Monmouth County Legislators Express Outrage at Lack of Action on Federal Sandy Aid Bill
Senate and Assembly Republican legislators representing Monmouth County municipalities devastated by Superstorm Sandy issued the statement below in response to the House of Representative’ failure to take action on a $60.4B Sandy aid package. They include Senators Joseph Kyrillos, Jennifer Beck, Sam Thompson and Robert Singer; Assemblywomen Mary Pat Angelini, Caroline Casagrande and Amy Handlin, and Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon, David Rible, Sean Kean, Ron Dancer and Rob Clifton:
“We are appalled at the House of Representatives’ decision to not take action on the Sandy aid package that is so vital to our recovery efforts. Residents and businesses at the Jersey Shore are in dire need of assistance as they try to recover from this historic and unprecedented storm which has adversely affected so many lives.
Senate Passes Singer Bill to Notify Hospital Patients of Out-of-Pocket Costs
The full Senate unanimously approved Thursday Senator Robert Singer’s bill to require hospitals in New Jersey to notify observation patients of potential out-of-pocket costs.
“When people are hospital observation patients and not considered ‘inpatients,’ their insurance plans may not cover prescriptions,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “Many observation patients suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and their unforeseen out-of-pocket hospital expenses can be crippling burdens.”
Singer Bill Awaits Christie’s Signature to Grant $4M in Perseveration Funds to Nonprofits
The full Senate unanimously passed Thursday legislation by Senator Robert Singer to appropriate more than $4 million for grants to certain nonprofits for farmland preservation.
“Farmland preservation remains a necessary initiative in the Garden State to protect a unique facet of our economy and prevent sprawl, which often causes an increase in government and taxes,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “This measure directs to that cause millions of dollars that have been languishing in coffers over the past few years.”
Senate Clears Singer Bill to End Costly Health Insurance Burden on College Students
The state Senate passed Thursday Senator Robert Singer’s measure to eliminate a costly and otherwise detrimental state mandate that full-time college students in New Jersey maintain and prove health insurance coverage.
“Rising tuition costs alone prevent too many students from finishing degrees that they have already paid tens of thousands of dollars to obtain,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “We must eliminate this peripheral mandate to facilitate the advancement of New Jersey’s next generation of professionals.”
Panel Passes Bipartisan Singer Bill to End Costly Health Insurance Burden on College Students
Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) is a step closer to eliminating the state requirement that every student who is enrolled full-time at a public or private institution of higher education in New Jersey maintain and show proof of health insurance coverage. Senator Singer’s bipartisan bill S-2291 was unanimously passed today by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
“The increasing cost of college has New Jersey students and their families reeling,” Singer said. “Far too many struggle to even finish degrees that they have already paid tens of thousands of dollars to obtain, because tuition and book expenses become unaffordable. Peripheral cost requirements should not hurt their chances of achieving a degree.”
Singer, Kean & Rible Hold Meeting for Mayors to Discuss Rebuilding & Moving Forward After Sandy
Representatives from State and Federal Agencies Made Available to Answer Questions
Senator Bob Singer, Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblyman Dave Rible (all R-Monmouth, Ocean) hosted a meeting on November 29th for the mayors of Legislative District 30 to discuss recovery and rebuilding efforts after Superstorm Sandy. The meeting was held to provide local mayors and their municipal staff members with the opportunity to speak with key representatives in person and discuss the challenges that they face moving forward.
“This was an event of such magnitude that it requires our coming together on a one to one basis in order to guide our municipalities through the recovery process. There is much confusion regarding the process and I believe it is always good to have the experts on hand to provide advice,” said Senator Bob Singer.
Singer Bill to Prohibit Sudden Medicaid Reimbursement Decreases Clears Senate
Senator Robert Singer’s bill to prohibit unauthorized provider reimbursement rate decreases by Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare and other managed care organizations was passed Thursday by the full Senate.
“Vulnerable patients should not be blindsided with higher health care costs,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “Managed care organizations must explore all other options before seeking to decrease provider benefits via a rigorous public process.”
Kean, Singer Measure to Educate Families on College Debt Heads to Gov. Christie
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. and Senator Robert Singer to assure that New Jersey families understand student loan rates, schedules, debt and defaults was passed unanimously by the full Senate and heads to Gov. Christie for consideration.
“High school juniors and seniors pursue college with great anticipation and understandable anxiety,” said Kean (R-Union). “Students, parents and guardians are rightly concerned with finding the right schools, visiting campuses and preparing to live on their own. It is just as important for them to fully understand the substantial short- and long-term costs of collegiate investments.”
Singer Introduces Trio of Sandy Bills to Improve Response by Utility Companies
Senator Robert Singer introduced today three bills to improve response by public utility companies and facilitate power in natural disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy.
“Many of New Jersey’s Sandy victims have cause to be upset about being without power for weeks or several days, and there are others who are lucky their utilities were promptly restored,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “No matter the overall effectiveness of utility responses during and after Superstorm Sandy, we should not fail to adopt initiatives to assure that no one suffered in vain and we are best prepared for future catastrophes.”
Beck, Singer Veterans Tax Relief Amendment Approved by Committee
A proposal by Senators Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth) and Robert W. Singer (R- Ocean) to extend tax benefits to eligible veterans residing in continuing care retirement communities has been approved by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
SCR-130 amends the state constitution to extend the state’s current veterans property tax deduction and disabled veterans property tax exemption to residents of qualifying residential health care facilities.
