New Jersey Assembly Republicans

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

May 24, 2012      

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, known as “Janet’s Law,” requiring New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) was approved today by the General Assembly. The bill requires schools to establish emergency action plans for responding to sudden cardiac events and training for school officials and coaches on how to operate an AED.

Bramnick’s bill (A-1608) is named for Janet Zilinski, an 11-year-old from Warren, who collapsed and died due to sudden cardiac arrest in August, 2006. On Monday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee released the bill by unanimous vote.

“Janet’s Law will help save lives,” said Bramnick. “There are many first-hand accounts of students and athletes who were revived because an AED was accessible and trained people were on site to properly use the defibrillator. Tragedies such as Janet’s can be averted if a plan of action is in place. I thank Speaker Oliver for posting this bill so that no family will have to endure the heartache the Zilinski’s are experiencing.”

Under Bramnick’s bill, public school districts and nonpublic schools must ensure that an AED is made available in an unlocked location on school property beginning September 1, 2014. The AED must be accessible during the day and any time a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice is taking place.

Also included in the approved legislation is the requirement that a team coach, athletic director or other designated staff member, who is present during an athletic event or team practice, be trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and certified in how to properly operate an AED.

The bipartisan bill is also sponsored by Assembly Republican Conference Leader Dave Rible and Assembly Democrats Craig Coughlin, Vincent Prieto, Patrick Diegnan and Thomas Giblin.

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

May 22, 2012

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said that today’s C-Suite Survey of CEOs around New Jersey indicating companies are intending to hire more employees this year is another indication of the confidence people have in the state and its economy. Nearly 42 percent of the CEOs surveyed by Rutgers University showed they expect to increase their hiring over the next year which is 10 percent higher than the last survey.

Of the 274 executives who responded to the survey, 81 percent rate the state’s economy as fair or excellent, and 71 percent say that New Jersey is a fair or excellent place to do business.

“The business community is reinforcing the belief that our state is headed in the right direction,” said Bramnick. “The survey results show that companies are optimistic about New Jersey as a place where they can be successful. Their intent on increasing capital spending and creating more jobs sends a message of confidence that they agree with the way Governor Christie is running our state. The administration’s efforts on making New Jersey a place where companies want to do business are paying off.”

The C-Suite Survey is conducted by Rutgers University Professors James Hughes and Joseph J. Seneca. It targets senior executives from companies headquartered or with deep roots in New Jersey. Questions gauge their opinions about the economy and experiences doing business here.

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

May 21, 2012

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, known as “Janet’s Law,” which requires New Jersey public and nonpublic schools to be equipped with an automated external defibrillator (AED) was unanimously approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee today. The bill also requires schools to establish emergency action plans for responding to sudden cardiac events and training for school officials and coaches on how to operate an AED.

Bramnick’s bill (A-1608) is named for Janet Zilinski, an 11-year-old from Warren, who collapsed and died due to sudden cardiac arrest in August, 2006. Bramnick has indicated that groups such as “The Janet Fund” will raise private funds to help reduce the cost of the device.

“While it is impossible to predict when sudden cardiac arrest will occur, precautions can be taken to react quickly and save lives,” said Bramnick, whose district includes Warren. “Response time is critically important when a cardiac episode occurs. With proper training and access to an AED during an attack, we can prevent tragedies such as Janet’s. I appreciate Chairman Burzichelli posting this important bill in his committee.”

Under Bramnick’s bill, public school districts and nonpublic schools must ensure that an AED is made available in an unlocked location on school property beginning September 1, 2014. The AED must be accessible during the day and any time a school-sponsored athletic event or team practice is taking place.

Also included in the approved legislation is the requirement that a team coach, athletic director or other designated staff member, who is present during an athletic event or team practice, be trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and certified in how to properly operate an AED.

The bipartisan bill is also sponsored by Assembly Republican Conference Leader Dave Rible and Assembly Democrats Craig Coughlin, Vincent Prieto, Patrick Diegnan and Thomas Giblin.

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073
Assemblyman Dave Rible / 732-974-1719

May 17, 2012

Given the fiscal debacles of former Governor Jon Corzine, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Conference Leader Dave Rible asked whether Democrats in the Legislature think New Jersey would be better off if Corzine had remained in office to steer New Jersey through its fiscal challenges. The two Assembly Republican leaders issued the following statements after Tuesday’s revenue reports were issued by the Treasury Dept. and Office of Legislative Services:

“While Assembly Democrats choose to attack Governor Christie, one can only imagine what financial condition the state would be in if Jon Corzine were still governor,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “Through the first 10 months, Fiscal Year 2012 collections remain up by $500 million over last year.

“The fiscal discipline that began when Governor Christie took office two years ago has stopped the financial ruin the Democrats created over the previous eight years. While the Assembly Democrats think raising taxes is an answer to solving problems, we must remain confident in the direction the governor is leading us.”

“The Democrats conveniently ignore that when Gov. Christie took office, he inherited a state economy literally on the verge of bankruptcy which was the direct result of their reckless tax and spend practices,” said Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean. “They are the architects of some of the worst economic policies ever implemented in the state of New Jersey.

“The majority party never mentions the eight consecutive spending plans they gave taxpayers that were loaded with new taxes, fiscally unsound debt practices and one-shot budget maneuvers. Taxpayers also can thank them for today’s outrageous property tax rates which soared under their watch. During the past two years, Gov. Christie has put our state back on the road to economic recovery and growth through an aggressive and responsible reform agenda. It is easy to see that posturing is the most important item on the Democrats’ agenda.”

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

May 10, 2012

Bipartisan legislation that is co-sponsored by Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, D-Gloucester and Camden, that prohibits sending unsolicited advertising by text messaging and charging a fee, unless expressly permitted by the consumer, was approved at today’s Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee.

The bill, A-1218, also requires any telecommunications company that sells text messaging services to offer an option allowing customers to block all incoming and outgoing text messages. If enacted, the bill will be enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“This pro-consumer legislation will reduce the unwanted solicitations that cell phone owners receive,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “Oftentimes, people have no idea how their phone number was obtained because they never granted permission. Consumers need to be safeguarded from unsolicited marketing that can be costly and done without their knowledge.”

It should be noted that the bill does allow telecommunications companies to continue to correspond by text message with existing customers that have requested to have all incoming and outgoing text messages blocked, so long as the communication pertains to the customer’s existing account and no telecommunications charge or usage allocation deduction results.

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073
Assemblyman Dave Rible / 732-974-1719

May 9, 2012

At a State House news conference today, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Conference Leader Dave Rible expressed serious concerns with portions of the Healthcare Disclosure and Transparency Act bill that will be discussed on Thursday at the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee hearing.

Bramnick and Rible discussed the potential effects of the bill on patients and physicians, especially when out-of-network coverage and payment issues arise.

“This bill, which I have nicknamed the ‘Patient Collection Act,’ makes it harder for family doctors to focus on treating their patients,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “There is a real potential for doctors and specialists to move their practice somewhere else unless these kinds of issues are resolved. A patient’s right to decide what is their best course of treatment should be based on conversations with their doctor, not on carriers who have created an unmanageable bureaucracy for both the patient and doctor.”

“The bill under discussion tomorrow has flaws that need to be corrected,” said Rible, R-Monmouth and Ocean. “Based on the provision of this bill that requires a doctor to make three good faith and timely attempts at collecting payment from a patient and keeping records for seven years, I also believe it is more appropriate to name it the ‘Patient Collection Act.’ We need to let doctors practice medicine and respect their expertise in their specialty instead of having medical treatment decisions being made by a carrier’s accountant.

“There are many bureaucratic components in healthcare coverage, but the one who ultimately suffers the most is the patient,” continued Rible. “The bottom line is restoring their health and promptly paying those who provided the treatment and services.”

Bramnick and Rible indicated they intend on introducing legislation that addresses the issues of prompt payment to providers; reducing the amount of red tape patients and providers must deal with; and respecting the professional judgment of doctors who should provide an independent medical review of whether a treatment is medically necessary.

Several medical doctors and specialists joined Bramnick and Rible at the news conference.

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

May 7, 2012

During Monday morning’s conference call with AARP members throughout the state, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick told callers that he believes New Jersey is finally on the right track towards lowering residents’ taxes by controlling government spending, capping property tax growth and passing fiscally responsible budgets.

“Over the last two years, Republicans have worked with Governor Christie to enact historic laws such as the 2 percent cap on property taxes and reforms to public employee benefit contributions,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “We are now at the point where both sides of the aisle are debating the best way to cut taxes. Two years ago, who would have thought that discussion would be taking place?”

Bramnick answered questions from AARP members on a variety of topics and said it was encouraging that so many people were on the call.

“The tax burden is still too high in New Jersey, but under Governor Christie’s leadership we are finally confronting serious problems and making the tough choices to reform government,” continued Bramnick. “Our plan is working and we must keep moving forward.”

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April 23, 2012

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, issued the following statement on Monday’s passing of Mr. Charles (Chuck) McFadden, father of Lt. Gov. Kim Gaudagno:

“On behalf of the members of the Assembly Republican caucus, I wish to extend our deepest sysmpathies to Lt. Gov. Gaudagno, her husband, Michael and their children on the passing of Mr. McFadden. He accomplished much during his lifetime and he will be surely missed by those who knew and loved him. I also extend my condolences to Mrs. McFadden and the entire family on their loss.”

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April 18, 2012

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick was honored on Tuesday by the Council on State Public Affairs with a Legislative Leader Award at its first Public Policy Awards gathering in Bernardsville.

The council was established to collaborate and work with stakeholders involved in shaping public policy, including academia, government officials and civic organizations.

“I am honored to be a recipient of the council’s award and appreciate their recognition,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “The historic reforms we achieved over the last two years were the result of a healthy exchange of ideas. We still face many challenges, especially keeping our focus on job creation and improving our state’s economy. Those are issues where a constructive and civil dialogue is needed, free of the political rhetoric that impedes reform.”

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Assemblyman Jon Bramnick / 908-232-2073

March 26, 2012

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said today that reports of Trenton Democrats maneuvering to place an income tax increase as a 2013 ballot question that would amend New Jersey’s Constitution shows they are following their old course of raising taxes.

“For the first time in 10 years, a majority of New Jersey voters believe the state is headed in the right direction,” said Bramnick, R-Union, Morris and Somerset. “The Democrats’ plan to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise taxes is the wrong message at the wrong time. The new message being crafted by the Democratic majority may appear to be good politics, but it is bad policy at a time when we are finally starting to attract and maintain businesses in our state.

“The message from Trenton must be consistent,” continued Bramnick. “We will not raise taxes on anyone and we will end the anti-business environment that has dominated Trenton politics for years.”

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