Singer Calls on Democrats to Permanently Stop Effort to Enact Automatic Annual Toll Hikes
New Bill Would Implement 3% Annual Toll Hikes on GSP, NJT & AC Expressway
Senator Robert Singer called on Democrats to permanently stop an effort to enact automatic annual toll hikes on New Jersey toll roads after a bill to implement the increases was pulled from consideration today due to a lack of support from the Senate Transportation Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer called on Democrats to permanently stop an effort to enact automatic annual toll hikes on New Jersey toll roads. (SenateNJ.com)
“Voters just turned out in droves to send the message that New Jersey is too expensive,” said Singer, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. “It would have been lunacy for Democrats still reeling from Election Day to forge ahead with automatic annual toll increases on roads that hundreds of thousands of commuters have to travel every day. Thankfully there was enough sense on the Transportation Committee to not even consider the bill today. Hopefully, we never will.”
Affordable Housing Project in Howell Underscores Need for Legislative Reform, Say Singer, Kean and Thomson
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson, lawmakers from Legislative District 30, which includes Howell, say a proposed 319-unit project in the township illustrates the urgent need for affordable housing reform. When the Legislature reconvenes after the November election, they are calling on lawmakers to immediately consider affordable housing policy that includes eliminating mandatory construction, and ensuring housing obligation calculations account for the town’s infrastructure, among other factors.
Sen. Robert Singer, Asm. Sean Kean, and Asm. Edward Thomson, lawmakers from District 30, say a proposed 319-unit project in Howell illustrates the urgent need for affordable housing reform. (Pixabay)
“When a judge mandates hundreds of new housing units for a town, they often fail to consider the uniqueness of each community and the impact on the town’s quality of life,” said Singer. “It is time for the Legislature to fulfill its responsibility to enact a sensible affordable housing policy which serves the best interest of the communities we represent.”
Singer/Connors/Holzapfel/Thompson/O’Scanlon Call on NJ Homeland Security to Vet Incoming Afghan Refugees
Question Ability of Federal Officials in Kabul to Keep Local Communities Safe
Almost 10,000 Afghan refugees fleeing the turmoil in their homeland will be coming to New Jersey, and Senate Republicans are calling on New Jersey’s Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness to ensure they are thoroughly vetted.
In a letter to the director of New Jersey’s Homeland Security and Preparedness, Sens. Singer, Connors, Holzapfel, Thompson and O’Scanlon emphasized the need to vet and screen refugees coming to the state from Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons)
Senators Robert Singer, Chris Connors, Jim Holzapfel, Sam Thompson and Declan O’Scanlon today wrote to NJ Homeland Director Laurie R. Duran emphasizing the need to protect New Jersey residents from possible terrorists who may have circumvented checkpoints and federal screening on the ground in Kabul before boarding flights to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Senate Republican Leadership Calls on Senate President Sweeney to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Say Atlantic County Families Can’t Afford to Wait Months for Help
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23. (SenateNJ.com)
The following joint statement was issued by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.
Pennacchio, Singer Introduce Legislation to Keep Peace in NJ Streets
The Bill is Modeled After a Florida Bill Recently Signed Into Law by Gov. DeSantis
Less than 48 hours after a large party deteriorated into mayhem on Saturday night in Long Branch, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Robert Singer have introduced legislation that would strengthen laws preventing similar violent outbreaks.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Robert Singer introduced legislation strengthening laws preventing violent public outbreaks like the incident in Long Branch on June 19. (Flickr)
“What happened last weekend had nothing to do with partying and having a good time,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “It was lawlessness, and there is no appetite for that kind of behavior in New Jersey. Our police and law enforcement deserve credit for ensuring things didn’t get even more dangerous, but the situation was extremely volatile and had the potential to get out of control.
Committee Approves Singer Bill Establishing Review Teams to Combat Drug Overdose Deaths
Drug overdoses claim the lives of more than 3,000 New Jersey residents each year. Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would help prevent fatalities was approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer would create county drug overdose fatality review teams to help save lives. (Flickr)
The bill, S-52, would authorize New Jersey counties to establish local drug overdose fatality review teams to develop strategies to prevent drug overdoses and promote cooperation among state and local government agencies.
Singer Bill Takes Aim at Risky Laser Assaults on Police, Firefighters
Senator Robert Singer today introduced legislation that would protect law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders from assault by laser sights, pointers and similar devices.
Pointing a laser at police officers or first responders would be a third degree crime under legislation introduced by Senator Robert Singer. (Flickr)
“The irresponsible use of lasers jeopardizes public safety and puts lives at risk,” said Singer (R-30). “When police officers are targeted by lasers, they may assume a weapon is pointed at them. If they draw their weapons in response to the threat, it can lead to tragic consequences.
Singer Urges Governor to Unmask Children
Senator Robert Singer chided the Governor for continuing to require children to wear masks, calling the policy uncalled for and outdated.
Senator Robert Singer chided the Governor for continuing to require children to wear masks, calling the policy uncalled for and outdated. (Pixabay)
“At the same time he is telling the public it is OK to take their masks off, go dancing and go out drinking with friends shoulder-to-shoulder at the bar, Murphy is forcing kids to keep their masks on,” said Singer (R-30). “The science and data are clear. Youngsters are not susceptible to COVID, and they aren’t virus super spreaders. The time for masks has passed.”
Bipartisan Bill to Create Administrative Law Unit to Handle Special Education Cases Approved by Budget Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Robert Singer that would create a dedicated cadre of Administrative Law judges to handle special education cases cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Steven Oroho and Senator Robert Singer that would create a dedicated cadre of Administrative Law judges to handle special education cases cleared the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“The unique challenges of educating students with special needs lead to disagreements between concerned parents and school districts that often end up in court,” said Senator Oroho (R-Morris/Sussex/Warren). “Long delays only add to the frustration and can interfere with the development and learning opportunities of children. The unit established within the Division of Administrative Law by this legislation would increase efficiency and help all parties by reaching more timely decisions and resolutions.”
Singer Asks Murphy for Clarification on COVID-19 Restrictions for Community Swimming Pools
With summer rapidly approaching, Senator Robert Singer asked Governor Phil Murphy to clarify how changes to executive orders on COVID-19 restrictions will apply to community swimming pools.
Sen. Robert Singer asked Gov. Phil Murphy to clarify how changes to executive orders on COVID-19 restrictions will apply to community swimming pools. (Pixabay)
“As vaccination rates increase and infection rates decline, New Jerseyans are eager to get back to normal this summer and back to their local pool,” said Singer (R-30). “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of confusion over executive orders that have changed, are unclear, or conflict with other orders. With Memorial Day just weeks away, it’s imperative that Governor Murphy clarify how community swimming pools may operate. I would suggest that many of the pool restrictions put in place last summer are no longer necessary given the improving trends, vaccinations, and everything we now know about how little transmission occurs outdoors.”
