Sweeney, Ruiz, Thompson to Form Education Taskforce to Address Challenges to Schools, Students & Families Brought to Light by Coronavirus
Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Education Chair Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Sam Thompson announced the formation of a special taskforce today to help address the upheaval to education in New Jersey caused by the coronavirus crisis.
A special taskforce is being formed to help address the upheaval to education in New Jersey caused by the coronavirus crisis, Sen. Thompson announced. (Pixabay)
The panel of educators and public officials will help provide guidance and insight to meet the wide array of immediate and future challenges confronting teachers, school officials, students and parents forced to contend with the ongoing health crisis. The taskforce will be led by Senator Ruiz and Senator Thompson.
Thompson Bill Exposes the Source of Nuisance Phone Calls
Spoofing Tactics Used by Telemarketers Would be Banned
Legislation introduced by Senator Sam Thompson would hang up the phone on telemarketers hiding their identities by spoofing the name or phone number displaying on caller ID.
Sen. Sam Thompson has introduced legislation cracking down on telemarketers that barrage consumers with calls from spoofed phone numbers. (SenateNJ.com)
“Spoof calls are increasing. The phone rings and you have no idea who is on the other end of the line,” said Thompson (R-12). “Marketers shouldn’t be able to hide their names or locations. This bill will remove the anonymity and people will know exactly who is on the line before they decide to answer the call or ignore it.”
Thompson Bill Lifting Anonymity of Residential Landlords Advances
Says Shell Companies Often Unreachable When Problems Arise
Legislation sponsored by Senator Sam Thompson that would lift the veil of anonymity from limited liability companies owning residential property passed the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee today.
Sen. Thompson’s bill to require LLCs recording deeds for residential properties to identify all individual owners was approved by committee. (©iStock)
The bill (S241) would require LLCs to disclose the names and business addresses of all members, managers and authorized agents of the company when recording deeds for homes with as many as four dwelling units.
“Shell corporations are coming into neighborhoods. If there are any problems, people can’t find anybody to talk to get issues resolved,” said Thompson (R-12). “It’s frustrating when neighbors don’t know who to turn to for help. Making the names of responsible parties available eliminates the obstacle.”
Thompson Resolution Honoring 30th Anniversary of NJ-Taiwan “Sister State” Relationship Passes Senate
Bill Also Commemorates 40th Anniversary of the Federal “Taiwan Relations Act”
Senator Sam Thompson’s resolution to commemorate the robust and enduring relationship between New Jersey and Taiwan has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Sam Thompson’s resolution to commemorate the robust and enduring relationship between New Jersey and Taiwan has passed the State Senate. Pictured: Sen. Thompson at the Taiwanese Yuan Parliament on December 5, 2018. (SenateNJ.com)
“I am proud that the United States, and especially our great state of New Jersey, have maintained a strong and special relationship with Taiwan for decades,” said Thompson (R-12). “Just in 2017, the Garden State exported hundreds of millions of dollars of products to Taiwan, making the island the sixth largest export market for New Jersey in Asia. We must continue to make every effort to sustain this mutually beneficial friendship.”
Bucco/Thompson Fireplace Safety Measure Now Law
Senators Anthony Bucco and Sam Thompson sponsor legislation signed into law today creating a statewide license for master hearth professionals.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bucco and Sen. Sam Thompson to improve fireplace safety was signed into law. (Pixabay)
“This new law is helpful to residents in my legislative district and across the state,” said Bucco (R-25). “It’s an opportunity for skilled hearth professionals to concentrate on their trade and running a business. This legislation grew from strong bipartisan support, and I am pleased it is now law.”
The bill (A3118/S1303) creates statewide licensing for the installation, replacement, connection, and repair of fireplaces and hearth appliances, eliminating licenses issued by individual municipalities and local agencies.
Thompson Statement on Cash Bribery Voter Fraud Scheme
Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) released the following statement in response to news of a fifth person implicated in a vote-by-mail bribery scheme in Hoboken:
Senator Sam Thompson released the following statement in response to news of a fifth person implicated in a vote-by-mail bribery scheme in Hoboken. (SenateNJ.com)
“This most recent conviction represents yet another example of the intentional abuse of our vote-by-mail system.
“Our elections and our very democracy will continue to be undermined until we implement better safeguards and deterrents, including stronger penalties like those I have proposed, to combat this type of voter fraud.”
Thompson is a sponsor of S-3184, which would increase penalties for extreme cases of voter fraud to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The legislation was formally introduced on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.
Thompson: Elmwood Park Case Proves We Need a Stronger Voter Fraud Deterrent
Mayor’s Arrest Sheds Light on Urgent Need for Senator’s Bill to Up Penalties for Extreme Voter Fraud
Following news that Elmwood Park Mayor Frank Caramagna has been arrested and charged with election tampering, Senator Sam Thompson (R-12) said that this case serves as yet another example why New Jersey must immediately enact his bill to increase penalties for voter fraud. Caramagna resigned from his position on Sunday and was subsequently arrested on Monday. He won the 2017 election by a narrow margin, with vote-by-mail ballots giving him the edge to win.
Following news that the Mayor of Elmwood Park has been arrested and charged with election tampering, Sen. Sam Thompson said that this case serves as yet another example why New Jersey must immediately enact his bill to increase penalties for voter fraud. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Mayor of Elmwood Park has been charged with fraudulently filling in numerous vote-by-mail ballots to secure a narrow margin of victory on Election Day. It’s as if he walked right into the ballot box and pulled the lever as many times as it took for him win,” Senator Thompson said.
“Anyone who makes such a brazen attempt to undermine the will of the people of New Jersey deserves a punishment that fits the crime. How many more examples do Democrats need to pass my bill to increase penalties and safeguard our elections from voter fraud? Let’s get it done now.”
Senate Republican Budget Committee Members on State Treasurer & OLS Testimony
The Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee released the following statement highlighting their concerns after hearing testimony today from OLS and State Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio:
Senate Republican members of the Budget Committee react to testimony delivered on April 2, 2019 by OLS and the State Treasurer. (SenateNJ.com)
“When the Governor delivered his budget address, we had serious concerns that he was relying on savings that have yet to be determined, overly-optimistic revenue projections, and accounting gimmicks to disguise New Jersey’s financial problems,” Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho (R-24) said. “OLS can’t back up the administration’s revenue projections. Outmigration of income continues to be a major problem, equaling a loss of $3.5 billion, according to the most recent yearly data. A new income tax will only make it worse. This is insanity. There would be no need for any tax increases at all if the governor would come to the table and enact our bipartisan Path to Progress reforms.”
Thompson Says Voters Who Did Not Receive Requested Mail-in Ballots Should Go to Polls and Vote Provisionally
Senator Sam Thompson addressed concerns raised by constituents in recent days that they will be unable to cast a vote in the upcoming general election due to mail-in ballots they requested never arriving.
Sen. Sam Thompson says voters who have not received requested mail-in ballots for the upcoming general election should go to their local polling station on Election Day and vote by provisional ballot. (SenateNJ.com)
“My legislative office has been contacted by a number of constituents from Middlesex County who are concerned that their mail-in ballots have not arrived yet for the general election that’s just days away,” said Thompson (R-12). “The Middlesex County Clerk is advising anyone who does not receive their mail-in ballot to go to their local polling station on Election Day and vote by provisional ballot. That’s the best way to ensure that your vote will be counted.”
As Hoboken Voter Fraud Indictments Pile Up, Thompson Intros Bill to Increase Penalties
New Bill Would Up Penalties for Extreme Voter Fraud to 2nd-Degree Felony, Punishable by Up to 10 Years in Prison
Just two days after Senator Sam Thompson introduced legislation to increase penalties for voter fraud, the U.S. Attorney General has announced that two more Hudson County residents, including a former Hoboken City Council candidate, were charged on Oct. 31, 2018 with conspiracy to promote a voter bribery scheme by mail.
Just 2 days after Sen. Sam Thompson introduced legislation to increase penalties for voter fraud, two more Hudson County residents were charged with conspiracy to promote a voter bribery scheme by mail. (©iStock)
“To all the naysayers who continue to claim that voter fraud isn’t happening in New Jersey, I implore you: open your eyes,” Senator Thompson (R-12) said. “I hate to say I told you so, but clearly, the current penalties are not strong enough to stop slimy political operatives from stealing votes. Just look at what’s happening in Hudson County. This is an affront to our democracy and it must be stopped.”
Senator Thompson’s bill, S-3184, would increase penalties for extreme cases of voter fraud to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The legislation was formally introduced on Monday, Oct. 29, 2018.
