway and Port Republic. Both towns became part of the 9th Legislative District following last year’s legislative redistricting.
The 9th District Legislators offered the following remarks regarding the scheduled event:
“The purpose of this event is to provide our delegation with the opportunity to meet and speak with our new constituents. To more effectively represent our district, we have always actively solicited input from constituents on those issues most important to them.
9th District Delegation-Supported “VETeach” Pilot Program Initiative Passes Senate
Legislation that would establish a pilot teacher preparation program at Richard Stockton College for veterans who served in the armed forces on or after September 11, 2001 was passed today by the Senate. Senator Christopher J. Connors is a prime sponsor of S-1026 along with Senator James Whelan. Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are cosponsors of the identical companion measure (A-1294), which has been referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
Under the legislation, the 36-month teacher program would lead to a baccalaureate degree and completion of the requirements necessary to apply to the State Board of Examiners for a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, which would authorize the veteran to seek employment as a teacher in grades K through 8, and in certain secondary education fields. Educational expenses incurred by these eligible students will be covered under the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act,” also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Bill Passes Environment Committee
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee today advanced legislation (S-178) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would establish a “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use.
“Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states. The Connors-Rumpf-Gove measure would establish the HOFNOD program on a statewide basis by enabling the Division of Fish and Wildlife to implement and model the program after the pilot HOFNOD program implemented in Ocean County in 2000. To the maximum extent possible, the Division would implement and operate the program in every county in the State.
Assembly Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Initiative
The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee has advanced legislation (A-638) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would establish a “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use.
“Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states. The Connors-Rumpf-Gove measure would establish the HOFNOD program on a Statewide basis by enabling the Division of Fish and Wildlife to implement and model the program after the pilot HOFNOD program implemented in Ocean County in 2000. To the maximum extent possible, the Division would implement and operate the program in every county in the State.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Receive Committee Assignments
Delegation Will Serve on Veterans, Transportation & Higher Education Committees
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have been officially notified by the legislative leadership of their committee assignments for the 2012-2013 Legislative Session.
Senator Connors retains his seats on the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “On the Community and Urban Affairs Committee, I intend to continue strongly opposing attempts to impose the maddening overregulation that infuriates residents, confounds businesses and overwhelms local governments,” said Senator Connors. “Micromanaging through the imposition of laws, codes and regulations has contributed significantly to the serious problems our state faces, both financially and economically.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Request Posting of Bill to Protect Privacy Rights of Accident Victims & Their Families
9th District legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have requested legislation (S-199) that would make it a crime for any first responder who takes one or more photographs or electronic images, or makes a video recording of an accident victim without prior written consent to be posted for committee consideration.
The delegation wrote to Senate Law and Public Safety Chairman Senator Donald Norcross to request the bill be posted and provided background material on the bill’s impetus.
Committee Advances 9th District Delegation Supported “VETeach” Pilot Program Initiative
Legislation that would establish a pilot teacher preparation program at Richard Stockton College for veterans who served in the armed forces on or after September 11, 2001 was advanced today by the Senate Education Committee. Senator Christopher J. Connors is a prime sponsor of S-1026 along with Senator James Whelan. Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are co-sponsors of the identical companion measure (A-1294), which has been referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
Governor Signs 9th District Delegation’s Coastal Evacuation Preparation Initiative Into Law
Legislation initiated by efforts undertaken by the 9th Legislative District Delegation more than five years ago to enhance New Jersey’s evacuation preparedness procedures has been signed into law. The measure (S-264/A-3224), sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, will implement recommendations made by the Coastal New Jersey Evacuation Task Force in its final report.
The Coastal New Jersey Evacuation Task Force was established in 2007 under legislation sponsored by the Delegation and charged with examining and assessing current plans and proposals to evacuate the state’s seven coastal counties. Assemblyman Rumpf served as Vice Chairman of the Task Force and was instrumental in the development of the recommendations published in the Task Force’s final report issued to the Legislature in May 2008.
9th Legislative District Delegation Statement on the Passing of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove released the following statement on the passing of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce:
“Our Delegation is deeply saddened by the passing of Assemblyman Alex DeCroce and we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.
“First and foremost, we knew Alex as a dedicated public servant. In these fiercely partisan times, Alex always conducted himself as a statesman and gentlemen for the betterment of the state.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Initiative to Assist Veteran-Owned Businesses Signed Into Law
Legislation (A-3308/S-2314) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove developed to provide assistance to veteran-owned businesses in the process of securing state contracts has been signed into law.
The 9th District Delegation’s initiative, entitled the “Veteran-Owned Business Assistance Act,” now enacted, states that the Department of Treasury shall encourage veteran-owned businesses to participate in State procurement and contracting.
