Bateman Editorial: Start Making NJ More Affordable — Now
The following editorial by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) on the need to advance the reforms proposed by the bipartisan Economic Fiscal Policy Workgroup was published on Dec. 6, 2018 in Gannett publications, including MyCentralJersey.com.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s editorial on the need to advance bipartisan fiscal reforms was published on Dec. 6, 2018 in Gannett publications, including MyCentralJersey.com. (Wikimedia Commons)
The most common concern I hear from my constituents is that our state has simply become too expensive. Young adults can’t afford to raise a family here. Their parents can’t afford to retire here, so they can help raise their grandkids. Far too many of our residents, from recent grads to seniors, are picking up their lives, and heading out of state.
As leaders of this state, we have two options: we can make fiscally responsible decisions to save New Jersey now, or force our kids to deal with a legacy of economic turmoil. Without immediate action, I fear they will face the latter.
Doherty & Bateman Move to Allow Dogs at NJ Breweries
Legislation sponsored by Senators Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in New Jersey breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sens. Mike Doherty and Kip Bateman to allow dogs in NJ breweries has passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. (Wikimedia)
“One of the biggest challenges any small business owner will face is increasing foot traffic. Our bill will increase foot AND paw traffic for local breweries,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Breweries are more than brick and mortar and steel tanks – they are hopping hang out spots where people can get together, hoist a pint, and make new memories. Allowing man’s best friend to come along will make those memories even better. My daughter just adopted a new puppy. I hope this bill will pass quickly, so we can go support our local brewery together, with Sydney in tow.”
Kean Bill Would Ban Students Convicted of Hazing From Receiving State Tuition Aid
New Jersey college students who are convicted of hazing would no longer be eligible to receive State financial aid, under new legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean.
The bill, S-3039, was today advanced by the Senate Higher Education Committee.
More than 200 students have died from hazing-related accidents in the United States since 1838, and 40 students have died in the past decade alone, according to reports. (Economist.com/Hank Nuwer)
“Our children should never suffer the pain of being humiliated or forced to participate in dangerous activities like binge drinking, just so they can feel accepted by their classmates,” Sen. Tom Kean said. “The numbers do not lie. Half of all students are hazed at some point during their college career. Our legislation sends a clear message: if you engage in hazing, the state will no longer fund your education. Kids are at schools to learn, not to humiliate others for personal gratification.”
Bateman/Codey Bill to Fund State Acquisition of Lands for Recreation and Conservation Purposes Advances
A bill sponsored by Senator Christopher Bateman and Senator Richard Codey that would appropriate $15.696 million to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of funding the acquisition of lands by the state for recreation and conservation purposes advanced from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Senator Kip Bateman has sponsored legislation that would appropriate $16.696 million to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (Wikimedia Commons)
“We must ensure New Jersey’s open spaces are preserved for generations to come,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “I have no doubt that, if passed, these funds will go towards worthy projects that will guarantee New Jersey can remain the Garden State.”
Bateman/Greenstein Bill Appropriating Funding for Capital Projects and Park Development Advances
A bill sponsored by Senate Environment and Energy Committee Vice-Chair Linda Greenstein and Senator Christopher Bateman that would appropriate $2.940 million to the Department of Environmental Protection to fund capital projects and park development advanced from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Bipartisan legislation would fund capital projects and park development advanced from the Senate Environment Committee. (©iStock)
“There is no greater lessen to teach our children than the importance of protecting the environment,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “We are blessed with landscapes that range from beautiful beaches, to wide open valleys, and mountaintops that reach the clouds. There are a number of projects we can tackle to preserve these magnificent destinations. Securing this funding is a fiscally-responsible way to do so.”
Bateman Intros ‘Timothy J. Piazza Law’ to Combat Hazing
Bill Named for NJ Teen Who Was Killed in Penn State Hazing
Following the tragic death of a local teen, Senator Kip Bateman has introduced the “Timothy J. Piazza Law,” to increase criminal penalties for hazing.
Following the tragic death of a local teen, Senator Kip Bateman has introduced the Timothy J. Piazza Law, to increase criminal penalties for hazing. (The Timothy J. Piazza Memorial Foundation)
Timothy Piazza, a 19-year-old Penn State University student, died on Feb. 4, 2017 during a fraternity hazing ritual. Timothy’s death was captured by a video that showed Penn State University fraternity brothers ignoring Timothy’s unconscious condition.
Piazza, for whom S-3150 is named, was a native of Readington, a town within Senator Bateman’s 16th Legislative district.
“Every college student has the right to live and learn in a safe environment without fear, and parents who send their child off to school should expect no less,” Bateman said. “Unless we explicitly prohibit the deep-rooted custom of hazing, more families will suffer like the Piazzas. While I can never erase their pain, I appreciate their activism in the wake of extreme adversity. No student should undergo such a gruesome experience. I hope Tim’s tragic passing will evoke real change.”
Bateman Bills to Incentivize Taxpayers & Public Utilities to Protect Pollinators Pass Committee
Two bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to provide corporation business tax credits to taxpayers and public utility companies who develop habitats to protect pollinators, such as honeybees, have passed the Senate Environment Committee.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s bills would provide corporation business tax credits to taxpayers and public utility companies who develop habitats to protect pollinators, such as the honeybee. (Flickr)
“We can’t keep New Jersey ‘the Garden State’ without pollinators and keystone species like the honeybee,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “Think about all of the resources we have funneled into our farming and agricultural tourism industries. None of these businesses can flourish without pollinators. Providing CBT tax credits to people who take action to protect pollinators is a fiscally-responsible way to keep our ‘Jersey Fresh products’ growing strong for generations.”
MEDIA ADVISORY (9/6): Bateman, Community Leaders to Host Prescription Drug Disposal Event at Hunterdon Healthcare
As part of an ongoing effort to combat New Jersey’s opioid abuse epidemic, Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) will join forces with local officials and representatives from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to host a prescription drug disposal event at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, at Hunterdon Healthcare in Flemington, New Jersey.
The event is open to the public and the media is encouraged to attend and help spread the word about the need to properly dispose of prescription medication.
Senator Kip Bateman, local leaders, and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals will host a prescription drop-off event on Sept. 6 at Hunterdon Healthcare in Flemington, NJ. (Wikimedia Commons)
The majority of teenagers who abuse prescription drugs acquire the substances at the home of a friend or family member, according to the United States Department of Justice.
“A life-threatening prescription drug problem often starts in one of the safest places we can imagine – our homes. An old bottle of painkillers left on a bathroom shelf may seem harmless, but for countless teens, a couple of pills left unattended is as dangerous as it gets,” Senator Bateman said. “No child should be able to easily access a medication that can be abused or sold for a profit.
“Participating in a prescription drop-off program is one the best ways to protect our daughters, sons, and neighbors from the perils of addiction. I encourage everyone in the area to join us and take action to combat New Jersey’s opioid crisis by safely disposing of the prescription drugs that are sitting in your home right now,” Bateman added.
WHAT: Prescription Drug Disposal Event
WHO: Senator Kip Bateman (R-16); Julian Malawi, Mallinckrodt Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy; Frederick W. Brown, Hunterdon County Sheriff; Anthony P. Kearns, III, Hunterdon County Prosecutor; William R. Healey, Hunterdon Healthcare Director of Donor and Community Relations; and Eric Orlando, Kaufman Zita Group Senior Vice President.
WHEN: Thursday, September 6, at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Hunterdon Healthcare Hospital: 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.
AVAILABILITY: OPEN
CONTACT Emily Everson, NJ Senate Republican Office: 609-847-3600; Rhonda Sciarra, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals: 908-238-6765.
NOW LAW: Bateman Bill Allowing Schools to Administer Narcan & Maintain Supply of Lifesaving Opioid Overdose Antidote
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) that will allow school nurses or another trained employee to administer an opioid antidote such as Narcan, to anyone who overdoses on school grounds, including students and staff.
The legislation also requires high schools, and permits lower level schools, to maintain a supply of the opioid antidote, naloxone hydrochloride, on school grounds at all times.
Gov. Phil Murphy signs Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill to allow school nurses or trained employees to administer an opioid antidote such as Narcan to anyone who overdoses on school grounds, and to maintain a supply of the lifesaving treatment on campus. (Adapt Pharma)
“When someone is dying from an overdose, every second counts. We shouldn’t waste time waiting for an ambulance to arrive, when a trained employee could save someone’s life immediately,” Senator Bateman said. “Addiction is a disease. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and pretend that this is not affecting kids across New Jersey. We have to be ready to save young lives and that means having Narcan on school grounds at all times.
“I am so glad to see this become law,” Bateman added. “It would be wrong to let another school year go by without giving employees the tools they need to prevent an overdose from becoming a fatality.”
Drug overdoses are the sixth-leading cause of death in New Jersey, with the rate of fatalities on track to increase in 2018, demonstrating the critical need for Senator Bateman’s legislation. Youth overdoses are also on the rise in New Jersey.
SIGNED: Bateman Law to Stop Retirement Communities From Taking Advantage of Seniors, Surviving Estate Holders
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation long-sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to hold continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) accountable for reimbursing seniors or estate holders in a timely manner.
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill to hold continuing care retirement communities accountable for reimbursing seniors or estate holders in a timely manner. (Flickr)
Senator Bateman introduced this legislation after a CCRC held Ed Nagle’s deceased mother’s entrance fee’s “hostage,” resulting in an $88,481 loss for his family, as reported by NJ.com’s “Bamboozled.”
A similar incident occurred to Patricia Lund, who after two years of living in a CCRC, opted to move in with her son and daughter-in-law in 2009. However, she has yet to receive her refundable entrance fee – worth over $160,000.
