Governor Signs Bateman Bill Investing in Public Libraries
The New Law Appropriates Money from the Voter-Approved Library Construction Bond Act
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and signed today by the Governor will benefit public libraries across the state. The measure appropriates more than $87 million for library construction and development.
Senator Bateman’s legislation to provide grants to public libraries for construction and accessibility modifications was signed by the Governor. (Abhi Sharma/Flickr)
The grants represent the initial funding round from the Library Construction Bond Act. Bateman sponsored legislation establishing the act to help struggling public libraries, and it was approved by voters in 2017.
“This is an investment in New Jersey counties, cities and towns that will help educate children, train workers for new careers, provide the public with access to the internet and technology, and give patrons the chance to enjoy a good read,” said Bateman (R-16).
Bateman Bill Cleared by Senate Heralds New Chapter in Library Construction
More than $87 million would be appropriated for public library construction and development grants under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and approved today by the Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Bateman and approved by the Senate appropriates more than $87 million for public library construction and improvement projects. (SenateNJ.com)
The appropriation is the first round of funding under the Library Construction Bond Act, approved by voters in 2017 and established by legislation sponsored by Senator Bateman.
Bateman: Renters and Landlords Still Need Financial Assistance
Says It’s Time for Murphy Administration to Renew the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program
Senator Kip Bateman called for the renewal of an important relief program that has helped both tenants and landlords who have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19.
Sen. Kip Bateman called for the renewal of the Small Landlord Emergency Grant Program (SLEG) that has helped both tenants and landlords who have suffered economic hardship due to COVID-19. (Pixabay)
“Since April, more than 30,000 eviction cases have been filed in NJ Landlord-Tenant court,” said Bateman (R-16). “This is an extremely alarming number of New Jerseyans who are struggling to make monthly rent payments. Those missed payments impact the ability of landlords to pay their mortgages and property taxes and to invest in important maintenance and repairs. Unless we continue to provide relief, those missed rental payments will explode into a much larger problem for everyone. We saw how quickly the mortgage crisis escalated in 2008 to impact the entire economy.”
Bateman Bill Helping Public Libraries Reduce Cost and Improve Services Advances
Libraries would be able to dispose of outdated material without going out to bid under legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and advanced today by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
Senator Bateman sponsors legislation that would help public libraries operate more efficiently and save money disposing of books and periodicals. (SenateNJ.com)
“The funding to operate public libraries remains a critical issue in this state, where the demand for, and utilization of library services continues to escalate,” said Bateman (R-16). “This practical measure would allow library administrators to reduce costs on a necessary task, and put that money to work providing better resources for patrons.”
Bateman: New Jerseyans Shouldn’t Be Fooled by Gov. Murphy’s Outrageous Spending Plan
Senator Kip Bateman warned taxpayers not to be fooled by the gimmicks in Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal that are intended to hide the real cost of his middle-class tax increases and distract from the decades of damage his borrowing scheme will inflict upon New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman warned taxpayers not to be fooled by the gimmicks in Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposal that are intended to hide the real cost of his middle-class tax increases and distract from the decades of damage his borrowing scheme will inflict upon New Jersey. (Pixabay)
“Governor Murphy’s gimmicky rebate scheme is a sad attempt to try to distract taxpayers from the billions in higher taxes and borrowing costs they’ll pay for decades under his outrageous spending plan,” said Bateman. “It’s like walking into a store where all of the prices have just been raised by 20% and being told the 10% off coupon they’re handing you will save you money. People are smarter than that.”
Senate Committee Advances Bateman Bill Enhancing Online Access to BPU Records
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an online electronic public records access service cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today.
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish an online electronic public records access service cleared the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today. (SenateNJ.com)
Committee chairman Bob Smith also sponsors the bipartisan bill (S-2611).
“It’s time to modernize the process, make it easier for users to submit filings and make comments, and improve public access to documentation, rule-makings and meeting schedules,” said Bateman (R-16). “These long overdue improvements will enhance efficiency and transparency at BPU. This bill will also make is easier for ratepayers to stay informed about changes that could affect their pocketbooks and services.”
Bateman Bill Supporting Pollinators with Special License Plate Clears Senate
Senator Kip Bateman’s legislation that would create “Protect Pollinator” license plates to express support for New Jersey’s native pollinators has passed the State Senate.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation that would create “Protect Pollinator” license plates to express support for native pollinators has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey would not be the Garden State without the help it gets from its native pollinators,” said Bateman (R-16). “From the gardens we grow to the produce we purchase at a local farmer’s market, many of our fruits, vegetables, and flowers rely on pollinators like bees and butterflies. The license plates will ensure our ‘Jersey Fresh’ plants and crops grow strong for generations.”
Bateman: Murphy’s Budget Priorities Do a Disservice to State’s Taxpayers
Senator Kip Bateman responded with the following statement after Governor Murphy announced his revised budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021:
Senator Bateman said Governor’s Murphy’s proposed budget is big on spending and political agenda, but comes up small on affordability and common sense. (SenateNJ.com)
“The budget proposed today by Governor Murphy is big on spending and political agenda, but comes up small on affordability and common sense.
Smith, Bateman Bill to Expand Solar Energy Development Passes Committee
In an effort to expand the use of renewable energy across New Jersey, legislation to increase the capacity of solar energy development passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today. The bill is sponsored by Senate Environment and Energy Committee Chair Senator Bob Smith and Senator Christopher Bateman.
Legislation sponsored by Senator Bateman and Environment and Energy Committee Chair Senator Bob Smith to increase the capacity of solar energy development advanced. (Flickr)
“The utility-scale solar program bill will establish a dramatic increase in renewable energy production as New Jersey continues to set the standard for solar and sustainable power in the nation,” said Bateman (R-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset). “The state is targeting an ambitious but attainable goal of eliminating our energy dependence on fossil fuels, and managed responsibly as directed by this legislation, we can increase generation and retain affordability for our residents.”
Bateman Blasts Governor’s Voting Decree
‘The Mail Box is Not the Ballot Box’
New Jerseyans will not be able to vote in person in November under an executive order signed last week by Governor Murphy.
New Jerseyans will not be able to vote in person in November, and Senator Bateman chastised the Governor’s edict. (SenateNJ.com)
“The mail box is not the ballot box,” said Senator Kip Bateman. “Voting, in person voting, is the centerpiece of our freedom, but in Murphy’s New Jersey, residents cannot go to the polls this fall for a presidential election and vote in person. That baseless decision shuns tradition and defies our American rights, chipping away at the essence of our democracy.”
