Singer/Kean Bill to Promote NJ STARS Scholarship Program Passes Senate Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) and Senator Tom Kean (R-Union, Somerset, Morris) to make sure more students are aware of the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship (NJ STARS) passed the Senate Education Committee.
Senators Robert Singer and Tom Kean’s bill notifies students who are eligible for NJ STARS during each year of high school, with general information provided in eighth grade. (Flickr)
“The NJ STARS program is a fantastic way for bright students who may not be able to afford college themselves to pursue a college degree,” Senator Singer said. “We have the resources and we have the students. We need to make sure those students know about this program so they can actually take advantage of it.”
Singer/Kean Bill Alerts More High Schoolers, 8th Graders of NJ STARS Scholarship Program
New Jersey students who are eligible for NJ STARS would receive notification of eligibility during each year of high school, and general information in eighth grade, under a bill introduced Monday by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-Union.) Currently, students only receive notification of eligibility to NJ STARS in their freshman and junior years of high school.
Senators Robert Singer and Tom Kean’s bill notifies students who are eligible for NJ STARS during each year of high school, with general information provided in eighth grade. (Flickr)
“Each year, tens of thousands of graduates leave to pursue a four-year degree out of state,” Senator Singer said. “Unless we work to keep students here, this will have a serious impact on our economy. NJ STARS gives talented students a solid reason to choose to complete their college education in New Jersey. To secure a strong and prosperous future, we need to ensure eligible students receive notification of this program as early as eighth grade, and at every stage of their high school education.”
Singer Praises Agreement on Property Tax Exemptions for Non-Profit Hospitals
Senator Robert Singer commended the announcement of an agreement to place a two-year freeze on property tax rates for non-profit hospitals that were tax exempt prior to a recent court ruling.
Sen. Robert Singer praised an agreement that would temporarily freeze property tax rates for non-profit hospitals and create a commission to study tax exemptions. (SenateNJ.com)
“The bipartisan agreement announced today will end the need for costly litigation between non-profit hospitals and the communities they serve,” said Singer, a member of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “This agreement will afford us the time we need to conduct a proper review of the tax exemption law to find a solution that is fair to host municipalities without crippling the hospitals that serve them.”
Singer Bill to Prevent Recidivism, Help Families Become Self-Sufficient Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to prevent recidivism of released drug offenders by allowing these individuals to access job training and workforce education was advanced by the New Jersey Senate.
The state’s welfare reform program, WorkFirst NJ, emphasizes work as the first step toward building a new life and a brighter future. (WorkFirst NJ)
“This commonsense measure will allow more individuals to forge a path to a brighter future by eliminating the unnecessary exclusions established under current law,” Senator Singer said. “Improving access to job training will help those who have served their time secure meaningful employment and transition off government assistance, easing the financial burden on the state.”
Advanced: Singer Bill Expanding Access to Job Training to Prevent Recidivism of Released Drug Offenders
Legislation would allow persons with drug convictions to participate in Work First New Jersey; expand access to job training to help families become self-sufficient
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to expand access to job training programs for those with drug convictions to prevent recidivism has been approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
The state’s welfare reform program, WorkFirst NJ, emphasizes work as the first step toward building a new life and a brighter future. (WorkFirst NJ)
“For those who have been convicted of a drug crime, the road to recovery is long, treacherous and nearly impossible to traverse without help,” Senator Singer said. “Expanding access to job training and workforce education goes a long way to helping all families in need – not just some – become self-sufficient without having to rely on general assistance.”
Singer Bill to Improve Access to Integrated Behavioral and Primary Healthcare Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to improve coordination between primary and behavioral healthcare services has cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation allows for better coordinated and comprehensive primary and behavioral healthcare services. (©iStock)
Senator Singer’s bill, S-1710, allows ambulatory care facilities to provide primary health care and behavioral health services under a single license.
“To provide quality, comprehensive healthcare for all New Jerseyans, we must ease the process of integrating behavioral health and primary care services,” Senator Singer said. “Forcing facilities to obtain multiple licenses just so they can provide a full spectrum of health services is an unnecessary restriction that only serves in blocking patients from accessing the care they need.”
Singer Statement on Veto of Hospital Community Payment Legislation
Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) issued the following statement on the pocket veto of legislation (S3299) establishing a hospital community payment plan.
Sen. Robert Singer remains committed to finding a solution ensuring the financial protection of non-profit hospitals while providing some compensation to municipalities. (SenateNJ.com)
“I remain committed to finding a solution that ensures for the financial protection of non-profit hospitals while providing some compensation to municipalities for the services they provide,” said Singer. “I look forward to working together with the Governor’s Office, the departments of treasury and taxation, as well as representatives from the hospitals and municipalities to reach a fair solution that eliminates the need for costly litigation. In the wake of the tax ruling against Morristown Medical Center, we need to diligently work together to find a uniform and equitable way forward that works for both hospitals and municipalities.”
Bipartisan Singer Hospital Community Payment Bill Approved by Senate
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for blanket tax exemptions on their property was approved by the Senate today. The bill, S-3299, also sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Joe Vitale, would update tax laws that date back to 1913, would have acute-care hospitals make payments to their home communities to offset the cost of local services.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for property tax exemptions. (Flickr)
“In the wake of the tax ruling against Morristown Medical Center we are on the precipice of seeing non-profit hospitals across this state hit with significant tax bills that will certainly lead to layoffs and even hospital closures,” said Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “We can’t afford to let this happen to an industry we rely on both for quality community care and as a local economic engine that employs approximately 140,000 workers. This community payment plan establishes a clear and predictable system by which hospitals can retain their tax-exempt status and have the stability needed in order to plan for long term investments in our communities while fairly paying for their share of the local services they rely on.”
Singer Bill to Protect Developmentally Disabled From Dangerous Acts Signed Into Law
Legislation authored by Senator Robert Singer and Senate President Steve Sweeney that upgrades state law to better protect those with developmental disabilities from being victimized by the acts of others that are dangerous and potentially deadly was signed into law by Governor Christie. The bill, S-2940/A-4531, better defines reckless endangerment laws and increase punishment and penalties for putting others at risk, with the strongest penalties for those whose victims have cognitive impairments.
The newly signed law to better protect those with developmental disabilities was prompted by an incident that resulted in the near drowning of Parker Drake, a 19-year-old autistic man with diabetes. (Christine Marshall)
“Today’s bill signing is a major step forward in strengthening New Jersey laws to better protect those with developmental disabilities from being taken advantage of or being coerced into doing something that could harm themselves,” said Singer. “What happened to Parker Drake was deeply troubling and could have ended tragically. I commend Parker and his mother for having the courage to stand up and tell his story. These added protections should send a clear message that this type of bullying and dangerous acts against those with developmental disabilities won’t be tolerated in New Jersey and that those who do so will be held accountable.”
Singer Hospital Community Payment Bill Advances
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for blanket tax exemptions on their property was approved by a Senate committee. S-3299, which is also sponsored by Senators Steve Sweeney and Joe Vitale, would update tax laws that date back to 1913, would have acute-care hospitals make payments to their home communities to offset the cost of local services.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation would have nonprofit hospitals with for-profit facilities make payments to host municipalities to compensate for property tax exemptions. (SenateNJ.com)
“This plan that was developed with the hospitals’ input is a fair way to compensate host municipalities for the services hospitals use,” said Senator Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “These hospitals provide critical services to our communities and are a significant economic engine in the areas they serve. We rely on their continued future success under this community payment plan.”
