TRENTON, N.J. – In an effort to address the massive backlog at New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission agencies and hours-long wait times, the Assembly Appropriations Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn to make the written portion of the driver’s license exam available online during the Covid-19 public...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Aura Dunn criticized Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget for shortchanging schools despite increasing spending by $4.5 billion this year and funding six new pet projects to the cost of more than $95 million. “The governor’s budget funds more free college and preschool when our kids aren’t...
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Forcing school children to take standardized tests this year would be an unnecessary burden heaped on students, parents and teachers, says Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, a member of the Joint Committee on Public Schools. “I don’t know what of value would be gained by forcing students to...
TRENTON, N.J. – Today’s Joint Committee on the Public Schools remote meeting highlighted the importance of getting teachers and children back in the classroom for full in-person learning, said the committee’s Assembly Republican members. Legislators, state officials, education advocates, and concerned parents discussed how New Jersey can successfully reopen...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Aura Dunn is urging Gov. Phil Murphy to reconsider restrictions on spectators at indoor sports venues following Wednesday’s announcement of increased capacity and dining hours for restaurants and certain businesses. “If casinos and entertainment venues can increase capacity, then parents should be permitted to watch...
TRENTON, N.J. – Gov. Phil Murphy announced today that he was easing restrictions on restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms, allowing them to operate past 10 p.m. and increase capacity limits by 10 percent starting Friday. Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso welcomed the news, but was critical of Murphy’s executive orders that...
TRENTON, N.J. – The state Education Department quietly sent a memo last week to school districts detailing its plans to require standardized tests this spring even while it could apply for a waiver from the Biden administration. Assemblyman Brian Bergen says the state should think about the impact on...
TRENTON, N.J. – The $1.25 billion Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey must pay New Jersey over the next 18 years needs to be used to reduce premiums, says Assemblyman Ron Dancer. The lawmaker recently introduced a constitutional amendment to guarantee lower health insurance costs for policyholders....
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey’s struggling small businesses have prioritized paying for employee health insurance premiums as the country faced its biggest public health crisis in modern history. Now small employers who purchase insurance through Members Health Plan NJ are looking at a 5.5 percent monthly Covid surcharge –...
TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey is struggling to keep afloat as it is hit by a second wave of the coronavirus. In an effort to keep transmission rates down and buoy the economy, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips will introduce a bill on Monday to mandate additional rapid testing facilities in...