Editorial: With NJ’s High Percent of Registered Voters, Access is Not a Problem
The following editorial by Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) expressing opposition to the automatic voter registration bill, S-481, was published by The Record on April 10, 2018:
Voting is one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans. The trends in election turnout are disheartening and prove that we need to do more to increase participation. However, there is some good news: data from the U.S. Census and the state Division of Elections shows that up to 92 percent of eligible voters in New Jersey were registered and eligible to vote in recent elections.
In this editorial in The Record, Sen. Sam Thompson says an automatic voter registration bill being pushed by Democrats is a waste of money with 92% of eligible voters already registered. (iStock)
My fellow Republicans in the New Jersey State Senate and I want every law-abiding citizen to vote. Every American should seize the opportunity to have a say in who gets to be their voice in the halls of government.
What we are opposed to, is wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on unnecessary legislation. In a state with the highest property taxes in the country, we simply can’t afford to play political games with the state’s money. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what New Jersey Democrats are trying to do this week. And we need help from New Jersey residents to stop them.
Thompson, Dancer & Clifton: School Districts Like Chesterfield Shortchanged by Murphy’s Misguided School Funding Plan
Call for School Funding Reform to Fix Broken Formula
Senator Sam Thompson, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, and Assemblyman Robert Clifton (R-12) responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s release of proposed state school aid for 2019, which failed to provide necessary school funding increases for underfunded districts like Chesterfield and Kingsway:
Thompson, Dancer & Clifton responded to Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed state school aid for 2019, which fails to provide necessary funding increases for underfunded districts like Chesterfield. (©iStock)
“Governor Murphy’s budget proposal fails to meet the needs of Chesterfield’s students and teachers,” said Thompson. “This is unacceptable and provides further proof that New Jersey’s school funding formula is critically flawed and in need of reform. While the formula is flawed, the application is even worse, with many school districts such as Jersey City being utterly overfunded.”
Democrats Block Thompson Amendment to Prevent Voter Fraud
An effort by Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) to increase penalties for voter fraud was blocked by Senate Democrats today.
An effort by Sen. Sam Thompson to increase penalties for voter fraud was blocked by Senate Democrats. (SenateNJ.com)
“We know that most voter fraud is now related to mail-in ballots,” said Thompson. “If we’re going to increase the number of mail-in ballots as Democrats have proposed, we need stronger penalties to deter people from using these ballots as a vehicle to rig elections. I’m disappointed Senate Democrats blocked my proposed amendment to offer those protections.”
Republicans on Senate Budget Committee Blast Murphy Tax Evasion Scheme
Say Governor Should Focus on Real Solutions to Lower the Cost of Government and Taxes – Not Gimmicks
Senate Republicans serving on the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee blasted a tax evasion scheme proposed by Governor Phil Murphy that fails to address the underlying problem of expensive government that drives high property taxes in New Jersey.
Senate Republicans on the Budget Committee blasted a tax evasion scheme proposed by Gov. Murphy that fails to address the underlying problem of expensive government in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy’s plan to mask property tax payments as charitable contributions is a thinly veiled tax evasion scheme,” said Bucco (R-25), the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “Anyone who thinks the IRS won’t tear this plan apart is kidding themselves. New Jersey taxpayers need real solutions that won’t put them on the wrong side of the law.”
Sen. Thompson Alerts Local Veterans About New $3,000 Tax Exemption
Says Exemption is Essential Relief for Veterans
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) is working to create awareness of the new $3,000 state income tax exemption for New Jersey veterans.
Sen. Sam Thompson is working to create awareness of the new $3,000 state income tax exemption for New Jersey veterans. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Our service men and women dedicated their lives to serve our county, state, and communities,” said Thompson. “It is our duty to continue to protect them here at home. Now by providing a $3,000 tax exemption, we can continue to create an affordable New Jersey for our veterans.”
Thompson Applauds Amazon’s Selection of Newark as HQ2 Finalist
Senator Sam Thomson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean) applauded Amazon’s decision to highlight Newark as one of the finalist locations that might host a new United States headquarters. Known as HQ2, Amazon proposes to invest $5 billion and to create up to 50,000 high-paying jobs at the new facility.
Sen. Sam Thomson applauded Amazon’s decision to highlight Newark as one of the finalist locations that might host a new headquarters. (©iStock)
“We’ve shown that when New Jersey positions itself to be competitive, we can be a serious contender for opportunities like HQ2 that can lead to serious investment and job growth,” said Thompson. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Newark made it into the list of finalists for HQ2 just days after our pro-economic growth legislation was enacted.”
SIGNED: Thompson Law Expands Food Donation
Legislation sponsored by Senator Sam Thompson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean, Monmouth) expands liability protections for food donations and gleaning activities and clarifies existing law to ensure potential donators are not scared away by the possibility of lawsuits was signed by the governor.
Sen. Sam Thompson bill that would help reduce food waste is now law. (Flickr)
“I’m sure a lot of people don’t even know about these kinds of protections, and if they’re worried about getting sued, they might think twice before donating food,” said Thompson. “As long the food meets a few requirements, it should be going to food banks and to families in need.”
Amazon HQ2 Bill Approved by Senate
Lesniak-Thompson Legislation Designed To Bring Jobs & Economic Growth To NJ Also Approved By The Assembly
A plan to attract Amazon’s new corporate headquarters to New Jersey was approved by the Senate today, presenting the company with incentives to locate a facility that could create up to 50,000 jobs with an investment of $5 billion. The legislative plan, S-3631, sponsored by Senator Raymond Lesniak and Senator Sam Thompson, was also approved by the Assembly.
A plan by Senators Raymond Lesniak and Sam Thompson to attract Amazon’s new corporate headquarters to New Jersey was approved by the Senate. (©iStock)
“New Jersey has the features that would make us a great location for Amazon’s second world headquarters,” said Senator Lesniak. “We have a skilled workforce, the best colleges and universities and a strategic location with access to highways, airports and shipping ports. This plan could help to attract good jobs and economic activity for years to come.”
“There’s bipartisan consensus that New Jersey should compete for Amazon’s HQ2 and other transformative projects that have the potential to yield massive benefits to the state’s economy,” said Senator Thompson. “When a company like Amazon is looking to invest billions and create tens of thousands of jobs, we simply cannot afford to be overlooked. This legislation sends the message that New Jersey is a serious contender.”
Thompson Receives NFIB’s ‘Guardian of Small Business’ Award
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) has been named a “Guardian of Small Business” by the New Jersey chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB.) Thompson was chosen for this award for consistently advocating for the needs of small business owners statewide.
Sen. Sam Thompson has been named a “Guardian of Small Business” by the New Jersey chapter of the NFIB. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Being a ‘guardian of small business’ is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Senator Thompson said. “Small business owners are the lifeblood of our economy. They strengthen communities and create good-paying jobs in every corner of our state. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that these hardworking people have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”
Passed: Allen, Bateman, Thompson Bills to Secure $91 Million for Open Space Funding
Three bills sponsored by Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington), Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset, Mercer, Hunterdon, Middlesex) and Senator Sam Thompson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean) to appropriate more than $91 million to go to various open space, recreation and conservation projects were all passed by the New Jersey Senate.
All three bills use money from dedicated corporation business tax revenues to provide grants or other funding to develop or acquire land for use as open space.
A trio of bills to appropriate $91 million in funding for open space projects were passed by the New Jersey Senate. (Morris County Preservation Trust)
“This money will go a long way in helping to develop land for recreation purposes in densely populated areas and counties,” Senator Bateman, sponsor of S-3352 said. “Because of this bill, more than $71 million in grants will go towards worthy projects throughout the state that will ensure our residents can enjoy the beautiful outdoors.”
