Singer Lauds Cannabis Decriminalization to Address Social Justice Concerns
Also Renews Call for Resolution Urging FDA to Set Guidelines for Safe Levels of CBD
Senator Robert Singer today called the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana a sensible path for social justice and welcomed word that the governor and Democrat leaders are now supporting decriminalization.
Sen. Robert Singer sponsors legislation that would decriminalize the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana. The governor today announced his support for decriminalization. (Pixabay)
“There’s no need to arrest people and lock them up for personal-use cannabis,” said Singer (R-30). “It’s a failed strategy that has ruined lives, filled our prisons, and bogged down our courts. It is time to end this unnecessary and unfair practice.”
Singer and Democrat Senator Ron Rice sponsor legislation (S1926) that would decriminalize the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana.
Singer Bill to Boost Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Advances
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously advanced in the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously advanced. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The transient nature of military life creates many career-building obstacles for active-duty spouses,” said Singer (R-30). “Licensing costs alone can be a barrier to job entry, especially for spouses who are repeatedly relocated between duty stations across the nation and across the world. Waiving fees for occupational licensure will help spouses secure meaningful employment and make life a little easier for military families in New Jersey.”
Singer Bill Urging Federal CBD Daily Dose Guidelines Passes Committee
Senator Bob Singer’s legislation urging the federal government to establish a safe daily level of CBD consumption advanced in the Senate Health Committee.
Sen. Bob Singer’s legislation urging the federal government to establish a safe daily level of CBD consumption advanced. (SenateNJ.com)
“Cannabinol is being touted as a wonder supplement that can help alleviate insomnia, chronic pain, anxiety, and even seizures,” said Singer (R-30). “That being said, how much CBD oil is too much? I urge the President and U.S. Congress to create clear guidelines for the safety and well-being of residents in New Jersey and across the country.”
Singer Bill Banning Sale of Menthol Cigarettes Passes Health Committee
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes in New Jersey has passed the Senate Health Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to ban the sale of menthol cigarettes has passed the Senate Health Committee. (Flickr)
“Smoking is the number one preventable killer in the United States,” said Singer (R-30). “While vaping is the latest public health crisis, menthol cigarettes have been causing cancer, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, emphysema, and birth defects for decades. For many people, flavored cigarettes are easier to start smoking and tougher to quit. Restricting the sale of menthols will save lives.”
Singer & Sweeney Intro Bill to Combat Anti-Semitism in Public Schools
Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Robert Singer today announced that they have introduced bipartisan legislation to expressly prohibit anti-Semitism in public schools and institutions of higher education statewide.
Senate President Steve Sweeney and Sen. Robert Singer have introduced bipartisan legislation to expressly prohibit anti-Semitism in public schools and institutions of higher education statewide. (Flickr)
Currently, State law broadly prohibits discriminating against a person based on a number of factors, including “creed,” which in practice, has been widely interpreted to mean one can’t discriminate against someone based on religion. To ensure this prohibition is consistently applied, the new bipartisan bill explicitly expands the categories protected under the law to clarify that discriminating against a person based on religion is prohibited.
“Hate has no home in the Garden State. A school should be a safe and nurturing place – not a haven for discrimination,” said Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean.) “It is hard to explain the trauma a young Jewish child experiences when they walk into a classroom and see a swastika on the chalkboard. Anti-Semitism is a cancer on society and it is growing in New Jersey. By passing this bill, we are taking action to stamp out this disease, before it’s too late.”
Singer Bill to Improve Maternity Care Passes Senate
A resolution sponsored by Senator Robert Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean) that aims to make pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period safer has unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Robert Singer’s resolution that aims to make pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period safer has passed the Senate. (Flickr)
The passage of this legislation comes in the wake of a state and national health emergency: African American mothers are dying both during and after childbirth at disproportionately higher rates than white mothers, with some of the most staggering rates occurring right here in New Jersey.
Singer/Kean Bill to Change Code Blue to Better Protect NJ’s Homeless Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean expanding Code Blue protections to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events has passed the State Senate.
Sens. Robert Singer and Tom Kean’s bill that would expand Code Blue to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
Currently, a Code Blue is triggered when temperatures drop to 32 degrees with precipitation, or 25 degrees with no precipitation. The bill advanced by the Senate, S-3422, would eliminate the 25 degree standard, so that a Code Blue would be triggered as soon as the temperature falls to 32 degrees, regardless of whether or not there is precipitation at the time.
Singer Bill to Help Battle Opioid Overdose Epidemic Passes Health Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would help local officials to better understand and prevent the circumstances that lead to fatal drug overdoses has been approved by the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee.
The Senate Health Committee has approved Sen. Bob Singer’s legislation to help local officials better understand and prevent the circumstances that lead to fatal drug overdoses. (©iStock)
“The opioid epidemic is like nothing we’ve ever seen, and we continue to lose lives to overdose at a sickening pace,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “We’ve learned that there is no simple fix that will stop this. We need to bring together experts from many fields to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to both deter and treat drug abuse before it’s too late.”
Singer Bill Protecting Civilian Jobs for NJ’s National Guard Members Passes Senate
Senator Bob Singer’s (R-30) legislation to ensure New Jersey National Guard members retain their civilian jobs throughout and after a State emergency has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Senator Bob Singer’s legislation to ensure NJ National Guard members retain their civilian jobs throughout and after a State emergency has passed the Senate. (WikiMedia)
“New Jersey’s National Guard defends our state and our country, both at home and abroad,” Singer said. “Whether they are deployed overseas, or serving their own community during a domestic disaster, these brave people should never have to worry about losing their job when they return home. As a proud veteran, I will continue to fight to ensure no employer, especially the State of New Jersey, discriminates against an employee if they are called to serve during an emergency.”
Singer/Kean Bill to Change Code Blue to Better Protect NJ’s Homeless Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to expand Code Blue protections to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events has cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Sens. Robert Singer and Tom Kean’s bill would expand Code Blue to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events. (©iStock)
Currently, a Code Blue is triggered when temperatures drop to 32 degrees with precipitation, or 25 degrees with no precipitation. The bill advanced by the committee today, S-3422, would eliminate the 25 degree standard, so that a Code Blue would be triggered as soon as the temperature falls to 32 degrees, regardless of whether or not there is precipitation at the time.
S-3422 was introduced in January in response to concerns raised by local officials in Ocean County, who expressed that the current Code Blue standard has limited their ability to protect the homeless during dangerously cold weather.
“I was devastated to hear that some of the most vulnerable people in our community were turned away from warming shelters in Ocean County this winter, due to limitations in a law that was designed to protect them,” Senator Singer (R-30) said. “Snow or no snow, when the temperature reaches 32 degrees, it’s time to get inside. I cannot even begin to imagine the terror someone must feel when it’s freezing and you have nowhere to go. I have no doubt that our commonsense efforts to strengthen Code Blue will save lives.”
More than a dozen people who spent the night in a Toms River warming Center on Christmas Eve were unable to access shelter the next day because the temperature had risen to 27 degrees, which given the lack of precipitation, exceeded the current Code Blue standard, according to an Asbury Park Press report.
