Breaking news. Key policy updates. Live streams, videos, and photos. Real-time alerts and exclusive early access—all straight from the source.
Download below for unfiltered access to the White House.
The White House Launches Official App!
Category: GENERAL/POLITICAL NEWS
Assembly Passes Bill to Boost Anti-Vaping Education
| The New Jersey Department of Health would be required to develop and distribute comprehensive guidelines to help schools and colleges implement on-campus anti-vaping awareness campaigns under legislation passed by the New Jersey General Assembly earlier this week. Assemblywomen Shanique Speight, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Carol Murphy sponsored Bill A2195. Under the legislation, the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education and the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, would create and update guidance that equips school districts and institutions of higher education with research-backed strategies to combat the rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents and young adults. The guidelines would be publicly available on each department’s website. The guidelines would have to include recommendations for implementing multi-tiered, age-appropriate anti-vaping campaigns that promote positive behavioral change. They would also provide schools with research-based materials detailing the health risks of vaping, including its effects on lung health, mental health, pregnant women, workplace environments, and small children, as well as comparisons to traditional cigarette smoking. “Strategic marketing and misinformation that downplay the serious health risks of vaping are targeting our young people,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “This legislation ensures that schools and colleges have clear, research-driven tools to educate students about the dangers of e-cigarettes and empower them to make healthier decisions.” Additionally, the guidance would encourage the use of decision-making models to help students resist peer pressure and make informed, healthy choices. Schools would also be encouraged to incorporate targeted marketing materials designed for middle school, high school, and college-age populations.”We cannot ignore the growing number of adolescents and young adults who are becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping,” said Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-Hunterdon, Mercer). “By providing structured, age-appropriate guidance and updating it annually, we would be giving educators the support they need to confront this public health challenge head-on and protect the long-term well-being of our students.” “As the Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, keeping New Jerseyans – particularly our youth – safe and healthy is my top priority,” said Assemblywoman Murphy (D-Burlington). “Bill A2195 would provide educators with the resources they need to teach students about the dangers of vaping and the need to avoid e-cigarettes as they grow and mature.” |
Thousands in NJ protest President Trump in ‘No Kings’ rallies
By Dana DiFilippo, New Jersey Monitor
Thousands of people hit the streets of New Jersey Saturday to protest President Donald Trump during the third official No Kings protests, a national day of action that mobilized millions around the country to demand change 14 months into his controversial second term.
Trump’s critics had plenty to protest, given all that has happened since the last No Kings protests in October, including a deadly, costly war with Iran, escalating brutality by immigration agents, and the deployment of armed immigration agents to airports.
Continue reading “Thousands in NJ protest President Trump in ‘No Kings’ rallies”Utility Cost Protection Bill Clears Assembly
Assemblyman Dave Bailey, Jr.’s legislation designed to ensure that public utility customers are not burdened with subsidizing the energy costs of large load data centers passed the New Jersey General Assembly on Monday. Assembly members Joe Danielsen, Clinton Calabrese and Eliana Pintor Marin also sponsored Bill A796.
Continue reading “Utility Cost Protection Bill Clears Assembly”Tenant Protection Bill Passes Assembly
Renters would have increased safeguards against certain rent hikes under legislation advanced by the New Jersey General Assembly on Monday. Bill A3507, sponsored by Assembly members Yvonne Lopez, Cody Miller and Shanique Speight, would clarify and expand a list of factors used to determine unconscionable rent increases.
Continue reading “Tenant Protection Bill Passes Assembly”Assembly Passes Bill Boosting Advocacy for Disabled Patients
Donlon, Murphy bill would authorize patients with developmental disabilities to have a designee accompany them during their hospital stay
(TRENTON) – Working to ensure a level of support for hospital patients who are unable to advocate for themselves, the New Jersey General Assembly today passed Bill A2259. The legislation, sponsored by Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Carol Murphy, is designed to strengthen protections for hospital patients with developmental disabilities.
The bill would authorize patients with developmental disabilities to have a designated family member, guardian, direct support professional, or other caregiver to accompany them in accordance with hospital policies necessary to ensure patient safety, privacy, infection control and clinical care.
Continue reading “Assembly Passes Bill Boosting Advocacy for Disabled Patients”Van Drew Urges Sherrill to Act on Soaring Utility Bills
Congressman Van Drew renewed his call for immediate action from Governor Sherrill as utility bills across South Jersey continue to skyrocket, with many families now paying delivery fees that are double or even triple their actual energy usage.
“People in South Jersey are opening their bills and seeing something that just does not make sense,” said Congressman Van Drew. “In many cases, the delivery fees are higher than the cost of electricity itself. That is not normal, and it is not acceptable. For years, the state made bad decisions. They shut down reliable energy sources like nuclear, gas, and coal plants, including Beesley’s Point coal plant, which was supposed to be converted to natural gas but was instead shut down. They took dependable power off the grid and never replaced it. Instead, they poured billions into offshore wind projects that were never going to deliver affordable, reliable energy. Now we are forced to import energy from other states at a much higher cost, and that failure is being dumped directly onto the backs of our residents through these outrageous delivery fees.
Continue reading “Van Drew Urges Sherrill to Act on Soaring Utility Bills”Van Drew: Pay Workers Now, Stop Congressional Pay During Shutdown
Congressman Van Drew released the following statement regarding the ongoing partial shutdown.
“This has gone on long enough,” said Congressman Van Drew. “The people paying the price right now are the ones showing up every day to do their jobs: TSA agents, Coast Guard members, and others who keep this country running. They are doing everything we ask of them, day in and day out, and they are not being paid for it. It is not right. And that is exactly why Members of Congress should not be paid during a shutdown. If these workers are going without, then we should be going without too. We should be feeling that same pain until this gets fixed. That is why I am sponsoring a bill to ensure that while the government shuts down, Members of Congress do not receive their pay. The Constitution sets clear rules on congressional pay, so this has to be done the right way, but there is a path to make sure Members do not take home a paycheck while the job is not done. Maybe then they will think twice before using people’s livelihoods as leverage in a political fight.”
Legislation Takes Effect Limiting Rent Increase on Mobile Home Park Tenants
TRENTON – A law sponsored by Senators Paul Moriarty and Joseph Cryan that would limit the amount a landlord may increase the rent on a tenant of a dwelling site within a manufactured home park took effect on March 1, supporting tenants who plan to install or have installed a modular or manufactured home on land they do not own.
Starting this month, a landlord of a covered dwelling site is not allowed to raise the rent by more than 3.5 percent over a 12-month period without seeking approval from the Department of Community Affairs.
Continue reading “Legislation Takes Effect Limiting Rent Increase on Mobile Home Park Tenants”Congressional Candidate Michael McGuire Called to Active Duty
Freehold Township, NJ – Michael McGuire, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retired NYPD officer who answered the call on 9/11, current Naval Reservist, Army JAG selectee, husband, father, and Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 3rd District, today announced that he has been called to active military duty in support of national security operations.
This call to service is a testament to McGuire’s lifelong dedication to duty, honor, and country. These are qualities that have defined his entire career and now drive his campaign to bring the same selfless leadership to Washington.
Continue reading “Congressional Candidate Michael McGuire Called to Active Duty”