Archive for Author: mriser

Cape May lawmakers push for Coast Guard license plate

TRENTON, N.J. – Cape May County lawmakers Assemblymen Erik Simonsen and Antwan McClellan introduced a bill to create a special license plate honoring members of the U.S. Coast Guard. Cape May, New Jersey is home to the only U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in America, making it the...

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Murphy’s knee-jerk reaction to Supreme Court ruling on concealed carry shows differences, says Assembly GOP Leader

TRENTON, N.J. – Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio said Gov. Phil Murphy’s response, directing state departments and agencies to identify and designate gun free zones and regulate how firearms are transported, shows clear differences in his rhetoric on criminals and law-abiding citizens. “Democrats don’t appear to trust honest law-abiding...

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Bill banning body armor possession could have consequences for veterans and schoolchildren

TRENTON, N.J. – Republican members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee slammed Democrats for moving a bill banning body armor possession that could carry criminal consequences for veterans and prohibit parents from buying bulletproof backpacks. Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-Morris), holding up his U.S. Army-issued body armor he wore as an...

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Republicans reject bill increasing auto insurance premiums for N.J. drivers

TRENTON, N.J. – Republicans argued a bill to increase auto insurance coverage limits considered in the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee on Thursday would result in a less affordable New Jersey and higher costs for consumers at a time of record-high inflation. The bill (A4291) increases the minimum...

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GOP committee members take aim at Dems’ gun control package

TRENTON, N.J. – During a legislative debate on Gov. Phil Murphy’s latest gun control package, Republicans in the Assembly Judiciary Committee disputed the Democrats’ claim that the bills would lessen crime in the Garden State. Assemblyman Robert Auth and Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn said the package targets law-abiding gun owners...

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Sales tax holiday another gimmick, says Assembly GOP Leader

TRENTON, N.J. – Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio continued his call for permanent tax cuts after a joint announcement by Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Nick Scutari and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin today that there will be a back-to-school sales tax holiday. “Another underwhelming gimmick when people need real...

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Assembly GOP leaders put income, property tax cuts to a vote

TRENTON, N.J. – The Democrats’ support of a more affordable New Jersey was put to a vote on Thursday when Republican leaders pressed the Assembly majority to advance bills cutting income taxes and providing immediate property tax relief. The bills are part of the Assembly GOP’s proposals to combat...

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Bergen fights for better veterans’ benefits in Assembly, Dems block motions

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman Brian Bergen, a former Apache pilot in Operation Iraqi Freedom, argued that Democrat-sponsored legislation in the Assembly on Thursday didn’t provide ample benefits for service-disabled veterans. “I’m standing up before you today, because I believe what we are doing here today is not enough,” Bergen...

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Assembly passes Thomson bill creating online training option for planning and zoning board members

TRENTON, N.J. – The Assembly on Thursday passed a bill creating an online option for members of planning and zoning boards who must currently complete required training in person. Sponsored by Assemblyman Edward Thomson, the bill (A428) makes it easier for current planning and zoning board members to complete...

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