The Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee has approved legislation sponsored and supported by 9th District Legislators Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that contains the recommendations issued by the Veterans’ Hospital Task Force for a comprehensive plan for expanding health care access for military veterans living in the southern part of the state.

The 9th District Delegation sponsored the law that originally established the Task Force. Subsequently, Senator Connors and Assemblywoman Gove were named to the Task Force by the Governor. The bipartisan-supported Concurrent Resolution (SCR-142) urges the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to take appropriate action to expand health care access for military veterans living in the southern part of the state.

Read the rest of Committee Advances 9th District Supported Measure on Expanding Health Care Access for South Jersey Veterans (518 words)

As part of a collaborative effort with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have introduced legislation that would strengthen current State law by allowing drug dealing offenses to be graded by “units,” rather than weight, of controlled dangerous substances, including heroin.

The intent of the 9th District Delegation’s anti-drug initiative would be to give prosecutors the option to grade the seriousness of a drug distribution offense by the number of dosage units involved, rather than the weight of the drugs. The “units” reflect how many people might have been injured by the drug dealer’s illicit conduct. Under the legislation, the charge by “units” would apply only to persons who distribute or possess illicit drugs with the intent to distribute. It would not be used to determine the seriousness of “simple possession” drug offenses.

Read the rest of Connors/Rumpf/Gove Anti-Drug Measure Aimed at Combating Heroin Drug Trade (421 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove praised Governor Christie’s decision to veto S-1650/A-2463, a controversial measure which would revise requirements for emergency medical services delivery in New Jersey.

The legislation faced staunch opposition from local EMS volunteer squads and residents who feared that their communities would be negatively impacted in terms of the emergency services provided and increases in property taxes.

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Gove Praise Governor’s Absolute Veto of Controversial EMS Legislation (422 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove announced that the 24 constituent municipalities of the 9th Legislative District received more than $614,000 in FY2013 Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Clean Communities Grants funding.

The 9th District Legislators issued the following statement regarding the Clean Communities Grants funding awarded to their constituent municipalities:

“Clean Communities Grants are essential to communities’ overall litter control efforts. As Coastal Legislators, we fully recognize the continuing need to prevent litter and harmful debris from entering our precious waterways, including Barnegat Bay, or building up on our pristine beaches. Effective uses of this funding authorized under State law, can include sponsorship of the ‘Adopt a Beach’ Program, the establishment of education programs to promote clean communities, graffiti abatement, and enforcement of local anti-littering laws.”

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Gove: Anti-Litter Efforts & Fertilizer Restrictions to Protect Barnegat Bay (389 words)

Two legislative initiatives introduced by 9th District Legislative Representatives Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove, aimed at allowing local governments to operate more efficiently by removing statutory impediments, were signed into law today by Governor Christie.

The first measure, S-1536/A-2473, will permit a mayor or commissioner to appoint a municipal emergency management coordinator from among the residents of the contiguous municipalities that are subject to a shared services agreement pursuant to the “Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act.” The second measure, S-195/A-672, will expand the power of a municipality to cancel a delinquent charge or fee owed to the municipality, provided the amount of the fee is less than $10.

Read the rest of Connors-Rumpf-Gove Government Efficiency Measures Signed Into Law (409 words)

Understanding that potential spikes in flood insurance premiums and substantial costs of rebuilding homes in the wake of Super Storm Sandy are among the most pressing concerns of their constituents, 9th District Legislative Representatives Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove attended the “STOP FEMA NOW” event held on April 25 at the Berkeley Township Elementary School.

Over the past several months, the 9th District Delegation has actively participated in more than a dozen meetings regarding Super Storm Sandy. The meetings have been attended by representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Office of Recovery and Rebuilding as well as mayors and local officials.

Read the rest of 9th District Delegation Statement on “STOP FEMA NOW” Event Held in Berkeley (557 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors of the 9th Legislative District was the recipient of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors “Legislator of the Year” award at an event held on April 25 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

Mayor Gary B. Giberson of Port Republic City, who serves as President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, presented Senator Connors with the award.

Read the rest of Connors Named “Legislator of the Year” by NJ Conference of Mayors (482 words)

In a letter to the Chairmen of both the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have formally requested committee consideration of their legislation that would require the court to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving a final restraining order when the defendant has two or more restraining orders against him.

The 9th District Delegation’s legislation, S-185/A-648, would establish a “domestic violence assessment” as an assessment performed by a psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or licensed professional counselor with the goal of determining the likelihood that the offender will commit future acts of violence, abuse, or other unacceptable behavior that could pose a threat to the victim, the victim’s family, the victim’s property, or other person identified as being at risk. The defendant would be responsible for the cost of the assessment, which would be considered confidential.

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Gove Call for Action on Domestic Violence Assessment Legislation (420 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today wrote to Governor Chris Christie strongly urging that he veto S-1650/A-2463, which would revise requirements for emergency medical services delivery in New Jersey.

In their letter, the 9th District Legislative Delegation outlined their deep concerns regarding the legislation, specifically its negative impact on volunteer emergency service personnel and the costs involved in implementing the bill’s provisions.

Read the rest of 9th District Delegation Urges Governor to Veto Controversial EMS Legislation (508 words)

9th District Senator Christopher J. Connors received the 2013 Robert B. Meyner Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) on Monday, March 18, 2013 in a presentation at the New Jersey State House.

Senator Christopher J. Connors (center) was presented the New Jersey State Bar Association’s 2013 Robert B. Meyner Award by former NJSBA Legislative Committee Chair Gerald H. Baker (left) and NJSBA President Kevin P. McCann (right).

The award is named after the former governor, state senator and NJSBA Trustee Robert B. Meyner. It recognizes exceptional advocacy efforts of public officials to advance the NJSBA’s mission to serve, protect and promote the personal and professional interest of its attorney members and serve as the voice of New Jersey attorneys to government entities and the public with regard to the law, legal profession and legal system.

Read the rest of Connors Receives Award from State Bar Association for Authoring Law Preventing Custody Changes for Deployed Military Personnel (402 words)

The New Jersey Senate has approved a measure (SR-102) prime-sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors and supported by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove which calls upon the Congress and President of the United States to take all appropriate legislative and regulatory action necessary to increase subsidies for premiums paid for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially for property owners who have suffered frequent losses.

Senator Connors, Assemblyman Rumpf and Assemblywoman Gove have harshly criticized the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 enacted by Congress, which required the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to not only phase-out, and eventually eliminate, a variety of existing subsidies for flood insurance premiums but also to reevaluate the flood risk of certain flood zones.

Read the rest of Connors-Rumpf-Gove Supported Measure Calling on Congress to Increase Subsidies for Federal Flood Insurance Passes Senate (395 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove have joined on as cosponsors of legislation (SCR-107/ACR-153) to allow the courts to deny bail prior to trial when it is deemed necessary to protect the public or the defendant posses a flight risk.

Currently, under the State Constitution, all persons are entitled to bail before conviction, except certain persons charged with capital crimes which are punishable by death. However, all persons became entitled to bail once New Jersey eliminated the death penalty. Companion bills SCR-107 and ACR-153 proposed a constitutional amendment that, if approved by the voters, would authorize the courts, under specific conditions, to deny bail to certain offenders.

Read the rest of Connors, Rumpf & Gove Supporting Bill to Allow Courts to Deny Bail to Defendants Deemed Flight Risk or Dangerous (316 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of New Jersey.

The award was presented to Senator Connors by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW’s Legislative and Voice of Democracy Awards Dinner on January 26 in Mount Laurel, NJ.

Senator Christopher J. Connors accepting the “Legislator of the Year” Award from Kathy Marshall, president of the state’s VFW Ladies Auxiliary on January 26, 2013. Also pictured is William F. Thompson, the VFW’s State Legislative Director.

Read the rest of Senator Connors Named VFW’s Legislator of the Year (398 words)

Representatives of the 9th, 10th and 30th state legislative delegations hosted a meeting on Tuesday, January 15 at the Toms River Municipal Town Hall to provide local public officials the opportunity to discuss Superstorm Sandy-related issues.

Invited to the meeting to answer questions from the local officials were representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office, as well as other state officials with agencies actively engaged in storm-related matters.

Read the rest of Ocean County Legislative Delegations Hold Meeting for Local Officials to Discuss Sandy-Related Issues (354 words)

With the U.S. House of Representatives poised to vote on $51 billion in disaster aid for Sandy recovery and relief, Senators Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth), Jennifer Beck (R- Monmouth), Robert Singer (R- Ocean), Jim Holzapfel (R- Ocean), Chris Connors (R- Ocean), and Sam Thompson (R- Ocean) issued the following statement urging passage of funding package:

Prior to Sandy, the federal government has never hesitated in stepping up with financial assistance to communities and states devastated by natural disasters. Even in an era of intense partisanship, victims of Hurricane Sandy should be treated no differently. They are Americans like everyone else.

Read the rest of Jersey Shore Republican Senators Urge House Approval of Remaining Sandy Aid (108 words)

9th District Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove was a guest speaker at the Southern Ocean County Chamber’s annual State of the Chamber which was held on January 8 at the Sea Oaks Country Club in Little Egg Harbor.

In her remarks, Assemblywoman Gove provided an update on the state’s rebuilding efforts in the wake of Super Storm Sandy. Gove, who serves on the Assembly Tourism and the Arts Committee, was invited by the Chamber to speak as a member of the 9th Legislative District which she represents along with Senator Christopher J. Connors and Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, who also attended the event.

Read the rest of Gove Discusses Rebuilding in Wake of Sandy at Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce Event (648 words)

Would Require at Least One Member of NJ Turnpike Authority From Atlantic, Cape May or Ocean County

Legislation sponsored by Senators Jeff Van Drew and Chris Connors aimed at providing South Jersey with a stronger voice in the decisions made by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority which operates the Garden State Parkway, a main artery in the southern part of the state, was approved today by the Senate Transportation Committee.

The bill (S-1654) would require that at least one of the seven appointed members of the Turnpike Authority be from the counties of Ocean, Atlantic or Cape May. The senators’ introduction of the measure followed two major projects authorized by the Turnpike Authority that caused significant concern among local residents and public officials in the Southern region of the state. One included the mass cutting of trees along the Garden State Parkway. The other was the installation of security fencing along the parkway, which the authority said was for homeland security purposes.

Read the rest of Van Drew/Connors Measure to Provide South Jersey With Stronger Voice in Turnpike Authority Decisions Advances (397 words)

Senator Christopher J. Connors, representing the 9th Legislative District, completed the third and final day of the Legislator-in-Residence Program at his alma mater, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Under the Program, members of the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly are invited to Stockton’s campus to interact with students and faculty. Senator Connors was the Legislative participant for the Spring Semester.

On his final day participating in the Program, Senator Connors met with students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” to discuss veterans’ issues. Senator Connors currently serves on the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and is a co-chairman of the New Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force.

As an invited speaker, Senator Christopher J. Connors speaks to students enrolled in the course “Veterans: A Global Vision” at Stockton College taught by Professor Thomas O’Donnell, Assistant Dean of Students.

Read the rest of Connors Completes Legislator-in-Residence Program at Stockton College (435 words)

In a jointly issued statement, Senator Jeff Van Drew and Senator Christopher J. Connors of the 1st and 9th Legislative Districts announced that they have been appointed by the Senate legislative leadership to serve on the “New Jersey Veterans’ Hospital Task Force,” which was established through legislation recently signed into law by Governor Christie.

Senator Van Drew and Senator Connors, who both serve on the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, were the prime sponsors of the legislative initiative to form the Task Force, which will be charged with studying and evaluating and developing recommendations relating to the construction and operation of a veterans’ health care facility in southern New Jersey.

Read the rest of Connors & Van Drew Named To South Jersey “Veterans’ Hospital Task Force” (423 words)

Senators Diane Allen, Kip Bateman, Andrew Ciesla, Chris Connors, Sean Kean and Robert Singer issued the following statement:

“Protecting women’s health is a vital priority for all of us. Contained in this year’s budget are critical investments in early cancer detection programs including mammograms. Over $20 million is dedicated to serve low-income women and children with chronic diseases, birth defects and special health care needs such as Cystic Fibrosis; childhood lead poisoning screening and environmental inspections of homes with suspected lead hazards; prenatal care; fetal alcohol syndrome; and hemophilia treatments. These critical investments were a major part of our collective decision to support the budget.

Read the rest of Senate Republicans’ Statement on S-2139 (106 words)