Singer: Murphy Administration Needs to Help Shore Towns Manage Pop-up Parties
Senator Robert Singer said the Murphy administration needs to do a better job of listening to and working with local leaders in shore communities who have expressed serious concerns about the impact of pop-up parties on public safety.

Sen. Robert Singer said the Murphy administration needs to do a better job of listening to and working with local leaders in shore communities who have expressed serious concerns about the impact of pop-up parties on public safety. (Flickr)
“The Jersey Shore has always been a welcoming place for visitors, but many small towns are not equipped to handle thousands of teenagers who suddenly pour off trains and flood their streets, boardwalks, and commercial districts for pop-up parties organized on social media,” Singer (R-30) said. “We saw what happened in Long Branch a few weeks ago when 5,000 teens and young adults suddenly showed up in Pier Village. People were jumping on cars, fighting, and openly smoking pot and drinking in public. The local police had an extremely difficult time trying to restore order. Most shore towns looked at what happened in Long Branch and are hoping they’re not next, but hope isn’t a plan. That’s why they’re looking for help and guidance from the Murphy administration that so far has not been forthcoming.”
Singer Bill that Increases Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Clears Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer that would increase Medicaid reimbursement for in-person partial care substance use disorder (SUD) treatment cleared the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. (©iStock)
“There are thousands of New Jersey residents in recovery who struggle with addiction every day,” said Singer (R-30). “Many of these individuals rely on partial care services, which include support programs such as counseling and psychiatric care. My legislation will increase Medicaid reimbursement for the critical services that partial care programs provide to some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.”
Senate Approves Singer Bill to Assist Overburdened Registrars in Large Municipalities
Towns of More Than 100,000 Residents Could Benefit from Additional Deputy Registrars
Registrars struggling with a glut of paperwork demands in the state’s largest municipalities could get relief from legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and endorsed today by the Senate.

Registrars struggling with a glut of paperwork demands in the state’s largest municipalities could get relief from legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and endorsed today by the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
Municipalities with more than 100,000 residents would be authorized to appoint as many as five alternate deputy registrars to ease the workload of filing vital documents under Singer’s bill, S-85.
Pennacchio/Singer Bill Turns Tables on Pop-Up Mobs
As Jersey Shore towns face the likelihood of more pop-up “parties” like the one Saturday that lured more than 5,000 raucous young adults to Long Branch forcing businesses to close and municipal officials to declare a 9 p.m. curfew, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Senator Robert Singer said legislation they introduced last summer may hold the key to preserving the summer season.

As Jersey Shore towns face the likelihood of more pop-up ‘parties’ like the one Saturday that lured more than 5,000 raucous young adults to Long Branch forcing businesses to close and municipal officials to declare a 9 p.m. curfew, Sen. Joe Pennacchio and Sen. Robert Singer said legislation they introduced last summer may hold the key to preserving the summer season. (Flickr)
After an early summer pop-up mob last June, Pennacchio and Singer introduced a bill that would expand the legal definition of “riot,” and increase penalties for crimes committed during a riot.
“Our bill would provide communities and law enforcement with the tools necessary to combat these organized mobs,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “If it was passed a year ago, maybe we wouldn’t be worrying about the next ‘event’ that could erupt in violence, property damage and business interruption during the crucial summer season.
Singer Calls for Task Force to Defend Shore Communities Against Popup ‘Parties’
A day after a large social media-instigated horde of teenagers descended on the Monmouth County shore town of Long Branch, Senator Robert Singer is calling on Governor Murphy and the State Attorney General’s office to immediately create a task force to prevent similar occurrences and protect coastal communities.

A day after a large social media-instigated horde of teenagers descended on a Monmouth County shore town, Sen. Robert Singer is calling on Governor Murphy and the State Attorney General’s office to immediately create a task force to prevent similar occurrences and protect coastal communities. (Flickr)
“This weekend’s incident followed the same script we saw last summer, when hordes of out-of-control teenagers swarmed to the shore,” said Singer (R-30). “This is not a case of getting some people together and going to the shore, it’s an orchestrated criminal act. These are organized incidents, promoted with flyers and posts all over social media calling for people to ‘bring your booze, bring you marijuana, and let’s go to Long Branch.’
Singer: Manhattan Museum of Jewish Heritage Wrong to Cancel Event Featuring Gov. DeSantis
Senator Robert Singer said Manhattan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage was wrong to cancel a planned Jewish Leadership Conference event after the museum learned that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was an invited speaker.

Sen. Robert Singer said Manhattan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage was wrong to cancel a planned Jewish Leadership Conference event after the museum learned that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was an invited speaker. (©iStock)
“It’s absolutely appalling that Governor DeSantis, who has been among our nation’s greatest defenders of Jewish families, has been cancelled by the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan,” said Singer (R-Ocean). “When New York City did nothing to address rampant violence against Jews on the streets, DeSantis welcomed a flood of Jewish families that moved to Florida seeking safety. An institution whose mission is to remember the Holocaust should welcome a leader who strongly protects people of the Jewish faith who are under assault today.”
Singer Bill to Help Overburdened Local Registrars Advances
NJ’s Largest Municipalities, with More than 100,000 Residents, Would Benefit
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and cleared today by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee would provide needed help for some of the state’s largest municipalities struggling with a glut of paperwork demands.

Legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and cleared by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee would provide needed help for some of the state’s largest municipalities struggling with a glut of paperwork demands. (SenateNJ.com)
Under Singer’s bill, S-85, municipalities with more than 100,000 residents would be authorized to appoint as many as five alternate deputy registrars to ease the workload of filing vital documents.
“The workload in the registrar’s office of New Jersey’s largest local governments can far exceed the individual capabilities of the registrar of vital statistics,” said Singer (R-30). “By better utilizing existing staff and authorizing them to process forms, efficiency and service levels would be increased.”
Panel Approved Singer/Bucco Bill to Provide Pro Bono Legal Assistance to Service Members and Veterans
Military Service Members and veterans may benefit from cost-free legal representation in civil issues under legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Anthony M. Bucco and advanced today by the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Military Service Members and veterans may benefit from cost-free legal representation in civil issues under legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Singer and Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and advanced by the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. (Pixabay)
The legislation, S-1388, would establish the Military Pro Bono Program in the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Singer/Kean/Thomson Bills Would Help Fill School Bus Driver Void
To help school districts cope with an unyielding shortage of school bus drivers, the 30th Legislative District lawmakers have introduced a pair of bills that would make it easier to hire new drivers licensed and ready to drive.

To help school districts cope with an unyielding shortage of bus drivers, Senator Singer and Assemblymen Kean and Thomson introduced legislation that would make it easier to get new drivers behind the wheel. (SenateNJ.com)
“The bus driver scarcity is not going away on its own,” said Senator Robert Singer (R-30). “These bills will allow more drivers to qualify to transport students while maintaining the current high standards and safety. With these changes, school districts will be able to fill more routes, move more students, and more efficiently meet expectations.
Senate Endorses Singer Bill to Assist Military Dependents
Legislation Ensures Families Qualify for Access to Health Services
Senator Robert Singer’s bill that would ensure dependents of military personnel assigned to duty stations in New Jersey qualify for home- and community-based services under the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services cleared the Senate today.

Sen. Robert Singer’s bill that would ensure dependents of military personnel assigned to duty stations in New Jersey qualify for home- and community-based services under the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services cleared the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“When the military relocates a family to an assignment in our state, a dependent requiring assistance should get the help they need and qualify for Medicaid reimbursement. There should be no question about it,” said Singer (R-30). “This legislation ensures that when they move in, they meet resident requirements and should be treated like New Jerseyans.”