Lonegan Closes In On Booker in NJ Senate Race

Wednesday, 02 Oct 2013 09:59 AM By Melanie Batley Republican Steve Lonegan has closed to within 6 points of Newark Mayor Cory Booker in the New Jersey Senate race, according to a new poll. Booker's once-commanding lead over the former mayor of Bogota is all but gone, internal polling conducted for Lonegan's campaign shows. Democrat Booker's lead has narrowed from 48 percent to 42 percent, according to the results obtained by National Review Online. "Booker is 37-27 net favorable, a major shift from the 42-18 numbers he held two weeks ago," says a memo from the pollsters, National Review Online reports. The pollsters noted, however, that the 44-year-old Democrat is "still getting a significant share of the suburban and Republican vote." Polls conducted by political campaigns generally are more favorable to their candidates than are independent surveys, according to a review of polling by The New York Times. A Monmouth University poll released Tuesday found Booker's lead had narrowed by 3 points since August, standing at 53 percent to 40 percent. That virtually mirrored a Quinnipiac University poll from last week, which put Booker ahead by 53 percent to 41 percent.

Bill will result in safer schools

Addiego, Rudder, Brown bill will result

in more secure schools, safe students

      Senator Dawn Marie Addiego, Assemblyman Scott Rudder and Assemblyman Chris Brown are introducing legislation to enhance the safety of New Jersey school students.

      “As a society, we have learned some hard lessons. The vulnerability of our children demands changes in the way we build our schools,” said Senator Addiego. “Assuring a safe and welcoming learning environment for every child in New Jersey schools is our ultimate priority.”

      The bill requires the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Education to work together to establish a school security construction code, which would apply to the construction of new public elementary and secondary school buildings and school additions.

      “Experts should be making the decisions about how to best secure our schools,” said Assemblyman Brown. “We will direct the Commissioner of DCA, in developing the code, to consult with law enforcement authorities, specialists in school building security, and recommendations of national experts on construction and design practices. This will establish the roadmap for constructing safer schools and saving lives.”

      The legislation establishes new construction standards and policies for schools, similar to the broad reforms initiated after the 1958 fire that killed 92 students at Our Lady of Angels School in Chicago.

      “Our nation has experienced a paradigm shift after the Connecticut tragedy similar to the one that followed the horrific school fire,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “In the aftermath of the blaze, improved school construction standards were established, strict evacuation procedures were adopted, and frequent fire drills became the norm. As a result, no student has died in a school fire in more than 50 years. Our goal is to be as effective with new and better rules and policies.”

      “There are strategies already being used in some schools, including ‘hardening’ entrances to impede access to the interior of the facility. Some buildings use improved locks and hardware on classroom and office doors to stop intruders,” Senator Addiego said. “DCA and DOE will determine the most effective safeguards and assure they are integrated into the design of new facilities.”

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What if...?

If Trayvon Martin had been white would the Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons and others of their ilk have come out from under their rocks seeking justice for the poor white boy who was killed by George Zimmerman? It's very doubtful. Actually nothing would have happened. No controversies. No one seeking justice.No yelling in the streets. And there probably would not have been a trial. That's the way the world goes.

Allen praises safe corridor grant

Senator Diane Allen has applauded the announcement that Mount Laurel will receive an $83,400 Safe Corridor grant for safety initiatives along the Route 73 corridor.

“This funding will go a long way in helping to deliver vital safety improvements that can save lives and protect motorists, passengers and pedestrians along one of our busiest and most important roadways without further burdening taxpayers,” said Allen (R-Burlington). “This grant will make a real difference for the thousands of people who depend on Route 73 every day.”

The New Jersey Department of Transportation Safe Corridor grant program dates to 2003 and targets resources to the state’s most crash-prone highways. Grants are supported by fines which are doubled in designated Safe Corridors for a variety of moving violations, including speeding. Grants can be used by municipalities to purchase enforcement equipment including police vehicles, radar equipment, computer hardware, software and salaries and overtime for enhanced enforcement.

Senator Allen is the sponsor of three bills (S2772, S2773, S2774) that seek to improve pedestrian safety by increasing fines for drivers who violate crosswalk laws or injure bicyclists or walkers. The additional fees would be dedicated to pedestrian safety enforcement and education efforts.

One of the bills would also divert 10 percent of all fines collected from traffic violations across the state to an existing DOT fund that helps to pay for road and sidewalk improvements for pedestrians near schools. Highways like Route 130 in Burlington County that have a history of pedestrian deaths would be given preference for the funding.

“I will continue working to ensure these bills become law and remain dedicated to ensuring our highways are made as safe as possible,” Allen concluded.

Self-driving cars

Kean Introduces Economic Growth Bill to Make NJ a Hub for Driverless Vehicles

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Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Union, Somerset, Morris) has introduced legislation to position New Jersey as one of the first states to be a hub for autonomous vehicles.

“Centuries ago, people riding on a horse-drawn carriage would have never imagined that people can now push a button to start a car and press a pedal to make it drive 200 miles per hour,” Kean said. “It is hard to imagine cars driving us to work while we read the news, but there are significant technological advances being made toward that end, and New Jersey has a lot to gain from being at the forefront of such innovation.”

Senator Kean’s legislation, S2898, charges the state Motor Vehicle Commission with establishing standards for licensing autonomous vehicles, or any operated by artificial intelligence, sensors, GPS systems or any other self-driving technologies. The Commission would establish regulations authorizing the use of autonomous vehicles, and create rules covering safety, testing, insurance, registration and operation.

Senator Kean added that autonomous vehicles can also offer a more sufficient and flexible avenue of transportation for the disabled and senior citizens who may not have access to public transportation or who may not be fit to drive.

“Just as with the development and implementation of trains and airplanes, we have to trust ingenuity and keep an open mind,” Kean said.

New Jersey would become the fourth U.S. state to adopt a law permitting autonomous vehicles and the first to do so in the densely populated, fast-paced North East Region.

“This legislation sends a strong message to innovators and job creators that New Jersey is not afraid of being the home to new thinking and the way of the future,” Kean concluded. “It is another avenue to continue economic growth in this state, while we continue to cut red tape; make record investments in schools for our next generation; and continue adding private-sector jobs each month.”

No smoking in parks

Sen. Addiego, Asm. Brown introduce bills

to clear the air at State parks, beaches

Legislation protects the health of visitors and preserves the beauty of parks

      Senator Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Chris Brown have introduced a pair of bills banning smoking at outdoor public gathering places, including State parks, beaches and wildlife management areas, and at recreation and conservation areas acquired or developed using State funds.

      “As a mother, I am troubled by anything that threatens the health of our children,” said Senator Addiego. “Parents should be able to drop down a beach blanket without worrying about being down-wind from smokers and exposing their family to second-hand smoke.”

      The bills follow the recent announcements that Burlington County has banned smoking at seven county parks and three other county-run outdoor locations, and that Mount Holly is considering an ordinance to make five parks smoke-free.

      “The data is definitive. Smoke is detrimental to health, and even indirect exposure to cigarette smoke is harmful. It is especially dangerous for young lungs,” said Assemblyman Brown.

      Evesham, Mansfield and five other county municipalities have already enacted ordinances.

      “From Island Beach State Park to wonderful local recreational areas, New Jersey is home to some gorgeous natural areas. Visitors to these sites shouldn’t need to be concerned about air quality,” Senator Addiego said.

      The first bill, S-2872/A-4319, prohibits smoking at State parks and forests, State-owned beaches, and State wildlife management areas.

      S-2873/A-4318 prohibits smoking or carrying lighted tobacco at any property acquired or developed with the help of State funds for recreation and conservation purpose.

Christie signs O'Toole bill

Designed to Save Critically Ill Hospital Patients

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Gov. Chris Christie today took life-saving action by signing Senator Kevin O’Toole’s legislation to require all hospitals to have protocols to immediately transfer critically ill patients to other facilities for better treatment.

“People need to know that they and their loved ones are guaranteed the best care during the most critical moments of their lives,” said O’Toole (R-Bergen). “There is no excuse to trap patients and their families in intensive care when they have a better chance for survival at a different facility.”

Senator O’Toole’s S1973/A792 requires licensed New Jersey hospitals to establish protocols to request immediate dispatch, timely patient pick-up from the sending hospital, and transport to the receiving hospital by a specialty care transportation unit (SCTU) used for patient inter-facility transfers. It makes hospitals establish contingency SCTU transport protocols in the event that the hospital’s designated SCTU is not immediately available for dispatch.

“People suffer enough trauma and anxiety when they or loved ones are critically ill,” O’Toole concluded. “They need to know their caregivers have their best interests at heart and the necessary protocols in place to transport them to a facility that can better accommodate their needs.”