Bateman: Sweet Opportunity Going Stale as Home Baking Bill Languishes in Senate Committee
Senator Kip Bateman says the lack of one essential ingredient is preventing hundreds of wanna-be entrepreneurs from selling their homemade goodies in New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman says New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income. (Pixabay)
Forty-nine other states allow the sale of cookies, cakes and pastries made by home bakers. Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Bateman lifting the ban here has passed the Assembly several times, but remains scuttled in the Senate.
“This continued prohibition of the sale of home baked goods is another example of Trenton using its muscle to control people’s lives,” said Bateman (R-16). “Every other state recognizes that folks aren’t going to keel over dead from cupcakes prepared in a home kitchen. New Jersey should stop being a roadblock that prevents home bakers from using their talents to supplement their family income.”
Oroho Bill to Help Dairy Farmers is Now Law
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers and qualifying farming operations for small business loans was recently signed into law.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Steven Oroho to expand the eligibility of dairy farmers for small business loans was recently signed into law. (Wikimedia Commons)
“As the Garden State, we should do all we can to help keep the farmer on the farm,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Expanding access to small business loans will help family farmers in need of financial assistance to purchase new farm equipment, while helping to reinvigorate our state’s agricultural industry. This program will be an important tool that farmers that can use to grow their business operations.”
NOW LAW: Corrado Bill Adding Mental Health Education to NJ School Curriculum
Senator Kristin Corrado’s (R-40) bipartisan legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum has been signed into law.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to incorporate mental health education into New Jersey public school’s health class curriculum has been signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Empowering students to recognize the warning signs of mental illness, and knowing how to ask for help, will ensure more kids have access to the support and treatment they need sooner, rather than later,” Corrado said. “I strongly believe that educating kids about the significance of mental health will break the stigma and save lives.”
Corrado Bill Outlawing Leasing of Dogs & Cats Signed Into Law
Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation to prohibit the leasing of domestic dogs and cats has been signed into law.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to prohibit the leasing of domestic dogs and cats has been signed into law. (Pixabay)
“Families are being deceived into thinking they’re purchasing a high-end breed with the promise of an affordable monthly payment plan, not realizing they’re actually signing a two- or three-year lease that could result in their pet being repossessed,” said Corrado (R-40). “This deceptive practice of renting-to-own puppies and kittens employed by sinister pet brokers is cruel and must be stopped.”
SIGNED INTO LAW: Oroho Bill Permanently Establishes NJ Hemp Program
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that permanently enacts a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has been signed into law. (SenateNJ.com)
“Garden State farmers are now able to increase and diversify their crop yield through cultivating industrial hemp,” said Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Found in more than 25,000 products, the versatile and profitable hemp plant will encourage new business growth and boost the state’s agricultural economy. With burdensome federal and state regulations removed, New Jersey farmers can greatly benefit from this potential billion dollar industry.”
Kean Bill to Expand Prenatal Care Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey by expanding Medicaid coverage to include group prenatal care services has been signed into law.
Sen. Tom Kean’s legislation to improve maternal healthcare in New Jersey has been signed into law. (Flickr)
“Right now, moms and babies across the country are dying at disturbing rates from preventable complications,” said Kean (R-21). “Here in New Jersey, the statistics are particularly alarming, especially among women of color. Our state’s most vulnerable mothers and newborns deserve greater access to quality healthcare throughout pregnancy. The enactment of this law will help close the racial disparity gap, create stronger families, and save lives.”
O’Scanlon & DiMaso: Shore Rental Tax Repeal Too Little, Too Late
Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso issued a statement following Governor Murphy’s announcement that he would repeal the misguided short-term rental tax:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon and Asw. Serena DiMaso said that Gov. Murphy’s announcement that he would repeal his misguided Shore rental tax is too little, too late. (Bing Maps)
“The Governor made the right call in repealing this short-term rental tax–and we acknowledge that–however it comes way too late,” said O’Scanlon. “We are in August at this point, summer is nearly over and most of the damage of this ill-conceived aspect of this tax has been done. The Governor and his policy folks need to recognize when something is emergent and do their homework up front, so they’re ready to take action the minute such bills land on his desk. This was a total failure of administrative planning and it likely, needlessly, cost the New Jersey economy millions of dollars.”
Kean/Beach Bill Creating “Blockchain Task Force” is Now Law
Bipartisan Law Will Modernize State Govt. Systems
Legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator James Beach to create the “NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force” has been signed into law. The task force is charged with exploring the merits of using Blockchain technology to modernize government systems and safeguard personal data.
Sens. Tom Kean and James Beach’s legislation to create the “NJ Blockchain Initiative Task Force” has been signed into law. (©iStock)
“Blockchain technology is the new generation of currency and a new standard of secure exchange,” said Kean (R-21). “In this Internet age, local governments should be able to take advantage of blockchain’s capability to facilitate safe, paperless transactions that are impervious to cyber-attacks. The task force established by this law will seek out practical ways to implement this technology in a way that will benefit New Jersey’s taxpayers.”
10th District Legislators Renew Call for Governor’s Action on Shore Rental Tax Relief
Legislation that would relieve the costly consequences of a tax on short-term rentals that was imposed by Governor Phil Murphy last year continues to sit on the governor’s desk while evidence of the tax’s damage to the Jersey Shore economy mounts.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe (all R-Ocean) say they are frustrated by the delay and are calling on the Murphy administration to enact the bill before it’s too late for the summer season.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe call for Gov. Murphy to sign legislation that would relieve the costly consequences of a tax on short-term rentals that he imposed last year. (Bing Maps)
“The legislature has done our job to rework portions of the tax that are unfair to Shore homeowners,” said Holzapfel. “The governor’s inaction is troubling and irresponsible. While he vacations at his villa in Italy, rentals are going unoccupied and business is feeling the impact. We need this bill signed now.”
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Will Introduce Legislation to Extend Veterans Tax Exemption to Surviving Spouses
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove will be introducing legislation to make surviving spouses eligible for the annual veterans’ exemption under the New Jersey gross income tax.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove will introduce legislation to make surviving spouses eligible for NJ’s annual veterans’ exemption. (©iStock)
The 9th District delegation’s legislation will reflect the recent increase in the veterans’ income tax exemption from $3,000 to $6,000 that spouses would be eligible to receive.
Connors, Rumpf and Gove made the following remarks:
“As members of our delegation serve on the Senate and Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs committees, we fully understand that veterans’ families are deserving of benefits on account that they too sacrificed for our nation.
