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.”
Allen, Bateman, Thompson Bills to Reduce Food Waste Passed by Senate
A group of bills sponsored by Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington), Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon) and Senator Sam Thompson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean, Monmouth) aimed at reducing waste were passed by the New Jersey Senate.
Bills sponsored Sen. Diane Allen, Sen. Kip Bateman and Sen. Sam Thompson would help reduce food waste. (Flickr)
“Cutting back on waste at our schools and other institutions is a crucial part of getting more food to people who need it,” Senator Allen said. “Every day, so much food is just tossed out. That can’t be acceptable in a state where so many still struggle with food insecurity.”
Thompson Bill to Study Energy Storage Advanced by Senate Panel
Legislation sponsored by Senator Sam Thompson (R-Burlington, Middlesex, Ocean, Monmouth) explore opportunities to improve New Jersey’s electrical infrastructure through energy storage was advanced by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Sam Thompson to study energy storage was advanced by a Senate Panel. (Flickr)
“Finding new ways to store energy on the power grid has the potential to completely transform the way we generate and use electricity,” Senator Thompson said. “It could also be key to making renewable energy more efficient and practical. It’s important for us to study whatever new systems might be available to ensure we have stable and modern energy infrastructure going into the future.”
