Singer Bill Revamping, Expanding NJ STARS Scholarship Program Passes Senate
NJ STARS to Become NJ HonorScholars Program
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer to revamp and expand the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship Program (NJ STARS) passed the New Jersey Senate. This bill allows more of New Jersey’s top-performing high school students to receive scholarships covering the full cost of community college and a portion of tuition at New Jersey’s four-year colleges and universities.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill to revamp and expand the New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship Program (NJ STARS) passed the New Jersey Senate. (©iStock)
“College affordability is one of the greatest concerns for students and their families,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “Increasing the opportunity for our top high school students to qualify for State-funded scholarships will help them to focus more on their education and less on the financial burden of paying for college. By covering a significant portion of tuition bills through these scholarships, we’ll protect more students from student loan debt.”
Senate Passes Singer’s Bill to Help High School Students Understand Paying for College
Part of Package of Bills to Address College Affordability, Student Loan Debt Crisis
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) to help high school students to better understand how they can pay for college and minimize debt has passed the New Jersey Senate unanimously. The measure is part of a bipartisan package of bills that advanced today to improve college affordability in New Jersey and address the student loan debt crisis.
Sen. Singer’s legislation helping high school students better understand how they can pay for college and minimize debt has passed the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“Many students dive into college without knowing how long it will take or how much they’re going to owe when they graduate,” said Sen. Singer. “Six months after they get their diploma, they’re suddenly slammed with sky-high monthly loan payments that they can’t afford. We can stop this from happening by giving our high school students a better understanding of how student loans work, explaining the benefits of applying for grants and scholarships, and highlighting the importance of finishing a degree as quickly as possible. ”
Editorial: Decriminalize Marijuana, But Don’t Legalize It
The following editorial by Senator Robert Singer (R-30) on marijuana decriminalization was published in The Daily Record on January 26, 2018:
Efforts to legalize marijuana in New Jersey would have our state take too big a step, too quickly. Decriminalization may be a better and more sensible option in the short-term.
Sen. Bob Singer says that marijuana decriminalization may be a good alternative to full legalization for New Jersey in the short-term. (Pixabay)
Like many others, I have concerns with individuals being arrested for possession of small amounts of marijuana. That’s why I have sponsored legislation, S-472, that would decriminalize the possession of 15 grams of pot or less.
NOW LAW: Singer Bill Improving Access to Integrated Behavioral & Primary Healthcare
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to improve coordination between primary and behavioral healthcare services has been signed into law.
Sen. Bob Singer’s new law allows for better coordinated and comprehensive primary and behavioral healthcare services. (Flickr)
“To provide quality, comprehensive healthcare for all New Jerseyans, we must ease the process of integrating behavioral health and primary care services,” Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) 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 Bill to Improve Access to Integrated Behavioral and Primary Healthcare Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) to improve coordination between primary and behavioral healthcare services has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Bob Singer’s legislation allows for better coordinated and comprehensive primary and behavioral healthcare services. (©iStock)
“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’s Legislation Helping College Students Save Time and Money Passes Committee
Senator Robert Singer’s (R-Ocean, Monmouth) bill to save college students time and money through new credit transfer agreements between New Jersey and other states’ public institutions of higher education passed the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s bill to save college students time and money through new credit transfer agreements passed the Senate Higher Education Committee. (©iStock)
“Affording a college degree today is an economic burden,” said Senator Singer. “Allowing college credits from public institutions to transfer across state lines is a practical and overdue solution to reducing higher education expenses.”
Singer Introduces Bill Requiring Background Checks for Home Improvement Contractors & House Lifters
Too Many Victims of Superstorm Sandy Hurt Again by Criminal Contractors
Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean, Monmouth) has introduced legislation that would require home improvement and home elevation contractor in New Jersey to undergo comprehensive criminal history background checks.
Following Superstorm Sandy rebuilding fraud, Sen. Bob Singer has introduced legislation that would require home improvement and home elevation contractors to undergo comprehensive criminal history background checks. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
“Following the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, thousands of New Jersey homeowners looked for contractors to rebuild and lift their homes to prevent damage in future storms,” said Singer. “Unfortunately, shady contractors were drawn by billions of dollars of state and federal disaster aid, insurance checks, and the personal savings that residents sought to invest in their homes. Due to lax state registration laws, too many Sandy victims also became the victims of fraud, which is something that we can and must address.”
Singer Will Help Lakewood Student-Athletes Get a Look at College Life at NCAA Basketball Game
Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean, Monmouth) is leading an effort to inform Lakewood athletes about the importance of balancing studies and sports by taking them on a trip to see the Monmouth University Hawks take on the Seton Hall Pirates in a men’s basketball game next month.
Sen. Robert Singer helped arrange for 200 Lakewood High School student-athletes to attend an NCAA basketball game. (SenateNJ.com)
“These kids have a passion for sports, and some might even want to continue playing after high school,” Senator Singer said. “We wanted to give them a chance to get a taste of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of NCAA basketball.”
Bucco & Singer Examine Role of Education & Technical Training on Manufacturing in NJ
Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset) and Senator Robert Singer (R-Ocean, Monmouth) examined the role of vocational-technical schools and technical programs of study on industry in New Jersey during a meeting of the bipartisan Legislative Manufacturing Caucus at the County College of Morris today.
Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Robert Singer examined the role of vocational-technical schools and technical programs of study on industry in New Jersey during a meeting of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus at the County College of Morris on Oct. 17. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Legislative Manufacturing Caucus chose to come to our area today to learn how Morris County, the County College of Morris, and our county vo-tech schools effectively coordinate to develop a quality workforce that creates job opportunities for residents and encourages economic development in the region,” said Bucco. “We learned that there’s a great demand for technical skills from employers, and a need to further expand the successful programs we already have to increase our capacity to train students for highly paid jobs that are waiting to be filled.”
Singer to Be Honored as ‘Legislator of the Year’ by NJ Chamber of Commerce
Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) has been named a “Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Singer was chosen for the biannual award based on his successful efforts to empower small businesses and advance tax reforms that will benefit residents and entrepreneurs statewide.
The N.J. Chamber of Commerce will present Sen. Robert Singer with a “Legislator of the Year” award on Oct. 11, 2017 at a reception in Pennington. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am extremely honored and grateful to the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce for this prestigious award,” Senator Singer said. “We cannot keep our promise to make New Jersey a better, more affordable place to live, work and retire without making a solid investment in our small business owners and budding entrepreneurs. They are truly the backbone of our economy and they deserve our unwavering support.”
The Chamber lauded Senator Singer for sponsoring several pro-business bills, and for his support of a landmark tax reform package that eliminated the regressive estate tax while replenishing the Transportation Trust Fund.
“The State Chamber applauds and congratulates the strong advocacy of Senator Singer during the 217th Legislative Session in helping us with our priorities in improving the economy, retaining and creating jobs and enhancing the overall business climate of New Jersey,” Tom Bracken, President of the NJ State Chamber of Commerce said. “We especially recognize and appreciate Senator Singer’s support for the replenishment of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund and the passage of the comprehensive tax reform package that will go a long way in achieving those priorities.”
