Bateman Bill Establishing ‘Protect Pollinator’ License Plates Signed
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman to create special license plates expressing support for the state’s native pollinators became law today.
Sen. Kip Bateman’s legislation creating special license plates to help protect pollinators like this black swallowtail has been signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“New Jersey would not be the Garden State without the contribution of nature’s 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 depend on pollinators like bees and butterflies. The ‘Protect Pollinator’ license plates will ensure Jersey Fresh plants and crops grow strong for generations.”
Bateman, Weinberg Honored by NJ League of Conservation Voters
The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (NJLCV) last night honored Senators Kip Bateman and Loretta Weinberg for their career-long dedication to the environment and conservation.
The NJLCV honored Sens. Kip Bateman and Loretta Weinberg for their career-long dedication to the environment and conservation. Left to Right: Ed Potosnak, NJLCV Executive Director; Julia Somers, NJLCV Board Chair; Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg; Senator Kip Bateman. (SenateNJ.com)
“With the climate crisis accelerating and storms like Henri and Ida becoming the norm, we expect everyone in the Legislature to be bold environmental champions. Senators Loretta Weinberg and Kip Bateman are examples of champions who have consistently worked to promote bold pro-environmental policies to protect clean air, safe drinking water, and open space,” said NJLCV Board Chair Julia Somers, who serves as executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition.
Bateman Applauds PennEast Decision to Not Seek Condemnation of State Lands to Build Pipeline
Senator Kip Bateman applauded an announcement by PennEast that it would no longer seek to use eminent domain to acquire State-owned land along the path of the company’s proposed natural gas pipeline in New Jersey:
Sen. Kip Bateman applauded an announcement by PennEast that it would no longer seek to use eminent domain to acquire State-owned land along the path of the company’s proposed natural gas pipeline in New Jersey. (PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC)
“We’ve been fighting this battle for nearly seven years, working with elected officials, concerned residents, two governors, the NJDEP, and a host of environmental groups to stop PennEast,” said Bateman, a long-time opponent of the project. “I don’t know if this signals the end of PennEast’s plan to build the pipeline, but it’s hard to see a path forward that doesn’t include condemnation. Hopefully this really is the end.”
Senate Republican Leadership Calls on Senate President Sweeney to Recognize Sen. Vince Polistina
Say Atlantic County Families Can’t Afford to Wait Months for Help
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23.
The Senate Republican leadership team called for Senate President Stephen Sweeney to recognize the swearing-in of Senator Vince Polistina (R-2) that occurred on Monday, August 23. (SenateNJ.com)
The following joint statement was issued by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21), Deputy Leader Bob Singer (R-30), Conference Leader Kristin Corrado (R-40), Whip Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Deputy Whip Kip Bateman (R-16), and Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24):
“We are deeply concerned that Senate President Sweeney will not recognize the swearing-in of Senator Polistina. We believe the families of the 2nd Legislative District deserve the representation and support that a sitting senator can provide during this extremely difficult time.
Murphy Signs Bateman and Corrado Bills Supporting Vital Environmental Infrastructure Projects
With the Governor’s signing today of legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and Senator Kristin Corrado, important environmental infrastructure projects across the state will move forward as planned this year.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman and Sen. Kristin Corrado to help provide affordable loans for important environmental infrastructure projects was signs by the Governor. (Pixabay)
The two bills signed into law approve environmental construction initiatives and provide affordable loans to local governments and public water utilities to pay for the projects.
In Memory of Timothy Piazza: Bateman/Kean Measure to Combat Hazing Signed into Law
Senator Kip Bateman and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to increase penalties for hazing has been signed into law by Governor Murphy.
Senator Kip Bateman and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation to increase penalties for hazing has been signed into law. (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.
“Shortly after Timothy’s death, I received a letter from Matthew Prager, a 12-year-old student who was Timothy’s friend and neighbor, asking that I introduce anti-hazing legislation in Timothy’s name,” said Bateman. “To this day, I am grateful to Matthew for sending me that letter. No student deserves to go through the ritual humiliation that 19-year-old Timothy Piazza experienced. With the signing of this bill, hazing will no longer be tolerated in New Jersey.”
Bateman Lauds Decision that Will Allow NJ Home Bakers to Cash in On Fresh Treats
Since 2009 when he first introduced legislation that would allow state residents to legally sell cookies and cupcakes they made at home, Senator Kip Bateman has been a vocal advocate for home bakers with an entrepreneurial dream.
After fighting for it for a dozen years, Sen. Kip Bateman welcomed news that home bakers in the state will soon be able to sell their cookies, cakes and pies for a profit. (Pixabay)
This week, Bateman joined home bakers across the state welcoming news that New Jersey will no longer be the only state in the nation prohibiting the sale of home-made baked goods for profit.
Senate Approves Legislation to Expand Solar Energy Throughout the State
In an effort to expand the use of renewable energy across New Jersey, the Senate today approved two bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith and Senator Kip Bateman which would increase the capacity for solar energy development throughout the state.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman and Sen. Bob Smith that will significantly increase the production of solar electricity in New Jersey cleared the Senate. (Flickr)
“Solar energy will play an increasingly crucial role in the state’s transition to renewable power and away from fossil fuels and the resultant problems and pollutants,” said Senator Bateman (R-21. “These programs will contribute a dramatic increase in renewable energy production as New Jersey establishes the standard for solar and sustainable power in the nation. Today’s action delivers an emphatic message that the Garden State is fully committed to clean, renewable and reliable power from the sun.”
Bateman Vows to Continue Fighting Unnecessary PennEast Pipeline After ‘Disappointing’ Supreme Court Ruling
A long-time opponent of the controversial PennEast natural gas pipeline that would traverse Mercer County, Senator Kip Bateman today said he was “extremely disappointed and frustrated” by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that would allow the project to move forward.
After a disappointing ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, Sen. Kip Bateman said he would continue to represent local residents who vehemently oppose the PennEast pipeline project. (©iStock)
With a narrow 5-4 decision, the court determined that New Jersey cannot block the construction of the pipeline on state-owned land. The ruling upholds authority granted by the federal government empowering PennEast to seize land through eminent domain.
Bateman and Corrado Bills to Improve Funding for Environmental Infrastructure Projects Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) and Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) that would approve and provide affordable loans to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects through the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Sens. Kip Bateman and Kristin Corrado’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 cleared the New Jersey Senate. (Pixabay)
“This legislation is crucial for approving and financing important environmental infrastructure projects that protect our state’s drinking water and waterways,” Bateman said. “In fact, the low interest loans authorized by this package of bills will not only create jobs in New Jersey, but will preserve and protect the environment—which is so critical to our quality of life. Ultimately, providing an affordable financial strategy to upgrade critical infrastructure throughout the state will protect the public health of all New Jerseyans.”
