Bateman-Sponsored Clean Water Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law
Appropriates Funds for Important Environmental Projects
The Governor signed Senator Kip Bateman’s bill appropriating federal and state funds to implement more than $1 billion in vital environmental infrastructure construction.
Essential clean water and environmental projects across the state will be green-lighted under a new law sponsored by Senator Bateman. (Pixabay)
The bipartisan measure (S-2499) ensures clean water and environmental projects across the state will be green-lighted through the new fiscal year.
“We must ensure that construction protecting our drinking water and keep the taps flowing proceeds, and this will get that done without placing more of a burden on property taxpayers,” said Bateman (R-16). “Parts of the state are proceeding with costly renovations to bolster and update water treatment facilities and wastewater controls damaged by Storm Sandy. These are all essential projects that need to be completed.”
NOW LAW: Bateman Measure Allows Retiring Troopers to Remain on Duty During Pandemic
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation to allow New Jersey State Troopers who have reached retirement age to continue serving the public during the COVID-19 outbreak has been signed into law.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation to allow NJ State Troopers who have reached retirement age to continue serving the public during the COVID-19 outbreak has been signed into law. (Flickr)
“Our brave Troopers who are willing and able to remain working during these unprecedented times should not be forced to retire immediately upon hitting a certain age,” said Bateman (R-16). “Their institutional knowledge and experience is sorely needed, especially as we continue to face the uncertainty of a second wave of COVID-19 hitting New Jersey. This law will help ensure that we always have enough Troopers to serve our communities during this crisis.”
Bateman: Local Restaurants Are On the Brink Of Bankruptcy – Let Them Open
Calls to Reopen Indoor Dining with CDC Safety Precautions in Place
Senator Kip Bateman expressed his frustration with Governor Phil Murphy’s unilateral decision to keep indoor restaurants closed indefinitely. Indoor dining was originally scheduled to reopen on July 2:
Sen. Kip Bateman expressed his frustration with Gov. Murphy’s unilateral decision to keep indoor restaurants closed indefinitely. (Pixabay)
“I am disappointed with Governor Murphy’s unilateral mandate to halt the reopening of indoor dining, particularly because many restaurants are struggling to survive. Why can one stroll in an indoor big box store for an indefinite amount of time, yet they cannot dine at a local restaurant on Main Street?
Bateman’s ‘Moose’s Law’ Prohibits Animal Abusers from Owning Pets
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to forbid convicted animal abusers from owning or working with pets has passed the New Jersey Senate.
“Moose’s Law” is named in memory of a New Jersey dog that was lured from his home property and killed at the hands of a supposed animal trainer.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation to forbid convicted animal abusers from owning or working with pets has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“The monsters who commit atrocious animal abuses should not be allowed anywhere near pets, let alone be permitted to work with or own them,” said Bateman (R-16). “While animal abuse is already illegal in New Jersey, this measure expands and strengthens animal cruelty consequences and helps to ensure our furry friends are not unknowingly placed in the wrong hands. Protecting vulnerable pets from cruelty and mistreatment will save the lives of animal companions across the state.”
Bateman: Special Education Students Deserve More Than Cut-and-Paste Guidelines from Murphy Administration
Murphy Administration Issued Generic, Almost Identical Guidance to Summer Camps & Special Education Programs
Senator Kip Bateman said the NJDOE has failed to deliver the specific, detailed, and timely guidance that school districts needed to properly plan summer educational programs. This comes in the wake of reports that Governor Phil Murphy’s administration sent nearly identical guidance to summer camps and special education summer programs amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sen. Kip Bateman said the NJDOE has failed to deliver the specific, detailed, and timely guidance that school districts needed to properly plan summer educational programs. (Pixabay)
“The months-long closures of schools have upended the education of special needs students, so it’s crucial that they can get back to their classrooms safely this summer with specialized guidance from the State that is tailored to their needs,” said Bateman (R-16). “Instead, the NJDOE copied generic guidance for summer camp programs. This lazy approach is confusing to educators, concerning to parents, and may put vulnerable students’ health at risk.”
Senate Approves Bateman’s Clean Water Initiatives
Appropriates funding for vital environmental infrastructure projects
Clean water and environmental projects across the state will be green-lighted through the new fiscal year under two measures sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and advanced today by the Senate.
Senator Bateman’s legislation appropriating funds for crucial clean water infrastructure projects earned Senate approval today. (Pixabay)
A bipartisan bill (S-2499), introduced by Bateman and Democrat Senator Bob Smith, chairman of the Environmental and Energy Committee, appropriates federal and state funds to implement more than $1 billion in vital environmental infrastructure construction.
“We must ensure that necessary construction to protect our drinking water and keep the taps flowing proceed, and this will achieve that without placing additional burden on property taxpayers,” said Bateman (R-16). “Parts of the state are proceeding with costly renovations to bolster and update water treatment facilities and wastewater controls damaged by Storm Sandy. These are all essential projects that need to be done.”
In Memory of Timothy Piazza: Bateman/Kean Measure to Combat Hazing Passes Senate
Senator Kip Bateman and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to increase penalties for hazing has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Senator Kip Bateman and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to increase penalties for hazing has passed the New Jersey Senate. (The Timothy J. Piazza Memorial Foundation)
Timothy Piazza of Readington, a 19-year-old Penn State University student, died in February 2017 during a fraternity hazing ritual.
“Hazing is a despicable crime disguised as a game against one’s peers, often resulting in physical or mental trauma, or worse,” said Bateman. “No student deserves to go through the ritual humiliation that Timothy Piazza experienced on the night that he died. With the enactment of this bill, hazing will no longer be tolerated in New Jersey’s high schools and colleges.”
“More than half of all students are hazed at some point during their college career,” said Kean. “We won’t allow this culture of humiliation and violence to continue in New Jersey. Our legislation sends a clear message: if you engage in hazing, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Senate Committee Vote on Bateman Bill is ‘Sweet Treat’ for Home Bakers
Legislation allowing the sale of fresh baked goods from home kitchens advances
New Jersey is the only state that prohibits the sale of fresh baked goods made in private kitchens, but Senator Kip Bateman has been working to change that for more than 10 years.
Senator Bateman has been fighting for home bakers for more than 10 years, and today the Senate Health Committee passed his legislation that would allow the sale of baked goods made in home kitchens. (Pixabay)
Bateman’s legislation that would bring the state more in line with the rest of the country advanced today when the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee passed S-73.
“We still have a long way to go, but today’s committee vote is good news to hundreds of home bakers across the state who share the goal of turning their hobby into a sideline business,” said Bateman (R-16). “I am hopeful the Senate will see the benefits of making New Jersey more hospitable to home-based bakers who may grow over time and employ workers in commercial kitchens. This is the first step toward realizing the American dream for many state residents.”
The bipartisan bill would establish requirements to allow the direct sale of homemade breads, cakes, cookies and other goods. “Baked goods” as defined by the legislation are ready-to-eat baked items prepared in a private kitchen that do not require further cooking or refrigeration for food safety.
Under the bill, the health commissioner would produce a list of agencies to issue food service handler certification for bakers.
“Bakers in their own kitchens can prepare sweet treats for sale at fund-raisers, and there’s no reason they can’t bake the same foods to sell locally to make some extra money to help pay for their New Jersey taxes,” said Bateman. “The priority is food safety, and that is addressed in this bill. Every precaution is taken to ensure the health and safety of the general public.”
S-73 is also sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Republican Senators Mike Doherty and Gerry Cardinale.
Bateman first introduced similar legislation in 2009 and he has been a tireless advocate for home bakers.
Towns Can Recoup Revenue Shortfalls During Pandemic Under Bateman Legislation
Workers and businesses are not the only ones taking a financial beating from the pandemic. Municipalities have seen revenues plummet and many are facing huge budget shortfalls.
Municipalities, financially stressed by the impact of the COVID pandemic, will be able to fill budget shortfalls without major tax increases on residents under a bill sponsored by Sen. Bateman. (Pixabay)
Senator Kip Bateman sponsors bipartisan legislation that will allow towns to borrow money to fill the fiscal voids.
“For some local governments, borrowing might be the only solution,” said Bateman (R-16). “Across the state, tax revenue is down substantially and expenses have skyrocketed due to the virus. As a last resort, long term debt could help towns buy time until businesses reopen, people go back to work, and a sustainable recovery is under way.”
Bateman: Hiking Tolls While NJ Locked Down Is Shameful
Senator Kip Bateman slammed the approval of multiple toll hikes on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway while New Jerseyans remain stuck at home under the Governor’s lockdown orders.
Sen. Kip Bateman slammed the approval of multiple toll hikes while New Jerseyans remain stuck at home under the Governor’s lockdown orders. (SenateNJ.com)
“Bureaucrats who control our highways are quietly fast-tracking massive toll hikes on New Jersey drivers when nobody is looking,” said Bateman (R-16). “While our daily commutes may look different today, these toll increases will slam drivers with higher costs as our state reopens, making the New Jersey an even more expensive place to live, work, and raise a family. There has been nothing transparent about the process. It’s absolutely shameful.”
