The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee voted to advance legislation sponsored by Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove that would support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. (Pixabay)

Under the 9th District Delegation’s legislation (S-3925), the “Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program” would be established along with a special non-lapsing State fund that would receive an initial appropriation of $10 million to support the operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies.

The concept for the Delegation’s legislation is strongly supported by the Borough of Pine Beach’s governing body.

The Delegation issued the following remarks:

“Volunteer fire companies are in desperate need of a state level stable funding source, including to replace critical equipment needed to carry out their life-saving services.

“Given the public safety issues at play, this would be an effective use of taxpayer dollars to first and foremost support dedicated volunteer firefighters who, we cannot emphasize enough, save local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year by volunteering their time and expertise.

“We are pleased and grateful that our legislation gained bipartisan sponsorship during the Committee hearing as Senator Troy Singleton, who serves as Committee chair, requested to be added as a co-sponsor.

“Last but certainly not least, we want to recognize the tremendous efforts by the governing body of Pine Beach for bringing this proposal to our attention and providing background based on the operations of the Borough’s own volunteer fire department.”

Under the delegation’s legislation, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety would be required to develop and administer a grant program to annually distribute monies in the fund to volunteer fire companies in the form of grants to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies, including the purchasing of emergency equipment.

The Delegation’s identical Assembly companion bill (A-5570) is currently awaiting consideration by the Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee.

Also, the 9th Delegation has introduced companion legislation, S-1697 and A-757, which would permit volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to claim an additional exemption of $2,000 to be taken as a deduction from their gross income if they meet certain qualifications. In late June A-757 passed the Assembly unanimously and is awaiting consideration by the Senate.

9th District Legislators Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are denouncing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the Atlantic City Airport as a location to house 60,000 migrants.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove are denouncing the Biden Administration’s consideration of the Atlantic City Airport as a location to house 60,000 migrants. (©iStock)

The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:

“A growing number of state residents are infuriated by seeing their tax dollars being used to support persons who are in this country illegally. Not coincidentally, many of these same legal residents have trouble paying their own bills and cannot afford to cover the costs of sanctuary state policies imposed by the federal government or by Trenton for that matter.

“Allowing tens of thousands of ‘migrants’ to reside at the Atlantic City Airport will only add to the substantial burden that state taxpayers must already shoulder due to Trenton’s poor track record on the issue of immigration.

“Our Delegation has led the fight in the Legislature against sanctuary state policies, most notably in opposition to allowing illegal aliens to obtain New Jersey driver’s licenses. Not surprisingly, this law turned into a fiasco when it went into effect during the COVID lockdown. For thousands of legal motorists, any interaction with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission turned into a nightmare, including what should have been a simple process of renewing a driver’s license.

“It’s not a matter of if but when problems will be created by the relocating of tens of thousands of migrants to South Jersey.

“Trenton’s sanctuary state policies also include providing in-state tuition for persons in the country illegally. State taxpayers also foot the bill for the legal costs of persons facing deportation. It’s no wonder the Biden Administration is looking to New Jersey to fix its immigration policy failures. These tax dollars could instead be used to dedicate property tax relief, school funding or veteran services.

“The rule of law must be respected, that includes recognizing legal citizenship that Americans are entitled to. Sanctuary state policies are politically driven and are destined to fail because they are unsustainable. Accordingly, our Delegation will continue to fight against these policies on behalf of our constituents.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars in Christmas Tree-political projects, reckless deficit spending, and a jaw-dropping lack of transparency undermined the $54 billion State Budget that taxpayers will pay a steep price for in the future. (Pixabay)

Egregious spending—not tax relief—superseded every aspect of the budget. Incredibly, the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees were compelled to vote on the State Budget bill without even being given a copy of the bill. Waiting to the last minute to make $100 million changes to the budget was not so much a strategy but a desperate ploy to buy off votes with taxpayer dollars. This occurred even when it couldn’t be more obvious that New Jersey’s affordability crisis remains the dominant issue, more so by across-the-board costs increases resulting from inflation.

Calling this a flawed process just doesn’t do it justice. Unconscionable is a far more accurate description. Aided by the Governor’s Office, the Legislature’s powerbrokers managed to refrain from giving back taxpayers more of their money to improve their quality of life, which includes being able to pay their bills, and chose instead to expand government spending.

Consider: the recently adopted FY2024 State Budget increases spending by $3.7 billion, or 7%, to $54.3 billion from $50.6 billion. For perspective, that is a 57%, $19.7 billion, increase since Governor Christie’s last state budget.

Defenders of the new State Budget will argue about increased funding for programs and services. Our Delegation supports a fiscally disciplined approach in drafting the state budget to ensure sufficient funding is dedicated to priority programs and services which many of our constituents utilize and see a return on their tax dollars taken by government.

For all its failures, most glaring is the more than $1.3 billion that was added into the State Budget without explanation since Governor Murphy’s state budget address. For those watching closely, we knew this spending accounted for Christmas tree items—special projects serving as political paybacks which not only undermine the integrity of the budget process but also outrage taxpayers struggling to make ends meet.

Reaching a new low even by Trenton’s standards, the State Budget set a new record for budget deficits—a $2.7 billion deficit which is $1 billion more than the worst of the Corzine years. Our Delegation called out our colleagues on this reckless and alarming point, but it became quickly evident that the deals had already been cut and the taxpayers had already been sold out.

As evidenced by these and other indefensible failures of basic fiscal management, our Delegation voted NO on the State Budget without hesitation in representing the interests of our constituents.

The Assembly on Friday passed a bill, sponsored by Asw. DiAnne Gove and Asm. Brian Rumpf, providing a $2,000 income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members who meet certain qualifications. (SenateNJ.com)

The bill (A757) delivers financial assistance to dedicated community volunteers while supporting efforts to retain and recruit firefighters and other EMS personnel.

“It is critically important to emphasize that the firefighters and rescue and first aid squad members covered under our legislation are volunteers, meaning that their efforts provide tremendous cost savings to local taxpayers. These volunteers have always given their time to help others and, we should never forget, they were there for the community when needed most by overcoming unprecedented public health challenges created by the pandemic,” Gove said.

According to the latest stats from the state’s Department of Community Affairs Division of Fire Safety, roughly 77% or 26,298 of the state’s firefighters are volunteers, while roughly 7,700 are professionals.

“This tax deduction will be instrumental in helping retain and recruit volunteer fire and EMS personnel,” Rumpf said. “It is a sad fact that many who want to volunteer simply cannot because of financial considerations. If fewer people volunteer, municipalities will be forced to find alternative means of providing these services, which impacted residents could likely see in their tax bills.”

Under the proposal, firefighters would be able claim the $2,000 deduction if they volunteered during the entire tax year, performed 60% of fire duty, and attained the rank of Firefighter I Certified by January 1 of the tax year. To satisfy the fire duty requirement, volunteer firefighters without duty hours must have responded to 60% of the regular alarms and drills in which the department or force participated. Volunteer firefighters with duty hours must have at least 400 duty hours during a calendar year with no more than 50% of that time being drills.

First aid or rescue squad members would be able to claim the deduction if they volunteered during the entire tax year, performed 10% of rescue duty, and either passed an approved training program or qualified as an emergency medical technician by January 1 of the tax year. To satisfy the rescue duty requirement, squad members who volunteer with duty hours must complete at least 400 hours of duty during the year with no more than 50% of that time being drills. If they volunteer without duty hours, the squad members must attend and render first aid during no less than 10% of the regular alarms and participate in 60% of the drills.

“Very simply, these volunteer firefighters and rescue and first aid squad members have earned this tax deduction. They deserve this recognition. It is in the interest of public safety and good governance to compensate these individuals for their unwavering commitment to the community,” Gove and Rumpf said.

The Senate bill (S1697), introduced by Sen. Christopher Connors, has been referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.

Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. The 9th District delegation’s legislation would establish the “Volunteer Fire Company Assistance Program” along with a special non-lapsing State fund that would receive an initial appropriation of $10 million to support the operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove have introduced legislation to support the financial needs of volunteer fire companies. (Pixabay)

The concept for the delegation’s legislation is strongly supported by the Borough of Pine Beach’s governing body. The governing body of Waretown has also stated its support for the establishment of a fund to support volunteer fire companies.

The 9th District delegation’s companion legislation has been introduced as A-5570 and S-3925 (click here for PDF of the bill).

The delegation issued the following remarks:

“Volunteer fire companies provide critical, life-saving services that communities across Ocean County rely on every day. It is also important to note that these dedicated firefighters save local taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars every year by volunteering their time and expertise.

“State regulations and financial strains can limit the ability of some municipalities to provide additional funding to volunteer fire companies such as for upgrading or replacing emergency equipment. Given the critical public safety issues at play, it’s time for the State to step up with a dedicated funding source to ensure volunteer fire companies are properly equipped to effectively carry out their serious responsibilities.

“Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank the governing body of Pine Beach for bringing this proposal to our attention and providing background based on the operations of the Borough’s own volunteer fire department.”

Under the delegation’s legislation, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety would be required to develop and administer a grant program to annually distribute monies in the fund to volunteer fire companies in the form of grants to support the ongoing operations and sustainability of volunteer fire companies, including the purchasing of emergency equipment.

The 9th District delegation has also introduced companion legislation, S-1697 and A-757, which would permit volunteer firefighters and first aid or rescue squad members to claim an additional exemption of $5,000 to be taken as a deduction from their gross income if they meet certain qualifications.

As the FY2024 State Budget hearings wind to a close, District 9 lawmakers are calling on the Murphy Administration and their legislative colleagues to make tax relief and corresponding government spending cuts priorities. (Pixabay)

The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement:

“Unrelenting inflation has only exasperated the high cost of living in New Jersey that has the unenviable distinction of the highest property taxes in the nation. The State Budget is the state’s controlling document and, therefore, needs to be the centerpiece of fiscal reform and providing the financial security taxpayers desperately need.

“Obscene levels in state spending, entitlements for persons in the country illegally, and political pet budget projects will not help taxpayers in the short or long term but will give them incentive to move out of New Jersey to states with reasonable tax rates. Many residents we serve are bracing for another round of toll increases that will only add to the financial burdens imposed by Trenton. These policies include, but certainly are not limited to, increases in the gas tax and electric rates while at the same time political games are played with the state’s broken school funding formula.

“It is blatantly obvious that tax relief is desperately needed to stabilize taxpayers’ financial security, especially for those whose hard-earned tax dollars pay for State programs that they rarely qualify for under Trenton’s gimmick-ridden eligibility requirements. Yes, the ANCHOR program was a step in the right direction and gave reformers a glimmer of hope that Trenton was finally beginning to wake up to New Jersey’s affordability crisis.

“Responsible governing means prioritizing funding for core services and programs, especially those serving our most vulnerable citizens. However, state services aren’t any help if you can’t afford to live in the state in which they’re offered. State Budget deliberations to date have unfortunately shown the Administration’s policy mindset rests solidly with protecting government spending levels at all costs as opposed to sending excess tax revenue where it belongs—to the taxpayers.”

During the May 17 hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Rumpf raised concern to the State Treasurer about how the increasing cost of living in New Jersey has led 30 percent of middle-class residents to now be considered low income. The Assemblyman also questioned how the Administration’s use of federal pandemic relief funds for a new state Hall of Fame and the state’s bid for the World Cup would prepare New Jersey for a future pandemic. Additionally, Assemblyman Rumpf disputed the Administration’s proposal to spend millions of dollars on the Centre Pompidou x Jersey City, a satellite location for a well-endowed French Arts Museum, that could be far better utilized to help New Jersey’s most vulnerable citizens.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove expressed their opposition to offshore wind turbines during an independent hearing on whale and dolphin deaths that was held virtually by N.J. Senate Republicans. (Pixabay)

The following testimony was submitted into the record on behalf of the legislators:

As coastal legislators, we call on the federal government to leave our oceans alone.

Massive wind turbines drilled into the ocean floor will wreak havoc on the fragile wildlife habitats and marine life that stand to be subjected to this extremely disruptive process.

To be clear, we are not calling for a moratorium.

We are demanding that the proposed ocean wind turbine projects be scrapped for compelling reasons.

Given the size of the turbines and wide scope of area they would cover, how can it not be expected that there will be seriously negative ecological repercussions?

Further, we call on the Murphy Administration and our state government to stop being blindly complicit by promoting this policy which will prove injurious to our oceans.

From the outset, our Delegation has opposed offshore wind turbines for three simple and obvious reasons.

First, the substantial damage that the wind turbines will do to the ocean floor, including wildlife habitats.

Second, people love the Jersey shore as it is renowned for its beautiful seascape without massive wind turbines.

Third, and certainly not last, the very real potential for the commercial and recreational fishing industry to be irrevocably, negatively impacted.

In April of 2021 – before the reports of dead whales and dolphins started filling local headlines – our Delegation wrote to the federal government, specifically the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, outlining the very serious local concerns about the proposed ocean windfarm off of Long Beach Island.

These serious concerns include, but are certainly not limited to, the potentially negative consequences for New Jersey’s fishing and tourism industry which are vital and strong performing components of the state’s overall economy.

A copy of our correspondence, to reiterate was sent more than two years ago, has been attached to our testimony.

Then, as now, our Delegation strongly believes that the wind turbine project would prove to be yet another failed experiment in the growing list of pipedream green energy proposals that achieved little at great cost to taxpayers and ratepayers.

For advocates of ocean wind turbines, we are forced to ask: Do you really think that is worth the risk to the environment to produce an infinitesimal amount of energy?

Does combating climate change really require drilling massive holes into the ocean floor?

Our record on this is clear and principled by virtue of the fact that we supported the 2018 bipartisan-supported law that prohibits offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in State waters.

It is important to note that our Delegation takes exception to remarks by government officials who frown upon residents for strenuously objecting to the ocean wind turbines.

These residents rightly hold that the ocean belongs to the people – and is not a natural resource for the government agencies to lease out in huge swaths to major corporations.

Is it not State policy, especially among environmental activists, to increase beach and waterway access?

How will the massive ocean wind turbines not erode, let alone maintain, a standing State policy commitment to beach and waterway access?

It is not a matter of if but to what extent will navigation in proximity to the wind turbines be restricted?

Thousands of acres or perhaps hundreds of square miles will be off limits to the recreational and commercial harvest of fin and shellfish.

Added to that, permitting the wind turbines to be built will present a very real risk to the path of migratory fish, placing these resources beyond the limits of many recreational fishermen.

Parenthetically, how does the leasing of hundreds of square miles of ocean floor to foreign companies reduce our dependence on foreign energy?

Our state should be deeply concerned of what is to follow should the ocean wind turbine projects be approved, and not just in terms of electric rates.

By this, we mean the empty promises made to ratepayers who now find themselves subsidizing the costs of solar energy.

Data presented through research should not countermand people’s common sense: drilling holes in the ocean floor for the construction of massive structures will have serious negative ramifications.

For the millions that love and visit our state’s pristine beaches, do we have to say: “Enjoy the view while it lasts.”

Like residents across the state, we are alarmed by the number of dead whales, dolphins and marine life washing ashore or being found in the water.

It is understandable that concerned residents would direct their focus on the debate as to whether sonar being used to map the ocean floor for wind turbine projects is the cause for the deaths.

Ultimately though, the most effective approach to achieve the goal of protecting marine life in our ocean is to outright oppose the ocean wind turbine projects.

Appropriately, we must emphasize that this testimony represents the principled stance and interests of many of our constituents for whom this issue is emotional on several levels.

It is our sincere hope that the testimony offered during this hearing proves to be a compelling effort to stop the construction of ocean wind turbines and, thereby, protecting our ocean and marine wildlife.

During a hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf challenged the Murphy administration on its proposed budget that would increase funding for inmates while Trenton refuses to fully restore funding to targeted school districts. (Pixabay)

Assemblyman Rumpf, who serves on the Assembly Budget Committee, directed his line of questioning to New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn, Esq., who recently testified before the committee.

“I speak on behalf of my 9th District legislative colleagues Senator Chris Connors and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove when I say that our children and educational professionals, as well as all taxpayers for that matter, deserve priority over increasing pay for inmates’ jobs,” said Assemblyman Rumpf.  “More infuriating is that nearly 7,600 prisoners were released during COVID yet the Murphy Administration is calling for an increase in funding for the Department of Corrections, including a $2.6 million increase for inmate wages for a total of $157.3 million.”

The 9th District delegation voted “YES” on legislation (S-3732) to restore 66% of the funding to 168 school districts that otherwise would have their aid cut under the state school funding formula and Governor Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year. Each member of the delegation supported a hostile amendment to fully restore funding to impacted school districts as opposed to just the 66% restoration of funding that was approved.

Assemblyman Rumpf added, “Trenton is quick to cut funding to schools based on enrollment. So why are we not seeing a reduction in state spending when the number of inmates in the state has decreased? For most, this is beyond the pale but, like anything in Trenton, politics plays a decisive role.

“Consider: these are the inmates who were deemed too dangerous to be released during COVID. At the same time, students and dedicated educational professionals are still working hard to recover from the education setbacks caused by COVID and remote learning.

“I certainly respect Commissioner Kuhn as she is acting in the best interest of the Department. The Commissioner comprehensively responded to every question Budget Committee members asked during the hearing. Regardless, these indefensible funding policies that place inmates before students can be traced directly back to Governor Murphy.

“Future budget hearings will undoubtedly expose yet more objectionable and wasteful spending items in the proposed State Budget, based on the administration’s record to date. Along with Senator Connors and Assemblywoman Gove, I will continue to serve the best interests of our constituents by fighting for a responsible State Budget that sufficiently funds taxpayers’ core priorities, including tax relief and the fair distribution of school funding.”

In representing the interests of their constituents, Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove voted “YES” on legislation (S-3732) to restore 66% of the funding to 168 school districts that otherwise would have their aid cut under the state school funding formula and Governor Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year.

Connors, Rumpf, and Gove voted ‘YES’ on legislation to restore 66% of the funding to 168 school districts that would otherwise be cut under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year. (Flickr)

Connors, Rumpf, and Gove voted against the current school funding law (S-2/A-2) which was enacted in 2018, recognizing not only that catastrophic cuts would be imposed on constituent school districts, but also that the state’s school funding would become even more politicized to the detriment of thousands of students, education professionals, parents, and taxpayers.

The 9th District delegation wrote directly to Governor Murphy calling on him to veto S-2/A-2 to break with the state’s policy failed education funding policies.

A copy of S-3732, which lists the funding amounts restored to impacted districts, can be reviewed by clicking this link.

Connors, Rumpf, and Gove made the following statement subsequent to S-3732 passing both houses of the State Legislature and being sent to the Governor’s desk:

“It’s unconscionable that Trenton has allowed politics to dictate how our schools are funded for so long, after witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences for impacted school districts which were deliberately targeted under the current funding formula.

“Making this more appalling is that this was all foreseeable but, as usual in Trenton, politics won out in the end.

“Miraculously, Trenton has now seen the error of its ways and moved to restore a considerable amount of funding to school districts that have been targeted for cuts, though not all funding. While this will in no way compensate for the damage done through years of funding cuts, it is a move in the direction of reform and a clear signal that Trenton can no longer ignore the growing chorus of residents who are tired of their school districts being used as political pawns. It’s not so much that corrective action is long overdue but more we should have never reached this point, especially when considering the quality of so many children’s education is directly at stake.

“For our constituents, each member of our delegation supported a hostile amendment to fully restore funding to impacted school districts as opposed to just the 66% restoration of funding. Not surprisingly, this was too much for Trenton as surely State House power brokers have other plans for that funding which is, after all, taxpayer dollars.

“That being said, we want to thank the hundreds of constituents who contacted our delegation in support of S-3732 so that impacted school districts in our area receive more state funding. Your active engagement in the legislative process proved successful and it is our delegation’s privilege to serve as your 9th District representatives.”

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Connors, Rumpf & Gove that would permit a portion of municipal development trust funds to be spent on housing affordability assistance to veterans. (©iStock)

Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove are the prime sponsors of the Assembly companion version, A-745, which is awaiting consideration by the Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Grants under the program would be limited to $15,000 per recipient, and would not be considered income for the purpose of determining eligibility or benefit levels for other State programs, or for purposes of taxation.

Current law permits a municipality that is authorized to collect affordable housing fees under the rules of the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to set aside amounts from the fees collected to provide affordability assistance programs. This may include down payment assistance, security deposit assistance, low interest loans, common maintenance expenses for units located in condominiums, rental assistance, and any other program authorized by the COAH.

The 9th District Delegation issued a statement following the Committee’s approval of their veterans-related legislative initiative:

“Improving the quality of life for our veterans remains among our Delegation’s top priorities. Providing downpayment assistance to first-time homebuying veterans from available funding resources is consistent with that commitment.

“New Jersey’s cost of living is too high for too many residents, including veterans. Tax relief is desperately needed by a broad array of residents who want to still call New Jersey home, but unfortunately are encountering severe and persistent financial burdens that the state needs to alleviate.

“Our Delegation’s proposed initiative is focused on assisting those veterans who are working to realize the dream of owning a home and possibly starting a family. These veterans are definitively deserving of this benefit in light of their honorable service to our nation.

“Lastly, we are proud to say that this legislative proposal has bipartisan support in both Houses of the Legislature by way of co-sponsorship, which is necessary if it is to advance to the Governor’s desk.”

Members of the 9th Legislative District serve on the Senate and Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, respectively.

In response to incidents involving the tragic death of Central Regional High School student Adriana Kuch, Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove intend to introduce legislation that would require school officials to immediately report to the police any assault that results in the injury of a student. (Flickr)

The 9th District delegation issued the following remarks:

“Immediately following the death of Adriana Kuch, our delegation reached out to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to gain a better understanding of the incident and to put us in a more informed position to determine if amending existing state law is necessary and appropriate.

“After careful consideration, our delegation is drafting new legislation that would require school officials to immediately report to the police any assault that results in the injury of a student. Amending state law would provide consistency, meaning that an incident of assault would no longer be dealt with as a matter of a school’s individual policy.

“Our legislation would apply to assaults resulting in injury that occurs on school grounds or school facilities.

“Those who wish to cause harm to their fellow students should not be able to view schools as sanctuaries to commit acts of violence. Any assault resulting in injury on school property should be treated the same as an assault that occurs anywhere else.

“Importantly, we want to convey our heartfelt sympathies to family, friends, and fellow schoolmates of Adriana Kuch and to the community as a whole which has had to endure this terrible tragedy.”

Sen. Christopher Connors announced today that he will not seek re-election to the State Legislature. (SenateNJ.com)

“It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve the people of the 9th Legislative District. I have always held a strong commitment to serving the community and have always thought of my constituents as my extended family.

“However, after thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to seek re-election to the State Legislature after 33 years of service. This was certainly a difficult decision, but I feel in my heart that this is the right time to step aside, especially as running for re-election would require serving a four-year term.

“I can take comfort in fulfilling my final year in the Senate knowing that I served my constituents to the best of my ability, always placing their best interests and good governance before partisan politics or special interest agendas. Always, my first and most important responsibility is to be responsive to my constituents, especially through the constituent services provided by my legislative district office to assist those in need.

“Making this decision even more difficult is how much I will sincerely miss the tremendously productive working relationships with the dedicated federal, state, county, and local elected officials whom I share a constituency. Most especially though, I will miss serving along my 9th District Legislative colleagues Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove who are dedicated, compassionate, and highly effective public servants who have earned the enduring respect of both their constituents and fellow elected officials.

“Lastly, I want to pay tribute to my late father, Senator Leonard T. Connors, Jr., for consistently instilling in me the qualities of a dedicated public servant, that begins with being responsive to and respectful of the people you were elected to represent. He always followed his moral compass and was the greatest father and mentor a person could ever have by their side.”

Senator Christopher Connors was first elected to the Lacey Township Committee in 1984 and served as Mayor from 1986 to 1990. From 1982 to 1988, Connors was Deputy Director of the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning and served as its Director during 1988 and 1989.

As for his legislative service, Connors was selected by the Republican County Committee members and was sworn to the General Assembly on September 28, 1989. He was elected to his first full term in the Assembly in November of 1989, and was reelected in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2005. Connors served as Assistant Majority Leader 1992-95.

In 2007, Connors was elected to the Senate and was re-elected in 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021. Senator Connors was consistently among the highest vote-getters in state legislative elections during his legislative service. Presently, Connors serves as a ranking member of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Sen. Chris Connors participated in an orientation flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker with the New Jersey Air National Guard at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. (New Jersey National Guard )

“It was a privilege to be able to participate in the refueling exercise with the New Jersey Air National Guard,” said Connors (R-9). “To have the opportunity to be in the Stratotanker itself, and witness firsthand as it refuels a nearby jet, was nothing short of impressive. I would like to thank all of the incredible servicemen and women who organized this exercise and allowed us to get an inside look at some of the dangerous, complex, but necessary work the National Guard engages in every day.”

Connors, a member of the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee, took part in an orientation flight on a KC-135R Stratotanker on July 19 with the 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. The flight highlighted the valuable work of the Air National Guard and gave participants a firsthand view of a Stratotanker air refueling mission and its importance to the national defense strategy.

The 108th Wing was formed in 1993 by the consolidation of two units—one with a rich tradition of fighter operations, and the other with a distinguished background in airlift and air refueling. Today, the 108th has more than 1,200 professional men and women dedicated to aerial refueling, airlift, intelligence, and cyber operations.

U.S. Air Force Col. Eric A. Guttormsen, commander, 108th Wing, addresses New Jersey legislators and staffers prior to the orientation flight.

KC-135R Stratotanker.

New Jersey state senators and staffers board the KC-135R.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kristopher D’Erasmo, right, a KC-135R evaluator pilot with the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, talks with Sen. Connors, left, Honorary 87th Air Base Wing Commander John Ciufo, second from left, and Sen. Zwicker.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon with the 177th Fighter Wing, maintains its position on the starboard side of the KC-135R.

Sen. Connors, right, observes as Staff Sgt. Charles W. Howard V, a KC-135R boom operator with the 141st Air Refueling Squadron, refuels an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

New Jersey legislators and staffers and 108th Wing crew members have their photo taken after the orientation flight.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Charles W. Howard V, left, talks with Sen. Connors after the orientation flight.

Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove voted “NO” on the FY2023 State Budget which was approved on Wednesday by the New Jersey Legislature. They said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review the state’s massive $50 billion spending plan, which was released late Monday night by Democrats.

Sen. Christopher Connors, Asm. Brian Rumpf, and Asw. DiAnne Gove voted against the budget and said legislators and the public were denied sufficient time to review massive $50B spending plan. (Wikimedia Commons)

This year, Assemblyman Rumpf joined the Assembly Budget Committee and consistently testified in favor of limited government as a sustainable means of providing immediate tax relief and funding the state’s core obligations.

The 9^th District delegation issued the following statement:

“The State Budget is divorced from reality in that it does not provide the tax relief desperately needed by taxpaying seniors and families in the state who are struggling financially as inflation has compounded the already high cost of living in New Jersey.

“Rather than take the historic opportunity to provide substantial tax relief using federal relief funds, the Budget recklessly increases state spending to an obscene and unsustainable level, even by New Jersey standards.  As a consequence, taxpayers will pay a high price both now and in the years to come.

“Yes, there are provisions of the Budget which are supportable and will return money to taxpayers in a limited and targeted degree.  Yet when you examine the numbers, taxpayers are definitely on the losing side as special interests, pet projects, and political ideology took center stage in the end.

“The line became even clearer between those in Trenton who are committed to reducing taxes through limited government and extremists who see government expansion, including intensified bureaucratic regulation, as the answer to every issue regardless of the cost to those who can least afford it.

“How can you support increasing government spending when people are having trouble paying for gas, putting food on the table, and paying already high property taxes?  This reality is evidently lost on proponents of the Budget who put politics before people and, unfortunately, control both the legislative agenda and the Governor’s Office.

“Depending on how the economy performs moving forward, this Budget very likely could prove a breaking point for both taxpayers and the state bureaucracy that’s built to collapse under its own weight as most taxpayers have already reached their limit.”

In representing the interests of unemployed constituents, during a hearing of the Assembly Budget Committee Assemblyman Brian Rumpf called for faster processing of the unemployment claims. (SenateNJ.com)

“After having their livelihoods taken from them as a direct consequence of misguided COVID lockdown restrictions, many unfortunate individuals faced a worse nightmare applying for unemployment benefits. To the detriment of the state, more thought was given by the Murphy Administration to picking winners and losers, as in which businesses could stay open and which would close during lockdown, then adequately preparing for the resulting wave of unemployment claims.

“The unemployment claim process passed a crisis threshold that was disgraceful and traumatic for so many families. Seeing the quickly unfolding crisis, our office called for more resources to be provided to the Department of Labor to expedite the processing of claims for persons who were at the financial breaking point.

“Thousands of constituents contacted my joint district office that I share with my 9th District colleagues Senator Christopher Connors and Assemblywoman Dianne Gove begging for help with processing their unemployment claims after receiving no response from the very government that, in many cases, ordered their business closed or operations restricted. As the state of emergency continued, our office made every effort to assist constituents but soon became overwhelmed by desperate pleas from unemployed constituents who were just trying to pay their bills and put food on the table.

“During the Assembly Budget hearing, committee members from both parties expressed extreme frustration with the number of unresolved unemployment claims, citing the bureaucratic nightmares that their respective constituents were forced to endure. A clear and direct message was conveyed to the Department of Labor and the Murphy Administration that the flaws in the unemployment claim process must be resolved quickly so that impacted individuals, many of whom have been paying into the unemployment fund for decades, receive the benefits that are entitled to in a timely fashion.