Senate Passes 9th District Bill to Exempt Disabled Veterans From Paying for Beach Buggy Permits
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by District 9 legislators to exempt an eligible disabled veteran from any fee to obtain, replace, or renew a permit to operate a beach buggy.
The NJ Senate has passed legislation sponsored by District 9 legislators to exempt veterans from certain beach buggy fees. (©iStock)
The legislation was introduced by Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove at the request of a constituent, who is a disabled veteran.
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of their veterans-related initiative, S-1703:
“Exempting disabled veterans from paying for beach buggy permits is a small, yet meaningful gesture of appreciation to these brave individuals in recognition of their service and sacrifice for our nation.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Praise Legislative Passage of Superstorm Sandy Foreclosure Assistance Bill
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today praised the final passage of legislation they sponsor to extend the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program for Superstorm Sandy victims.
District 9 legislators today praised the final passage of legislation they sponsor to extend the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program for Superstorm Sandy victims. Pictured: damage caused by the storm, (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
The deadline for reauthorization was set for July 1, which meant that without legislative action, the program would have expired. As the deadline drew near, Connors, Rumpf and Gove wrote a letter urging Legislative leaders to immediately post A-5096 and S-3582 for a vote, stressing the urgent need to ensure that Superstorm Sandy victims would continue receiving this critical form of assistance. The Senate passed the Senate version of their bill, S-3582, on June 20. The identical Assembly version of the bill passed the Assembly on March 25.
The Delegation has worked in conjunction with representatives of the New Jersey Organizing Project (NJOP) to advocate for this legislation, as well as a number of other efforts to aid Superstorm Sandy victims.
“As representatives of an area that was among the hardest hit by Sandy, we continue to work closely with constituents who are still coping with the catastrophic damage caused by the storm. Therefore, we completely understand how critical the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program is to Sandy victims, as well as to the overall rebuilding and recovery process.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Common Interest Community Bill; Express Concerns About Impact on Age-Restricted Communities
As legislators with a longstanding track record of supporting the rights of age-restricted community residents, Senator Chris Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove (all R-9) said that they will continue to oppose legislation (S-2425) that would consolidate laws concerning common interest communities, including the taxation of common property, applicability of local ordinances, the effects of eminent domain, and other statutes.
As legislators with a longstanding track record of supporting the rights of age-restricted communities, the 9th District delegation will oppose legislation that would consolidate laws concerning common interest communities. (©iStock)
Senator Connors voted against the legislation in committee and on the floor of the Senate when S-2425 was presented on the Senate floor for a full chamber vote on June 10 of this year.
The members of the 9th District delegation emphasized that this legislation is especially alarming, because it would allow Trenton to interfere in the operations of age-restricted communities in cases in which it deems that a community’s bylaws do not speak to a specific issue. This means that Trenton, in turn, would act as the community’s de facto governing body.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridge Project is the Remarkable Engineering Achievement that Ocean County Deserves
Manahawkin: Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today joined in a celebration of the successful completion of the reconstruction of the Old Causeway Bridge and the rehabilitation of Hilliards Thorofare Bridge – part of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project, by marking the historic occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.
District 9 lawmakers celebrate the completion of the reconstruction of the Old Causeway Bridge and the rehabilitation of Hilliards Thorofare Bridge – part of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project, at a ribbon cutting ceremony led by NJDOT Commissioner Gutierrez-Scaccetti. (SenateNJ.com)
Connors, Rumpf and Gove made the following remarks regarding the significant announcement:
“This project is a long time coming for many Ocean County residents and tourists, especially those living on Long Beach Island for whom the Causeway is the only means of egress and ingress to and from the mainland.
“More than a decade ago, our Delegation introduced legislation, at the request of a former NJDOT Commissioner, to appropriate $150 million to get the Route 72 Causeway Bridges Project moving. The catastrophic damage caused by Superstorm Sandy underscored, in graphic detail, how the Causeway is a critical infrastructure lifeline, especially in the event that a coastal evacuation order is issued.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Launch Online Petition Calling on Gov. Murphy to End Devastating Cuts to Local School Funding
Sign the petition at http://www.senatenj.com/saveourschools/
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have launched a new online petition in opposition to massive school funding cuts proposed by Governor Phil Murphy in his FY 2020 State Budget proposal.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove launched an online petition to give their constituents the opportunity to oppose massive school funding cuts proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy in his State Budget proposal. (©iStock)
The 9th District legislators said the petition and included commenting tool are intended to give their constituents the opportunity to tell the Governor how they feel about the impact his school funding proposal would have on their local school districts.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Introduce Victims’ Rights Bill
New Bill Inspired by Local Case Would Ensure Crime Victims Receive the Restitution They Deserve
District 9 lawmakers Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have introduced legislation, S-3352/A-5088, that aims to mandate wage garnishment and participation in enforced community service for certain criminal defendants who fail to make restitution to their victims.
District 9 lawmakers have introduced legislation to mandate wage garnishment and participation in enforced community service for certain criminal defendants who fail to make restitution to their victims. (©iStock)
“This legislation was drafted after we learned that one of our constituents was the victim of theft by an employee whole stole thousands of dollars to support his drug addiction. The thief was convicted in a court of law and ordered to pay restitution. However, he relapsed, failed to show up for work, failed to pay restitution and, subsequently was incarcerated. This incident offers a view of the silent victims of the opioid epidemic – those who are victimized by people struggling with addiction. These cases aren’t discussed enough. The victim in this case, and her family, experienced tremendous financial hardships,” the District 9 lawmakers said.
“New Jersey spends hundreds of millions of dollars to assist addicts with their recovery. It’s time for the State to also recognize those who are victimized by people who committed crimes to support their addiction. Justifiably, our constituent wants restitution so she can begin putting her family’s finances and life back together. We believe our legislative proposal gives greater weight to the rights of victims in cases involving wage garnishment.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Oppose Fast-Tracked Bill to Give Trenton $10 Million in Additional State Aid
Speaking out against yet another attempt to rig the State Budget process, the 9th District legislative delegation announced that they will continue to oppose legislation (S-3587/A-5210) that would establish the Trenton Capital City Aid Program, which would provide at least $10 million in each State fiscal year to the City of Trenton.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove are speaking out against yet another attempt to rig the State Budget process, saying they will oppose legislation providing an extra $10 million of aid annually to the City of Trenton. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove questioned how Democrats could even consider approving this massive budget expenditure, when school districts are being forced to endure massive funding cuts.
“This is yet another example of Trenton prioritizing the needs of urban areas over suburban and rural areas of the state. Fast-tracking a $10 million appropriation bill for the City of Trenton is a glaring example of politicized spending in a rigged system.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Online Petition Opposing Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens Hits 20,000 Signatures
9th District Delegation Apprises Governor & Majority Party Legislative Leadership of Public Opposition
More than 20,000 people have signed the online petition started by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove as a grassroots effort stop in its tracks legislation that would allow illegal aliens to obtain New Jersey driver’s licenses.
Connors, Rumpf, and Gove sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic legislative leadership to let them know that their online petition opposing driver’s licenses for illegal aliens has reached 20,000 signatures. (Wikimedia Commons)
The 9th District legislators apprised Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin in a recent letter of the intense level of discontentment to allowing New Jersey to become a sanctuary state in a recent letter, which reads as follows:
Dear Governor Murphy, Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Coughlin:
“Please be advised that an online petition established by our delegation opposing the enactment of legislation that would permit illegal aliens to receive New Jersey driver’s licenses has been signed more than 20,000 times.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove to Introduce Bill to Prevent State Highway from Charging Tolls to Emergency Vehicles From Ocean County
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove will introduce legislation to prohibit the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), which operates the Atlantic City Expressway, from charging tolls to ambulances, first-aid or emergency-aid vehicles, or fire trucks from Ocean County.
District 9 lawmakers will introduce legislation to prohibit the SJTA, which operates the Atlantic City Expressway, from charging tolls to ambulances, first-aid or emergency-aid vehicles, or fire trucks from Ocean County. (Flickr)
Currently, the SJTA allows those types of emergency vehicles from Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties in South Jersey to use SJTA projects toll-free.
The 9th District delegation provided the following reasons for drafting the legislation:
“In yet another example of bureaucratic regulations working against the public good, our delegation recently learned that a volunteer emergency services organization from our legislative district was charged a toll while transporting a patient on the Atlantic City Expressway. After several appeals by the first aid squad, the SJTA reluctantly waived the administration fee for failure to pay the toll, as though that would somehow address the core issue of charging tolls to emergency vehicles.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Price Tag for Taxpayer-Funded Tuition Aid for Illegal Aliens Is a Slap in the Face to Legal Citizens
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove released the following statement in response to news that the State has already spent more than $1.5 million on taxpayer-funded student loans for persons living in the country illegally. The 9th District delegation has vehemently opposed legislation that authorized State tuition aid for illegal aliens.
District 9 lawmakers reiterate their opposition to legislation that authorized the State to spend millions on taxpayer-funded student loans for illegal aliens. (SenateNJ.com)
According to report by NJ.com, the state spent $1.6 million during the fall 2018 semester to provide aid to more than 500 illegal aliens. The program is expected to grow over the coming years, according to HESAA.
In light of the state’s current fiscal crisis, the delegation issued the following remarks regarding this irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars:
“State benefits are for taxpayers living in New Jersey legally. Period. That’s why we’ve voted against the law signed by Governor Christie that provided in-state tuition to illegal aliens, as well as the law recently signed by Governor Murphy to give tuition assistance to these same persons. What’s even more infuriating, is that this could become an even bigger burden as the program grows, taking more opportunities away from American students in the near future.
