Singer Bill to Establish Health Department Infectious Disease Commission Passes Senate
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to evaluate the response of local and county health departments to COVID-19 has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to evaluate the response of local and county health departments to COVID-19 has passed the Senate. (Pixabay)
“The coronavirus outbreak has put health departments across our country to the test, evaluating their ability to respond quickly and effectively to a pandemic,” said Singer. “As we continue to successfully slow the spread, it’s crucial to analyze our public health emergency preparedness and planning. Assessing what our health departments did right and understanding where there is room for improvement will help us better respond to future crises, especially if a second wave were to strike.”
Singer Measure to Create Health Department Infectious Disease Commission Advances
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to evaluate the response of local and county health departments to COVID-19 has passed the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to evaluate the response of local and county health departments to COVID-19 has passed the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee. (Flickr)
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put our state health departments to the test on their ability to respond quickly and effectively to a crisis,” said Singer. “As we continue to successfully slow the spread, it’s important to assess our public health emergency preparedness and planning. Evaluating what our health departments did right and understanding where there is room for improvement will help us better respond to future crises, especially if a second wave were to strike.”
Singer Bill Would Strengthen Pandemic Resilience of Local, County Health Departments for COVID’s Second Wave
Just as it did to health care workers and first responders, the virus pandemic stressed the capabilities of local and county health departments to the breaking point.
Legislation drafted by Senator Singer would create a ‘Local Health Department Infectious Disease Preparedness Study Commission’ to ensure local and county health departments are ready to cope with future health crises. (Flickr)
Senator Robert Singer is determined to ensure the small, over-burdened health departments are better prepared for expanded public safety roles if the coronavirus resurfaces in the fall.
“As bad as the virus has been in New Jersey, claiming the lives of 11,000 people, we may well have dodged a bullet this time,” said Singer (R-30). “However, health experts and scientists warn a second wave of COVID is almost inevitable without coordinated, aggressive efforts. The next round could be even more dangerous, and it is essential our local and county health departments have the tools necessary to effectively respond to outbreaks. We must be battle ready at the local, county and state levels.”
Shore Lawmakers Urge Murphy to Reopen State
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson issued a joint statement urging Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen businesses.
Sen. Robert Singer and Assemblymen Sean Kean and Edward Thomson issued a joint statement urging Gov. Phil Murphy to reopen businesses. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We need to start reopening more businesses and services in New Jersey. The number of deaths, new cases, and hospitalizations from Covid-19 are thankfully decreasing. However, many people and businesses are financially at a breaking point. We are hearing heartbreaking stories from families and businesses who cannot pay rent, are waiting for unemployment or are facing other dire financial circumstances.
Singer: Sad Mother’s Day Scene at Boardwalk Highlights Absurd Lockdown Policies
Administration Also Cracks Down on Drive by Parades that Have Included School Classes & First Responders
Senator Robert Singer (R-30) relayed a sad interaction he had yesterday on Mother’s Day that highlights the absurdity of current state lockdown orders:
Sen. Robert Singer relayed a sad interaction he had yesterday on Mother’s Day that highlights the absurdity of current state lockdown orders. (SenateNJ.com)
“My family went out for a walk yesterday at a nearby boardwalk to get some fresh air on a beautiful Mother’s Day. Everyone that we saw was being respectful of others and maintaining good distancing.
“As we walked off the boardwalk and down a side-street, we came upon an elderly woman sitting alone on a curb. We asked her if she was okay. She told told us she couldn’t be with her family on Mother’s Day, so she decided to take a walk by herself on the boardwalk. When she tired, she sat for a moment on a bench to rest. That’s when someone approached her and berated her for violating lockdown rules by sitting on a bench, so she got up and left the boardwalk and moved to a curb down by the street where we found her.
Senate Republicans: Reopening Parks a Reasonable Step, Many Businesses Ready to Reopen Too
The Senate Republican leadership team said Governor Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted:
The Senate Republican leadership team said Gov. Phil Murphy’s announcement that State and county parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen is a reasonable step and that many businesses are also ready to resume operations once restrictions are lifted. (SenateNJ.com)
“Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed with awe and pride an amazing transformation in the attitudes and practices of individual New Jerseyans as they adopted necessary social distancing and personal protective measures that just months ago would have been unthinkable.
Shore Senators Call for Detailed Plan to Reopen Jersey Shore
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent the following letter to Governor Phil Murphy yesterday asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore.
Senators representing communities from Sandy Hook to Cape May sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy asking for a detailed plan to reopen the Jersey Shore. (Bing Maps)
Click here to view a PDF of the letter from Sen. Robert Singer, Sen. Chris Brown, Sen. Michael Testa, and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon.
Singer/Singleton Measure to Increase Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Passes Senate
Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously passed New Jersey Senate.
Sens. Robert Singer and Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously passed the Senate. (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/Singleton Bill Expands Program Providing Military Men and Women With No-Cost Legal Assistance in Civil Matters
The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton that would provide legal assistance to service members and veterans at no cost.
Active military members and veterans would be eligible for no-cost legal assistance with civil issues under Sen. Robert Singer’s bill, advanced today by the Senate. (iStock)
“The courageous men and women who put on the uniform and risk their lives every day never hesitate when they are called to protect our freedom,” said Singer (R-30). “They shouldn’t have to worry about how they are going to pay for attorneys to represent them in civil court cases. Under our bill, lawyers volunteering their time will take the cases.”
Singer/Singleton Measure to Increase Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Advances
Senator Robert Singer and Senator Troy Singleton’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has passed the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sens. Robert Singer and Troy Singleton’s bill to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has 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.”
