Singer, Kean & Thomson Launching Grassroots Effort to Fix New Marijuana Laws
Legislators Urging Colleagues to Enlist Towns, Counties & School Districts to Address Concerns
Senator Robert Singer, Assemblyman Sean Kean, and Assemblyman Ned Thomson (all R-30) are urging legislators who have concerns with provisions of the state’s new marijuana laws to join them in a grassroots effort to advocate for legislative reforms.
Sen. Robert Singer, Asm. Sean Kean, and Asm. Ned Thomson are urging legislators who have concerns with provisions of the state’s new marijuana laws to join them in a grassroots effort to advocate for legislative reforms. (Pixabay)
“People are starting to realize some of the concerning provisions of New Jersey’s new marijuana laws that will cause real problems if we don’t address them now,” said Senator Singer. “Parents are worried that parental notification is now prohibited when kids are caught with drugs or alcohol. They have a right to know if their 12-year-old is smoking pot. Police officers are concerned that the new laws treat them like criminals. They’re not the enemy and we shouldn’t hamstring their efforts to keep kids away from drugs and alcohol.”
Bipartisan Bill to Create Special Education Unit Advances from Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Senators Steven Oroho and Robert Singer which would create a special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law, cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.
Legislation sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Senators Steven Oroho and Robert Singer which would create a special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law, cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (Flickr)
“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 by this legislation would increase efficiency and help all parties with more timely decisions and resolutions.”
Singer Introduces Resolution Calling for Convention of States, Balanced Federal Budget
In response to skyrocketing national debt and waning public confidence in political leaders in Washington, D.C., State Senator Robert Singer has introduced a resolution urging Congress to call for an Article V Convention of States.
Sen. Robert Singer introduces a resolution urging Congress to call for an Article V Convention of States. Priorities would include requiring a balanced federal budget and imposing term limits. (Pixabay)
The proposed convention would be held for the purpose of requiring a balanced federal budget, imposing term limits, and revising the method for awarding electoral votes.
“Our nation is headed in the wrong direction and this will help turn it around,” said Singer (R-30). “Imprudent and irresponsible federal spending is to blame for a crushing national debt that threatens our economy and national stability in the near future. A balanced federal budget will help control wasteful spending and strengthen the nation’s financial foundation.”
Vaccination Distribution Plans Should Include Senior Communities Say Shore Lawmakers
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Ned Thomson (R-Monmouth/Ocean) are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to ensure vaccinations can be provided in senior communities and to allocate the resources needed for such a program.
Sen. Robert Singer, Asm. Sean Kean, and Asm. Ned Thomson are calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to ensure vaccinations can be provided in senior communities. (Pixabay)
“We have heard from many constituents who live in adult communities (age 55 and older) that they would like to be vaccinated at a site within their community,” said Singer. “Many of the people who live in these age restricted communities are older and many do not drive or drive long distances.”
Vitale & Singer Harshly Condemn Chiropractor Board for Reinstating License of Sex Offender
Senator Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Senator Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, issued the following joint statement harshly condemning the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for reinstating the professional license of Bryan Bajakian, a convicted sex offender:
Sen. Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Sen. Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, harshly condemned the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for reinstating the professional license of a convicted sex offender. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is a decision that defies common sense and ignores the safety of the public the board is responsible for protecting. Anyone who thinks it’s a good idea to reinstate the license of a convicted sex offender who preyed on children can’t be trusted to exercise their oversight responsibilities, or to even to heed their own mission statement directing the board to ‘protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey.’
Corrado and Singer Legislation to Honor Veterans and their Families Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado and Senator Robert Singer to aid and honor deceased military members and their families was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Robert Singer to aid and honor deceased military members and their families has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
“Memorials for members of the military, and their loved ones, should be celebrations of life that honor the sacrifices these families made on behalf of all American families,” said Corrado (R-40). “Those who devoted their life to protecting our country should never be forgotten. Ensuring close family members of veterans are buried in a dignified manner is the least we can do.”
Singer Bill Making Schools Safer for Students with Allergies Clears Education Committee
The Senate Education Committee has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to ensure that schools develop an individualized health care plan for students with life-threatening allergies.
The Senate Education Committee approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer to ensure that schools develop an individualized health care plan for students with life-threatening allergies. (SenateNJ.com)
“This common-sense bill will save lives and allow our K-12 schools to take the necessary steps to ensure the general safety of all students with life-threatening allergies,” said Singer (R-30). “With the proper information and training, teachers and staff will be able to provide immediate care to students who are severely allergic to things such as bee stings, peanuts, and shellfish.”
Singer Bill Requiring Healthcare Workers to Report Infectious Disease Outbreaks to Employers Clears Senate Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer requiring healthcare workers to tell their employer of infectious disease outbreaks at other facilities where they are employed was advanced by the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer requiring healthcare workers to tell their employer of infectious disease outbreaks at other facilities where they are employed clears Senate Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Earlier this year, the Manatt Health Report stressed that individuals who work at multiple healthcare facilities may unknowingly contribute to the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases,” Singer (R-30) said. “It’s clear that we need to increase transparency and communication between healthcare employees and their employers to reduce the spread of transmissible illnesses and keep New Jersey residents safe. This bill will ensure that healthcare facilities are not kept in the dark about potential staff exposures and know when additional precautions should be taken.”
Singer Op-Ed: Marijuana taxes should benefit all of New Jersey
The following editorial by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) was published by the Asbury Park Press on November 29, 2020:
New Jersey residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a constitutional amendment to legalize the personal use of cannabis by adults.
While the legislation to establish a legal market and regulatory scheme for marijuana was expected to be a slam dunk after the ballot measure was approved by a 2-to-1 margin, disagreements over a slew of concerns have caused the process to stall.
In this Asbury Park Press op-ed, Sen. Bob Singer maintains that marijuana taxes should benefit all New Jersey residents and communities. (Pixabay)
Democrats in the Legislature are now squabbling over everything – how much to tax marijuana, how they will split the money, how best to expunge prior convictions, and even whether to lower penalties for “magic mushrooms.”
They’re fighting over adding more taxes on legal pot – in addition to the State and local sales taxes explicitly approved by voters – that could lead to tax rates of 20 to 40 percent or higher for consumers. Republicans have warned that an excessive tax burden could undermine the legal marketplace and lead to lower tax revenues than expected.
Vitale & Singer Condemn Chiropractor Board for Relicensing Sex Offender
Senator Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Senator Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, issued the following joint statement condemning the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for renewing the professional license of Bryan Bajakian, a convicted sex offender:
Sen. Joe Vitale, chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and Sen. Robert Singer, the ranking Republican member of the committee, issued a joint statement condemning the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for renewing the professional license of Bryan Bajakian, a convicted sex offender. (SenateNJ.com)
“It is utterly inconceivable that the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners would think it a good idea to reinstate the license of a convicted sex offender who preyed on children. The board’s decision defies common sense and fails to meet the basic standard of public safety. Bryan Bajakian is a predator who should not be placed in a position of trust with patients in a healthcare setting and should not be allowed to threaten anyone again.
