Connors, Rumpf & Gove’s “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Bill Clears Important Committee Hurdle
The Assembly Appropriations 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.
HOFNOD is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states.
Van Drew/Connors Measure to Provide South Jersey With Stronger Voice in Turnpike Authority Decisions Advances
Would Require at Least One Member of NJ Turnpike Authority From Atlantic, Cape May or Ocean County
Legislation sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Chris Connors aimed at providing South Jersey with a stronger voice in the decisions made by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority which operates the Garden State Parkway, a main artery in the southern part of the state, was approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.
The bill (S-1654) would require that at least one of the seven appointed members of the Turnpike Authority be from the counties of Ocean, Atlantic or Cape May. The senators’ introduction of the measure followed two major projects authorized by the Turnpike Authority that caused significant concern among local residents and public officials in the Southern region of the state. One included the mass cutting of trees along the Garden State Parkway. The other was the installation of security fencing along the parkway, which the authority said was for homeland security purposes.
Connors Completes Legislator-in-Residence Program at Stockton College
Senator Christopher J. Connors, representing the 9th Legislative District, completed the third and final day of the Legislator-in-Residence Program at his alma mater, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Under the Program, members of the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly are invited to Stockton’s campus to interact with students and faculty. Senator Connors was the Legislative participant for the Spring Semester.
On his final day participating in the Program, Senator Connors met with students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” to discuss veterans’ issues. Senator Connors currently serves on the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and is a co-chairman of the New Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force.
As an invited speaker, Senator Christopher J. Connors speaks to students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” at Stockton College taught by Professor Thomas O’Donnell, Assistant Dean of Students.
Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill to Protect Privacy Rights of Accident Victims & Their Families
Legislation sponsored by 9th District Legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would make it a crime of the fourth degree 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 was passed by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Senator Connors is the prime sponsor of the legislation (S-199) in the Senate, while Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove have joined as cosponsors on the companion bill (A-789).
Senator Chris Connors testifying in support of S-199 before the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee on February 16, 2012.
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.
