Newport News Man Arrested for Shooting and Multiple Felonies in North Stafford (2024)

TRENTON, NJ — New legislation introduced in New Jersey aims to fortify the safety protocols surrounding construction and public works activities in school environments. The bill, which revises existing requirements for criminal history record checks, mandates that all workers involved in school construction or public works must demonstrate clean criminal records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or State Bureau of Identification before commencing work.

This legislative proposal also compels each school district to revise its visitor policies to include registration processes for contractors and other workers entering school buildings.

The initiative reflects heightened efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff by regulating access to school facilities during school hours.

Under the new regulations, failure to comply with criminal history record checks could result in increased penalties for employers, escalating to $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for subsequent offenses. Additionally, third-party contractors who violate these provisions three times will face a three-year prohibition from bidding on or entering contracts for goods and services with any state agency.

The bill also directs the New Jersey Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, to update the "School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines." This update will provide additional guidance to help school districts manage and monitor access to their facilities effectively.

These measures are part of broader efforts to enhance the security protocols in New Jersey schools, ensuring that all personnel working on school properties meet stringent safety standards.

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In a move toward reforming the language used within the legal system, New Jersey lawmakers introduced Bill A4507, aimed at changing the term "inmate" to "incarcerated person" in state statutes.

This legislative effort, spearheaded by Assembly members Julio Marenco, Shanique Speight, and Carmen Theresa Morales, was introduced on June 6, 2024.

The bill seeks to amend various parts of New Jersey's statutory law to reflect a more humane terminology when referring to individuals in the prison system.

This change is based on recommendations from the New Jersey Law Revision Commission's final report issued on June 6, 2022, which advocated for language that more accurately reflects the human dignity of incarcerated individuals.

Specifically, the bill modifies language in statutes such as Section 7 of P.L.2013, c.274, concerning the transmission of information about incarcerated individuals between the Administrative Office of the Courts and other state departments like Labor and Workforce Development and Human Services. This includes detailed information on incarcerated persons to assist in verifying eligibility for state benefit programs.

By substituting "inmate" with "incarcerated person," New Jersey legislators aim to shift the narrative towards a more respectful and rehabilitative approach within the justice system. This terminology change represents a broader effort to humanize individuals who are serving time, acknowledging them first and foremost as persons, not just as inmates.

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Assembly Labor Committee has favorably reported on Assembly Bill No. 2883, a legislative proposal aimed at supporting union members financially. Announced on June 6, 2024, this bill is part of the legislative session for 2024-2025.

Assembly Bill No. 2883 introduces a new gross income tax deduction for union dues paid by workers to labor organizations. This deduction aims to lessen the financial burden on union members by allowing them to deduct the total amount of dues, fees, assessments, or other related charges from their taxable income.

A labor organization, as defined by the bill, includes any group involved in dealing with employers regarding grievances, labor disputes, wages, work hours, or employment conditions.

To benefit from this deduction, taxpayers must provide proof of the union dues paid during the taxable year, as specified by the Director of the Division of Taxation.

This provision ensures proper verification and implementation of the tax benefit. The bill seeks to reinforce the financial viability of union participation, acknowledging the critical role these organizations play in advocating for workers' rights.

TRENTON, NJ - The conspiracy has always been that Democrats in New Jersey load up the voter rolls with deceased voters. This week, the party went one step further and actually elected a dead man to run for Congress.

In a rare and unexpected political event, Representative Donald Payne Jr. was posthumously elected in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. Rep. Payne, a respected member of the Congressional Black Caucus, suffered a fatal heart attack on April 24, as reported by the New York Post.

Despite his untimely death, Payne was the only candidate registered for the primary, with the filing deadline having passed in March. The congressman had been a dominant political figure in the district, holding the seat since 2012 following his father, who also passed away while in office after serving for 20 years.

Given the timing of his death and the election laws in New Jersey, Payne's name remained on the ballot. New Jersey law stipulates that in such cases, Payne cannot be replaced on the ballot.

Consequently, a special primary election is scheduled for July 16 to select a candidate who will likely hold the seat given the district's strong Democratic leaning.

The 10th district, which includes Newark and other parts of Hudson, Union, and Essex counties, has not seen a Republican representative since 1946 and currently shows a significant Democratic registration advantage of 6-1. The seat's high Democratic hold and the historical context of the Payne family’s political legacy make this upcoming special primary a critical and highly watched event, with nearly a dozen Democrats expressing interest in running.

TRENTON, NJ — It could soon be illegal for school districts and librarians to remove inappropriate books from school libraries under a new law introduced by Democrats in Trenton.

The New Jersey Assembly Education Committee has favorably reported on the Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 3446, known as the "Freedom to Read Act."

This legislation, dated June 6, 2024, aims to establish essential guidelines and protections regarding library materials in both public school and public libraries.

The "Freedom to Read Act" requires boards of education and public library governing boards to adopt policies concerning the selection and retention of library materials.

These policies must be developed in consultation with various educational and library associations, including a model policy to be crafted by the Commissioner of Education and the State Librarian.

Key aspects of the legislation include procedures for handling requests to remove materials, ensuring that such decisions are carefully considered and documented. Importantly, the act mandates that no library materials should be excluded based on the origins, views, or backgrounds of their creators, nor should libraries engage in censorship.

Additionally, the bill provides legal immunity for library staff acting in good faith under these new regulations. Definitions within the bill clarify what constitutes "library material" and "diverse and inclusive material," emphasizing the inclusion of perspectives from various protected classes as outlined in the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

The "Freedom to Read Act" seeks to protect the rights of students and residents to access a broad range of library resources, promoting educational diversity and inclusivity while safeguarding librarians and educational professionals from potential repercussions of their stewardship.

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee has recently endorsed Assembly Bill No. 2316, aimed at altering the criteria for installing speed humps on local roads. This legislation received favorable reporting on June 6, 2024, and is part of the ongoing session for 2024-2025.

Assembly Bill No. 2316 proposes an increase in the daily traffic limit to fewer than 4,000 vehicles for the construction of speed humps, specifically those with a flat top of at least 10 feet, such as speed tables. This adjustment applies to one-lane and two-lane residential streets, enhancing the autonomy of counties and municipalities in managing their local traffic calming measures.

Further, the bill stipulates similar conditions for streets undergoing construction or repair, especially those located within 500 feet of schools or related properties. The legislation is designed to streamline the process for implementing speed humps in school zones and residential areas, aiming to improve safety without requiring approval from the Commissioner of Transportation for each project.

The revised regulations would apply exclusively to streets under municipal or county jurisdiction with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less. This move is part of broader efforts to enhance road safety in community-sensitive areas, ensuring smoother implementation of traffic calming strategies.