Senate Approves Bipartisan School Bus Safety Bill Package
A series of school bus safety bills sponsored Senators James Holzapfel, Kristen Corrado, Patrick J. Diegnan Jr., Joseph Lagana, Vin Gopal, and Linda Greenstein has been approved by the New Jersey State Senate.
NJ Senate approves bipartisan school bus safety bill package sponsored by Senators James Holzapfel and Kristen Corrado. (SenateNJ.com)
The package aims to improve bus safety and accident response, make bus drivers and companies more accountable and require every student to carry an identification card at school-sponsored, off-campus activities.
“Parents should not have to worry about the safety of their child when they are on a school bus,” said Senator Holzapfel (R-Ocean). “We are taking action at the state level to require additional education training for school bus drivers and ensure the safety of our children. We want drivers and aides to be educated on how to handle an emergency situation. Any step we can take to prevent an accident involving a school bus will go a long way.”
“After so many tragic accidents, thousands of parents now have to think twice when they watch their child board a school bus,” Senator Corrado (R-Bergen/Essex/Morris/Passaic) said. “There is nothing more precious than our children. If you’re going to drive a school bus, you should have a clean driving record and the qualifications necessary to transport our kids. This bill will ensure those standards are met. It’s the least we can do.”
Corrado, Singleton Bill to Help NJ Veterans Find Careers Passes Committee
The Senate Military and Veteran Affairs Committee has passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Troy Singleton (D- 7) that would create a Military Veteran Career Transition Program. The bill would provide job placement and coaching for veterans statewide.
NJ Senate Committee has passed Sen. Kristin Corrado’s bipartisan bill that would create a Military Veteran Career Transition Program. (WikiCommons)
“The gap between military life and civilian employment can leave our veterans feeling frustrated. It’s time to bridge that gap,” Sen. Kristin Corrado said. “Veterans gain an abundance of experience throughout the course of their service to our country. They have skills that are an asset to a wide variety of employers and industries. The creation of a veteran transition program can provide services members with opportunities that will match their skill sets with job openings in their area.”
Corrado Applauds Formation of Bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation
Senator Kristin Corrado praised the formation of a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation to investigate the handling of the sexual assault allegations against a former high-level state official, examine government hiring practices and background checks, and conduct a review of the criminal justice system’s procedures for responding to allegations of sexual assault, abuse and harassment.
Sen. Kristin Corrado praised the formation of a bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Investigation. (©iStock)
“I commend Senate President Sweeney for making the decision to convene this special legislative committee and call upon Speaker Coughlin to join us to create a bipartisan joint legislative committee,” said Corrado. “As a co-equal branch of government, the Legislature plays a critical role in protecting the integrity of our government.”
Corrado had previously called for a legislative investigation into these matters.
Corrado Introduces Resolution to Create Special Legislative Committee to Investigate Governor’s Hiring Practices
In response to numerous concerns that have been raised regarding current and former employees of the Murphy Administration, Senator Kristin Corrado has introduced a resolution to constitute a special legislative committee to conduct a broad investigation into the hiring practices of Governor Phil Murphy.
Sen. Kristin Corrado has introduced a resolution to constitute a special legislative committee to conduct a broad investigation into the hiring practices of Gov. Phil Murphy. (SenateNJ.com)
Click here to view a PDF of the resolution.
“The floodgates have opened with numerous reports of questionable hires by the Murphy Administration, including a corrupt official convicted on federal bribery charges, one with multiple allegations of sexual assault, and another who was involved in a major campaign finance scandal,” said Corrado. “We must investigate why the governor thought it was appropriate to hire these individuals into positions of public trust. We must examine the safeguards that exist in the hiring process, and learn how they failed or were sidestepped to allow Governor Murphy to reward his campaign workers with highly paid positions at taxpayer expense.”
Corrado Repeats Call for Legislative Investigation of Murphy Administration’s Hiring Practices
In a new letter sent today to Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Senator Kristin Corrado repeated her call for a bipartisan legislative investigation into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration.
With concerns mounting, Sen. Kristin Corrado repeated her call for a bipartisan legislative investigation into the hiring practices of the Murphy Administration. (©iStock)
Click here to view a PDF of the letter.
The full text of the letter is included below:
Kean & Corrado: Sexual Assault Detailed in WSJ Story Should Serve As a Call to Action for the NJ Legislature
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Kristin Corrado said new details of an alleged sexual assault by a former campaign worker of Governor Phil Murphy reinforce the need for legislative hearings into the administration’s hiring practices, and said the difficulties experienced by the victim in seeking justice should prompt a review of New Jersey’s criminal and civil statutes regarding sexual assault.
Sen. Tom Kean and Sen. Kristin Corrado said new details of an alleged sexual assault by a former campaign worker of Gov. Phil Murphy reinforce the need for legislative hearings, and called for a review of New Jersey’s criminal and civil statutes regarding sexual assault. (©iStock)
“The sexual assault alleged by Ms. Brennan was just the beginning of a story that is both heartbreaking and all too common among the victims of sex crimes,” said Kean. “Despite taking every reasonable step that a person subject to such a traumatic assault could be expected to take, Ms. Brennan was unable to find justice in either a court of law or with her employer. This should serve as a call to action for the Legislature to address these issues immediately.”
New Corrado Bill Would Require For-Profit Cemeteries to Pay Fair Share of Local Taxes
Legislation Eliminates Exemption for Commercial Cemeteries that Masquerade as Charities
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) has introduced legislation that would eliminate property tax exemptions for cemeteries that turn a profit.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation would eliminate property tax exemptions for cemeteries that turn a profit. (SenateNJ.com)
“For-profit companies must pay their fair share of taxes,” Corrado said. “Currently, money-making cemeteries have been benefiting from a nonprofit system. This is unfair. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill.”
Corrado Calls for Legislative Hearings on Murphy Admin’s Hiring of Convicted Politician
Senator Kristin Corrado called for legislative hearings to determine how a former politician convicted of bribery could be hired into the Murphy Administration despite state laws prohibiting the employment of corrupt officials in government positions. Corrado’s call for hearings was made in a letter to Senate President Steve Sweeney.
Sen. Kristin Corrado called for legislative hearings to determine how the Murphy Administration hired a corrupt public official in violation of New Jersey law. (©iStock)
“Governor Murphy’s suggestion that his administration conducted a legal review that supported the hiring of Marcellus Jackson despite his prior conviction on federal corruption charges doesn’t pass the smell test,” said Corrado. “Both the Attorney General and the Office of Legislative Services have said the hiring is a violation of New Jersey law. We must hold legislative hearings to determine where the process broke down and how it can be fixed going forward to maintain the public’s trust in government.”
Corrado Announces National Adoption Day Toy Drive
As part of her ongoing effort to support New Jersey’s foster children and adoptive families, Senator Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting children’s toy donations through November 9th.
All new and unwrapped toy donations collected at Senator Corrado’s district office will be distributed to the Passaic Vicinage on their National Adoption Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 16.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s district office will be collecting new and unwrapped children’s toy donations through November 9th. (SenateNJ.com)
“Seeing a child find their forever-family is truly a blessing,” Corrado said. “I was fortunate to grow up in a loving home, where two of my sisters were adopted. This experience definitely inspired me to become a lifelong advocate for foster kids and adoptive families. During my time as Passaic County Clerk, I also had the privilege to participate in many remarkable Adoption Days,” Corrado added. “These moments celebrate a child’s path to a new family, and honor their story. Donating new and unwrapped toys is a great way for people in our community to show their support.”
Corrado Calls on Menendez & Booker to Fight for FEMA Funding for Flooded NJ Communities
Following last weekend’s catastrophic rainfall in Northern New Jersey and at the Jersey Shore, Senator Kristin Corrado (R-Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic) is urging New Jersey’s United States Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker to fight for FEMA funding to help flood-ravaged communities cope with the aftermath of the storm.
Sen. Kristin Corrado is urging US Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker to fight for FEMA funding to help flood-ravaged communities cope with the aftermath of last weekend’s rainstorms. (Edwin J. Torres/NJ Governor’s Office)
“The State of Emergency Governor Murphy declared this week was a start, but it is becoming abundantly clear to us that we are not going to be able to rebuild our communities without FEMA aid,” Senator Corrado said. “The flood damage we have seen in Little Falls, Cedar Grove, Woodland Park, Brick, and several other towns is astounding. It is time for our counterparts in Washington to step up to the plate and fight for additional funding. Scores of families have been displaced from their homes. Community centers have been destroyed. How much more proof do our elected leaders need before they take action?”
