Connors, Rumpf & Gove Announce Veterans’ Hospital Task Force Meeting Scheduled in Berkeley for 10/6
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove announced today that the recently established New Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force will host its first meeting in Berkeley Township, Ocean County, at the Township Hall on Thursday, October 6 at 10:00 am.
Senator Connors and Assemblywoman Gove, both of whom serve on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committees of their respective House, will serve as legislative members on the Task Force.
9th District Supported Legislation on Coastal Evacuation Signed into Law
Legislation supported by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, both of whom were prime sponsors, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove to prohibit the towing of trailers, and transportation of boats on public highways, while an evacuation plan is in effect during an emergency has been signed into law by Governor Christie.
The legislative initiative (S-255/A-854) was based on one of the 14 recommendations made by the Coastal Assembly Evacuation Task Force which was established under legislation sponsored by the 9th District Delegation. 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. The Task Force hearing for Ocean County was held in Long Beach Township at which time Assemblywoman Gove who, while serving as Mayor at the time, provided testimony on evacuation procedures related to Long Beach Island.
Update on Cable/Telephone Deregulation Bill (A-3766/S-2664)
During caucus deliberations on the finalized State Budget, there was an interesting development not widely reported on regarding A-3766/S-2664, entitled the “Market Competition and Consumer Choice Act,” which would deregulate cable and phone services in our state and potentially lead to cost increases as well as the loss of consumer protections for ratepayers. More than 800 constituents have contacted our 9th District Legislative Office in opposition to this legislation in light of potentially sharp rate increases they can ill-afford during these extremely difficult economic times.
Behind closed doors at the State House, another attempt was made by supporters of the bill, both in the Legislature and in the business community, to have A-3766/S-2664 posted for a vote in the Senate at the 11th hour of the voting session prior to the Summer recess. Undoubtedly, this was done in the hope that the bill and the groundswell of public opposition to it would be overlooked, given all the attention that would be directed to the State Budget.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Sponsoring Legislation to Protect Privacy Rights of Accident Victims and Their Families
9th District Legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove are supporting legislation to make it unlawful for first responders to disseminate photographs or video recordings of accident victims to the public without the consent of a victim, patient or their next-of-kin if the victim or person cannot provide consent.
Senator Connors is the prime sponsor of legislation (S-2891) in the Senate, while Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove have joined as cosponsors on the companion bill (A-2274). The 9th District Legislators’ actions are in response to outreach from several constituents who have been affected by this issue, as well as first aid and emergency response personnel supportive of a State law to prohibit footage from accident scenes from being made available to the public without permission.
9th District Delegation Praises Appointments to South Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today praised the Governor’s appointments to the Veterans’ Hospital Task Force which was established to study and evaluate, and develop recommendations relating to, the construction and operation of a veterans’ health care facility in southern New Jersey.
The 9th District Delegation sponsored the law enacted this February that established the Task Force. Senator Connors and Assemblywoman Gove, both of whom serve on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee of their respective Houses, were named by the Governor earlier this year to serve as Legislative representatives on the Task Force.
Governor Christie Signs Connors, Rumpf & Gove Measure to Create Alzheimer’s Study Commission
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove to establish a 15-member Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission was signed into law today by Governor Christie.
The 9th District Delegation’s legislation (S-125/A-322) stipulated that the Commission’s duties would include, but would not be limited to, studying the current impact and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease among residents and make projections on the future impact on the state’s population, study the state’s role in long-term care for persons with early stage and early onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and consider the capacity of public safety and law enforcement to persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
Governor Signs Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill Authorizing Towns to Offer Free Beach Badges to Military Personnel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would allow municipalities to provide free or reduced-fee beach badges to active military and New Jersey National Guard personnel as well as their spouses and children over the age of 12 was signed into law today by Governor Chris Christie.
The 9th District lawmakers’ legislation (S-114) will expand upon current law which previously only authorized municipalities to provide free or reduced beach badges to; (1) persons 65 or older; (2) certain disabled individuals and; (3) children under the age of 12.
Senate Passes Connors, Rumpf & Gove “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Measure
The State Senate unanimously approved legislation 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 bill 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 will implement and operate the program in every county in the State.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Bill Seeks to Protect Taxpayers by Targeting Bad Checks Written to Counties and Municipalities
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are set to introduce legislation that would permit municipalities and counties to increase the service charge imposed for checks returned for insufficient funds.
Under current law, the service fee imposed by a municipality or county cannot exceed $20 per check. The 9th District Delegation’s legislative initiative would allow municipalities and counties to impose a service charge up to, but not to exceed, the usual customary service charge of the commercial banking institution where the municipality deposits its checks and other written instruments.
