Connors, Rumpf & Gove Reject Giving Illegal Aliens State Tuition Assistance
Fulfilling their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law, Senator Christopher J. Connors (R-9) voted against providing illegal aliens with state tuition assistance. Both Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove announced their intention to also vote no if the Assembly considers the legislation.
9th district lawmakers Connors, Rumpf, and Gove oppose legislation that would allow illegal aliens to qualify for state tuition assistance. (SenateNJ.com)
The members of the 9th District delegation made the following statement in response to the State Senate’s passage of S-699, which would allow illegal aliens who meet certain criteria to qualify for State student financial aid programs:
“There is a general consensus that New Jersey does not provide sufficient tuition aid to legal taxpaying residents but now, somehow, Trenton can find the money to give to people who are in our country illegally to pay for college?
“Rewarding persons for breaking the law disenfranchises law-abiding citizens. It’s no wonder people are leaving the state in droves that is, of course, except for the illegal aliens coming to New Jersey where, as a sanctuary state in the making, they are entitled to government benefits.
Connors-Rumpf-Gove Move to Protect Veteran Property Tax Exemption Status for Homes Destroyed by Natural Disasters
Legislation introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would continue the tax exempt status of property owned by a 100 percent disabled veteran whose home has been destroyed by flood, storm event, natural cause, or other act of God was approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
Legislation by Connors, Rumpf & Gove would continue the tax exempt status of property owned by a 100 percent disabled veteran whose home has been destroyed by flood, storm event, natural cause, or other act of God. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
Under current law, 100 percent disabled veterans of this State may claim a full local property tax exemption on their dwelling homes and the ground upon which the respective dwellings are located. In the event of a natural disaster, such as a storm or flood that destroys the dwelling, the property becomes taxable because it is no longer usable as the owner’s residence. The delegation’s legislation would continue the tax exempt status that the prior dwelling house and land enjoyed before its destruction, so long as substantial, ongoing construction is undertaken within four years of the destruction.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: How Can You Even Consider Letting Felons and Prisoners Vote and Receive Tuition Aid?
The 9th District legislative delegation is questioning how the State Legislature can even entertain the notion of letting convicted and imprisoned felons vote in elections and qualify to receive tuition assistance at taxpayer expense.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove questioned how the NJ Legislature could consider bills that would allow prisoners and convicted felons to influence public policy and provide benefits at the expense of taxpayers who follow the rules. (Pixabay)
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove issued a joint statement following the Democrats’ introduction of two legislative proposals which would direct more taxpayer dollars to convicted felons, at the expense of other needs and services.
Rumpf Re-Appointed to State Beach Erosion Commission
The 9th District legislative delegation announced that Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf has been re-appointed to the State Beach Erosion Commission. The Speaker of the General Assembly recently re-appointed the Assemblyman with the start of the new 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Asm. Brian E. Rumpf has been re-appointed to the State Beach Erosion Commission. (FEMA)
“I accepted this appointment as a coastal legislator with the understanding that protecting our beaches is a significant issue for my constituency and that serving on the Commission would place me in a position to more effectively represent their interests,” added Assemblyman Rumpf.
Gove Appointed to Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Commission
Commission Reviews Programs for Seniors & Persons With Disabilities
9th Legislative District Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove has been appointed to serve on the Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Commission.
Asw. DiAnne Gove of the 9th Legislative District has been appointed to serve on the Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Commission. (Flickr)
The Casino Revenue Fund was established under the 1977 law and constitutional amendment permitting casino gambling in Atlantic City. Revenue generated by casino gross receipts is deposited into the Fund for programs assisting seniors and persons with disabilities. The Casino Revenue Fund Advisory Commission was legislated in 1992 to provide recommendations to the State Legislature concerning the Casino Revenue Fund utilization.
“Ensuring that revenue is being utilized in the most effective manner possible is an obligation we must fulfill for those seniors and persons with disabilities who depend on Casino Revenue-funded programs,” said Assemblywoman Gove. “Such critical programs include Transportation Assistance for Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents, PAAD and the Statewide Birth Defects Registry.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Join Legislative Effort to Stop Offshore Drilling in State Waters
Want NJ to Receive Same Exemption as Florida
Coastal legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have requested to join as cosponsors on companion legislation A-839 and S-258 which would prohibit offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in State waters. The measure would also prohibit the leasing of tidal or submerged lands in State waters for the purposes of oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove are joining as co-sponsors of legislation which would prohibit offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in New Jersey waters. (Flickr)
The companion measures were introduced by Senator Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Bruce Land, and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak of the 1st Legislative District.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove made the following remarks regarding their sponsorship action:
“As coastal legislators, our delegation has a longstanding record of vehemently opposing offshore drilling off our state’s coast. Safeguarding our state’s environment and economic viability should be the priority – not lining the pockets of corporate executives.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Barnegat Bay Must Remain State Environmental Priority
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove want State policy under the new Administration to continue to reflect the critical need for protecting Barnegat Bay.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove want New Jersey’s environmental policy under the new Administration to continue to reflect the critical need for protecting Barnegat Bay. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Protecting Barnegat Bay was elevated to a top state environmental priority several years ago, and rightfully so. Notwithstanding the tremendous progress already made, especially in terms of raising awareness of key factors impacting the Bay, a continual commitment is necessary to improve water quality, safeguard wildlife habitats and reduce pollution.
Committee Advances Connors-Rumpf-Gove-Supported Bill Requiring Turnpike Meetings in South Jersey
The Senate Transportation Committee passed legislation (S-246) prime-sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors and co-sponsored by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would require that at least two regular meetings each year of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority be held on a rotating basis in Ocean County, Atlantic County, and Cape May County.
A bill sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove requires at least two meetings each year of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to be held on a rotating basis in Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. (SenateNJ.com)
The legislation also proposes that one regular meeting of the Authority be held in Bergen County and at least one meeting be held in Salem, Gloucester, and Camden counties on a rotating basis. Currently, regular meetings of the authority are held on a monthly basis in the Authority’s Administration Offices located in Woodbridge.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Outraged by Christie Veto of Superstorm Sandy Clawback Bill
As representatives of a legislative district that’s among those hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove conveyed outrage and empathy for affected Sandy victims in response to Governor Christie’s refusal to sign the Superstorm Sandy clawback bill.
Aerial view during an Army search and rescue mission shows damage from Superstorm Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
The intent of the legislative policy initiative (A-4784/S-3149), which passed both houses of the Legislature, was to address circumstances in which Superstorm Sandy victims are required to refund overpayments, known as “clawbacks,” in Sandy assistance aid. Each member of the 9th District delegation joined as cosponsors on the bill that was introduced by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-15).
The members of the 9th District delegation issued the following statement regarding Governor’s Christie’s pocket veto of the Sandy clawback bill:
“For those Sandy victims who’ve had too many sleepless nights contending with an endless bureaucratic nightmare, we worked together with the New Jersey Organizing Project to advance this legislation with the intent of providing the necessary assistance, including mediation, to help resolve clawback cases.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Committee Assignments Cover Veterans, Health, Federal Relations & Higher Education
9th District legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have received their committee assignments for the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove have received their committee assignments for the 2018-2019 legislative session. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senator Connors will once again serve on the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Assemblyman Rumpf will continue serving on the Regulatory Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee and will be joining the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. Assemblywoman Gove will be returning to both the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee as well as the Assembly Higher Education Committee and will be taking on a new assignment by joining the Assembly Human Services Committee.
For the third consecutive legislative session, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove were named as policy co-chairs to the Assembly Republican caucus. The 9th District legislators issued the following statement subsequent to receiving their committee assignments.
