Timothy Piazza Law: Bateman’s anti-hazing bill advances
Timothy Piazza Law: Bateman’s anti-hazing bill advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to increase penalties for hazing resulting in injury was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Timothy J. Piazza Law is named for a Penn State University sophomore from Readington who died during a fraternity hazing in 2017.
Senator Kip Bateman’s Timothy J. Piazza Law increases penalties for hazing resulting in injury. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill today. (Pixabay)
“Timothy’s death was a horrible and preventable tragedy,” said Bateman (R-16). “No college student should have to endure the horrors Timothy suffered. With the support of the Legislature, we can enact this law and protect young people from this dangerous and cruel practice.”
Bateman’s bill, S-3150, would increase hazing to a crime of the fourth degree, and aggravated hazing to a crime of the third degree. Currently, the charge reaches aggravated hazing when the criminal act results in serious bodily injury to another person.
After Another Six-Figure Sick Time Parachute, Bateman Urges Action on His Bill
The police chief in Palisades Park is retiring after a scathing review of the operation of his department, but only after he cashes more than $115,000 in checks for unused sick time. It’s just the latest example of a long string of abuses suffered by property taxpayers in the state, Senator Kip Bateman bristled.
Senator Kip Bateman called the six-figure sick leave payout to the police chief in Palisades Park just the latest example of the ongoing abuse of NJ property taxpayers.
“Sick time was never intended to be a personal retirement account for a select group of public employees, but here we go again,” said Bateman (R-16). “Another police chief retiring, and another six-figure invoice for the property taxpayers to deal with.”
Bateman: Sweet Opportunity Going Stale as Home Baking Bill Languishes in Senate Committee
Senator Kip Bateman says the lack of one essential ingredient is preventing hundreds of wanna-be entrepreneurs from selling their homemade goodies in New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman says New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income. (Pixabay)
Forty-nine other states allow the sale of cookies, cakes and pastries made by home bakers. Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Bateman lifting the ban here has passed the Assembly several times, but remains scuttled in the Senate.
“This continued prohibition of the sale of home baked goods is another example of Trenton using its muscle to control people’s lives,” said Bateman (R-16). “Every other state recognizes that folks aren’t going to keel over dead from cupcakes prepared in a home kitchen. New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income.”
Bateman Condemns Anti-Semitic Flyer in Hillsborough
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) condemned an anti-Semitic flyer that was posted by an unknown person on the Peter J. Biondi Municipal Building in Hillsborough.
Sen. Kip Bateman condemned an anti-Semitic flyer that was posted by an unknown person on the municipal building in Hillsborough. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation, and we are stronger as a result,” said Bateman. “Our communities are filled with a rich tapestry of people who represent a variety of religious and spiritual beliefs and ethnic backgrounds from all over the world. All deserve to be respected and to feel safe here in the Garden State.”
Bateman Calls on Murphy to Release Funding for Critical Public Safety Project in Hillsborough
Senator Kip Bateman (R-Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex, Hunterdon) today released the following statement condemning Governor Phil Murphy’s decision to freeze $500,000 in funding for a road project in Hillsborough that would improve public safety.
Sen. Kip Bateman condemned Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision to freeze $500,000 in funding for a road project in Hillsborough that would improve public safety. (Pixabay)
“The Brown Avenue extension project represents a critical public safety improvement that will make local roads in the area safer,” said Bateman. “By freezing funding for this project unnecessarily, Governor Murphy is only putting the people of Hillsborough at risk.”
Bateman and Corrado Bills to Improve Funding for Environmental Infrastructure Projects Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) that would approve and provide affordable loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank has passed the State Senate.
Sens. Kristin Corrado and Kip Bateman’s legislation that would approve and provide affordable loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects through the NJ Infrastructure Bank has passed the Senate. (Pixabay)
“Superstorm Sandy has had a devastating and lasting impact on the quality of our water pipes, sewer systems, and storm water infrastructure,” Bateman said. “In my area, for example, the funding slated for Somerville Borough and Raritan Township’s Municipal Utilities Authority will keep the water resources in our communities safe, without putting an additional burden on local property taxpayers. Providing an affordable financial strategy to upgrade critical infrastructure statewide will protect the public health of New Jerseyans and the overall environment of the Garden State.”
Senate Passes Bateman Bill to Combat Food Waste
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) to combat food waste by amending the definition of Class I renewable energy, and requiring certain solid waste generators to separate and recycle food waste.
133 billion pounds, or approximately 31 percent of the overall food supply generated in the United States every year is wasted, according to the United States EPA.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s bipartisan bill would revolutionize the way New Jersey combats and recycles food waste. (Flickr)
“A number of towns in New Jersey, such as Princeton and Lawrence Township, have already taken action to encourage their residents to recycle food waste. New Jersey as a whole needs to do more to tackle this environmental crisis,” Senator Bateman said. “By reducing food waste, we can combat climate change, and address food insecurity at the same time.”
Bateman/Smith/Greenstein Bill to Establish Permanent Funding for Open Space & Farmland Preservation Signed into Law
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 been signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy.
Gov. Phil Murphy has signed Sen. Kip Bateman’s bipartisan bill to establish funding for open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 and thereafter. (Garden State Preservation Trust)
“This law will ensure we can continue to call New Jersey the ‘Garden State,’ for years to come,” said Senator Kip Bateman (R-Somerset/Mercer/Middlesex/Hunterdon.) “Open space preservation needs a constant source of funding – a onetime payment isn’t enough. This is a fiscally-responsible way to maintain the green and blue acres we have already preserved, and prevent other areas we have yet to protect from being destroyed. I am glad that once again, we could come together on a bipartisan basis to get this done.” Continue Reading…
Bateman Statement on Princeton Dinky Line Reopening
Senator Kip Bateman (R-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset) released the following statement on the reopening of NJ Transit’s Dinky Line in Princeton.
Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery at a May 14 ceremony marking the reopening of the line.
Sen. Kip Bateman joins fellow local leaders to mark the May 14th reopening of the Dinky Line in Princeton. (SenateNJ.com)
Hello and thank you for having me. I am so glad to see the Princeton Dinky Line reopen today.
NJ Transit’s three month hiatus should never have turned into an eight month halt. It was incredibly unfair to the people who utilize the Dinky on a daily basis. There is no doubt that this has been a very frustrating time for commuters and travelers in our area.
I commend the “Save the Dinky” group for their advocacy and determination to have the line restored as soon as possible. Please give yourselves a round of applause! My colleagues and I also worked together on a bipartisan basis, alongside your amazing local leaders, to support your efforts to end the shut down and get this train back on track – but we couldn’t have done it without you.
Bateman Clarifies Position on EDA & NJ’s Tax Incentive Programs
In light of recent reports, Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) issued the following statement clarifying his position on the EDA and New Jersey’s tax incentive programs:
Sen. Kip Bateman clarifies his position on the EDA, noting that any incentive program should be administered “fairly with appropriate oversight.” (SenateNJ.com)
“I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify my remarks last week regarding New Jersey’s tax incentive program, which I feel were taken out of context. I was on vacation with my family and traveling out of state, and I was not aware that Senate and Assembly Republican leadership issued a joint statement on these programs. To be clear, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by Leaders Kean and Bramnick,” Bateman said.
