Bateman on Marijuana Legalization
Longtime member of the State Senate Judiciary Committee notes that Republican members have yet to see a final copy of the bill they will soon be asked to vote on to legalize marijuana in New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman urges bill sponsors to make the details of a bill to legalize marijuana public before the Judiciary Committee vote, noting that with minutes to go, Republicans still haven’t seen a final copy of the legislation. (Pixabay)
“With minutes to go, Senate Republican members of the Judiciary Committee still haven’t seen a final copy of legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
“Legalizing marijuana would have an enormous impact on all of our communities. Asking us to form an opinion without seeing the full details of the bill is an incredibly irresponsible way to govern,” Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) said.
Bateman Bill Requiring Witnesses to Immediately Notify Child Protection Agency of Child Sexual Abuse Signed Into Law
Senator Kip Bateman’s (R-16) legislation requiring witnesses of child sexual abuse to immediately report it to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency has been signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation requiring witnesses of child sexual abuse to immediately report it to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency has been signed into law on March 18, 2019. (WikiMedia)
Bateman originally introduced the bill in 2011 in the wake of the Penn State football scandal. Recent attention was brought to the legislation when multiple videos were made public of top New Jersey teacher union officials discussing their efforts and willingness to conceal teacher sexual misconduct.
“Anyone who witnesses child sex abuse has to speak up immediately. Silence is not an option,” Bateman said. “Mandating immediate reporting will help survivors get justice as soon as possible, and help ensure the perpetrators quickly face the full wrath of the law. ”
Bateman’s bipartisan bill, S-641, requires that sexual abuse against a child be directly reported to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. It also makes failing to report an act of sexual abuse a crime of the fourth degree.
“From the Penn State football scandal to the undercover videos exposing officials conspiring to sweep sexual assault claims under the rug, it’s a sad reality that sometimes people don’t do the right thing, even when a child’s life is in jeopardy,” Bateman added. “This law will save children from perpetual abuse, hopefully giving them a chance to heal and have a successful life.”
Bateman Bill Creating ‘Jersey Native Plants Program’ Passes Committee
Senator Kip Bateman’s (R-16) legislation to establish the “Jersey Native Plants Program,” to promote the sale of native vegetation at local garden centers has unanimously passed the Senate Environment Committee.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation to establish the “Jersey Native Plants Program” has passed the Senate Environment Committee. (WikiMedia)
“Shopping local is a great way to support the farms that make New Jersey the Garden State, but we can do much more. We also need to encourage people to plant local,” Senator Bateman said. “Planting ‘Jersey native’ vegetation goes hand-in-hand with our successful ‘Jersey Fresh’ program. This legislation will strengthen local farm families, promote healthy eating, and help the environment.” Continue Reading…
Corrado & Bateman Kick Off Socks for Soldiers Drive
Legislative District Offices in Totowa and Somerville Host Sock Collections for Troops Serving Overseas
Through the month of March, Senators Kristin Corrado and Kip Bateman will be hosting a “Sock for Soldiers” drive to collect one of the most requested items by heroes serving around the world.
Donations of clean, unworn socks can be dropped off their district offices at 999 Riverview Dr. in Totowa and 36 E. Main St., in Somerville.
Through March, Sens. Corrado and Bateman will be hosting Socks for Soldiers collections at their district offices in Totowa and Somerville. (SenateNJ.com)
“Last year we collected more than 3,000 pairs of new socks for our troops. This year, I know we can gather up even more,” Senator Corrado said. “I am so grateful to all of the local schools and volunteers who have already stepped up to lend their support. Giving soldiers clean, unworn socks is the least we can do to help these heroes stay warm and comfortable. This is a great way to support those who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe.”
Corrado and Bateman urged schools, businesses, and local governments to post collection boxes with a “Socks for Soldiers” sign (print one here).
Bipartisan Anti-Hazing Bill Passes Senate
Singleton/Kean/Bateman Bill Bars Students Convicted of Hazing from Receiving State Tuition Aid
The New Jersey Senate has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, and Senators Troy Singleton and Kip Bateman that would ensure in-state college students who are convicted of hazing are not eligible for State tuition aid.
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 legislation sends a clear message: if you haze a classmate, the state will not fund your education. Students can choose to value their time on campus and treat others with respect, or find another way to pay for it,” Senator Kean (R-21) said. “We won’t allow this culture of humiliation and violence to continue in New Jersey. Too many young lives have been lost already.”
Bateman Statement on Murphy’s Minimum Wage Hike
Senator Kip Bateman (R-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) released a statement in light of today’s signing of legislation that will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour:
Sen. Kip Bateman said that good policy decisions aren’t made on the campaign trail, and many of the businesses that make NJ’s main streets unique will be forced to close, now that Gov. Murphy has signed legislation to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. (SenateNJ.com)
“Campaign promises are one thing, but good policy is another and this legislation is just not good policy. I think we can all agree that the current minimum wage needs to change, but we had a responsibility to raise it in a measured, responsible way – with carve-outs that are actually carve-outs, not just slower phase-outs.
“Many of the decades-old shops that make our Main Streets unique will go out of business. The landscape of the Jersey Shore and seasonal destinations around the state will change forever. Bigger corporations and chains that can afford to do so, will replace entry-level jobs with kiosks and automated services.
Bateman Announces District Office Food Drive
Senator Joins Somerset County Food Bank in Effort to Aid Federal Workers Impacted by Shutdown
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) today announced that his district office will be hosting a food drive to help local food banks cope with a rise in demand, and meet the needs of furloughed federal government workers and all local residents currently struggling with hunger.
Senator Bateman announced his district office will be hosting a food drive to help furloughed federal government employees and all local residents struggling with hunger. (The Food Bank Network of Somerset County)
Non-perishable food items and toiletries can be dropped off at Senator Bateman’s district office in Somerville through the end of February.
Continue Reading…
Bateman/Smith/Greenstein Bill to Establish Permanent Funding for Open Space & Farmland Preservation Passes Committee
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Kip Bateman, Bob Smith, and Linda Greenstein, to establish funding for constitutionally dedicated Corporate Business Tax (CBT) revenues for the State’s open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and thereafter, has passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Kip Bateman, Bob Smith, and Linda Greenstein to establish funding for open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs has passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“Open space preservation needs a constant source of funding. A onetime payment is simply not enough to protect New Jersey’s parks and farmland from pollution or overdevelopment,” said Senator Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “When it comes to safeguarding environmental resources in the most densely populated state in the nation, we have to think ahead. This legislation is a fiscally-responsible way to keep the Garden State clean and green for years to come.”
Gov. Signs Bateman Bill Expanding Security Funding for Houses of Worship, Nonprofits
Governor Phil Murphy has signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman to permit eligible nonprofits, including houses of worship, to access grants to increase security and keep New Jersey families safe from violence, and threats of bias and intimidation.
Gov. Murphy has signed Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill to expand security funding for nonprofits, including houses of worship to keep NJ families safe from violence, and threats of bias and intimidation. (Flickr)
“We all need be extremely concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism and bias crimes in our country. New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation, but these crimes are happening here, too,” Senator Bateman (R-16) said. “There was a 32 percent spike in anti-Semitic incidents in 2017 in our state. I am glad to see us take action on a bipartisan basis to stand up to hate and ensure that our houses of worship and nonprofits can continue to be beacons of hope for people in need. No one should be forced to worship in fear.”
Bateman & Greenstein Urge Gov. to Block Proposed Fracking Rules for Delaware River Basin
The New Jersey State Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman and Sen. Linda Greenstein urging Governor Phil Murphy to block a proposed Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) rule permitting the storage, treatment, disposal and discharge of wastewater generated from fracking in the basin.
Sens. Kip Bateman and Linda Greenstein’s bipartisan resolution urging Gov. Murphy to block fracking in the Delaware River Basin has passed the State Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“Ignoring the safety and environmental concerns surrounding fracking is completely irresponsible,” said Senator Bateman (R-Somerset/Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex). “The Delaware River Basin supplies clean drinking water to millions of people. We cannot allow oil and gas companies to come here and put families at risk. I have been speaking out against fracking and unnecessary pipelines for years and I will continue to work with anyone, regardless of party, who shares that goal. There are very few efforts that are more important than safeguarding the natural resources we rely on now, so our children and grandchildren can have access to them, too.”
