9th District Delegation & LBI Mayors Have Follow-Up Meeting with DEP
Gulf Oil Spill & Coastal Zone Management Issues Topics of Discussion
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, along with the mayors of the six Long Beach Island municipalities, met this week with representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It was a follow-up to a meeting held in late April which was attended by DEP Commissioner Bob Martin.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Post Budget Legislative Update
In recent weeks, most of the attention has primarily focused on the State budget, which has now been signed into law. This is an update regarding action taken on several other legislative initiatives linked to reducing the size and cost of government that we believe our constituents will have an active interest in.
Major Changes in Motor Vehicle Inspections
Under legislation recently signed into law, motorists will only have to have their vehicles inspected for emission levels. Biannual mechanical inspections have been eliminated as studies have showed that motor vehicle crashes are related to driver error rather than mechanical defect. Additionally, there will be an extension of the waiver from vehicle inspections for newer vehicles from four years to five. These changes will achieve a cost savings to taxpayers in the amount of $17 million for this fiscal year. Equally important, this will release residents from a purposeless bureaucratic obligation involving their cars.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Statement on Passage of 2% Property Tax Cap
Following the passage of legislation by both Houses of the Legislature to lower the state’s cap on property tax from 4 to 2 percent, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove issued the following statement:
“Significant progress toward controlling government spending and addressing the state’s “affordability crisis” was achieved by the passage of legislation to lower the existing statutory cap for all local governments from 4 percent to 2 percent while also eliminating most of the cap exemptions currently allowed. Our Delegation proudly voted in favor of this bipartisan legislation as a practical and efficient means of our achieving one of our top priorities: to reduce the size, cost and scope of government.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Measure Seeks to Protect Seniors and Disabled From Financial Exploitation
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have introduced legislation aimed at convicting criminals who financially exploit senior citizens or disabled persons.
The 9th District Delegation issued the following joint statement regarding their new legislative initiative (S-2166/A-3080) to protect society’s most vulnerable citizens:
“After consulting with various government agencies, our Delegation has proudly introduced a comprehensive measure that would provide law enforcement with additional tools to convict criminals who prey upon seniors and the disabled. This legislation is specifically aimed at bringing to justice individuals who use a position of trust to commit theft by financially exploiting the most vulnerable members of our society.
Veterans Council Legislation Sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove Passed by Senate
The State Senate today passed legislation (S-1493/A-1944) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would make various changes to membership requirements of the Veterans’ Services Council.
“The changes provided for under this legislation to the Veterans’ Services Council were recommended by members of the Council,” stated Senator Connors, a member of the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “After considering testimony and reviewing the provisions of the legislation over the course of two Legislative Sessions, I am fully confident the changes will allow for the Council to operate more effectively in carrying out its core mission, which includes formulating comprehensive policies for the coordination of all services for war veterans and their dependents.”
Senate Approves Measures Sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove Supporting Veterans and Emergency Service Volunteers
The State Senate passed two legislative initiatives sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that, separately, are aimed at assisting veterans and emergency service volunteer personnel.
The first measure, S-1024/A-515, would expand “Operation Recognition,” a program which offered state-endorsed high school diplomas to veterans who left high school prior to graduation to serve in the military, to include veterans of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Alert State to Objections Raised By Local EMS Squads on Pending Legislation
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have alerted the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHHS) about the deep concerns raised by the local Emergency Medical Service (EMS) volunteer personnel regarding pending legislation (S-818/A-2095) that is feared will force certain volunteer EMT squads to disband and lead to a spike in property taxes.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Monitoring Activity on Common Interest Community Legislation
Following a recent Committee hearing during which testimony was taken on homeowner association issues, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are continuing to monitor for any developments regarding Common Interest Community legislation.
On May 6, the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee received testimony from invited guests and the public on homeowner association issues in New Jersey. No legislation was considered during the hearing. The 9th District Delegation alerted senior communities in the District in advance of the hearing as part of their continuing constituent outreach efforts on the Common Interest Community issue.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Call for State Meeting to Discuss Pedestrian Law Issues on LBI
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today sent a letter to the offices of the State Attorney General and the Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting a meeting for the purpose of discussing serious public safety concerns raised by the municipalities on Long Beach Island regarding a recently enacted pedestrian safety law.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove have recommended that the meeting include the Long Beach Island mayoral delegation as well as representatives from Ocean County.
Committee Advances Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill to Protect Tuition Program Established for Emergency Volunteer Personnel
The Senate Education Committee today advanced legislation (S-1057) sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would clarify the original intent of the Legislature by closing a loophole used by certain county colleges to deny volunteer emergency personnel tuition assistance under the state’s volunteer tuition credit program.
The volunteer tuition credit program provides a tuition credit benefit of up to $2,400 over four years to active members of a volunteer fire company, volunteer first aid or rescue squad or association and the dependent children and spouse of such members.
