Bergen Young Republicans

New Program Will Cover People Who Would Have Been IneligiblefFor ADDP Under New Guidelines

Senator Sean T. Kean, a member of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee, applauded Governor Chris Christie’s decision to establish a new drug benefit program that will provide free AIDS medications to individuals between 300 and 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The new program is called Temporary AIDS Supplemental Rebate and Federal Assistance Program.

“I am very pleased that Governor Christie created a new program to provide people with these essential medications,” remarked Senator Sean Kean. “These drugs are very expensive, but necessary for individuals with AIDS/HIV to sustain their health.”

Read the rest of Senator Sean Kean Applauds Governor’s Decision To Establish New Drug Program For People With AIDS/HIV (154 words)

Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande have issued the following statement about the Haskell and the Hambletonian taking place over the next two weekends:

“Next month New Jersey will be host to two major horseracing events, anticipated to bring millions of dollars in revenue to the State. The Haskell at Monmouth Park and the Hambletonian at the Meadowlands are part of the long history New Jersey has with horseracing, and should serve as a reminder of the role the industry plays in the economy of our State.

Read the rest of New Jersey Hosts Two Major Horseracing Events in August (172 words)

In a letter sent today, Senator Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) asked New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow to inquire into the nearly nine-year delay in constructing Off Track Wagering Facilities in New Jersey. Of the 15 authorized in 2001 only three are operational. Monies from the OTWF would have contributed substantial sums to subsidize the purses at New Jersey horse racing facilities.

Read the rest of Sean Kean Asks Attorney General Dow to Inquire Into Delays in Constructing OTBs in New Jersey (284 words)

The Situation Is Bad Enough

In the wake of President Obama’s visit to New Jersey to promote small businesses, Senator Sean Kean (R-Monmouth) called on the President to no longer support oil drilling near the New Jersey coastline.

“If the President is serious about supporting small businesses, he will tell New Jersey today that he has changed his position on offshore oil drilling, ” said Kean. “The President’s desire to let big oil commercialize the coast has the potential to destroy thousands of small shore-dependent businesses. As we have seen in the Gulf, all it takes is a single oil spill.”

Read the rest of Sean Kean Calls on Obama to End Support for Oil Drilling Off Coast (116 words)

NJ Gulf Spill Task Force Provides Update on Local Efforts

On Monday, July 26, Senator Sean T. Kean hosted an environmental summit titled, “Protecting Our Coastline.” In light of the oil spill in the Gulf, Senator Kean felt it was important to hold an event highlighting the importance of protecting and maintaining New Jersey’s coastline.

“New Jersey’s coast is our most valuable resource,” remarked Senator Sean Kean. “We rely on it for tourism, industry, and enjoyment. Therefore, we must be proactive in our efforts to protect the coast from the oil spill and other environmental hazards.”

Read the rest of Senator Sean Kean Hosts Environmental Summit Focusing on Protecting The Coast (273 words)

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement:

“Many Republican members consider these priorities worthy of support. However, to fund them now would knock our budget out of balance. Having thoroughly analyzed Governor Christie’s full message and having discussed the state of our finances with members of the Republican caucus, there is strong support for maintaining a balanced budget. Should Senate President Sweeney determine the need to call another vote on these measures, there will not be enough support to spend money we do not have. It is now time to move forward with substantive committee hearings and a timely up or down vote on the property tax relief tool kit.”

Requests State Auditor Be Invited to Testify at Committee Hearing

Senator Tom Goodwin (R-14) has asked Senator James Whelan (D-2), chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, to invite State Auditor Stephen Eells to testify at the committee on the reported financial mismanagement by the Trenton Public School District. The request was made by Goodwin, a member of the committee, in a letter that was sent to Chairman Whelan.

The letter from Senator Goodwin to Senator Whelan follows:

Dear Chairman Whelan,

A recent report issued by State Auditor Stephen Eells has identified systemic financial mismanagement by the Trenton Public School District.

Read the rest of Goodwin Calls for Hearing on Trenton School Waste Investigation (221 words)

Senator Kean Advocated to Fix Notorious Problem Area

After several months of urging the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) to repair the Asbury Circle where Rt. 66 and Rt. 35 meet, Senator Sean Kean is pleased that the DOT will be undertaking this critical project. The harsh winter weather of 2010 exacerbated the deteriorating road conditions on the Asbury Circle.

“I personally knew that this circle was in severe disrepair. I travel it frequently,” said Senator Kean. “I contacted the DOT to inform them that this road had become seriously damaged and was a hazard to motorists.”

Read the rest of Kean Applauds DOT Decision to Repair Rt. 66 & Rt. 35 Traffic Circle (161 words)

State Auditor Uncovers More than $300,000 of Questionable Payments

Senator Tom Goodwin (R-14) has called for a thorough investigation into evidence of fraudulent spending in the Trenton Public School District that was revealed in a recent report by State Auditor Stephen Eells. The request was made in a letter that was sent to New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow.

Read the rest of Goodwin Calls for Full Investigation of Fraudulent Spending in Trenton Schools (270 words)

Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande are pleased to announce that a bill renaming the Red Bank Train Station the “Daniel O’Hern Station” passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee today.

Daniel O’Hern, a former New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice and former Mayor of Red Bank, passed away on April 1, 2009.

Read the rest of Bill Renaming Red Bank Train Station for Daniel O’Hern Passes Senate Committee (189 words)