Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Christie’s anti-violence recommendations which he outlined today: “Violence is a problem that has increasingly permeated our society like a cancer. The prudent proposals Governor Christie outlined today are necessary and practical if we are to be successful in protecting our citizens. “Certainly mental health screening and treatment services must be part of the equation as must the regulation of video games as studies have shown a correlation between the games and aggressive behavior. The …

Statement as released by the Office of the Governor: Creating greater public awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation, Governor Chris Christie signed a proclamation designating April as Donate Life Month in New Jersey. Last year, Governor Christie took action to increase donorregistration by signing legislation requiring the State to disseminate organ and tissue donation information to all State employees reminding them of the need for organ donors. In addition, the law calls on the Department of Treasury to encourage all businesses with contracts with the State to notify …

Statement as released by Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth: Assembly Republican Budget Officer Declan O’Scanlon commended the Christie Administration for its educational achievements after testimony from Education Commissioner Chris Cerf revealed improvements in graduation rates, academics and response to struggling schools.  “At a time we are investing a record amount of state dollars in education, we can give taxpayers proof that their dollars are helping children succeed,” O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said. “Metrics such as graduation rates and language arts and …

Gov. Chris Christie weighs in on the scandal at Rutgers University mens basketball coaching by former coach Mike Rice.

Homily given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Diocese of Trenton’s Mass for Law Enforcement (Blue Mass), March 19, in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. "In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories." How often have we heard those words introduce one of the longest-running and most widely-watched crime shows in television history, “Law and Order!”  Speaking for myself, the show and its various …

Statement as released by the offices of Assembly Rep. Jennifer Beck and Dave Rible: Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican Conference Leader Dave Rible and Sen. Jennifer Beck to create a task force to improve the funding, delivery and effectiveness of special education programs and services in New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Christie.  “This is a victory for the hundreds of parents I’ve met while visiting schools and special education programs who feel that their kids are falling through the cracks,” Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean, said. “We can’t walk away from…

The New Jersey Education Association released the following statement of endorsement: The 195,000-member New Jersey Education Association has endorsed Senator Barbara Buono for governor. “Barbara Buono has supported public education for her entire career in the Legislature,” said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. “She is a proud graduate of New Jersey’s public schools, and understands the vital role they play in the aspirations of middle class citizens.” “Unfortunately, over the past three years, teachers and school employees have seen their budgets slashed, their colleagues laid off, their …

A statement from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., Diocese of Trenton, on the papal election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Praised be Jesus Christ!  With the Church throughout the world, the Diocese of Trenton offers prayers of joyful and hope-filled gratitude at the election of His Eminence Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio, S.J., as the Vicar of Christ and Successor of St. Peter.  A truly inspired choice, our new Holy Father Pope Francis brings to the Chair of Peter pastoral gifts and ecclesial experience especially well-suited to his new role as universal …

The following letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was sent by Toms River Township Engineer Robert Chankalian. In his correspondence, Chankalian expresses his concerns about the data FEMA used to construct its Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps and asks for revisions. The letter is below: Thank you for this opportunity to express Toms River Township’s position, with respect to the utilization of the FEMA ABFE maps as the 100 year Base Flood Elevation for future construction. As detailed below, Toms River has numerous questions and serious concerns regarding use of …

Assembly Republicans Amy H. Handlin and Declan O’Scanlon, both R-Monmouth, issued the following statements on the hearings into contractors used to haul Hurricane Sandy debris. Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin, R-Monmouth: “Sandy’s carnage left unimaginable debris in our state and because of Governor Christie more than 8 million cubic yards –  a volume that boggles the mind – have been removed from our communities within 100 days. Partisan objections to this contract, which was competitively-bid to a company that by all accounts has performed exceedingly well, are arguments for a slower recovery…

Letter from Mayor Ken Farrell to Sea Girt residents: Operation Come Back-Sea Girt is progressing. We have updates on our Boardwalk Repair on the website. To view a copy of the briefing on the Boardwalk presented at a recent Council Meeting click here. The Sea Girt Pavilion and Boardwalk area of the Boro on Ocean Ave is currently closed to routine traffic due to safety concerns for our residents. There have been many questions on our Beach benches program. - I thank you for all your suggestions and other input. We have appointed a study group to review all options and aspects of the beach …

Gov. Chris Christie gave his "serious and fun" answers to what he described as a question frequently asked of him by children: "What's your favorite thing about being governor." Check out this recent video from the Governor's Office to hear Christie's response to an 8 year-old's question.

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Mon) released the following statement on JCP&L's proposed rate increase: Last week, utility provider JCP&L announced it was investing $200 million this year to improve it electric support system in an effort to improve service reliability. Deputy Assembly Republican Leader Amy Handlin this week asked why JCP&L did not disclose at the same time that it had filed for a 4.5 percent rate increase to recover costs from Superstorm Sandy and other storms which was revealed the next day.  “On Thursday, JCP&L was out front with the news that it was investing $200 million …

Mayor’s Website Message to Sea Girt: Operation Come Back-Sea Girt continues to progress.Sea Girt Boardwalk Repair - Phase 1 work has started. We awarded the contract for Phase 2. I am comfortable with our goal of opening the Boardwalk from Beacon to NY by not later than 1 June 2013. Please be aware that we are committed to returning Sea Girt to its condition as one of the very best places to live in America. The Sea Girt Pavilion and Boardwalk area of the Boro on Ocean Ave has been closed to routine traffic due to safety concerns for our residents. To view a copy of the briefing on the …

Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, issued the following statement after the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee concluded its hearing: “Assembly Republicans voted today for several common-sense gun safety measures that should make New Jersey a safer place for our families. We also support Governor Christie's NJ SAFE task force and a comprehensive study of mental health and the impact of violence in video games, entertainment and the media. We can get beyond political rhetoric, improve gun safety and get at the root causes of these terrible tragedies." The bills …

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy released the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage Monday of the disaster relief package:  “Our genuine thanks and gratitude goes out to the U.S. Senate for its thoughtful consideration and passage of the Hurricane Sandy disaster relief package. Despite the difficult path in getting to this moment, the Senate membership clearly recognized early on the urgency and necessity of approving the full aid package and its importance in rebuilding our battered infrastructure and…

Statement as released by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno: Calling on New Jerseyans to devote Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to helping fellow residents recover and rebuild after Hurricane Sandy, Acting Governor Kim Guadagno today joined members of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission and other guests for the 2013 Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton. “For New Jerseyans, there is probably no more fitting way to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. than by using the day that’s dedicated in his honor to serve and help …

Assemblyman David Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean, released the following statement regarding New Jersey's recent job report: Assembly Republican Conference Leader David Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean, said Thursday’s jobs report by the U.S. Dept. of Labor showing private sector employment in New Jersey increased by 30,900 in December is a sign of business confidence in New Jersey and that the state is rebounding from the effects of Superstorm Sandy.  The latest data marks the state’s largest single monthly employment gain since job numbers were tracked starting in 1990. “The news that companies are…

Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, released the following statement this week. Assembly Republican Sean Kean, R-Monmouth and Ocean, said the public is anxiously waiting to hear from Jersey Central Power & Electric (JCP&L) about its plans for protecting power substations, many of which were flooded from Hurricane Sandy. In Monmouth County, the Glendola substation in Wall Township flooded and water came dangerously close to the Sea Girt and Manasquan substations. Substations transform voltage from either high to low, or the opposite, and distribute it to users such as …

Last week Belmar chose to forgo the use of Ipe for their boardwalk with Mayor Matt Doherty of Belmar being quoted stating: “It’s not an environmental reason that we’re not using Ipe, it was because we didn’t want to get tied up in court.” Jeff Tittel, Direct of the New Jersey Sierra Club issued the following response to the Mayor's quote: “The Mayor Doherty of Belmar doesn’t get it. If he actually cared about the environment and protecting his town from future storms or storm surges than he would have used recycle plastics and sustainable woods in the first place. It is not about whether or …