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.”
Bateman: Governor’s Slow Reopening of NJ Creating Unnecessary Conflict for Law Enforcement & Residents
Urges Governor to Trust New Jerseyans to Live Their Own Lives
Senator Kip Bateman expressed serious concern that Governor Phil Murphy’s delayed reopening of New Jersey is leading to unnecessary conflict between New Jersey law enforcement and state residents.
Sen. Kip Bateman expressed serious concern that Gov. Murphy’s delayed reopening of New Jersey is leading to unnecessary conflict between New Jersey law enforcement and state residents. (Pixabay)
“A number of local law enforcement agencies have reached out to me to express concern that they are facing increasing hostility from New Jerseyans who are ready to go out and resume living, even if Governor Murphy says they should stay locked down at home,” said Bateman (R-16). “The governor has to recognize that the continuation of his lockdown restrictions is putting our police and first responders in incredibly difficult situations. He’s creating unnecessary conflict with residents who are ready to take responsibility for their personal health and safety in a world with COVID-19.”
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.
Bateman: Exercise is an Essential Activity. Open NJ Parks and Golf Courses
Senator Kip Bateman reiterated his call to open New Jersey parks and golf courses:
Sen. Kip Bateman reiterated his call to open New Jersey parks and golf courses. (NJ Division of Parks & Forestry)
“It’s no secret that times are tense across our nation and throughout the world,” said Bateman (R-16). “Overreaching restrictions do more harm than good. If people are able to maintain social distancing guidelines, they should be allowed to utilize all of the state’s open spaces.”
Bateman-Cryan Bill Would Require Refunds for Cancelled Rentals Due To Covid-19
Senate Also Urges Banks To Waive Fees & Penalties During Pandemic
Those who were forced to cancel vacation or business rentals with so-called “transient accommodations” such as VRBO because of the Covid-19 crisis would be entitled to refunds, according to legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and Senator Joe Cryan that was approved by the Senate today.
Sen. Kip Bateman and Sen. Joe Cryan’s legislation to require refunds for reservations made during a state of emergency has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, S-2345, would require refunds for reservations made during a public health emergency, a state of emergency or when travel restrictions have been imposed. The measure would be retroactive to March 1.
“This virus has upended every aspect of our lives, including travel and vacation,” said Senator Kip Bateman (R-16). “No one should be charged for an unused rental during this time of emergency, especially when we are asking people to stay home. Refunding would-be renters is the right thing to do.”
Bateman: Open Our State and County Parks
Senator Kip Bateman is calling for New Jersey to reopen State and county parks during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sen. Kip Bateman is calling for New Jersey to reopen State and county parks during the COVID-19 outbreak. (CDC)
“As the weather gets nicer, people will want to get outdoors, especially after being cooped up at home for so long,” said Bateman (R-16). “In this time of uncertainty, we should encourage folks to go outside and explore their local park while practicing safe social distancing. With fresh air and exercise being so important to our physical health, mental health, and overall well-being, I am calling for our parks to be reopened as soon as possible.”
Bateman Applauds Pharmaceutical Co. Eli Lilly for Donating PPE
Senator Kip Bateman commended global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company, particularly their local campus in Branchburg, for donating Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers and first responders.
Sen. Kip Bateman commended pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly for donating PPE to healthcare workers and first responders. (CDC)
“During this pandemic, businesses both small and large are stepping up and pitching in to protect those who need it most,” said Bateman (R-16). “These vital supplies will help our nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers on the front lines continue to care for the critically ill. With PPE in high demand, Eli Lilly’s generosity is setting an example for other businesses to follow. “
Bateman: To Beat the Virus, Governments Must Work Together
Somerset County Lost Out on 35,000 Protective Masks When the Feds Grabbed Them
Senator Kip Bateman said the critical shortage of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers has created a free-for-all environment that has local governments competing with federal agencies and other states for supplies.
After Somerset County lost a shipment of 35,000 masks to the federal government, Sen. Bateman called for the State to coordinate access to emergency supplies. (SenateNJ.com)
“The pandemic is taking lives and overworked healthcare professionals are exposed to the contagion every hour of the day,” said Bateman (R-16). “To help the sick, we first must protect the doctors, nurses and EMTs. As stocks of masks and protective gear dwindle, the urgency increases to find new sources. Unfortunately, the market has become ‘every man for himself.’”
Now Law: Bateman Measure Requires Health Insurance to Cover COVID-19 Testing
Also Expands Telemeidince Treatment for Coronavirus
To help abate the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation directing health insurance and Medicaid to cover COVID-19 testing and expand telehealth services throughout this State of Emergency was signed into law.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation directing health insurance and Medicaid to cover COVID-19 testing and expand telehealth services was signed into law. (CDC)
This measure is part of a large bipartisan bill package designed to help New Jersey families stay safe amid this public health threat.
“We are dealing with a global public health crisis, so the last thing that should be on anyone’s mind is, ‘How am I going to pay for testing and treatment?'” said Bateman (R-16). “No New Jerseyan should delay getting tested if they are experiencing coronavirus symptoms. With many displaced from work, and the elderly population particularly susceptible to transmission, ensuring insurance coverage will give more New Jersey residents peace of mind as we try to contain the spread.”
