Singer Bill Would Strengthen Pandemic Resilience of Local, County Health Departments for COVID’s Second Wave
Just as it did to health care workers and first responders, the virus pandemic stressed the capabilities of local and county health departments to the breaking point.
Legislation drafted by Senator Singer would create a ‘Local Health Department Infectious Disease Preparedness Study Commission’ to ensure local and county health departments are ready to cope with future health crises. (Flickr)
Senator Robert Singer is determined to ensure the small, over-burdened health departments are better prepared for expanded public safety roles if the coronavirus resurfaces in the fall.
“As bad as the virus has been in New Jersey, claiming the lives of 11,000 people, we may well have dodged a bullet this time,” said Singer (R-30). “However, health experts and scientists warn a second wave of COVID is almost inevitable without coordinated, aggressive efforts. The next round could be even more dangerous, and it is essential our local and county health departments have the tools necessary to effectively respond to outbreaks. We must be battle ready at the local, county and state levels.”
Shore lawmakers urge Murphy to reopen state
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson issued a joint statement urging Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen businesses.
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson issued a joint statement urging Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen businesses. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We need to start reopening more businesses and services in New Jersey. The number of deaths, new cases, and hospitalizations from Covid-19 are thankfully decreasing. However, many people and businesses are financially at a breaking point. We are hearing heartbreaking stories from families and businesses who cannot pay rent, are waiting for unemployment or are facing other dire financial circumstances.
Singer: Sad Mother’s Day Scene at Boardwalk Highlights Absurd Lockdown Policies
Administration Also Cracks Down on Drive by Parades that Have Included School Classes & First Responders
Senator Robert Singer (R-30) relayed a sad interaction he had yesterday on Mother’s Day that highlights the absurdity of current state lockdown orders:
Sen. Robert Singer relayed a sad interaction he had yesterday on Mother’s Day that highlights the absurdity of current state lockdown orders. (SenateNJ.com)
“My family went out for a walk yesterday at a nearby boardwalk to get some fresh air on a beautiful Mother’s Day. Everyone that we saw was being respectful of others and maintaining good distancing.
“As we walked off the boardwalk and down a side-street, we came upon an elderly woman sitting alone on a curb. We asked her if she was okay. She told told us she couldn’t be with her family on Mother’s Day, so she decided to take a walk by herself on the boardwalk. When she tired, she sat for a moment on a bench to rest. That’s when someone approached her and berated her for violating lockdown rules by sitting on a bench, so she got up and left the boardwalk and moved to a curb down by the street where we found her.
Senate Republicans: Reopening Parks a Reasonable Step, Many Businesses Ready to Reopen Too
The Senate Republican leadership team said Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted:
The Senate Republican leadership team said Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted. (SenateNJ.com)
“Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed with awe and pride an amazing transformation in the attitudes and practices of individual New Jerseyans as they adopted necessary social distancing and personal protective measures that just months ago would have been unthinkable.
Shore Senators Call for Detailed Plan to Reopen Jersey Shore
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent the following letter to Governor Phil Murphy yesterday asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore.
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore. (Bing Maps)
Click here to view a PDF of the letter from Sen. Robert Singer, Sen. Chris Brown, Sen. Michael Testa, and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon.
Singer/Singleton Measure to Increase Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Passes Senate
Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously passed New Jersey Senate.
Sens. Robert Singer and Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously passed the Senate. (WikiMedia Commons)
“The transient nature of military life creates many career-building obstacles for active-duty spouses,” said Singer (R-30). “Licensing costs alone can be a barrier to job entry, especially for spouses who are repeatedly relocated between duty stations across the nation and across the world. Waiving fees for occupational licensure will help spouses secure meaningful employment and make life a little easier for military families in New Jersey.”
Singer/Singleton Bill Expands Program Providing Military Men and Women With No-Cost Legal Assistance in Civil Matters
The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton that would provide legal assistance to service members and veterans at no cost.
Active military members and veterans would be eligible for no-cost legal assistance with civil issues under Sen. Robert Singer’s bill, advanced today by the Senate. (iStock)
“The courageous men and women who put on the uniform and risk their lives every day never hesitate when they are called to protect our freedom,” said Singer (R-30). “They shouldn’t have to worry about how they are going to pay for attorneys to represent them in civil court cases. Under our bill, lawyers volunteering their time will take the cases.”
Singer/Singleton Measure to Increase Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Advances
Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sens. Robert Singer and Troy Singleton’s bill to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has advanced. (WikiMedia Commons)
“The transient nature of military life creates many career-building obstacles for active-duty spouses,” said Singer (R-30). “Licensing costs alone can be a barrier to job entry, especially for spouses who are repeatedly relocated between duty stations across the nation and across the world. Waiving fees for occupational licensure will help spouses secure meaningful employment and make life a little easier for military families in New Jersey.”
Singer/Singleton Legislation Gives Back to Military Men and Women
Pro Bono Program Would Provide Legal Help at No Cost
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton would provide legal help at no cost to service members and veterans. The Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee approved the bill today.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would expand access to free legal representation in civil court cases for active and retired military members. The bill was approved by the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (©iStock)
“The men and women who put on the uniform every day and risk their lives to protect our freedoms shouldn’t lose sleep worrying about how to pay for legal representation in civil law cases,” said Singer (R-30). “These courageous individuals never hesitate when they are called to serve. This is a well-earned benefit that will be provided by attorneys volunteering their time.”
Senate Approves Singer Measure to Study Impact of Medicaid Reimbursement Changes on Nursing Homes
A commission to study the health of nursing homes in the state would be created under a bill sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and approved today by the Senate. The commission would scrutinize the impact of increased hourly reimbursements on nursing homes.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would establish a nine-member commission to collect and evaluate crucial data from nursing homes to study the impact of changes to Medicaid reimbursement rates. (SenateNJ.com)
“To ensure quality care for our most vulnerable residents, it’s essential that we understand what the rate changes mean to the important services provided at these facilities,” said Singer (R-30). “Have these new rates affected staffing, the cost of care for residents, or the financial stability of nursing homes? This measure will help us get the answers.”
Singer’s measure (S-51) would establish the nine-member “Impact of Medicaid Personal Care Services Reimbursement Change on Nursing Homes Study Commission” to collect and evaluate data from nursing homes, including whether any facilities closed after the effective date of the rate changes.
Under the bill, the commission is required to submit a written report to the Governor and Legislature not more than 12 months after its first meeting.
New Jersey nursing homes say they are losing more than $400 million a year. Homes providing care for Medicaid residents lose close to $50 a day for each client, according to the Health Care Association of New Jersey.
